11 Sep 2020 16:51

U.S. B-52H strategic bombers practiced strikes on Russia - Russian Aerospace Forces commander

MOSCOW. Sept 11 (Interfax) - U.S. Boeing B-52H Stratofortress strategic bombers practiced carrying out strikes on Russia during the Allied Sky exercise on August 28, Russian Aerospace Forces Commander Sergei Surovikin said.

"The crews of strategic bombers practiced firing air-launched cruise missiles at sites in the territory of the Russian Federation from airspace in the central areas of the Black Sea and the Estonian territory," Surovikin said at a press briefing for foreign military attaches on Friday.

"At the same time, two B-52H aircraft operating from the U.S. mainland accomplished similar training missions in the Arctic over Canadian territory," he said.

During the Allied Sky exercise held on August 28, four B-52H bombers flew over the territories of 28 European NATO members with an escort of about 40 tactical aircraft from the national air forces of 12 NATO states, Surovikin said.

Russia was informed of the pending exercise through diplomatic channels on August 21, Surovikin said, adding that the notice did not indicate the exact date of the flights. "It was also said that the U.S. Air Force would be practicing strategic stability missions and demonstrating the capacity of the nuclear forces to prevent an attack by a potential aggressor on the United States and its allies," he said.