Two Tu-22M3 long-range strategic bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out patrols over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

"Two Tu-22M3 long-range bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces’ long-range aviation flew a scheduled sortie in airspace over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea," the statement said.

According to the Russian Defense Ministry, Su-30SM fighter jets shadowed the bombers, whose flight lasted about five hours. Foreign fighter jets escorted the long-range bombers on certain legs of their route.