Tu-22M3 missile-carriers destroy mock enemy infrastructure during Long-Range Aviation exercise

MOSCOW. Oct 4 (Interfax-AVN) - Long-range bombers Tupolev Tu-22M3 dropped guided munitions at mock enemy ground infrastructure, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"The long-range aircraft took off from an airfield in Murmansk region. The flight covered over 4,000 kilometers. All targets at the range were hit successfully," the ministry said in a statement on Thursday.

The exercise began on Tuesday, October 2, as part of the Armed Forces' combat-readiness checks for 2018 and involves over 30 Tu-160, Tu-95MS, Tu-22M3, and Il-78 crews, the statement said.

The crews will "practice redeploying to tactical airfields, air-to-air refueling, and using air weapons against ground targets at the range," the ministry said.