Russia says its Tu-160 strategic bomber performs routine flight above 'neutral waters of Arctic Ocean'

​​​​​​​MOSCOW

A Russian Tu-160 strategic bomber performed a routine flight above the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean, the Defense Ministry said Tuesday.

"Strategic bomber Tu-160 executed a scheduled flight in the airspace over neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean. Flight duration exceeded 11 hours," it said in a statement.

Crews of the Long Range Aviation frequently conduct flights above the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Black Sea and Baltic Sea.

The Defense Ministry emphasized that all flights of the Russian Aerospace Forces comply with international regulations for the use of airspace.

It stressed that long-range aviation pilots regularly fly above the neutral waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic Seas and the Pacific Ocean.

Strategic Tu-95MS and Tu-160 missile carrier bombers are part of the long-range aviation of the Russian Aerospace Forces and the air component of the nuclear triad consisting of aircraft, submarines and intercontinental ballistic missiles.