Russia's "Regular Flight of Strategic Bombers on the Arctic and Black Seas"

Russia's defence ministry says it has conducted regular flights of long-range strategic bombers over the Arctic and Black seas.

Two strategic bombers, Tu-95MS, flew regularly in international waters of the Barents Sea, part of the Arctic Ocean, and two long-range strategic bombers, Tu-22M3, in international waters of the Black Sea.

The two flights were escorted by MiG-31 and Sukhoi-27 fighters, respectively.

Russia's defence ministry stressed that it regularly flies over the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific, Black and Baltic seas and strictly complies with international regulations on the use of its airspace.

The Tu-95MS and Tu-22M3 are long-range strategic bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons.