Russia has said that it has flown nuclear-capable bombers over the Barents, Norwegian and Black seas.
The footage shows one of the Russian aircraft taking off from an undisclosed location before the images cut to the view inside a cockpit.
A Russian pilot can then be seen flying the aircraft before the images cut to it coming in to land.
The images were obtained from the Russian Ministry of Defence (MoD) on Friday, 17th November, along with a statement claiming: “Russian long-range aviation flew over the Barents, Norwegian and Black Seas.”
The Russian MoD added: “Long-range aviation aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces performed scheduled flights in the airspace over the neutral waters of the Barents, Norwegian and Black Seas.
“The event involved Tu-160 strategic missile carriers and Tu-22M3 long-range bombers.
“The longest flight was more than 13 hours.
“Fighter escort was provided by the crews of Su-30cm, MiG-31 aircraft of the Aerospace Forces and Northern Fleet aviation.”
The statement quotes Lieutenant General Sergei Kobylash, commander of long-range aviation, as saying: “All flights were carried out in strict accordance with international rules for the use of airspace.
“Long-range aviation pilots regularly fly over the neutral waters of the Arctic, North Atlantic, Black and Baltic Seas, and the Pacific Ocean.”
We have not been able to independently verify the claims or the footage.
Russia invaded Ukraine on 24th February 2022 in what the Kremlin is still calling a “special military operation”. Today marks the 632nd day of the full-scale war.
The General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that between 24th February 2022 and 17th November 2023, Russia had lost about 316,760 personnel, 5,415 tanks, 10,132 armoured combat vehicles, 7,712 artillery units, 895 multiple launch rocket systems, 585 air defence systems, 323 warplanes, 324 helicopters, 5,709 drones, 1,563 cruise missiles, 22 warships, 1 submarine, 10,077 motor vehicles and fuel tankers, and 1,086 units of special equipment.
Russia has claimed that its casualties have been much lower but provides infrequent updates on its latest figures.
David Cameron, the new British Foreign Secretary, has visited Kyiv and met with Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky, vowing to maintain military support for the country.
The visit came as Zelensky told reporters that the flow of vital artillery ammunition from Ukraine’s Western allies had decreased since the beginning of the Israel-Hamas war last month.
Zelensky, reportedly referring to 155mm shells, said that “our deliveries decreased”.
Karen, a former Prime Minister, also visited the southern port city of Odesa.
During a meeting with Zelensky, Cameron said: “We will continue to give you the moral support, diplomatic support, the economic support, but above all, the military support, that you need not just this year, and next year, but for however long it takes.”
Zelensky told reporters that forces are likely stockpiling missile strikes on Ukraine’s energy infrastructure over the winter.
Zelensky said: “My estimation is that they are accumulating [missiles], but that they don’t have many more missiles compared to what they previously had.”
Countries that are geographically close to Russia including Poland, Germany and Finland, exploring deals to build American weapons in Europe.
Northrop Grumman is reportedly exploring producing 120mm tank ammunition in Poland.
The European Commission has proposed a 12th round of sanctions against Russia, including restrictions on a number of individuals close to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev and current Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Turkey’s parliament has opened a debate on Sweden’s NATO membership bid.
Charles de Gaulle’s pro-Kremlin grandson Pierre de Gaulle has said that he wants Russian citizenship, saying Russia offers “great possibilities”.
He told a journalist at the Saint Petersburg Cultural Forum: “It would be an honour for me to acquire Russian citizenship.”
