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A Tu-142MK ASW and a Tu-142MR strategic radio-relay aircraft conducted a 13 hour flight over the Barents, Norwegian, North Seas, and the Atlantic Ocean covering more than 10k km. They were intercepted by RAF Typhoon and Norwegian F-16 and F-35A fighters.
https://vk.com/mil?w=wall-133441491_312476
https://vk.com/mil?w=wall-133441491_312476
The two Northern Fleet Naval Aviation Tu-142 aircraft were escorted by MiG-31 interceptors for part of the flight and conducted an in-flight refueling from an Il-78 tanker. This was the first interception of Russian aircraft by F-35 fighters. 2/
https://vk.com/milinfolive?z=photo-123538639_457446909%2Falbum-123538639_00%2Frev
https://vk.com/milinfolive?z=photo-123538639_457446909%2Falbum-123538639_00%2Frev
More photos from yesterday's flight with one Tu-142MK and a Tu-142MR aircraft with a MiG-31 escort. 3/
https://vk.com/milinfolive?w=wall-123538639_1373862
https://vk.com/milinfolive?w=wall-123538639_1373862
On March 7th and 9th, Russian Tu-142 maritime patrol/ASW aircraft were intercepted by Norwegian F-35 and American F-22 5th generation fighters. 5/ https://twitter.com/NORADCommand/status/1237422269426630656
Video of the two Tu-142 ASW/maritime patrol aircraft (one was likely a Tu-142MR radio-relay variant) being intercepted by US F-22 and Canadian CF-18 fighters on Monday in the Alaskan ADIZ. 6/
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/742592/video-norad-intercepts-russian-aircraft-entering-air-defense-identification-zone
https://www.dvidshub.net/video/742592/video-norad-intercepts-russian-aircraft-entering-air-defense-identification-zone
Given that there have now been 3 long distance flights this week with Tu-142MZ/MR ASW/radio-relay aircraft, I wouldn't be surprised if Russia is conducting a major exercise with its submarines. 7/
https://twitter.com/RoyalAirForce/status/1237793450923352064
https://twitter.com/RoyalAirForce/status/1237793450923352064
And now a long-distance flight with two Tu-160 strategic bombers, including the Vasily Reshetnikov RF-94102. The Russian Air Force and Naval Aviation have now conducted at least 4 long distance flights over the past week. 9/ https://twitter.com/RoyalAirForce/status/1238155609901617153
2 Russian Air Force Tu-160 strategic bombers, the Vasily Reshetnikov RF-94102 and Nikolay Kuznetsov RF-94100, conducted a 15-hour flight over the Barents and Norwegian Seas, and the Atlantic Ocean with an in-flight refueling from an Il-78 tanker. 11/
https://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/20203122329-y5ZH8.html
https://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/20203122329-y5ZH8.html
2 Russian Naval Aviation Tu-142 aircraft (including Tu-142MZ red 63, RF-34097) conducted a 12-hour flight over the Arctic and Pacific Oceans with a MiG-31BM escort. Over the past 7 days, Russia has conducted 4 Tu-142 and 1 Tu-160 long-range flights. 12/
https://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/20203141738-7AjZA.html
https://tvzvezda.ru/news/forces/content/20203141738-7AjZA.html
Two Tu-95MS strategic bombers (red 49 RF-94191 and red 45) conducted a 9-hour flight over the Sea of Japan and part of the Pacific Ocean. They were shadowed by Japanese Air Force fighters for part of the flight. 13/
https://vk.com/mil?w=wall-133441491_317912
https://vk.com/mil?w=wall-133441491_317912
The Japanese Ministry of Defense published a map of the route taken by the two Russian Tu-95MS bombers, which were also escorted by Russian Air Force Su-35S fighters. 14/ (h/t @gizzojegsaa)
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2020/press_pdf/p20200324_01.pdf
https://www.mod.go.jp/js/Press/press2020/press_pdf/p20200324_01.pdf
This was possibly related to the multiple Tu-142 flights near Irish airspace earlier this month. Presumably, they were communicating with Russian submarines operating in the Atlantic, though the Russian MoD hasn't said anything about this. 15/ https://twitter.com/haynesdeborah/status/1243122314247577601
US F-22 fighters intercepted a pair of Russian Naval Aviation Il-38 maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare aircraft approaching the Alaskan ADIZ yesterday. 16/ https://twitter.com/NORADCommand/status/1248226804923387907
