Russian bombers, fighter jets carry out training flight over neutral waters of Baltic and Caspian seas

By Elena Teslova

MOSCOW (AA) - The Russian Aerospace Forces carried out flights with hypersonic missiles over the neutral waters of the Baltic and Caspian seas, the Defense Ministry said on Tuesday.

The ministry in a statement said it was a training flight of the supersonic variable-sweep wing long-range strategic and maritime strike bombers, Tu-22m3 and MiG-31, carrying Kinzhal (Dagger) hypersonic missiles, while fighter jets Su-30sm and Su-35s were providing cover.

"During the flight, the crews of MiG-31 aircraft practiced refueling in the air," it said.

At some stages of the route foreign aircraft were accompanying the Russian planes, the ministry said.

"All flights are performed in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace. Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic Seas, and the Pacific Ocean," the statement said.

Media reports suggested German and Finnish air forces accompanied Russian planes over the Baltic Sea to prevent airspace violation.