KOTELNY ISLAND, March 14. /ITAR-TASS/. Russia’s four strategic bombers Tu-95MS have been carrying out their patrol mission over the Arctic Ocean since Thursday, Commander-in-Chief of the Russian Air Force, Lieutenant General Viktor Bondarev told reporters on the sidelines of the exercise of the 98th Ivanovo Airborne Division on Friday.

“Aside from airborne troops’ drills we also organised a patrol mission over the Arctic Ocean by Russia’s strategic bombers Tu-95MS. Four planes have been flying over the northern districts for 12 hours. After refuelling in the air they will continue their patrol for another 12-14 hours,” he said.

The bombers left the Ukrainka air base in the Amur region, Russia’s Far East, at 22:30 Moscow time on Thursday. After the bombers fulfil their mission, they will return to the same air base.