Russian bombers launch missiles over Arctic
Pastor Dale Morgan
Russian bombers launch missiles over Arctic*
By Richard Holt
Last Updated: 7:24pm BST 03/09/2007
Twelve Russian strategic bombers are taking part in military exercises
above the Arctic involving the launching of tactical cruise missiles.
The Russian air force spokesman did not specify the exact location of
the exercises but confirmed that the TU-95MC bombers would take off from
five air bases stretching from the Volga River city of Engels to Anadyr
on the Chukotka Peninsula overlooking the United States.
RAF jet shadows a Russian bomber heading towards British airspace
Russian bomber being shadowed by a RAF jet last month
"The planes will also practise mid-air refuelling from Il-78 transport
planes," he said.
President Vladimir Putin announced last month that Russia has resumed
long-range patrols by its bomber planes for the first time since the end
of the Cold War.
Mr Putin said the resumption of patrols was needed to guarantee national
security.
In August RAF fighter jets were sent to intercepts a Russian bomber
which was heading towards British air space over the North Atlantic.
The Arctic exercises follow a widely advertised scientific expedition to
the North Pole last month with the task of finding justification for
Russia's claims for a bigger slice of the Arctic zone, believed to have
rich mineral resources.
Relations with both Europe and the United States have been deteriorating
as Russia, buoyed by booming energy prices, has shaken off the
post-Soviet malaise of the 1990s.
Western criticism has mounted as Mr Putin curtailed freedoms in Russia
and imposed economic punishments on ex-Soviet neighbours who had pursued
a pro-Western course.
In June The Kremlin was angered by US plans to move missile systems into
eastern Europe.
Mr Putin threatened to aim Russian nuclear missiles at European cities
in retaliation.
While Washington insists that the missiles are directed at the growing
threat of Iran and North Korea, the Kremlin is convinced they are
directed at Russia.
Earlier this month Sergei Ivanov, the hawkish Russian defence minister
seen as a possible successor to Mr Putin when he stands down next year,
announced an eight-year £100 billion military upgrade.
Defence spending has quadrupled since Mr Putin came to power in May 2000.