Two Russian strategic bombers are conducting an aerial patrol over the Arctic Ocean, Interfax news agency reported Friday.

The Tu-95MS bombers took off from the Engels base in southern Russia's Saratov region, said Air Force spokesman Vladimir Drik.

"Various elements of flight training are being drilled during the flight," Drik was quoted by Interfax as saying.

The most experienced pilots are involved in patrol missions over neutral waters of the Arctic, Atlantic and Pacific oceans and the Black Sea, he added.

Russia resumed strategic bomber patrols over remote areas last year, 15 years after the long-range maneuvers were suspended with the collapse of the former Soviet Union.

Russian strategic bombers have regularly flown over the Arctic and Atlantic Oceans, the Black Sea and the Pacific Ocean.

(Xinhua News Agency November 21, 2008)