Two Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers conducted a routine flight over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, the Russian defense ministry reported on Wednesday via state-run RIA news agency. The flight, which lasted over four hours, saw the bombers being escorted by fighter jets from other countries at various stages of the journey. However, the ministry did not disclose the identities of the nations involved.
The flight took place amid heightened military activity in the region, which includes several Baltic states such as Finland, Sweden, Poland, Latvia, Lithuania, and Estonia—all of which are NATO members. The Russian ministry did not provide further details on the specifics of the flight, but such operations are part of Russia’s ongoing air patrols in international airspace.
The presence of NATO-member fighter jets alongside the Russian bombers highlights the ongoing tensions in the region as military forces from both Russia and NATO continue to engage in exercises and patrols. The Baltic Sea, strategically located between Eastern and Western Europe, has become a focal point for military activities, with both sides seeking to assert dominance in the area.
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