"Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers took off from an airbase in eastern Russia on Tuesday and successfully carried out a patrol mission over the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean and near Alaska," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik told RIA Novosti.
The spokesman said that during the 10-hour mission, the crews practiced instrumental flight maneuvers in arctic climate conditions.
"On route, the bombers were accompanied for 10 minutes by four USAF F-15 Eagle fighters," Drik added.
Russia resumed regular strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order signed by then-president Vladimir Putin.
All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states.
