Russian Bombers Intercepted Over the U.S. Today

by Swan | March 26, 2008 at 08:17 am | 408 views | 8 comments

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Here we go again.

This could be the beginning of another Cold War.

MOSCOW - NATO forces sent jets to escort two Russian long-range air force bombers patrolling neutral skies near Alaska on Wednesday, Russian news agencies quoted the defense ministry as saying.

The first Cold War began at the end of World War II. Basically it consisted of a non-violent war between the United States and the Soviet Union.

It was often billed as the war between democracy and communism - and the threat of nuclear war hung around the world like a bad smelling cloud.

Russia's military has resumed its Cold War practice of flying regular patrols far beyond its borders, and in the last year has also sent turbo-prop Tu-95s over U.S. naval aircraft carriers and the Pacific island of Guam.

Accompanied by two Il-78 refueling tankers, the two Tu-95 Bear bombers flew for 15 hours over the Arctic and Pacific oceans, Interfax news agency quoted Russian Air Force spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky as saying.

The frightening thing about the Tu-95 (equivalent of America's B-52) Bear Bombers is that they were originally designed to drop nuclear bombs.

Even though today (so we're told,) Russia claims that the Tu-95 has been refitted for surveillance and maritime patrols only, one has to wonder what it would take to revert the bombers back to their original purpose.

Is Russia giving us a warning, or only flexing it's muscles?

So what do we need to examine, to seriously think about this?

Let's start with the fact that Russia's economic boom is in it's eighth year, which has provided for the increase in military funding.

Naval exercises (on a large scale) have increased since they no longer experience any shortages of fuel and spare parts caused by the collapse of the Soviet Union.

Submarines that had been part way constructed and mothballed due to lack of Naval finances after their economy collapsed, have now been finished - and part of the aforementioned naval exercises.

Analysts say the Kremlin is using its reviving military might to support a policy of projecting Russia's power again on the world stage.

That makes perfect sense - let's hope that it's all Vladmamir Putin has on his agenda.

Sources:

MSNBC
Warplanes Off Alaska
via Reuters

Global Security.org
Weapons of Mass Destruction

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amyjudd

at 08:38 on March 26th, 2008

good stuff:

Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff.

Swan

at 16:39 on March 26th, 2008

Hello Amy! :)

Thank you for the flag, it's appreciated!
~ Swan

mtippett

at 15:37 on March 26th, 2008

The Russians are actually ahead of the US in terms of missile technology. The Sunburn missile has reportedly been provided to the Iranians and the Chinese. This is - according to some - the reason that America will not attack Iran in the near future.

Swan

at 17:43 on March 26th, 2008

Hello Mike,

Thank you for that link! It sure was an interesting read. It appears that we can both feel an undercurrent caused by countries trading arms, out of the sight of the U.S.

I don't trust Putin, never have. Those news reports of Putin and Bush shaking hands like they were old buddies left me chilled.

One can only hope that Bush isn't so blindsided by his own power, that he actually believes all the cosying-up that had been happening between them.

Putin's a very astute man and he knows how to play the game. Better than Bush does.

I hope the U.S. never has to test the extent of the Sunburn missiles, because somehow I don't think we'll come out of that war as the victor - and that will be a turn of events we just can't afford in today's world arena.

Thanks for coming by Mike!
~ Swan

Barry Artiste

at 17:04 on March 26th, 2008

good stuff:

Swan, I like this story. It's good stuff. The issue is they were flying Neutral SKies, thus in compliance with the Open Skies agreement, normally for passenger and transport, there have been forays by both the US and Russia with military transports, normally a courtesy of their intent is usually a prerequistie, who knows if it was given if the US sent interceptors