Today Vladimir Putin sent two Tu-95MS nuclear bombers over the Bering Sea and Okhotsk in a new show of force to the West.
The Bears flew as part of Russia’s war games on its Pacific side.
The surprise drills, billed as a surprise check of combat readiness, come amid deep tension with the West over the war in Ukraine.
During the extended air patrol, which was captured on video, the nuclear strike aircraft were refueled by an Il-78.
The Tu-95 fleet is an integral part of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, but the planes have also been used to launch devastating non-atomic missiles, causing widespread destruction in Ukraine.
Today Vladimir Putin sent two Tu-95MS nuclear bombers (pictured) over the Bering Sea and Okhotsk.
The Bears flew as part of Russia’s war games on its Pacific side
During the extended air patrol, which was captured on video, the nuclear strike aircraft were refueled by an Il-78.
Soviet-era Tu-95s — nicknamed the Bears — first flew nearly 70 years ago.
Separate footage showed the exercises taking place in eastern Russia, including attack submarines and live-fire exercises.
Putin’s nuclear strike planes are expected to soon make more flights.
And Tass reported that Russian Tu-22M3 aircraft were deployed to participate in the war games.
In the photo: a pilot inside one of the Tu-95MS nuclear bombers used during the surprise exercise
Pictured: Corvette Gromke and anti-submarine ships of the Pacific Fleet conducted live-fire exercises in the Sea of Japan
In the photo: Tu-95MS nuclear bomber. The Tu-95 fleet is an integral part of Russia’s nuclear arsenal, but the planes have also been used to launch devastating non-atomic missiles, causing widespread destruction in Ukraine.
In the photo: Tu-95MS nuclear bomber on the runway during a surprise exercise
Soviet-era Tu-95s – nicknamed the Bears – first flew nearly 70 years ago
In the photo: Tu-95MS nuclear bomber in action
In the photo: Tu-95MS nuclear bomber on the runway during exercises
“During the inspection by the crews of the Tu-95MS, air patrols will continue,” reported the Zvezda TV channel run by the Russian Defense Ministry.
“All flights of long-distance aircraft are carried out in accordance with strict international rules, without violating the borders of other countries.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told Putin earlier that “strategic missile carriers will fly to the central part of the Pacific Ocean to simulate strikes on groups of ships of an imaginary enemy.”
He did not say what type of strategic bombers would be flying in the mission.
Putin told the defense minister in a face-to-face meeting that the Ukraine war should not prevent Russia from flexing its muscles elsewhere.
“It is clear that we have clear priorities for the use of the armed forces,” he said.
First of all, this concerns the Ukrainian direction and everything related to the protection of our people in the Donbass and in the new (conquered) lands.
“But the tasks of developing the fleet, including in the Pacific theater, have not been stopped or removed.”
And he added, “I ask you to continue this work, and also take care of developing and preparing similar events in other fleets.”
Separate footage showed the exercises taking place in eastern Russia, including attack submarines and live-fire exercises
In the photo: Tu-95MS nuclear bomber during a surprise exercise. Putin’s nuclear strike planes are expected to soon make more flights
In the photo: exercises in eastern Ukraine
Pictured: live fire exercises in eastern Ukraine
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (pictured) earlier told Putin that ‘strategic missile carriers will fly into the central part of the Pacific Ocean to simulate strikes on groups of ships of an imaginary enemy’.
Pictured: live fire exercises in eastern Ukraine
In the photo: exercises in eastern Ukraine. Putin told the defense minister in a face-to-face meeting that the Ukraine war should not prevent Russia from flexing its muscles elsewhere
The forces of the fleet – in its individual components – can certainly be used in various conflicts.
So I ask you to keep this in mind as well.
I know that the Ministry (of Defense) and the General Staff are doing this, and I know.
