The Russian Defence Ministry has denied reports published by the Israeli online media outlet DEBKAfile about Russian Tupolev Tu-22M3 (NATO reporting name "Backfire") long-range strategic bombers soaring through Iran's airspace recently on their way from their bases in Russia to Syria. This reported by Sputnik.

"Information from one of the Israeli Internet resources about the alleged flights of Russian bombers in Iranian airspace is fake", the ministry said.

The media outlet claimed the bombers were flying from a Russian base to conduct bombing sorties in Syria and that the route was allegedly chosen for being the shortest one possible.