MOSCOW, May 5 (Xinhua) -- Russian long-range strategic bombers flew over the waters of the Pacific Ocean along the Aleutian Islands on Thursday, the Russian Defense Ministry said Friday.

"On May 4, Tu-95MS airplanes accompanied by multi-purpose Su-35S fighter aircraft, carried out the scheduled flights over the neutral waters of the Pacific Ocean along the Aleutian Islands," it said.

All flights are carried out in strict accordance with international rule in the use of air space over neutral waters, without violation of borders of other states, the ministry said.

The Tu-95MS is a modernized and upgraded variant of the Tu-95, a four-engine turboprop-powered strategic bomber and missile platform that entered service in 1956.

In November 2015, Tu-95MS bombers carried out cruise missile attacks in Syria, the first time they were used in long-range airstrikes.