Moscow. February 5. INTERFAX-AVN - Two Russian Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed patrols in the airspace of Belarus and returned to Russia, the Russian Defense Ministry reported on Saturday.
"During the flight of long-range aircraft, the solution of joint tasks with aviation and air defense forces of the armed forces of the Republic of Belarus was worked out," the message reads.
"The duration of the flight was about 4 hours. All the tasks have been completed in full," the Russian military said.
"Long-range Tu-22M3 bombers have returned to the airfield based on the territory of the Russian Federation," the report says.
Last year, the Russian military sent Tu-22M3 and Tu-160 aircraft to Belarus for patrolling. These aircraft belong to the long-range aviation of the Aerospace Forces, the air component of the Russian nuclear triad.
The Tu-22M3 is a long-range supersonic missile carrier-bomber (according to the NATO codification: Backfire), designed to defeat sea and ground targets at a distance of up to 2,200 km from home airfields with guided missiles and aerial bombs. Tu-22M3 aircraft participated in a military operation in Syria, in combat operations in Afghanistan and, to a limited extent, in a counter-terrorism operation in the North Caucasus and in an operation to force Georgia to peace.
Russia and Belarus are checking the reaction forces of the Union state. According to the Deputy Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Alexander Fomin, it is planned to redeploy and create groups of troops by February 9. From February 10 to 20, the joint exercises "Allied Determination - 2022" will be held.
The Russian military announced the arrival of a number of units and units of the Eastern Military District with regular weapons in Belarus for exercises. In addition, it was officially reported that the Russian S-400 Triumph long-range air defense system, the Pantsir-S division of short-range air defense systems, Su-35 multi-purpose fighters of the fourth generation and Su-25SM attack aircraft were relocated to Belarus for maneuvers.
The maneuvers are taking place against the backdrop of a crisis in relations between Russia and NATO. The United States, other NATO countries and Ukraine announced the concentration of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border and the threat of a Russian invasion.
On January 30, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev said that Russia does not want to fight with Ukraine, there is no threat from Moscow.