MOSCOW, January 13. /TASS/. Flights of Tu-22M3 bombers out of Syria’s Khmeimim air base confirmed the planes can reach targets across the entire Mediterranean Sea, Sergey Kobylash, commander of Russia’s long-range air force said in an interview to the Independent Military Review newspaper.

"The landing and operation of Tu-22M3 aircraft at the Khmeimim air base is a landmark event," he said. "Firstly, the crews of long-range air force have practiced using a new airfield and signaled the presence of the long-range air force in the Mediterranean region."

The crews also practiced engagement with the Navy in locating maritime installations and "confirmed Tu-22M3 have range capabilities for targets across the entire Mediterranean Sea," Kobylash said.