Russian strategic bombers launch cruise missile manoeuvres

Moscow, Sep 26 (UNI) Russian strategic bombers today launched cruise missile manouvres and aerial bombardment during a four-day annual combat readiness inspection.

''The annual combat readiness inspection of strategic bomber units, under the supervision of the Air Force Commander, Vladimir Mikhailov, began today,'' Russian Air Force spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky said.

Mr Drobyshevsky said Tu-160 Blackjack, Tu-95M Bear-H and Tu-22M3 Backfire-C bombers, and Il-78 Mainstay air tankers will conduct about 70 flights over the Arctic Ocean, the Pacific Ocean, the Atlantic Ocean, the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.

Tu-160 and Tu-95 bombers will conduct cruise missile launches, and Tu-22 bombers will practice bombardment, he added.

''The bombers will also practice day-time and night-time aerial refueling,'' Mr Drobyshevsky told RIA Novosti news agency, stressing that the inspection was a scheduled military exercise aimed at improving the combat readiness of Air Force personnel.

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