The Russian government has announced that the Russian Air Force fleet will permanently patrol the neutral airspace over the Black Sea. The operations will be carried out by supersonic Mikoyan MiG-31 interceptor fighters, equipped with Kinzhal hypersonic missiles. These are weapons that have an effective range of over 1000 km and a speed close to Mach 9.

"This is not a threat but we will exercise visual and weapons control over what is happening in the Mediterranean Sea", declared Russian President Vladimir Putin, who is on an official visit to Beijing, whose words were re-launched by the "Interfax" news agency. 

The Mikoyan MiG-31 military aircraft made its first flight on 16 September 1975 and entered service in 1982. It features two Soloviev D-30 F6 turbofan engines which allow it to reach speeds close to Mach 3 (3000 km/h). On board it can accommodate two pilots. Originally born as an interceptor fighter capable of identifying and stopping strategic bombers and cruise missiles, with the latest models it has transformed over time into a multi-role attack aircraft, also capable of engaging ground targets.