Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Russian strategic bombers launch cruise missiles in exercises

RIA Novosti

24/08/2006 14:33

MOSCOW, August 24 (RIA Novosti) - Russian strategic bombers launched a series of cruise missiles during command and staff exercises at a northern testing ground, a Russian Air Force spokesman said Thursday.

During a 10-hour flight, two Tu-160 and two Tu-95MS from strategic long-range aviation units, designated by NATO as Blackjack and Bear-H, respectively, successfully hit targets and performed a number of tasks, including in-flight refueling.

"All cruise missiles hit their targets," Alexander Drobyshevsky said.

He added that six Tu-22M, or Backfire-C, long-range bombers simultaneously conducted successful missions with bombardment and missile launches at the Guryanovo testing ground in southern Russia, and at Emba, a testing ground that Russia leases from Kazakhstan.