Russia denies bombers were heading for British airspace

[NNN0LHI]

http://www.hindu.com/thehindu/holnus/003200707182167.htm

Moscow, July. 18 (PTI): Russia today denied a media report which claimed Russian bombers were heading for British airspace before turning back after Royal Air Force fighter jets were scrambled to intercept them, saying the two planes were on a training mission over international waters.

"Our planes were on planned mission over neutral waters. Such flights have been carried out and will be carried out in line with a plan for training long-range aircraft crews," Russian Air Force Commander Col Gen Alexander Zelin said.

London and Moscow are locked in a Cold War-style row over the murder of ex-Russian spy Alexander Litvinenko. Russia is refusing to hand over the main suspect to Britain, prompting London to expel four Russian diplomats.

The Times had earlier reported that two Tupolev Tu-95MS strategic bombers were heading for British airspace and two British Tornados took off from RAF base Leeming in northern England to confront them.

[Horse with no Name]

1. Is Putin taking Viagra?

What is he doing?

[NeedleCast]

2. ::Rattle:

Said the saber.

[FogerRox]

3. Tu-95 is ancient,older than the B-52.

"Development of the turboprop powered Tu-95 began in the 1950s as an intercontinental bomber,"

"The Tu-95 development was officially approved by the government on 11 July 1951, resulting in the test of the first prototype 95/1 on 12 November 1952. Series production of the airplane started in January 1956."

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tupolev_Tu-95

[JVS]

4. They were on a secret mission to nuke Iceland

[Bitwit1234]

5. Things like this are upsetting but I suppose bush bombing and

invading Iraq told the war that was an acceptable form of action.