And then there’s this...complete article at link with video.
Russia thumbs its nose at America by sharing VIDEO of two nuclear-capable Tu-160 bombers flying over the Caribbean sea escorted by Venezuelan fighter jets for a 10-hour training mission
Two Tu-160 fighter jets, designated as 'Blackjacks' by NATO, took part in a training session with Venezuelan Air Force Wednesday
The planes, known in Russia as 'White Swans,' arrived in Venezuela Monday, sparking fury in Washington DC
US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo slammed the joint exercise as 'two corrupt governments squandering public funds'
On the day of the training mission, Venezuelan President Nicolas Maduro accused the Trump administration of plotting to assassinate him
By ASSOCIATED PRESS and SNEJANA FARBEROV FOR DAILYMAIL.COM
PUBLISHED: 15:41 EST, 12 December 2018 | UPDATED: 15:46 EST, 14 December 2018
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/art...bbean-Sea.html
Two of Russia's nuclear-capable Tu-160 strategic bombers designated as 'Blackjacks' by NATO have flown over the Caribbean sea during a 10-hour training mission with the Venezuelan Air Force amid escalating tensions between Moscow and Washington DC, coupled with allegations of meddling in Caracas.
The flight of the jets was recorded on video, which Russia's Ministry of Defense then proudly shared on *******.
The planes, known in Russia as 'White Swans', arrived at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas on Monday after completing a 6,200-mile journey.
The Russian Defense Ministry said they were escorted by Venezuelan Su-30 and F-16 fighter jets during part of the training mission on Wednesday to practice interaction. It's unknown if the planes were carrying missiles, or how long they would stay in Venezuela.
The Tu-160 is capable of carrying conventional or nuclear-tipped cruise missiles with a range of 3,410 miles and flying over 7,500 miles without refueling.
One of the videos released by the Russian Ministry of Defense to RT.comshows Tu-160 pilots inside the cockpit during the flight.
Another video depicts the fighter jets taking off from Maiquetia at night and then landing at the airport the following morning.
The Russian bombers' deployment has infuriated Washington, where US Secretary of State Mike Pompeo characterized the joint training session as 'two corrupt governments squandering public funds, and squelching liberty and freedom while their people suffer.'
The Kremlin on Tuesday rejected Pompeo's criticism, saying it was 'highly undiplomatic' and 'completely inappropriate.'
'As for the idea that we are squandering money, we do not agree. It's not really appropriate for a country half of whose defense budget could feed the whole of Africa to be making such statements,' spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters.
Venezuelan Foreign Minister Jorge Arreaza called Pompeo's comments 'not only disrespectful, but cynical,' highlighting the number of military bases the United States owns abroad.
'It's strange the U.S. government questions our right to cooperate on defense and security with other countries, when @realDonaldTrump publicly threatens us with a military invasion,' Arreaza tweeted.