A still image from video, released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be a Tu-95MS strategic bomber during a seven-hour patrol flight over the Sea of Japan, at an unknown location, in this image taken from handout footage released December 14, 2022. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
Russia's defence ministry said on Wednesday that two Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers carried out a seven-hour patrol flight over the Sea of Japan.
The bombers - capable of carrying nuclear bombs and nuclear-armed cruise missiles - were accompanied by Russian SU-class fighter jets, the ministry said.
Even while bogged down thousands of miles away in its war in Ukraine, Russia has continued to conduct regular strategic bomber flights as a show of strength to its neighbours in the Far East. Last month it carried out joint patrols with China over the Sea of Japan and East China Sea.
A still image from video, released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be Tu-95MS strategic bombers during a seven-hour patrol flight over the Sea of Japan, at an unknown location, in this image taken from handout footage released December 14, 2022. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
The defence ministry said the latest mission complied with international airspace rules and was part of regular flights over what it called the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black and Baltic Seas, and the Pacific Ocean.
(Reporting by Reuters; Editing by Mark Trevelyan and Raju Gopalakrishnan)
A still image from video, released by the Russian Defence Ministry, shows what it said to be a Tu-95MS strategic bomber landing after a seven-hour patrol flight over the Sea of Japan, at an unknown location, in this image taken from handout footage released December 14, 2022. Russian Defence Ministry/Handout via REUTERS
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