Russian nuclear-capable bombers patrol Arctic amid tensions with NATO (VIDEO)
Russian Tu-160 nuclear-capable strategic bombers have conducted drills over the neutral waters of the Barents and Norwegian seas, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Tuesday. The mission took place amid tensions between Moscow and NATO over the Ukraine conflict.
The aircraft were escorted by MiG-31 fighter jets and conducted mid-air refueling drills during what the ministry described as a routine patrol flight over the Arctic region between Norway, Iceland, and Greenland. According to the ministry, the bombers were shadowed by fighter aircraft from unspecified foreign countries during parts of their 16-hour mission.
“All flights of the Russian Aerospace Forces are conducted in strict accordance with international rules governing the use of airspace,” the ministry said on Telegram.
Russia and Belarus conducted their first joint nuclear exercise last month. President Vladimir Putin said nuclear deterrence protects the sovereignty of both countries at a time of “growing global tensions, as well as the emergence of new threats and risks.”
Moscow has warned that NATO’s military support for Ukraine and the growing militarization of Europe could lead to a broader conflict.
“A direct confrontation between NATO and Russia could rapidly escalate into an exchange of nuclear strikes, with catastrophic consequences,” Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov wrote in a recent op-ed that was rejected by Politico Europe.
Lavrov also expressed “deep concern” over France’s proposal to extend its nuclear deterrent to Germany and other NATO members.
Speaking at the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum this month, Putin reiterated that Russia would not attack a NATO member unless Russia is attacked first.
