Russian Tu-22M3 Supersonic Nuclear-Capable Bombers with Su-35 Escort Patrol Key Frontier with NATO

The Russian Aerospace Forces on January 22 deployed Tu-22M3 strategic bombers for a patrol over the neutral waters of the Baltic Sea, a leading potential hotspot of tensions with NATO. Reporting on the operations, the Russian Defence Ministry observed: "Tu-22M3 long-range bombers of the Russian Aerospace Forces have performed a scheduled flight over neutral waters of the Baltic Sea. They were escorted by Su-35S and Su-30SM aircraft of the Russian Aerospace Forces.” The bombers continued their flight for more than five hours, and were shadowed by fighters deployed by NATO members during parts of their route. Although the three Baltic states Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia, which were formerly part of the Soviet Union, field no fighter aircraft, other NATO members have maintained a rotational fighter presence on their territory. 

The Tu-22M3 has played a significant role in the ongoing Russian-Ukrainian War, with its long range and considerable firepower allowing the aircraft to strike deep into NATO territory. In September 2025 the aircraft simulated large scale missile strikes on NATO targets as part of the Zapad 2025 joint strategic drill. The aircraft have frequently been equipped with Kh-32 long range cruise missiles while on patrol, which are considered among the most potent anti-ship weapons in the world. The missile combines a Mach 5 terminal speed with a 1000 kilometre engagement range, and follows a complex trajectory with a steep dive in its terrain phase which makes it extremely difficult to intercept. The Kh-22, on which the newer design is closely based, has proven to be nearly impossible to intercept for Ukrainian MIM-104 Patriot and S-300 air defences systems.

The Su-35 is particularly well suited to escorting bombers due to its long range of close to 2000 kilometres, which is close to double that of Western fighters such a the F-22 and F-35, as well as its carriage of a particularly large and powerful radar the Irbis-E providing early warning of potential threats. The radar has a 400 kilometre detection range against large aircraft, allowing it to provide an early warning against possible threats to the bomber fleet. Like the Tu-22M3, the Su-35 is also capable of sustained cruising at supersonic speeds, as it does not require engine afterburners to do so. The Su-35 is a heavily enhanced derivative of the Su-27 air superiority fighter, which entered service in 1984 with a primary mission of being able to escort Tu-22M3 bombers against targets across Europe and the United Kingdom when deployed to forward bases in Poland. The loss of these forward bases, and absorption of Eastern Europe into NATO, has increased the importance of fielding fighters and missiles with longer ranges.