MOSCOW, March 12. /TASS/. Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and a MiG-31 fighter armed with the Kinzhal system have performed scheduled flights over the Baltic and Caspian seas, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

"Long-range aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed scheduled flights over the international waters of the Baltic and Caspian seas. The mission involved Tu-22M3 long-range bombers and MiG-31 fighters armed with the Kinzhal air-launched system. The crews of MiG-31 aircraft practiced in-flight refueling," it said.

The flights were carried out in accordance with international rules, the long-range aviation’s commander, Lieutenant-General Sergey Kobylash, has said.

"All flights were carried out in strict compliance with international rules of using airspace. Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over the international waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black and Baltic seas, and the Pacific Ocean," he said.

The Defense Ministry stated that Su-30SM and Su-35S escort fighters provided support. At some stages of the route the Russian airplanes were accompanied by fighter jets of other countries.