MOSCOW. April 19 (Interfax) - Long-range aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have patrolled a number of areas over neutral waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the Sea of Japan, the Russian Defense Ministry said on Wednesday.
"Units of the Aerospace Forces and supply detachments, eight Tupolev Tu-22M3 long-range bombers performed a training flight in the airspace over neutral waters of the Sea of Okhotsk and the northern part of the Sea of Japan as part of a surprise combat readiness check of the Pacific Fleet," the ministry said.
Tu-22M3 long-range bombers provided air support to the Pacific Fleet forces during the check.
"All flights long-range aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international airspace regulations governing flights over neutral waters, without trespassing borders of other states," the ministry said.
The surprise check in the Russian Pacific Fleet began on April 14.