A Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber is seen during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)
MOSCOW, Aug. 16 (Xinhua) -- Two Tu-160 strategic missile carriers made their first landing in the north-easternmost part of Russia, the country's defense ministry said Thursday.
As part of a long-range aviation tactical training, the aircrew practiced non-stop flights and traveled around 7,000 kilometers before the landing at the Anadyr airfield in the Chukotka region, according to a ministry statement.
The tactical exercises involved around 10 aircraft, including the Tu-160, Tu-95MS and I1-78, which will carry out airstrikes on ground targets as well as refueling in the air, the statement said.
The Tu-160, also known as the "White Swan," is a heavy strategic bomber designed in the Soviet Union and went into service in 1987.
The ministry said previously that Russia would overhaul eight of its Tu-160 and Tu-95MS Strategic bombers by the end of this year and start full-scale production of upgraded the Tu-160M2 supersonic strategic bombers.