The Russian Ministry of Defense announced today that Tu-160 strategic bombers of the Russian Strategic Air Force conducted a planned flight in international airspace over the Barents and Norwegian seas. The flight lasted about 16 hours, during which the Tu-160 crews practiced mid-air refueling.
The Russian Air Force also deployed MiG-31 fighter jets to escort the Tu-160, adding that foreign fighter jets shadowed the Russian formation during some segments of the journey. A video released shows a MiG-31 fighter jet flying close to the Tu-160 while maintaining a distance from a stealth F-35 aircraft of an unknown nation, likely belonging to a NATO member state.
Tu-160 bombers and MiG-31 fighter jets encountered an F-35 in a video released on 23/6. Video: Russian Ministry of Defense
The Russian Ministry of Defense stated that the Russian Strategic Air Force regularly operates in international airspace over the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Baltic Sea, and Black Sea. All flights by Russian forces strictly adhere to international airspace regulations.
NATO officials have not commented on the information.
Russia frequently deploys fighter jets to escort military flights in the airspace around its territory. NATO also regularly dispatches fighter jets to monitor Russian aircraft formations, but both sides generally maintain a safe distance to avoid collisions.
However, there have been instances where Russian fighter jets acted aggressively, such as intercepting and banking to divert, to force NATO fighter jets away from protected targets.
Russian Su-35S fighter cuts off U.S. F-16
The Tu-160 is a supersonic bomber with the largest wingspan and empty weight ever built globally. It is nicknamed the "White Swan" due to its distinctive white paint and maneuverability rarely seen in bombers. By the end of 2025, the Russian Aerospace Forces will possess at least 20 Tu-160 bombers and the comprehensively upgraded Tu-160M version.
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Location of the Barents and Norwegian seas. Map: Wikimedia
The Tu-160 features two weapons bays with a total payload capacity of 45 tons, allowing it to carry 12 Kh-55/55S cruise missiles with a range of 2,500-3,000 km and their modernized Kh-101/102 variants, or 24 Kh-15 short-range nuclear missiles.
The modernized Tu-160M variant is equipped with an integrated self-defense system, modern communication equipment, new engines, and various modern weapons to enhance its long-range, high-precision strike capabilities. The Russian military states that the Tu-160M's combat power is significantly higher than the original Tu-160, and its flight range is extended by 1,000 km.
Nguyen Tien (According to TASS, Zvezda, Reuters, AP)
