Russia stepped up long range bomber patrols near NATO airspace, with Tu-22M3 bombers carrying out a more than five hour flight over the Black Sea under fighter escort. Russia’s defence ministry said the mission was a planned operation in international airspace, following a similar Tu-22M3 patrol over the Baltic Sea weeks earlier. Notably, the bombers are capable of carrying Kh-32 cruise missiles. NATO is viewing the flights as a strategic signal amid Russia’s growing military activity in the High North.