MOSCOW, November 12, 2009 (RIA Novosti) --

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers that carried out a routine patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean were shadowed by 'regular' NATO fighters, the Defense Ministry said on Thursday.

It said the bombers had spent over 15 hours in flight on Wednesday and were shadowed by two NATO F-15 Eagle fighters.

A similar patrol mission on September 29 was shadowed by an F-22 Raptor that uses stealth technology, reportedly the first time the world's only fifth-generation fighter aircraft was sent along to keep an eye on the Russians.

Russian strategic bombers resumed patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin, and are usually shadowed by less sophisticated NATO aircraft.

All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding in the airspace of other states, the ministry said.

Background:

Russian strategic bombers complete Arctic patrol mission

MOSCOW, June 17, 2009 (RIA Novosti) -

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the Arctic, an Air Force spokesman said on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said the bombers had spent over 12 hours in flight and were shadowed by two British Tornado and two Norwegian F-16 fighters.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin.

All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states, Drik said.

U.S. 5th-generation fighters shadow Russian bombers on patrol mission

MOSCOW, September 30, 2009 (RIA Novosti) --

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers that carried out a routine patrol flight over the Pacific Ocean were shadowed by U.S. fifth-generation fighters, an Air Force spokesman said on Wednesday.

Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said the bombers had spent over 15 hours in flight on Tuesday and were shadowed by two U.S. F-22 Raptor fighter aircraft that use stealth technology.

The Lockheed Martin/Boeing F-22 Raptor is the only fifth-generation fighter aircraft in the world, as well as the most expensive fighter aircraft ever built.

Russian strategic bombers resumed patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin, and are usually shadowed by less sophisticated NATO aircraft.

All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding in the airspace of other states, Drik said.

Russian bombers complete routine Arctic patrol mission

MOSCOW, September 10, 2009 (RIA Novosti) -

Two Russian Tu-95 Bear strategic bombers have carried out a routine patrol flight over the Arctic Ocean, an Air Force spokesman said on Thursday.

Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik said the bombers had spent over 10 hours in flight, and were shadowed by two U.S. F-15 fighters. He did not say when the flights took place.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrol flights over the Pacific, Atlantic, and Arctic oceans in August 2007, following an order from then-president Vladimir Putin.

All flights by Russian aircraft are performed in strict compliance with international law on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without intruding in the airspace of other states, Drik said.