Kremlin resumes long-range bomber flights
Friday, 17 Aug 2007 20:07
Vladimir Putin made the announcement this afternoon
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Russian bombers will resume long-distance strategic flights for the first time since 1992, president Vladimir Putin announced today.
Speaking from Russia's Ural Mountains, where joint military exercises were being held with central Asian states and China, Mr Putin said the resumption was necessary because other states had failed to cease similar flights.
He explained the situation was compromising Russia's security and revealed that 14 bombers were already engaging in long-distance exercises.
Analysts say the flights – and the joint military exercises also attended by Chinese president Hu Jintao – are an attempt to demonstrate the limited nature of US power in the region.
Mr Putin's announcement follows an incident earlier this month when US military aircraft on the Pacific island of Guam were forced to scramble as Russian planes approached.
The Kremlin has strengthened its foreign policy and defence stances in 2007, with Mr Putin being especially outspoken by the long eastward reach of Nato forces. These now control coalition forces' efforts in Afghanistan.
Also controversial are US plans to install missile shield installations across eastern Europe. The Pentagon claims these are supposed to protect Americans from a long-range strike emanating from the Middle East, but Russia insists they hold an unacceptable offensive threat.
Speaking in May this year, Mr Putin said his country was engaged in an "arms war" with the US based on the latter country's "imperialism".
"What are we supposed to do? We can't just sit back and stare at them doing that," he said.