Russia and China have demonstrated a new presence in the North Pacific and the Arctic near the US border with joint flights of strategic long-range bombers. Russian Tu-95MS bombers and Chinese Xian H-6 bombers participated in patrol flights over the Chukchi Sea, the Bering Sea and the North Pacific, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on Thursday. During the five-hour flight, the crews worked together in all phases. According to a Chinese Ministry of Defense spokesperson, the joint patrol had deepened mutual trust and coordination between the two sides. It had „nothing to do with the current international and regional situation.“