Russia to fly nuclear bombers to middle of Pacific as it flexes military muscles
Russia is going to fly strategic nuclear bombers to the middle of the Pacific Ocean to war game a battle with a Western enemy.
The move is part of drills now underway involving Vladimir Putin’s Pacific Fleet.
Russian defence minister Sergei Shoigu informed the Russian leader about the exercises.
"Strategic missile carriers will fly to the central part of the Pacific Ocean to imitate strikes on ship groups of a mock enemy," he said.
He did not say which type of strategic bombers would fly on the mission.
Russian model killed after calling Putin a 'psychopath' was strangled by her ex
As usual Shoigu read from a pre-prepared script rather than addressing Putin off the cuff.
Putin (L) and Shoigu shaking hands during their meeting at the Kremlin on Monday (GAVRIIL GRIGOROV/SPUTNIK/KREMLIN POOL/POOL/EPA-EFE/REX/Shutterstock)Putin told the defence minister in a face-to-face meeting that the Ukraine war must not stop Russia flexing its muscles elsewhere.
"We obviously have clear priorities for the use of the Armed Forces," he said.
"First of all, this concerns the Ukrainian direction and everything related to the protection of our people in the Donbas and in other new [invaded] territories.
Russia is going to fly strategic nuclear bombers to the middle of the Pacific Ocean (Defence Ministry / east2west news)"But the tasks of developing the fleet, including in the Pacific theatre, have not been halted or removed."
Putin asked Shoigu to pay attention to the development and preparation of similar events in other fleets, while continuing with the war.
"The forces of the fleet - in its individual components - can certainly be used in various conflicts," he continued.
"So I ask you to keep this in mind, too.
Russia's Moskva and missile cruiser flagship of Russian Black Sea Fleet, pictured in 2013 (AFP via Getty Images)"I am aware both the Ministry [of Defence] and the General Staff are doing this, I know."
Putin ordered his Pacific Fleet to launch the surprise war games on Friday, to test their readiness for a retaliatory nuclear strike on the West.
Give Ukraine western fighter jets to fight Russians, urges Boris Johnson
The Pacific’s Fleet’s firepower has been seen as Moscow’s main weapon in retaliatory strikes since Soviet times.
Vladimir Putin met with Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu in Moscow on April 17 (SPUTNIK/AFP via Getty Images)Based on naval base Vladivostok, the war games were expected to involve the firing of missiles and testing the readiness of nuclear-capable strategic bombers as well as the fleet’s submarines.
The exercise also had more limited objectives such as repelling supposed enemy attacks on Sakhalin island and the Kuril chain north of Japan.
It comes after Russia suspended peace talks with Japan last year, to protest Tokyo's sanctions against Moscow over its action in Ukraine.
Read more similar news:
Comments:
comments powered by Disqus
