Russia Sends Long Bombers Back on Patrol

[Harry Monroe]

Source: Associated Press

Russia Sends Long Bombers Back on Patrol

By IVAN SEKRETAREV
Associated Press Writer

CHEBARKUL TESTING RANGE, Russia (AP) -- President Vladimir Putin placed strategic bombers back on long-range patrol for the first time since the Soviet breakup, sending a tough message to the United States on Friday hours after a major Russian military exercise with China.

Putin reviewed the first Russian-Chinese joint exercise on Russian soil before announcing that 20 strategic bombers had been sent far over the Atlantic, Pacific and Arctic oceans - showing off Moscow's muscular new posture and its growing military ties with Beijing.

"Starting today, such tours of duty will be conducted regularly and on the strategic scale," Putin said. "Our pilots have been grounded for too long. They are happy to start a new life."

Putin said halting long-range bombers after the Soviet collapse had hurt Russia's security because other nations - an oblique reference to the United States - had continued such missions.



Read more: http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/R/RUSSIA_BOMBERS?SITE=WABEL&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

[Deja Q]

1. Free trade with Russia, anyone?

"We hate you, US, but we love your jobs!"

:shrug:

[Warren Stupidity]

6. Actually they would prefer that we didn't stick our missiles

right up on their borders. They would be happy to trade with us as equals.

[Robson]

2. Everyone is flexing their muscles with the CHIMP

He's destroyed and diverted our military and fiscal might for nothing. While Pelosi and Reid roll over waiting for Karl Rove to scratch their belly.

[tom_paine]

11. Of course they are, Chimpoleon is a coward and weakling.

The ONLY thing Bushler and his Henchmen have EVER been any good at is attacking and destroying the American People and the American Constitution. Oh, and stealing legendary amounts of cash.

[Selatius]

3. This is in response to us trying to put a missile shield in Poland/Czech Republic.

Putin was not happy, so he's retaliating by bringing back something familiar from the Cold War.

[C_U_L8R]

4. Et Tu Putie Poot ???

[Warren Stupidity]

5. Heck of a job Dumbass!

You've managed to rekindle the cold war while poofing up your fake warnterra. The Big Conflict In Asia was always the Main Show in the PNACkers hideous narrative anyway. Iraq was just a sideshow to secure the oil.

We need an Elliot Ness to hunt down root out and lock up the entire Texas-Arabia Oil Mafia.

[thunder rising]

7. Putin is giving the draft dodger

(aka commander in chief) a chance to play at the big boys table.

to our glorious leader:
over extended military
over extended economy
no manufacturing
no data processing
unpopular pResident

and our foe:
emerging oil resources
emerging economy
financial stability
a new sense of national pride.
Is able to make US and Nato forces all over the world jump and burn fuel with old bombers. (Countries that ahhh well have no oil to burn)

Do you think China will loan us money to puff our chests out at the the Russians.

But if you look around some of the other non-US blogs the comments are hilarious:
"Reenacting medieval battles is very popular in the UK. Maybe the Brits and Russians could get together and put decrepit, outdated, aircraft in the air to renact the old Cold War stand-off."

and

"The tabloids have got it the wrong way around! Quoting unnamed Kremlin sources, I can categorically say that the Bear is escorting the Tornado"

[unkachuck]

8. they're baaaack....

"The United States, Russia and China are locked in a tense rivalry for influence in Central Asia, the site of vast hydrocarbon resources."

....Russian military technology, strategic nuclear forces and oil wealth together with Chinese manpower and industrial base portends the end of US hegemony....

....Russia and China are on the increase while we're on the decrease in a bushco-world where treaties don't matter and only might makes right....

....the free ride is over folks; if we can't have our way with a third-world Arab nation we certainly won't be having our way with Russia and China combined strategically....their resources are emmence....

....the down-playing and lack of response/concern from the WH shows the importance of the Russian-Chinese team....dig deep into your cold-war pockets....I might not be getting my universal healthcare but your days of low taxes and cheap energy are over....

[Judi Lynn]

9. Russia resumes bomber flights in striking distance of U.S.

Aug. 18, 2007, 12:00AM
Russia resumes bomber flights in striking distance of U.S.
White House says the move does not represent a threat to the U.S.

Los Angeles Times

MOSCOW — Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Friday reinstatement of the Soviet-era practice of having nuclear bombers routinely fly long-distance flights that bring them within striking distance of the United States and its allies.

"Today, just after midnight, 14 strategic missile aircraft, with support and fuel planes, took off from seven airfields across Russia," Putin said in televised remarks. "Combat duty began, in which a total of 20 planes are taking part. From today, combat duty of this kind will be carried out on a regular basis."

He expressed hope that the West would show "understanding" for his decision.

The White House sought to play down the Russian action, insisting that the resumption of flights did not indicate a worsening of relations or present a new strategic threat to America.
(snip/...)

http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/world/5064583.html

[tom_paine]

10. Comrade Putin is playing Stalin to Bushler's Hitler

As with Hitler and Stalin, these two Tyrants and Founding Fathers of the New Totalitarianism will likely always hate each other for being so similar to each other.

And one day, their uneasily observed "truce", will shatter, just as the original one between the first Hitler and Stalin did.