Washington and Moscow traded hostile remarks on Dec. 10 and Dec. 11 after Russia sent a fleet of aircraft, including a pair of nuclear-capable bombers, to Venezuela in a show of support.
The Russian Ministry of Defense announced that two Tu-160 strategic bombers landed at the Maiquetia airport in Venezuela on Dec. 10. The bombers were accompanied by a transport plane and a long-haul aircraft. The aircrews were greeted on the ground by a Venezuelan welcoming party.