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Su-35 fighters escort Tu-95MS strategic bombers in skies over western Russia in drills

The crews of Su-35S fighters practiced complex formation flying jointly with the Tu-95MS strategic bombers and held a training dogfight, following which they returned to their home airfield

MOSCOW, February 9. /TASS/. Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic missile-carrying bombers and Sukhoi Su-35S fighters held joint drills in the skies over the Tver Region, the press office of Russia’s Western Military District reported on Tuesday.

"A formation of Su-35S fighters of operational-tactical aviation from the Western Military District’s Air Force and Air Defense Army took off from the Khotilovo aerodrome on command to escort Tu-95MS turboprop strategic missile-carrying bombers that took off from an airbase of the Aerospace Force in the Saratov Region," the press office said in a statement.

The crews of Su-35S fighters practiced complex formation flying jointly with the Tu-95MS strategic bombers and held a training dogfight, following which they returned to their home airfield, the statement says.

Tu-95MS bombers are the air component of Russia’s nuclear triad. They are designated to accomplish the tasks of striking vital targets in remote military-geographical areas and deep in the rear of continental theaters of military operations, employing nuclear missile weapons. A modernized bomber is furnished with a new control system and hardpoints for Kh-101 missiles that have proven their efficiency in Syria.