Sokoly Rossii (Falcons of Russia)
Соколы России

The aerobatic display team of the Lipetsk based 4th Centre for Combat Employment and Retraining of Personnel (4 TsBP i PLS) of the Air Force (VVS) became known as the Falcons of Russia (Соколы России) in June 2004, during the air show in Nizhny Novgorod dedicated to the 100th anniversary of the birth of VP Chkalov. The date of June 12, 2004, is now regarded to be the day of formation of the "Falcons of Russia" display team.

The 4 TsBP i PLS is responsible for the operational pilot conversion on the latest aircraft of the Russian Air Force. At the Lipetsk Centre a demonstration team was first established in 1993 with the goal to improve and display the skills of the instructor pilots, as well as to demonstrate the maneuverability of the Su-27 aircraft and pilot training. The aerobatic team was formed in the decade when Russia was going through a deep depression, resulting in a severe lack of fuel for the Russian Air Force limiting flying hours and training. The demonstration flights by the Lipetsk instructor pilots that they managed to perform in the early years showcased the maneuverability of the Su-27, but also the possibility and prospects for the development of a Lipetsk display team.

From 2000 the team's display routine evolved to group aerobatics with six or four aircraft, 2-vs-2 aerial combat maneuvers, and solo display flying. The team flew mostly the Su-27 single-seat fighter and combat-capable two-seat Su-27UB conversion trainers. From 2008 to 2013, the display program included aerobatics with the Su-34 fighter-bomber. Since 2014, the team displays the new multi-role Su-30SM and Su-35S fighters. In October 2014 at Krasnoyarsk the team performed the entire air show (formation and solo aerobatics, as well as air combat routines) on the Su-30SM.

While the Russian Knights are the ambassadors for Russia and the Russian Aerospace Forces and now also have re-equipped with Su-30SM versions for its formation aerobatic displays, the "Falcons of Russia" goal is to demonstrate the different components of combat flight training with the latest aircraft in use at Lipetsk for operational conversion of combat pilots..The Falcons of Russia do display their routine at far fewer public events than the Russian Knights though.