Russian strategic bombers perform patrolling mission tasks — Defense Ministry

Two strategic bombers Tupolev Tu-95MS that took off from the Engels Air Force Base in the Saratov region (Volga area) on Thursday "successfully performed the air patrolling mission tasks," the Russian Defense Ministry press service said.

"The long-range aviation strategic bombers flew through neutral waters in the Barents and Norwegian Seas and Atlantic Ocean. The Tu-95MS crews made two aerial refuelling maneuvres with the help of the Ilyushin Il-78 tanker aircraft. The flight continued for more than 19 hours," the press service reported.
On the flight route the Russian long-range aviation planes were accompanied by the MiG-31 fighter-interceptor aircraft of the Russian Air Force. At separate patrolling stages, the strategic bombers were followed by the UK Air Force Typhoon warplanes, Norway’s F-16 fighters and France’s Mirage fighters.

The Russian long-range aviation pilots perform regular scheduled patrolling flights over neutral waters of the Arctic, Atlantic Oceans, over the Black Sea, the Pacific Ocean, taking off from their airbases and from tactical airfields.
"All flights of the Air Force planes have been performed and are performed in strict compliance with the international rules of the use of airspace over neutral waters without violating the borders of other states," the Defense Ministry said.