MOSCOW, November 17 (Sputnik) – Russian military drills have been conducted in international zones only, with the strategic aircraft flight being resumed as an answer to US actions near Russian borders, Russian President Vladimir Putin said.
“Our exercises have been conducted exclusively in international waters and international airspace,” the president told German broadcaster ARD.
Putin noted that Russia suspended the flights of its strategic aircraft in 1992 and they remained at their air bases for a long time.
“During this time, for many years our US partners continued the flights of their nuclear aircraft to the same areas as before, including areas close to our borders. Therefore, several years ago, seeing no positive developments, no one is ready to meet us halfway, we resumed the flights of our strategic aviation to remote areas,” the Russian leader concluded.
On Wednesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the country plans to expand its air patrol missions of long-range aircraft to cover the Gulf of Mexico. He added that military training will include flights along the Russian border and the Arctic Ocean.
Russia’s plans came as NATO has stepped up its activities near the Russian border, including in the Black Sea and Baltic waters.
