Russian strategic bombers test-fire cruise missiles
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A Defense Ministry spokesman said Saturday that two Tu-95 MS long-range strategic bombers successfully test-fired cruise missiles during a 12-hour flight.
During the tactical exercise on Friday, the missiles "accurately hit all the targets at the Pemboi testing site in the (Russian) republic of Komi," said Vladimir Drik as quoted by the Interfax news agency.
A MiG-31 interceptor jet and a Beriev A-50 Shmel airborne early warning aircraft also participated in the exercise, he said.
The two bombers landed at the Ukrainka airfield in Russia's fareastern Amur region.
The Tu-95 strategic bomber, which made its debut in 1952, is a four-engine turboprop aircraft equipped with radar-controlled guns and missiles. The fastest propeller-driven airplane in history, the bomber is expected to serve the Russian Air Force until at least 2040
