Russian Tu-22M3 strategic bombers conducted a scheduled flight over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea on Friday, accompanied by fighter escorts, according to Russia’s Defense Ministry as cited by Interfax .
The ministry did not specify the number of aircraft involved or the mission’s objectives, stating only that the bombers remained airborne for over four hours. Reuters reported that foreign fighter jets escorted the Tu-22M3s for part of the route .
The Tu-22M3, known by NATO as Backfire-C, is capable of carrying both nuclear and conventional weapons, including cruise and anti-ship missiles. The flight coincided with the conclusion of four-day Russian-Belarusian military drills in Belarus, involving over 1,500 troops and 300 pieces of military equipment .
OSINTdefender reported that the bombers were escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM fighters during the mission . Russian military aircraft, including bombers and reconnaissance planes, regularly operate over the Baltic Sea with transponders off and without filed flight plans, complicating remote identification .
