Russian Tu-95 strategic bombers set new flight duration record

Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers have carried out a record-breaking 40-hour patrol over three oceans, an Air Force spokesman said.

"The Tu-95MS bombers carried out patrols over the Arctic, the Atlantic and the Pacific oceans and set a new flight duration record of about 40 hours, exceeding the previous record by four hours," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said at a news briefing on Thursday.

The crews practiced instrumental flight and carried out four in-flight refuelings from Il-78 aerial tankers, the official said.
Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-President Vladimir Putin.

The patrols are regularly performed by Tu-95 Bear and Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers, and by Tu-22M3 Backfire long-range bombers.

All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding the airspace of other states.