Sukhoi Su-34 multipurpose strike aircraft of the Russian Air Force
A brand-new Sukhoi Su-34 multipurpose strike aircraft was named after St Nikolai the Wonderworker, in a ceremony held whilst the crew was undergoing combat familiarisation training at the Lipetsk air base, Vladimir Kakhlenko, the assistant to the base commander for press affairs, told Interfax on Wednesday. On that day, the aircraft was ceremoniously blessed, and it was revealed that an image of the saint was painted on its fuselage. This was a joint effort of the Diocese of Lipetsk and Yelets, the Lipetsk air base, and the All Russia Fund of St Nikolai the Wonderworker. The St Nikolai Fund also sponsored the celebrations in honour of the 55th anniversary of the Lipetsk Chkalov Combat Aircrew Training Centre. The Fund is also going to render financial assistance in the construction of a chapel on the air base for the attached personnel.
18 June 2008
Interfax-Religion
Voices from Russia 
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