Russia's defense ministry has announced that its long-range strategic bombers flew over international waters in the Sea of Japan and the Sea of Okhotsk.

The ministry on Thursday released a video that shows two Tupolev-95 aircraft conducting what it called a regular flight.

It said the bombers were escorted by other aircraft, including Sukhoi-35 fighter jet, and the flight lasted more than 8 hours.

The ministry noted that pilots of long-range bombers regularly fly over international waters in oceans and seas, such as the Arctic, North Atlantic and Pacific oceans. It said all flights are carried out in strict compliance with international law.

The ministry also said that during the latest flight, the bombers were accompanied by foreign fighter jets. But it did not name the countries.

Observers believe Russia flew the strategic bombers, capable of carrying nuclear weapons, to keep Japan and the United States in check, as the two countries are at odds with Moscow over its invasion of Ukraine and other matters.