Moscow. July 7. INTERFAX-AVN-Two Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers accompanied by Su-30M2 fighters flew over the Black Sea against the background of the Sea Breeze exercises conducted by NATO countries and their allies.
"Two long-range Tu-22M3 bombers of long-range aviation performed a planned flight in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Black Sea," the Russian Defense Ministry said.
According to the agency, the flight lasted about 5 hours.
"Fighter escort was provided by the crews of Su-30M2 aircraft of the Air Force and Air Defense Association of the Southern Military District," the Defense Ministry said.
"Long-range aviation crews regularly fly over the neutral waters of the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Black and Baltic Seas, and the Pacific Ocean. All flights of the aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces are carried out in strict accordance with the international rules for the use of airspace," the ministry stressed.
As Interfax reported, large - scale Sea Breeze exercises are taking place in the Black Sea-32 warships, 40 aircraft and five thousand military personnel from 17 NATO member countries, as well as alliance partners are involved in the maneuvers. In total, military personnel from 32 countries participate.
On June 2, the official representative of the Russian Defense Ministry, Igor Konashenkov, said that the Russian military will closely monitor Sea Breeze and respond to threats.
