Russia launches cruise missiles during military exercises

Moscow, Mar 22 (UNI) Russian strategic bombers today launched eight cruise-missiles during their four-day combined-force tactical military manoeuvres.

The military exercises, involving 15 Tu-95MC (NATO classification Bear) strategic bombers, 12 Il-78 tanker planes, and Su-27 fighters, were supervised by the Commander of the Strategic Air Command's 37th Army Lt General Igor Khvorov, Russian Air Force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky was quoted as saying by the RIA Novosti today.

The exercises were completed today.

It also included day-and-night-time mid-air refueling and flights in the Far North, Mr Drobyshevsky said.

A Tu-95 bomber can carry up to six X-55 cruise missiles capable of hitting stationary targets with high precision.

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