MOSCOW, February 12 (RIA Novosti) - Two Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean, an Air Force spokesman said on Thursday.

"Their route crossed the neutral waters of the Arctic Ocean towards the Aleutian Islands, and the flight lasted for 12 hours," Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said. The flight took place on Wednesday.

The crews honed their instrumental flight skills and accomplished several other tasks, including in-flight refueling.

The bombers were shadowed by U.S. F-15 Eagle fighters, the spokesman added. The shadowing of Russian warplanes by NATO fighters has been common practice since Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007.

The spokesman reiterated that all Russian strategic patrols are performed in strict accordance with international rules on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states.