Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from Engels air base on November 28th and successfully completed a number of objectives in accordance with strategic deterrence plan. The bombers’ flight route ran above the neutral waters in the water zone of Arctic Ocean, press-service of the Russian Ministry of Defense reports. AEX.ru
«During the flight the crews of Tu-95MS aircraft have drilled the skills in the area of performing flights above featureless terrain, performed refueling with the participation of Il-78 tankers intended for reaching distant North Atlantic Regions. The flight duration was over 16 hours», - The Ministry of Defense explained.
Tu-95MS aircraft were escorted by two MiG-31s within the state boundary of RF. Two Tu-95MS aircraft have been escorted throughout the flight above neutral waters by F-16s of Norwegian and Danish air forces, two Eurofighters and two F-4Fs of German Air Forces, which came within a 50-meters distance from the strategic bombers.
“According to the approved strategic deterrence plan, the pilots of long-range aviation perform regular flights above neutral waters of Arctic, Atlantic, Black Sea and Pacific Ocean from base and operational airfields. During the flights the crews drill different skills in the area of aircrew cooperation and different elements of flight training”, - the Ministry of Defense noted.
All the flights of Russian air forces’ aircraft are performed in accordance with international rules for exploitation of the air space above neutral waters without violation of other countries’ boundaries, the press-service noted.