The Russian Aerospace Forces reported a new patrol flight carried out by two Tu-22M3 strategic bombers equipped with Kh-22/32 anti-ship missiles. The aircraft, escorted by Su-35S and Su-27 fighters, conducted a scheduled deployment over the Baltic Sea lasting more than five hours.
According to the official information, the Tu-22M3s conducted the flight as part of regular long-range patrol activities. The operations included the escort of Russian fighters along different segments of the mission. Additionally, it is worth noting that some NATO Saab 39 Gripen fighters intercepted the Russian aircraft, monitoring their activities.
In December 2024, Tu-22M3 bombers equipped with Kh-22/32 missiles had already been intercepted during an exercise over the Baltic Sea. On that occasion, F-35A Lightning II fighters of the Royal Netherlands Air Force took part in NATO’s response. The Dutch force reported that “…two Dutch F-35As took off yesterday from Estonia to intercept two Su-27s and two Russian Backfire bombers. Two Swedish JAS 39 Gripens took over from the F-35As east of Gotland…”. The F-35As operated from Estonia’s Ämari Air Base.
That same day, the Russian Aerospace Forces carried out a long-range patrol with Tu-22M3s, a mission that extended for more than five hours and included flights over the Arctic, the North Atlantic, the Pacific Ocean, the Black Sea, and the Baltic Sea. During the deployment, they were visually identified by fighters from Finland, Sweden, and the Netherlands after being alerted by NATO Air Command.
In June 2025, days after the Ukrainian drone attack against Russian strategic bomber bases, Moscow reported new patrol missions by Tu-22M3s over the Baltic Sea. The Russian Ministry of Defense stated on 11 June that the aircraft flew for four hours over international airspace, escorted by Su-30SM and Su-27 fighters.
On that occasion, the presence of combat aircraft from other countries in the region was also recorded, presumably belonging to NATO forces deployed in Lithuania and Estonia, although no additional details were provided.
The recent operations confirm the continuity of long-range patrol flights by Russian Tu-22M3s in strategic areas, including the North Atlantic, the North Pacific, the Arctic, the Black Sea, and the Baltic Sea. These activities are part of the regular deployments conducted by the Russian Aerospace Forces in environments where NATO aircraft have an increasing presence.
*Images obtained from Tass.
You may also like: Russia has created a new branch within its Armed Forces specialized in drone warfare
