B
B1ackwater
Guest
BBC
Russia is planning naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and the
Atlantic Ocean in what it says is a bid to boost its presence and
protect shipping.
Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said battleships,
helicopters and aircraft would take part in a range of manoeuvres, due
to end in February.
This is the latest sign of a resurgence in Russia's military
capabilities, the BBC's Nick Childs says.
Russia recently resumed long-range patrols by its bomber aircraft.
The practise was suspended after the collapse of the Soviet Union and
was revived in August this year, as part of a more assertive foreign
policy pursued by President Vladimir Putin.
According to a Kremlin transcript, Mr Serdyukov told Mr Putin on
Wednesday that the "aim of the sorties is to ensure a naval presence
in tactically important regions of the world's oceans".
Mr Serdyukov said Russia's Black Sea fleet would monitor the
Mediterranean while its Northern Fleet would operate in the Atlantic.
Military analysts say Russia's boosted military presence is largely
symbolic.
Higher oil prices have enabled Russia to re-invest in its armed forces
but its military capabilities remain far below what they were during
the Soviet era, correspondents say.
- - - - -
"Protect shipping" - in the Med ??? I'm unaware of any
Russian ships that have fallen prey to pirates in, oh
say, the past CENTURY in those waters.
Maybe they should patrol off Somalia instead.
Seems that Russia is making a big show of its newfound
wealth and revived military capacity. Let's hope it
STAYS just a "show".
Of course there may be a big showdown coming over the
independence of Kosovo. The US and much of UN want it,
Serbia and Russia say "No WAY !". The only direct
route to Bosnia is via the Adriatic Sea. The country is
almost completely landlocked except for one very tiny
(13 mile) stretch where it breaks up the Croatian
coastline.
If the Russian navy blockaded that stretch against sea
and air traffic under the flag of protecting Serbian
territorial integrity, then any military force would
have to cross Croatian territory. Would Croatia give
permission ? I doubt it. How could we back-up a Bosnian
independence movement without access to Bosnia ? Go
through the Russians ? Bad idea. Very bad. Russian
proxies are one thing, Russians themselves are another.
Russia is planning naval exercises in the Mediterranean Sea and the
Atlantic Ocean in what it says is a bid to boost its presence and
protect shipping.
Russian Defence Minister Anatoly Serdyukov said battleships,
helicopters and aircraft would take part in a range of manoeuvres, due
to end in February.
This is the latest sign of a resurgence in Russia's military
capabilities, the BBC's Nick Childs says.
Russia recently resumed long-range patrols by its bomber aircraft.
The practise was suspended after the collapse of the Soviet Union and
was revived in August this year, as part of a more assertive foreign
policy pursued by President Vladimir Putin.
According to a Kremlin transcript, Mr Serdyukov told Mr Putin on
Wednesday that the "aim of the sorties is to ensure a naval presence
in tactically important regions of the world's oceans".
Mr Serdyukov said Russia's Black Sea fleet would monitor the
Mediterranean while its Northern Fleet would operate in the Atlantic.
Military analysts say Russia's boosted military presence is largely
symbolic.
Higher oil prices have enabled Russia to re-invest in its armed forces
but its military capabilities remain far below what they were during
the Soviet era, correspondents say.
- - - - -
"Protect shipping" - in the Med ??? I'm unaware of any
Russian ships that have fallen prey to pirates in, oh
say, the past CENTURY in those waters.
Maybe they should patrol off Somalia instead.
Seems that Russia is making a big show of its newfound
wealth and revived military capacity. Let's hope it
STAYS just a "show".
Of course there may be a big showdown coming over the
independence of Kosovo. The US and much of UN want it,
Serbia and Russia say "No WAY !". The only direct
route to Bosnia is via the Adriatic Sea. The country is
almost completely landlocked except for one very tiny
(13 mile) stretch where it breaks up the Croatian
coastline.
If the Russian navy blockaded that stretch against sea
and air traffic under the flag of protecting Serbian
territorial integrity, then any military force would
have to cross Croatian territory. Would Croatia give
permission ? I doubt it. How could we back-up a Bosnian
independence movement without access to Bosnia ? Go
through the Russians ? Bad idea. Very bad. Russian
proxies are one thing, Russians themselves are another.
