Putin defends missiles at parade

bbc.co.uk ^ | 5 May 2008

[Tailgunner Joe]

Russia's display of heavy weapons in this year's Victory Day parade in Moscow is "not sabre-rattling", President Vladimir Putin insists.

Tanks and intercontinental missiles are to be paraded for the first time since the collapse of the USSR in 1991.

The outgoing Russian leader said that Friday's parade to mark the end of World War II would demonstrate Russia's growing defence capabilities.

"We do not threaten anyone and do not intend to do so," he said.

A dress rehearsal for the parade was conducted on Monday.

Mr Putin is stepping down as president on 7 May to be replaced by Dmitry Medvedev.

'Growing capabilities'

"For the first time in many years combat equipment will be involved in the parade," Mr Putin told government officials.

"It's a demonstration of our growing capabilities in the defence sphere.

"We are capable of protecting our people, citizens, our state and our wealth."

Last year, Mr Putin announced the resumption of bomber patrols in international airspace and ordered the navy back into the Atlantic and the Mediterranean.

High oil and gas prices means that Russian can afford to bolster its military capability, correspondents say.

But they say it is nothing like as large as it was during the Soviet times.

[nw_arizona_granny]

Thank you for the links, very interesting.

[nw_arizona_granny]

An excellent thread to face the facts of future plans.

[Freelance Warrior]

I instantly noted the colors of the flags carried by the soldiers. They aren’t the Russian flag and they only represent one of the flag’s colors.

True. They carry banners of the ancestors, who was most glorious at the WWII.

[M. Espinola]

Putin and his hand picked stooge are demonstrating to the world the era of the neo-Stalinist, Russian energy empire has fully removed the phony mask of typical KGB deception, as the Kremlin prepares for war against the West and 'former' Iron Curtain captive nations.

Georgia is first on dictator Putin revenge list.

[M. Espinola]

Thanks for the ping.

Look at the incredible nerve of this slithering communist scum-sucker who resides in California, in control of a (front-group) non-profit farce, milking the tax free statu$ of very country he publicly attacks!

U.S. promises cannot be trusted - Gorbachev