Vladimir Putin has ordered two Tu-95MS nuclear bombers to the border as part of surprise drills believed to be a new show of strength to the West.
Footage shows the noisy "Bears" flying over Russia's Pacific flank and during the lengthy air patrol over the Bering and Okhotsk seas as the nuclear strike aircraft were refuelled by Il-78 tanker.
The drills were believed to be a sudden check on combat readiness amid tension with the West over the war in Ukraine.
The Tu-95 fleet is an integral part of Russia's nuclear armoury, but the planes have been also used to launch devastating non-atomic missiles causing large-scale destruction in Ukraine.
The Soviet-era Tu-95s - nicknamed Bears - first flew some 70 years ago.
Separate footage showed the drills underway in eastern Russia, involving attack submarines and live fire drills - with more flights expected imminently.
Russian Tu-22M3 planes have also been deployed to the war games, reported TASS.
“During the inspection by the crews of the Tu-95MS, air patrols…will continue,” reported Zvezda TV channel, which is run by the Russian defence ministry.
“All flights of long-range aircraft are carried out in strict accordance with international rules, without violating the borders of other states.”
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu earlier told Putin that “strategic missile carriers will fly to the central part of the Pacific Ocean to imitate strikes on ship groups of a mock enemy.”
He did not say which type of strategic bombers would fly on the mission.
Putin told the defence minister in a face-to-face meeting that the Ukraine war must not stop Russia from flexing its muscles elsewhere.
“We obviously have clear priorities for the use of the Armed Forces,” he said.
“First of all, this concerns the Ukrainian direction and everything related to the protection of our people in the Donbas and in other new [invaded] territories.
“But the tasks of developing the fleet, including in the Pacific theatre, have not been halted or removed.
“I ask you to continue this work, and to pay attention also to the development and preparation of similar events in other fleets
“The forces of the fleet - in its individual components - can certainly be used in various conflicts.
“So I ask you to keep this in mind, too. I am aware both the Ministry [of Defence] and the General Staff are doing this, I know.”
It comes after a video emerged of Putin limping as he arrived for a visit to occupied Ukraine.
Amid speculation about the Russian dictator's health, Putin was seen exiting a helicopter on a supposedly spontaneous visit to visit his top commanders.
He was also filmed getting out of an SUV before being greeted by his top brass - and as he walked, he appeared to limp.
According to a leaked US intelligence report, Putin has cancer and there are plans to "throw" the war in Ukraine while he is undergoing treatment.
A major international security breach happened two weeks ago as a trove of secret files, containing sensitive information about Ukraine, South Korea, Israel and the UAE, was leaked.
Among the information on Ukraine were US estimates on the death toll of both nations, as well as rumours about discontent in the upper echelons of the Kremlin's war machine.
A top general is planning to "throw", or lose on purpose, the war while Putin undergoes chemotherapy.
Russia's National Security Council Secretary Nikoly Parushev and Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov are thought to be behind the plot.
Another document from the 53-page leak says the conspiracy is "presumably in an attempt to sabotage Russian President Vladimir Putin".
