A Tupolev Tu-160 strategic bomber is seen during the military parade marking the 70th anniversary of the victory in the Great Patriotic War, in Moscow, Russia, May 9, 2015. (Xinhua/Jia Yuchen)

MOSCOW, June 15 (Xinhua) -- Russian Tu-160 strategic bombers patrolled neutral waters of the Baltic Sea on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.

The long-range bombers were accompanied by Su-27 fighters and an A-50 early warning and control plane, said the ministry, calling the patrol part of its regular maneuvers.

"All the flights are carried out in strict accordance with the international rules on the use of airspace over neutral waters, without violating the borders of other states," said the statement.

At some stages of the flights, the Russian aircraft were followed by Danish, Finnish and Swedish military jets.

The Baltic region is a hot spot for confrontation between Russia and members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization.