Russia to send bomber aircraft on long-range flights
Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:21 am
Russia to send bomber aircraft on long-range flights on a permanent basis
CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) -- President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would permanently revive the Soviet-era practice of sending its bomber aircraft on long-range flights far beyond its own territory.
"We have decided to restore flights by Russian strategic aviation on a permanent basis," Putin told reporters at joint military exercises with China and four Central Asian states in Russia's Ural mountains.
Earlier this month Russian air force generals said bomber crews had flown near the Pacific island of Guam, where the U.S. military has a base, forcing U.S. aircraft to scramble into the air to track them.
The Pentagon said the Russian aircraft did not come close enough to U.S. ships to prompt American aircraft to react.
But many observers said the sorties -- which were cut back in the 1990s due to funding shortages in the Russian military -- were a sign of Russia's growing assertiveness.
CHEBARKUL, Russia (Reuters) -- President Vladimir Putin said on Friday Russia would permanently revive the Soviet-era practice of sending its bomber aircraft on long-range flights far beyond its own territory.
"We have decided to restore flights by Russian strategic aviation on a permanent basis," Putin told reporters at joint military exercises with China and four Central Asian states in Russia's Ural mountains.
Earlier this month Russian air force generals said bomber crews had flown near the Pacific island of Guam, where the U.S. military has a base, forcing U.S. aircraft to scramble into the air to track them.
The Pentagon said the Russian aircraft did not come close enough to U.S. ships to prompt American aircraft to react.
But many observers said the sorties -- which were cut back in the 1990s due to funding shortages in the Russian military -- were a sign of Russia's growing assertiveness.
Fri Aug 17, 2007 3:21 pm
Eliminating free speech, limiting elections, and increased militarism... That ex KGB guy is trying to do everything he can to bring back the cold war.
Fri Aug 17, 2007 5:11 pm
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Last edited by Former Member on Wed Aug 29, 2007 8:38 pm, edited 1 time in total.
Fri Aug 17, 2007 6:22 pm
jpeters wrote:I guess Putin is upset that the rest of the world hasn't paid enough attention to him and his country. Wasn't it just last week one of their mini-subs planted a Russian flag on the bottom of the the ocean at the north pole...claiming it for Russia?
John
Yeah, they claimed it as russian soil, because of the vast amount of oil there.
Fri Aug 17, 2007 9:38 pm
the berlin wall knocked down.... 2 steps forward......... putin's latest order 2 steps back.
Sat Aug 18, 2007 6:02 am
Hmmm...eliminating free speech (Patriot Act), limiting elections (electoral college fiasco) and increased militarism (Iraq, Afghanistan...).
That ex KGB guy ( or that son of an ex CIA guy ) is sure trying to bring back the cold war.
Methinks that before we throw rocks at others, we might want to make sure we are not throwing at a mirror!
That ex KGB guy ( or that son of an ex CIA guy ) is sure trying to bring back the cold war.
Methinks that before we throw rocks at others, we might want to make sure we are not throwing at a mirror!