Russia sends nuclear bombers on mission near Korea, Japan

South Korea has scrambled jets to intercept Russian bombers flying over waters near the country.

Russian Tupolev-95MS bombers flew over neutral waters accompanied by Sukhoi-35S fighter jets and an A-50 early warning and control aircraft, its defence ministry has said.

It gave no details about the overall number of aircraft that had taken part in what it called a pre-arranged flight – or why the mission took place.

South Korea has scrambled jets to intercept Russian bombers (file photo) flying over the Pacific Ocean, the Sea of Japan, the Yellow Sea and the East China Sea

Russian Tupolev-95MS bombers flew over neutral waters accompanied by Sukhoi-35S fighter jets and an A-50 early warning and control aircraft (file photo)

Russian Tupolev-95MS bombers flew over neutral waters accompanied by Sukhoi-35S fighter jets and an A-50 early warning and control aircraft (file photo)

Russia, which shares a border with North Korea, has repeatedly voiced concerns about rising tensions on the Korean Peninsula following Pyongyang’s nuclear missile programme.

It has also repeatedly complained about Japan’s plans to host a US anti-missile system on its soil.

The TU-95MS bombers were refuelled in mid-air during the mission, the ministry said.

During parts of the route, the bombers were escorted by South Korean and Japanese military jets, it added.

It comes at a time of great tension in the region, particularly between US President Donald Trump and North Korean dictator Kim Jong-un. 

 Trump recently said his aggressive stance on North Korea has been successful and its leader Kim Jong-Un had started to ‘respect him’.

It gave no details about the overall number of aircraft that had taken part in what it called a pre-arranged flight, which included Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets (file photo)

It gave no details about the overall number of aircraft that had taken part in what it called a pre-arranged flight, which included Sukhoi Su-34 fighter jets (file photo)

‘Some people said it was too strong. It’s not strong enough,’ he told a gathering of thousands of supporters at a campaign style rally in Phoenix, Arizona, on Tuesday night. 

‘But Kim Jong-Un, I respect the fact that I believe he is starting to respect us. I respect that fact very much.’

His Secretary of State Rex Tillerson said peaceful talks between the nations were now possible ‘in the near future’ and welcomed the restraint the North had showed in its weapons program.

Pyongyang, meanwhile, revealed significant technological advances in its missile programs and ambitious plans to further improve its capabilities. 

While visiting the Chemical Material Institute of the Academy of Defense Science, Kim ordered the production of rocket engines and intercontinental ballistic missiles (ICBM) to be stepped up, state media reported. 

This week a chilling North Korean propaganda video appears to show Trump staring at the apocalyptic remains of US territory Guam, which Kim threatened to attack.

The footage released by Kim Jong-Un’s state run media featured a macabre shot of Trump at cemetery, apparently in Guam, and Vice President Mike Pence engulfed in flames.

The video emerged shortly after the reclusive nation threatened to turn the US into ‘a heap of ashes’ in a typically aggressive response to the American war games taking place in the neighboring South.

 

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