RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian planes

Telegraph ^ | 7/19/2007 | Telegraph

[pacelvi]

RAF jets scrambled to intercept Russian planes By Sally Peck and agencies Last Updated: 7:54am BST 19/07/2007

Two RAF fighter jets were scrambled on Tuesday to intercept two Russian planes on course for British airspace, it emerged yesterday.

The incident marked the latest escalation of tensions in the standoff between London and Moscow.

As Moscow hesitated in its response to Britain's expulsion of four Russian diplomats, two Tornado fighters raced to meet the Tu95 "Bear" bombers that had been dispatched from their base near the northern port city of Murmansk in the Arctic Circle. The planes turned back before they reached British airspace.

The incident, now rare according to the RAF, but once commonplace during the Cold War, may be seen as a show of defiance by the Kremlin.

But Moscow said the Russian planes were on a training flight unrelated to the current diplomatic crisis over the murder of Alexander Litvinenko.

[Pyro7480]

The reemergence or the last gasp of the Russian bear?

[silverleaf]

Is Putin really still operating with a 1950’s Cold War mentality over how to intimidate the West?

[CJ Wolf]

This does not bode well. Maybe it’s time to reintroduce the duck and cover drills in school and clear out those bomb shelters.

[bmwcyle]

The Russians were running exercises across all of Russia that week.

[RDTF]

Tu-95 "Bear" Strategic Bomber

[McGruff]

Pretty childish behavior there shorty.

[neodad]

Dejavu all over again. Remember last week there was a post about civilian raido operators seeing a spike in military traffic.

[RDTF]

great RAF Tornado images here:

http://www.richard-seaman.com/Aircraft/AirShows/Riat2002/Tornado/Raf/index.html

[longshadow]

[econjack]

Don't you love it when Putin shakes his finger at someone...and it falls off.

I think much of Putin bravado lately is an attempt to solidify his position of power at home. He has enough social, economic, and political problems on his plate at home to contend with and I really don't think he's stupid enough to start a conflict with the West.

[NRA2BFree]

Those are great pictures! Thanks!

[COBOL2Java]

That was a great movie!

[Eric in the Ozarks]

Wing attack. Plan R.

[Uncle Miltie]

Looks like a ca 1957 turbo-prop. Probably could shoot that down with my .270.

[Pete]

But Moscow said the Russian planes were on a training flight

What? Training on how to bomb England?

[1035rep]

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