Nuclear-capable strategic bomber were on Thursday sent by Russia over the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea, prompting South Korea and Japan to scramble jets to escort them.
The Bombers, the Tupolev-95MS, code named "Bears" by NATO, flew over neutral waters accompanied by Russian Sukhoi-35s Fighter jets and the A-50 which is an early warning and control aircraft was also in their company.
Russia defence minister confirmed the operation in a statement, stressing that the fly-by was strictly on neutral international bounderies and the territory of any of their neighbours was not violated, but didn't specify the overall numbers of aircraft that had taken part in what he called a "pre-arranged" flight and did not say when or why the mission took place.
Russian officials said the TU-95MS bombers were refueled in mid-air during the mission and south korean and Japanese military later joined the Russian aircraft escorting them midway into the operation.
Tension are at a fever pitch in the region over North Korean nuclear missile programme and South korea and planned Japan deployment of U.S. anti-missile system on their soil.
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