2 Russian strategic bombers carry out flight over Bering Sea off coast of Alaska

MOSCOW

The Russian Defense Ministry said on Saturday that two Russian Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers conducted a flight over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea off the western coast of Alaska.

The flight lasted over seven hours, and Su-30SM fighter jets were accompanying the missile carrier planes, it said in a statement.

"Two Tu-95MS strategic missile carriers of the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces (VKS) performed a planned flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Bering Sea, near the western coast of Alaska. The flight duration was more than seven hours. The escort was provided by the crews of Su-30SM fighter jets," it said.

The ministry emphasized that the flight was carried out "in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace."