Russian Tu-160 bombers continue patrols over the Arctic

MOSCOW, June 11 (RIA Novosti) - Four Russian Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers are conducting patrol flights over the Arctic Ocean, a spokesman for Russia's Air Force said on Wednesday.

"Four Tu-160 bombers took off today from the Engels airbase [near Saratov in southern Russia] for routine patrol flights over the Arctic Ocean," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans last August, following an order signed by then president Vladimir Putin.

Air Force commander, Col. Gen. Alexander Zelin said in April that Russia would drastically increase its number of strategic patrol flights over the world's oceans to 20-30 a month in the near future.

On Tuesday, two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers successfully completed 20-hour patrol flights over remote areas of the Arctic.

The Russian planes were accompanied by NATO fighters.