Russia has finally ruled out purchasing the strategic bomber force Ukraine inherited from the former Soviet long range aviation force, after a meeting with Ukraine's deputy defence minister in Moscow in late March.
"This question has been permanently closed," says the Kremlin.
Ukraine had offered to sell Russia the force of 19 Tupolev Tu-160 Blackjack and 23 Tu-95MS Bear H strategic bombers to help repay a huge debt for oil and gas.
Earlier, Russian air force commander Anatoly Kornukov had said that Russia might buy bombers from Ukraine because it was unable to afford new combat aircraft.
Source: Flight International
