Russia to send navy to Arabian Sea: report

ABC News ^ | 4/2/03

[areafiftyone]

Russia is likely to send its navy to the Arabian Sea near the Gulf region where the United States is leading a war against Iraq, the newspaper Nezavisimaya Gazeta reports.

Russian navy officials had earlier announced that at least two fleets - the Pacific and the Black Sea, would stage exercises in the Indian Ocean next month.

However, there had previously been no mention of the Arabian Sea, which is on the Indian Ocean's northern tip and washes the shores of India, Iran, Oman and Yemen.

The newspaper, which has developed a reputation for its good military ties, reported that Black Sea fleet commander Yevgeny Orlov recently came to Moscow to receive instructions over the mission.

The paper said it was likely Commander Orlov received his orders not only from Defence Minister Sergei Ivanov but also from President Vladimir Putin.

It was not immediately clear how many vessels would take part in the exercises.

An official in the navy press service refused to confirm the report and said more detailed information about the mission might be released at a later date.

The Nezavisimaya Gazeta added Russia's strategic forces were put on heightened military alert following the March 20 launch of the war, which Russia has vigorously opposed.

The Russian military successfully launched a test intercontinental ballistic missile on March 27, but officials at the time stressed the exercise was not linked to Iraq.

Separately, Nezavisimaya Gazeta reported that Chief of Staff General Anatoly Kvashnin was in southern Russia to oversee the largest military exercises staged by the country's strategic air forces in 10 years.

"The unprecedented military activity confirms that Moscow is worried about the situation in Iraq," the newspaper wrote.

[11th Commandment]

Boy, I sure hope we cleared all those sea mines! (wink, wink)

[Calpernia]

And they are positioning there for??? Intimidation? Show of support? Support for whom?

I can think of a many other REMOVED locations for 'excercises'.

[sarasota]

So what's the plan?

[smith288]

"The unprecedented military activity confirms that Moscow is worried about the situation in Iraq," the newspaper wrote.

What about France and their aircraft carrier?? Will tugboats need to push it to the region?

[areafiftyone]

More of annoyance and also to probably spy on us. They just can't get the KGB and the cold war out of their systems.

[Mamzelle]

If you think of Russia as a wounded male with a very, VERY sensitive ego, you'll understand. Our competence and success embarrasses them, and they need to make a face-saving gesture. Or perhaps they want to see what we do to the Russian advisors to the Iraquis...? We'll be capturing some, soon.

[TADSLOS]

First, they have to make the voyage without breaking down.

[Calpernia]

>>>If you think of Russia as a wounded male with a very, VERY sensitive ego

ROFL!!!

But seriously, do you think they would step up to assisting us? Or Iraq? Economically, the world needs us. Iraq was easy, short term, quick bucks.

[ET(end tyranny)]

Assist us? Get real!

It is interesting that they feel a need to have their exercise THERE amidst all our ships and such.

[Centurion2000]

bump ... I hope someone in the Navy is keeping a pistol cocked a locked in that direction. Something about this says TRAP.

[Calpernia]

I agree. I said the same thing in my post #3.

I just can't figure out to who they will be 'on hand' for.

[11B3]

Yes, ambush does come to mind....But they're probably just going there to evacuate as many of the war criminals as possible from within Iraq. Hidden with their embassy staff.

[LenS]

Cool. The Navy needs some sea target practice.

[grobdriver]

First, they have to make the voyage without breaking down.

LOL!
We used to monitor the Soviets as they towed (that's right, towed their diesel boats (submarines) down through the Sea of Japan, to the Straights of Malacca before turning them loose into the Indian Ocean.
Supposedly they did this to make the passage faster and conserve fuel for the subs.
Or so we were told....
BWahahahahahaha!!!!!

[ET(end tyranny)]

I don't suppose we have any spare ships that we could send off for excerises off Russia somewhere?? lol

[cookcounty]

Sheesh. Now we'll have to send more rescue tugs.

[Wallace T.]

What shape is the Russian navy in after over a decade of neglect? The former Soviet ruler Leonid Breszhnev wanted the USSR to have a world class navy. Prior to Breszhnev, the Soviets focused on their submarine fleet in order to intercept the Atlantic sea lanes, much as the Germans had done in the two world wars. Even under Gorbachev, the USSR cut back on the blue water navy plans and focused again on submarines. In the post-Soviet era, the Russian military has suffered financial problems.

Their submarines may be a problem, but I would think that the combined force of the U.S. and Royal Navies could easily dispatch any Russian challenge.

[vin-one]

MY bet is they need to see just how a real military works,
unlike their attempt at Afghanistan, we rolled over the afghan's, and
are rolling over the Iraqi's military
So they want to see up close and personal,
just don't let them get to close, or we will sink the whole fleet.

[ET(end tyranny)]

you can bet, they are not on hand for us!!!!