Russia releases footage of Tu-22M3 bombers over the Baltic Sea amid rising regional tension

Long-range Tu-22M3 bombers carried out a flight lasting more than five hours over neutral waters, escorted by Su-35 and Su-27 fighters; the Ministry of Defence released video footage of the mission.

The Russian Aerospace Forces conducted a scheduled flight of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, according to a statement issued on Thursday (23) by the Russian Ministry of Defence, which also shared a video of the operation.

The footage shows the bombers being escorted by Su-35S and Su-27 fighters throughout the flight, which lasted over five hours. At certain stages of the route, the Russian aircraft were shadowed by foreign fighters, suggesting close surveillance by NATO forces.

Source and images: Ministry of Defence of the Russian Federation | Telegram @mod_russia