Two Russian Air Force Tu-160 Blackjack strategic bombers have successfully completed a record-breaking 23-hour patrol with a flight range of 18,000km.

A supersonic variable-geometry heavy bomber, the Tu-160 Blackjack can strike strategic targets with nuclear and conventional weapons in continental theatres of operation.

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The Tu-160s carried out an instrumental flight and two in-flight refuellings from Il-78 aerial tankers while flying along the Russian borders, and over the Arctic and Pacific Oceans, according to RIA Novosti.

Air Force Lt. Col. Vladimir Drik was quoted by RIA Novosti as saying that a Tu-160 carried out a similar mission last year and stayed in the air for 21 hours.

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