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.
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