The Russian Ministry of Defense announced this Monday that strategic Tu-95MS bombers carried out a planned flight over the neutral waters of the Barents Sea, in yet another demonstration of military presence in the Arctic.
According to the official statement, the mission lasted more than four hours and was accompanied by Russian Navy Su-33 fighters.
“All flights of aircraft from the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict compliance with international rules for the use of airspace,” the ministry’s note emphasized.
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The flight is part of Russia’s routine military exercises in the region, where the country maintains a strong strategic presence, especially amid growing tensions with NATO in the Arctic.
Tu-95MS
The Tupolev Tu-95MS, known to NATO as “Bear-H,” is a propeller-driven strategic bomber that has remained in service since the Cold War. Some of its highlights include:
– It is the only turboprop strategic bomber currently in operation, equipped with four powerful Kuznetsov NK-12 engines with contra-rotating propellers
– Capable of reaching cruising speeds above Mach 0.82 in newer versions
– Boasts an exceptional range exceeding 9,000 nautical miles (approximately 16,600 km), with a payload capacity of up to 20,000 kg
– Can carry a lethal combination of cruise missiles: versions can carry up to 16 Kh-55 internally, as well as missiles like the Kh-101 on external pylons
Source and images: Russian Ministry of Defense. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
