Russian Tu-22M3 bombers practice anti-ship strikes in Caspian Sea during Center-2026 drills

Russia's Aerospace Forces conducted a training mission with two Tu-22M3 bombers over the Caspian Sea, practicing strikes on enemy warship groups as part of the Center-2026 strategic exercise. This is a routine display of long-range aviation capability, but the specific anti-ship focus in the Caspian region signals continued emphasis on power projection near southern NATO and Central Asian approaches. The exercise is part of a broader pattern of Russian military drills, with no immediate escalation indicated.