MiG-31K fighters capable of carrying hypersonic missiles and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers flew over the Mediterranean Sea as part of the exercises. This was announced on June 29 by the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation.
The ministry noted that the Navy and the Aerospace Forces of the Russian Federation continue exercises in the eastern part of the Mediterranean Sea.
"MiG-31K aircraft from the newest Kinzhal missile system and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers made training flights in the Mediterranean Sea," the report says.
As part of the exercises, tactical techniques for conducting reconnaissance of the surface and underwater situation were worked out. The maneuvering of the ships was carried out in cooperation with the Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft. Su-35 fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers provided aviation cover for the actions of the fleet forces. In addition, the Ka-27 anti-submarine helicopter based on the Admiral Makarov frigate participated in the search operations.
Having successfully completed combat training tasks, all the aircraft safely returned to the Russian airbase "Khmeimim", the Defense Ministry stressed.
In addition, the fleet forces conducted training on repelling an air attack, issues of practical actions of calculations and air defense means to combat air targets were worked out. Special attention was paid to the fight against unmanned aerial vehicles.
Earlier, as part of the exercise, which started on June 25, a pair of MiG-31K aircraft with the ability to use the latest hypersonic missiles from the Kinzhal complex and an Il-38 anti-submarine aircraft were flown from Russian airfields to the Russian Khmeimim air base in Syria.
According to the plan of the exercise, five ships of the Russian Navy, including the missile cruiser "Moscow", the frigates "Admiral Essen" and "Admiral Makarov" and two submarines "Stary Oskol" and "Rostov-on-Don", together with anti-submarine aircraft Tu-142mk, Il-38, long-range bombers Tu-22m3 and MiG-31K aircraft, will perform combat training tasks to ensure the security of the Khmeimim air base and the naval logistics center Russia's "Tartus", the Ministry of Defense reported.