MOSCOW, August 5 (RIA Novosti) - A Russian Tu-160 heavy strategic bomber (NATO reporting name Blackjack) launched a cruise missile Friday hitting a target at one of the country's northern shooting ranges, an Air Force spokesman said.

"Two Tu-160 aircraft took off Friday morning from the Engels airport in the Saratov region (the Volga region) for a scheduled flight," Alexander Drobyshevsky said. "During the flight one of the planes successfully launched a cruise missile, which hit the target at a northern shooting range near Vorkuta."

He added that the eight-hour flights, which covered thousands of miles, had been carried out in accordance with the training schedule. He also said the crews had included young members. "Missions like this are regularly conducted, which lets long range pilots improve their skills," the official said.