MOSCOW, May 18 (Xinhua) -- Russia will strengthen the security of its eastern maritime border with the help of Tu-160 supersonic strategic bombers, a military official said Friday.

Russia this year plans to fly Tu-160s to Anadyr, the country's easternmost Arctic town, Sergei Kobylash, the Aerospace Forces' long-range aviation commander, told Krasnaya Zvezda newspaper, adding that "the Arctic is strategically important to us."

He said that Russia has been exploring new airfields and other ways to ensure security on the eastern maritime border.

Last year, Russian Tu-22M strategic strike bombers flew for the first time to Anadyr and the town of Vorkuta in Russia's northwest, said Kobylash.

The Tu-160 or the White Swan, is a long-range, supersonic strategic bomber which can be equipped with nuclear warheads.