Topic: World War III - page 6. (Read 34342 times)
Russia has test fired yet another ICBM, per Interfax. This time a Topol-M. Aimed at test site in Kamchatka
^ crocodile tears 
Most people in the English-speaking parts of the world missed Putin's speech at the Valdai conference in Sochi a few days ago:
russian source:
http://chipstone.livejournal.com/1219546.html
translation:
russian source:
http://chipstone.livejournal.com/1219546.html
translation:
Quote
1. Russia will no longer play games and engage in back-room negotiations over trifles. But Russia is prepared for serious conversations and agreements, if these are conducive to collective security, are based on fairness and take into account the interests of each side.
2. All systems of global collective security now lie in ruins. There are no longer any international security guarantees at all. And the entity that destroyed them has a name: The United States of America.
3. The builders of the New World Order have failed, having built a sand castle. Whether or not a new world order of any sort is to be built is not just Russia's decision, but it is a decision that will not be made without Russia.
4. Russia favors a conservative approach to introducing innovations into the social order, but is not opposed to investigating and discussing such innovations, to see if introducing any of them might be justified.
5. Russia has no intention of going fishing in the murky waters created by America's ever-expanding “empire of chaos,” and has no interest in building a new empire of her own (this is unnecessary; Russia's challenges lie in developing her already vast territory). Neither is Russia willing to act as a savior of the world, as she had in the past.
6. Russia will not attempt to reformat the world in her own image, but neither will she allow anyone to reformat her in their image. Russia will not close herself off from the world, but anyone who tries to close her off from the world will be sure to reap a whirlwind.
7. Russia does not wish for the chaos to spread, does not want war, and has no intention of starting one. However, today Russia sees the outbreak of global war as almost inevitable, is prepared for it, and is continuing to prepare for it. Russia does not want war—nor does she fear it.
8. Russia does not intend to take an active role in thwarting those who are still attempting to construct their New World Order—until their efforts start to impinge on Russia's key interests. Russia would prefer to stand by and watch them give themselves as many lumps as their poor heads can take. But those who manage to drag Russia into this process, through disregard for her interests, will be taught the true meaning of pain.
9. In her external, and, even more so, internal politics, Russia's power will rely not on the elites and their back-room dealing, but on the will of the people.
2. All systems of global collective security now lie in ruins. There are no longer any international security guarantees at all. And the entity that destroyed them has a name: The United States of America.
3. The builders of the New World Order have failed, having built a sand castle. Whether or not a new world order of any sort is to be built is not just Russia's decision, but it is a decision that will not be made without Russia.
4. Russia favors a conservative approach to introducing innovations into the social order, but is not opposed to investigating and discussing such innovations, to see if introducing any of them might be justified.
5. Russia has no intention of going fishing in the murky waters created by America's ever-expanding “empire of chaos,” and has no interest in building a new empire of her own (this is unnecessary; Russia's challenges lie in developing her already vast territory). Neither is Russia willing to act as a savior of the world, as she had in the past.
6. Russia will not attempt to reformat the world in her own image, but neither will she allow anyone to reformat her in their image. Russia will not close herself off from the world, but anyone who tries to close her off from the world will be sure to reap a whirlwind.
7. Russia does not wish for the chaos to spread, does not want war, and has no intention of starting one. However, today Russia sees the outbreak of global war as almost inevitable, is prepared for it, and is continuing to prepare for it. Russia does not want war—nor does she fear it.
8. Russia does not intend to take an active role in thwarting those who are still attempting to construct their New World Order—until their efforts start to impinge on Russia's key interests. Russia would prefer to stand by and watch them give themselves as many lumps as their poor heads can take. But those who manage to drag Russia into this process, through disregard for her interests, will be taught the true meaning of pain.
9. In her external, and, even more so, internal politics, Russia's power will rely not on the elites and their back-room dealing, but on the will of the people.
So are they striking the US really? Are they doing it with North Korea?
But Kim Jong Un is sick! I mean literally, he is not in his best of health.
Russia, Belarus expand program of military drills due to new threats — defense minister
MINSK, October 29. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus are expanding the program of military exercises in 2015 due to new threats posed to the Union State, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.
“The expansion of the program is linked to the changing situation near our borders and in the world as a whole,” Shoigu said after a session of the ministerial collegium.
“We would like to drill actions due to new threats to the Union State,” he said, adding that both parties had summed up the results of joint events to ensure the operation of the regional group of forces.
Belarusian Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin said his ministry was expanding the format of Union Shield 2015 drills on the proposal of his Russian counterpart.
“The Union Shield 2015 joint drills will be the key event of combat training in the 2015 plan. They will take place at firing ranges of Russia and Belarus,” Zhadobin said.
“On the proposal of Sergei Kuzhugetovich [Shoigu] we’ve made certain changes and expanded training points due to be drilled at the exercises themselves and before them,” he said.
Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet
On Tuesday Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Russia will actively keep developing its military bases abroad.
“We keep developing our bases abroad: in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia. We are developing them rather actively,” Shoigu said at a meeting of the Public Council under the Defense Ministry.
He recalled that recently a Russian squadron went on combat duty in Belarus.
“We have settled there and started combat duty,” Shoigu said.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/757142
MINSK, October 29. /TASS/. Russia and Belarus are expanding the program of military exercises in 2015 due to new threats posed to the Union State, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said on Wednesday.
“The expansion of the program is linked to the changing situation near our borders and in the world as a whole,” Shoigu said after a session of the ministerial collegium.
“We would like to drill actions due to new threats to the Union State,” he said, adding that both parties had summed up the results of joint events to ensure the operation of the regional group of forces.
Belarusian Defense Minister Yuri Zhadobin said his ministry was expanding the format of Union Shield 2015 drills on the proposal of his Russian counterpart.
“The Union Shield 2015 joint drills will be the key event of combat training in the 2015 plan. They will take place at firing ranges of Russia and Belarus,” Zhadobin said.
“On the proposal of Sergei Kuzhugetovich [Shoigu] we’ve made certain changes and expanded training points due to be drilled at the exercises themselves and before them,” he said.
Sukhoi Su-27 fighter jet
On Tuesday Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Russia will actively keep developing its military bases abroad.
“We keep developing our bases abroad: in Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Armenia. We are developing them rather actively,” Shoigu said at a meeting of the Public Council under the Defense Ministry.
He recalled that recently a Russian squadron went on combat duty in Belarus.
“We have settled there and started combat duty,” Shoigu said.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/757142
Bulava missile launched from nuclear sub in Russia
MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. Strategic nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky has launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from the Barents Sea towards the Kura testing range in Kamchatka, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.
"The missile was launched from the submerged position," a spokesman said. "The parameters of the flight trajectory have been fulfilled as required. Data control shows the warheads of the missile reached the Kura testing facility successfully.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/757230
MOSCOW, October 29. /TASS/. Strategic nuclear submarine Yuri Dolgoruky has launched a Bulava intercontinental ballistic missile from the Barents Sea towards the Kura testing range in Kamchatka, the press service of the Russian Defense Ministry told TASS on Wednesday.
"The missile was launched from the submerged position," a spokesman said. "The parameters of the flight trajectory have been fulfilled as required. Data control shows the warheads of the missile reached the Kura testing facility successfully.
http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/757230
NATO Intercepted 19 Russian Military Aircraft Today
NATO detected and monitored four groups of Russian military aircraft conducting significant military manoeuvers in European airspace over the Baltic Sea, North Sea/Atlantic Ocean, and Black Sea on 28 and 29 October 2014. These sizable Russian flights represent an unusual level of air activity over European airspace.
Eight Russian Aircraft Intercepted over North Sea / Atlantic Ocean on 29 October 2014
At approximately 3:00 a.m. CET on 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked eight Russian aircraft flying in formation over the North Sea. F-16 aircraft from the Royal Norwegian Air Force were scrambled, intercepted and identified the Russian aircraft, which included four Tu-95 Bear H strategic bombers and four Il-78 tanker aircraft. The formation flew from mainland Russia over the Norwegian Sea in international airspace. Six of the Russian aircraft then turned back to the north-east towards Russia, while two Tu-95 Bear H bombers continued south-west, parallel to the Norwegian coast, heading to the south-west. The Russian aircraft continued over the North Sea, and Typhoon fighters from the United Kingdom were scrambled in response. While over the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal, the two Russian aircraft were intercepted and identified by F-16s from the Portuguese Air Force. The Russian aircraft turned back heading north-east, flying to the west of the United Kingdom. NATO aircraft from the United Kingdom and Norway were standing by and NATO assets on the ground and in the air tracked the Russian aircraft throughout. At present, the two Tu-95 bombers appear headed back to Russia, but as of 4 p.m. CET the aircraft were still airborne.
The bomber and tanker aircraft from Russia did not file flight plans or maintain radio contact with civilian air traffic control authorities and they were not using on-board transponders. This poses a potential risk to civil aviation as civilian air traffic control cannot detect these aircraft or ensure there is no interference with civilian air traffic.
Four Russian Aircraft Intercepted over Black Sea on 29 October 2014
During the afternoon of 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked four Russian aircraft flying over the Black Sea in international air space, including 2 Tu-95 Bear-H bombers and 2 Su-27 Flanker fighter jets. Fighters from the Turkish Air Force have intercepted the Russian aircraft and NATO is continuing to track them in international airspace. As of 4 p.m. CET the aircraft were still airborne.
Multiple Russian Aircraft Intercepted over Baltic Sea on 29 October 2014
During the afternoon of 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked a number Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea in international airspace, including 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets. Portuguese F-16 Fighters assigned to the Baltic Air Policing Mission were scrambled in response and the Russian aircraft returned to Russian airspace.
Seven Russian Fighter Jets also Intercepted on 28 October 2014
During the afternoon of 28 October, NATO radars detected and tracked seven Russian combat aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft were detected at approximately 2:30 p.m. CET on 28 October and included 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets.
The Russian aircraft were flying in the Gulf of Finland and were intercepted by German Typhoon fighter jets from NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission in order to identify the aircraft and protect Allied air space. The Russian aircraft continued into the Baltic Sea and were subsequently intercepted by Allied fighters from Denmark as well as fighters from Finland and Sweden, which are not members of NATO. The Russian fighters continued to the Kaliningrad Oblast. The Russian aircraft had filed a flight plan with air traffic control authorities, were using transponders, but did not maintain radio contact with civilian air traffic control.
NATO jets were on standby throughout the duration of both Russian flights and Russian aircraft were continually tracked using Allied assets on the ground and in the air. NATO has conducted over 100 intercepts of Russian aircraft in 2014 to date, which is about three times more than were conducted in 2013.
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/nato-intercepted-19-russian-military-aircraft-today#.VFFLH03JbGQ.twitter
NATO detected and monitored four groups of Russian military aircraft conducting significant military manoeuvers in European airspace over the Baltic Sea, North Sea/Atlantic Ocean, and Black Sea on 28 and 29 October 2014. These sizable Russian flights represent an unusual level of air activity over European airspace.
Eight Russian Aircraft Intercepted over North Sea / Atlantic Ocean on 29 October 2014
At approximately 3:00 a.m. CET on 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked eight Russian aircraft flying in formation over the North Sea. F-16 aircraft from the Royal Norwegian Air Force were scrambled, intercepted and identified the Russian aircraft, which included four Tu-95 Bear H strategic bombers and four Il-78 tanker aircraft. The formation flew from mainland Russia over the Norwegian Sea in international airspace. Six of the Russian aircraft then turned back to the north-east towards Russia, while two Tu-95 Bear H bombers continued south-west, parallel to the Norwegian coast, heading to the south-west. The Russian aircraft continued over the North Sea, and Typhoon fighters from the United Kingdom were scrambled in response. While over the Atlantic Ocean west of Portugal, the two Russian aircraft were intercepted and identified by F-16s from the Portuguese Air Force. The Russian aircraft turned back heading north-east, flying to the west of the United Kingdom. NATO aircraft from the United Kingdom and Norway were standing by and NATO assets on the ground and in the air tracked the Russian aircraft throughout. At present, the two Tu-95 bombers appear headed back to Russia, but as of 4 p.m. CET the aircraft were still airborne.
The bomber and tanker aircraft from Russia did not file flight plans or maintain radio contact with civilian air traffic control authorities and they were not using on-board transponders. This poses a potential risk to civil aviation as civilian air traffic control cannot detect these aircraft or ensure there is no interference with civilian air traffic.
Four Russian Aircraft Intercepted over Black Sea on 29 October 2014
During the afternoon of 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked four Russian aircraft flying over the Black Sea in international air space, including 2 Tu-95 Bear-H bombers and 2 Su-27 Flanker fighter jets. Fighters from the Turkish Air Force have intercepted the Russian aircraft and NATO is continuing to track them in international airspace. As of 4 p.m. CET the aircraft were still airborne.
Multiple Russian Aircraft Intercepted over Baltic Sea on 29 October 2014
During the afternoon of 29 October, NATO radars detected and tracked a number Russian aircraft flying over the Baltic Sea in international airspace, including 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets. Portuguese F-16 Fighters assigned to the Baltic Air Policing Mission were scrambled in response and the Russian aircraft returned to Russian airspace.
Seven Russian Fighter Jets also Intercepted on 28 October 2014
During the afternoon of 28 October, NATO radars detected and tracked seven Russian combat aircraft flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea. The aircraft were detected at approximately 2:30 p.m. CET on 28 October and included 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets.
The Russian aircraft were flying in the Gulf of Finland and were intercepted by German Typhoon fighter jets from NATO's Baltic Air Policing Mission in order to identify the aircraft and protect Allied air space. The Russian aircraft continued into the Baltic Sea and were subsequently intercepted by Allied fighters from Denmark as well as fighters from Finland and Sweden, which are not members of NATO. The Russian fighters continued to the Kaliningrad Oblast. The Russian aircraft had filed a flight plan with air traffic control authorities, were using transponders, but did not maintain radio contact with civilian air traffic control.
NATO jets were on standby throughout the duration of both Russian flights and Russian aircraft were continually tracked using Allied assets on the ground and in the air. NATO has conducted over 100 intercepts of Russian aircraft in 2014 to date, which is about three times more than were conducted in 2013.
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/nato-intercepted-19-russian-military-aircraft-today#.VFFLH03JbGQ.twitter
So are they striking the US really? Are they doing it with North Korea?
Putin got talent (and US movie star support): http://www.dailymotion.com/video/xg3k7j_poutine-chante-devant-delon-depardieu-sharon-stone_webcam#from=embediframe
Kevin Costner, Kurt Russel, Mickey Rourke, Sharon Stone, Ornella Muti, Goldie Hawn, Alain Delon, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci and Gérard Depardieu.
Kevin Costner, Kurt Russel, Mickey Rourke, Sharon Stone, Ornella Muti, Goldie Hawn, Alain Delon, Vincent Cassel, Monica Bellucci and Gérard Depardieu.
German Typhoons have intercepted 7 Russian Air Force combat planes over the Baltic Sea today
By David Cenciotti
NATO Baltic Air Policing mission is quite busy these days….
According to the Latvian military, on Oct. 28, the German Air Force Eurofighter jets on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) at Amari, Estonia, to provide NATO Baltic Air Policing were scrambled to intercept seven Russian Air Force planes flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The German interceptors identified the Russian planes as a large package, made of attack planes and escort, which included 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets.
Regardless to whether the Russian aircraft were involved in one of the frequent training missions in the Baltics or were commuting to/from the Russian airfield in Kaliningrad oblast, the package on Oct 28 represents one of the largest “formations” intercepted by NATO fighter planes during the last couple of years.
Usually, close encounters involve Russian, Swedish or U.S. spyplanes intercepted before (or after) violating sovereign airspaces. Sometimes, scrambles are required to greet Moscow’s Tu-22 or Tu-95 bombers on long-range training patrols or strike packages involved in (alleged) simulated air strikes on one of North Europe’s states (usually, Sweden).
Anyway, Russian Air Force missions in the Baltic area have surged, to such an extent NATO presence has quadrupled in the last year: from one nation providing four aircraft in QRA at one base in Lithuania (Šiauliai), to four nations (currently Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Canada) at two airbases (the second being Amari, in Estonia).
Image credit: Eurofighter – Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus Ltd
http://theaviationist.com/2014/10/28/german-typhoons-intercept-7-ruaf-planes/
By David Cenciotti
NATO Baltic Air Policing mission is quite busy these days….
According to the Latvian military, on Oct. 28, the German Air Force Eurofighter jets on QRA (Quick Reaction Alert) at Amari, Estonia, to provide NATO Baltic Air Policing were scrambled to intercept seven Russian Air Force planes flying in international airspace over the Baltic Sea.
The German interceptors identified the Russian planes as a large package, made of attack planes and escort, which included 2x MiG-31 Foxhound, 2x Su-34 Fullback, 1x Su-27 Flanker and 2x Su-24 Fencer jets.
Regardless to whether the Russian aircraft were involved in one of the frequent training missions in the Baltics or were commuting to/from the Russian airfield in Kaliningrad oblast, the package on Oct 28 represents one of the largest “formations” intercepted by NATO fighter planes during the last couple of years.
Usually, close encounters involve Russian, Swedish or U.S. spyplanes intercepted before (or after) violating sovereign airspaces. Sometimes, scrambles are required to greet Moscow’s Tu-22 or Tu-95 bombers on long-range training patrols or strike packages involved in (alleged) simulated air strikes on one of North Europe’s states (usually, Sweden).
Anyway, Russian Air Force missions in the Baltic area have surged, to such an extent NATO presence has quadrupled in the last year: from one nation providing four aircraft in QRA at one base in Lithuania (Šiauliai), to four nations (currently Germany, the Netherlands, Portugal and Canada) at two airbases (the second being Amari, in Estonia).
Image credit: Eurofighter – Geoffrey Lee, Planefocus Ltd
http://theaviationist.com/2014/10/28/german-typhoons-intercept-7-ruaf-planes/
Shoigu flies to Minsk
Program of events includes a meeting of Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces of the two states - Major General Oleg Belokoneva and Army General Valery Gerasimov.
http://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2014/10/27/122977/
Program of events includes a meeting of Chiefs of Staff of the armed forces of the two states - Major General Oleg Belokoneva and Army General Valery Gerasimov.
http://www.charter97.org/ru/news/2014/10/27/122977/
Czech Intelligence Sees 'Extremely High' Number of Russian Spies
Lt. Gen. Igor Sergun, head of Russia's GRU (photo: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Russia deployed an "extremely high" number of intelligence officers at its Czech embassy last year, the NATO member country's secret service said in an annual report released on Monday. . . .
The Security Information Service (BIS) said Russian and Chinese spies in the Czech Republic work mostly to use politicians or journalists to extend their influence and secure their countries' economic interests.
"Both the Russian and the Chinese embassy employ intelligence officers serving under diplomatic cover. In 2013, the number of such officers at the Russian embassy was extremely high," the BIS report said.
"Russian intelligence services attempted to make use of both open and covert political, media and societal influence to promote Russian economic interests in the Czech Republic," the report said. . . .
The BIS has in the past warned of Russian intelligence officers building networks in the country using Czech citizens as well as the local Russian community.
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/czech-intelligence-sees-extremely-high-number-of-russian-spies
full text
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/27/us-czech-russia-espionage-idUSKBN0IG17B20141027?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
Lt. Gen. Igor Sergun, head of Russia's GRU (photo: Russian Ministry of Defense)
Russia deployed an "extremely high" number of intelligence officers at its Czech embassy last year, the NATO member country's secret service said in an annual report released on Monday. . . .
The Security Information Service (BIS) said Russian and Chinese spies in the Czech Republic work mostly to use politicians or journalists to extend their influence and secure their countries' economic interests.
"Both the Russian and the Chinese embassy employ intelligence officers serving under diplomatic cover. In 2013, the number of such officers at the Russian embassy was extremely high," the BIS report said.
"Russian intelligence services attempted to make use of both open and covert political, media and societal influence to promote Russian economic interests in the Czech Republic," the report said. . . .
The BIS has in the past warned of Russian intelligence officers building networks in the country using Czech citizens as well as the local Russian community.
http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/czech-intelligence-sees-extremely-high-number-of-russian-spies
full text
http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/27/us-czech-russia-espionage-idUSKBN0IG17B20141027?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
The 'Russian Submarine' in Swedish Waters Isn't the Only Unwelcome Visitor in the Baltic Sea
Last week Sweden received a decidedly unwelcome visitor. Following a Russian-language phone call between the Stockholm archipelago and the Russian city of Kaliningrad, intercepted by Sweden’s FRA signals intelligence agency, the Swedish military discovered what it believes was a Russian submarine just outside Stockholm. Though Russia denied any submarine presence in the Stockholm archipelago, this time the Swedish military reacted swiftly, quickly dispatching a large naval vessel and several helicopters.
Sweden has learnt from experience: on Good Friday last year, six Russian military planes – including four heavy bombers – carried out a simulated missile attack on Stockholm and southern Sweden. The incident, which became known as the Russian Easter, took the Swedish military by such surprise that its Gripen fighter jets didn’t manage to take off. “What’s happening in the Stockholm archipelago is a serious matter,” says Karin Enström, who was Sweden’s defence minister until the elections this autumn.
“Russia is modernising its military equipment and testing it, but there are also more military exercises. It’s a sign of Russia increasing its -military capabilities, both when it comes to equipment and fighting abilities. These developments in combination with the war in Ukraine are very serious and alarming. Ukraine is impacting on our part of the world very negatively.”
While the world is watching Ukraine, Russia is engaging in a much more important power game here in the Baltic Sea region. The figures are startling. In 2010, only one Russian military vessel was spotted close to Latvian waters. This year, the figure has already exceeded 40, Latvia’s ministry of defence says. During the same period, the number of Russian military approaches to Latvian airspace resulting in scrambles by Nato’s Baltic air policing mission has skyrocketed from around five to more than 180. Neighbouring Lithuania has already seen 132 scrambles this year, up from four in 2010. Estonia, meanwhile, is seeing not just unwelcome approaches to its airspace and waters but also the abduction of one of its intelligence officers to Russia.
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Then there is the smaller number of violations of neighbours’ airspace and waters. In 2010, there were no Russian violations of Finnish airspace. This year, the Finnish ministry of defence figures show, there have already been five. “What are intentions of [these activities]?” asks Major General Jonas Vytautas Zukas, Lithuania’s Chief of Defence. “We can only speculate. From my point of view, it can be a show of military power as part of an information operation or the test of preparedness of the Nato air force.”
At the same time, Russia is engaging in information warfare against its small neighbours to the West. According to Latvia’s foreign ministry, Russian-affiliated outlets assert that Latvia’s integration into the Western hemisphere was a geopolitical mistake; that the country has always been a part of Russia; that the country discriminates against ethnic minorities including its 26% share of Russians; and that Latvia supports Nazism.
Indeed, the consensus among Russia’s small neighbours in the wealthy and crucial trading region around the Baltic Sea is that the mighty former superpower in the East is either trying to bully them, or to test their defence, or both.
“It’s partly big-power arrogance,” says Colonel Jan Mörtberg of the Swedish Defence College. “Or it can be contingency planning for a conflict in the Baltic Sea, or they’re trying to make us spend more money on preparedness. Military preparedness is expensive, but you have to respond to provocations. That means we’ll have less money to spend on other military matters.”
Last week’s submarine discovery forms an ominous sequel to the infamous “whisky on the rocks” incident in 1981, when a Soviet submarine went aground in Swedish waters.
Indeed, notes Mörtberg, during the Cold War the Soviet Union gave Sweden and Finland plenty of ominous attention as well. “But in those days it didn’t have to restore its superpower -status. That status was clear. That is what is different now.”
The Russia now apparently sending a submarine to Stockholm is a country that’s rapidly growing its defence budget and upgrading its military equipment. “Russia is trying to position itself as a -dominant centre of power on the global stage”, notes a high-ranking Latvian official. “Its ambitions are not limited to Ukraine.”
Though enrolment in the Lithuanian -Riflemen’s Union – a civil defence organisation – has skyrocketed in recent months and Lithuanian MEP Gabrielius Landsbergis reports that his countrymen would willingly take action if green men materialised in their streets, nobody believes that Russia plans Ukraine-style military actions in the Baltic states, Sweden or Finland. Its more likely objective, especially with the US preoccupied elsewhere, is instead local -decision-making based on fear of Vladimir Putin.
“Today Russian provocations are on the minds of decision-makers in the region when they make their decisions,” notes Pauli Järvenpää, a Finnish security expert and former ambassador now based in Tallinn.
“In Finland, 60% of people now consider Russia a threat, compared to 30% at the beginning of the year.” Putin’s goal, argues Mörtberg, may be to ensure that neither Sweden nor Finland joins Nato. Indeed, three distinguished Swedish diplomats recently argued that Swedish membership of Nato would needlessly provoke -Russia. “If things get worse we’ll ask for more Nato involvement,” vows Landsbergis. Nato is, of course, already conducting air policing missions in the Baltic states.
Subjugated neighbours or neighbours turning to Nato for help: both scenarios are alarming. After year of dismantling its military, Sweden has woken up to the threat. “We [Sweden] need to strengthen our defence and be more present in the air, on water and underneath the water and we have to be prepared to use our military capabilities,” says Enström.
Lithuania is already taking action. “In view of the current security situation in the region the Lithuanian armed forces are looking to summon up certain capabilities and form a very high national readiness response force that can react within two–24 hours and have sufficient combat capacity to prevent hostile actions within the territory of Lithuania in peacetime,” reports Zukas. The force will consist of ground troops, air force and special forces.
Tiny Lithuania, in other words, is planning to fight back. And Sweden? It’s vowing not to let the intruder get away this time.
http://www.newsweek.com/2014/10/31/damaged-submarine-spotted-swedish-waters-russia-turns-baltics-278694.html
Last week Sweden received a decidedly unwelcome visitor. Following a Russian-language phone call between the Stockholm archipelago and the Russian city of Kaliningrad, intercepted by Sweden’s FRA signals intelligence agency, the Swedish military discovered what it believes was a Russian submarine just outside Stockholm. Though Russia denied any submarine presence in the Stockholm archipelago, this time the Swedish military reacted swiftly, quickly dispatching a large naval vessel and several helicopters.
Sweden has learnt from experience: on Good Friday last year, six Russian military planes – including four heavy bombers – carried out a simulated missile attack on Stockholm and southern Sweden. The incident, which became known as the Russian Easter, took the Swedish military by such surprise that its Gripen fighter jets didn’t manage to take off. “What’s happening in the Stockholm archipelago is a serious matter,” says Karin Enström, who was Sweden’s defence minister until the elections this autumn.
“Russia is modernising its military equipment and testing it, but there are also more military exercises. It’s a sign of Russia increasing its -military capabilities, both when it comes to equipment and fighting abilities. These developments in combination with the war in Ukraine are very serious and alarming. Ukraine is impacting on our part of the world very negatively.”
While the world is watching Ukraine, Russia is engaging in a much more important power game here in the Baltic Sea region. The figures are startling. In 2010, only one Russian military vessel was spotted close to Latvian waters. This year, the figure has already exceeded 40, Latvia’s ministry of defence says. During the same period, the number of Russian military approaches to Latvian airspace resulting in scrambles by Nato’s Baltic air policing mission has skyrocketed from around five to more than 180. Neighbouring Lithuania has already seen 132 scrambles this year, up from four in 2010. Estonia, meanwhile, is seeing not just unwelcome approaches to its airspace and waters but also the abduction of one of its intelligence officers to Russia.
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Then there is the smaller number of violations of neighbours’ airspace and waters. In 2010, there were no Russian violations of Finnish airspace. This year, the Finnish ministry of defence figures show, there have already been five. “What are intentions of [these activities]?” asks Major General Jonas Vytautas Zukas, Lithuania’s Chief of Defence. “We can only speculate. From my point of view, it can be a show of military power as part of an information operation or the test of preparedness of the Nato air force.”
At the same time, Russia is engaging in information warfare against its small neighbours to the West. According to Latvia’s foreign ministry, Russian-affiliated outlets assert that Latvia’s integration into the Western hemisphere was a geopolitical mistake; that the country has always been a part of Russia; that the country discriminates against ethnic minorities including its 26% share of Russians; and that Latvia supports Nazism.
Indeed, the consensus among Russia’s small neighbours in the wealthy and crucial trading region around the Baltic Sea is that the mighty former superpower in the East is either trying to bully them, or to test their defence, or both.
“It’s partly big-power arrogance,” says Colonel Jan Mörtberg of the Swedish Defence College. “Or it can be contingency planning for a conflict in the Baltic Sea, or they’re trying to make us spend more money on preparedness. Military preparedness is expensive, but you have to respond to provocations. That means we’ll have less money to spend on other military matters.”
Last week’s submarine discovery forms an ominous sequel to the infamous “whisky on the rocks” incident in 1981, when a Soviet submarine went aground in Swedish waters.
Indeed, notes Mörtberg, during the Cold War the Soviet Union gave Sweden and Finland plenty of ominous attention as well. “But in those days it didn’t have to restore its superpower -status. That status was clear. That is what is different now.”
The Russia now apparently sending a submarine to Stockholm is a country that’s rapidly growing its defence budget and upgrading its military equipment. “Russia is trying to position itself as a -dominant centre of power on the global stage”, notes a high-ranking Latvian official. “Its ambitions are not limited to Ukraine.”
Though enrolment in the Lithuanian -Riflemen’s Union – a civil defence organisation – has skyrocketed in recent months and Lithuanian MEP Gabrielius Landsbergis reports that his countrymen would willingly take action if green men materialised in their streets, nobody believes that Russia plans Ukraine-style military actions in the Baltic states, Sweden or Finland. Its more likely objective, especially with the US preoccupied elsewhere, is instead local -decision-making based on fear of Vladimir Putin.
“Today Russian provocations are on the minds of decision-makers in the region when they make their decisions,” notes Pauli Järvenpää, a Finnish security expert and former ambassador now based in Tallinn.
“In Finland, 60% of people now consider Russia a threat, compared to 30% at the beginning of the year.” Putin’s goal, argues Mörtberg, may be to ensure that neither Sweden nor Finland joins Nato. Indeed, three distinguished Swedish diplomats recently argued that Swedish membership of Nato would needlessly provoke -Russia. “If things get worse we’ll ask for more Nato involvement,” vows Landsbergis. Nato is, of course, already conducting air policing missions in the Baltic states.
Subjugated neighbours or neighbours turning to Nato for help: both scenarios are alarming. After year of dismantling its military, Sweden has woken up to the threat. “We [Sweden] need to strengthen our defence and be more present in the air, on water and underneath the water and we have to be prepared to use our military capabilities,” says Enström.
Lithuania is already taking action. “In view of the current security situation in the region the Lithuanian armed forces are looking to summon up certain capabilities and form a very high national readiness response force that can react within two–24 hours and have sufficient combat capacity to prevent hostile actions within the territory of Lithuania in peacetime,” reports Zukas. The force will consist of ground troops, air force and special forces.
Tiny Lithuania, in other words, is planning to fight back. And Sweden? It’s vowing not to let the intruder get away this time.
http://www.newsweek.com/2014/10/31/damaged-submarine-spotted-swedish-waters-russia-turns-baltics-278694.html
Interesting vid of russian politicians on a popular politics programme,
enable captions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiOiSQG5iVY
enable captions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiOiSQG5iVY
18:40 - 19:40
25:25 - That is why we should take everything that can be taken (from Ukraine)^Plunder, looting and raiding - only this job ruSSians is capable to do
Interesting vid of russian politicians on a popular politics programme,
enable captions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiOiSQG5iVY
enable captions:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BiOiSQG5iVY
NATO Baltic Air Policing QRA F-16 jets on 21 OCT scrambled to intercept RU Armed Forces Il-20 over the Baltic Sea.
It was the second sighting of the particular type of plane. CF-118 intercepted Il-20 also on 20 OCT.
It was the second sighting of the particular type of plane. CF-118 intercepted Il-20 also on 20 OCT.
Russia Strengthens Air Defenses With Bases in Belarus and Central Asia
As Moscow moves to bolster its military presence in ex-Soviet allied states, the head of the Russian air force announced that Russia will establish an airbase for fighter jets in eastern Belarus in 2016, state media outlets reported Wednesday.
Colonel General Viktor Bondarev also said Moscow planned to expand its airbases in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
The three nations are members of a loose Russia-dominated security alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which has accelerated efforts to create a unified air defense network as the Ukraine crisis reenergizes the West's military powerhouse, NATO.
The new airbase in the Belarusian city of Babruysk will expand Russia's already strong air presence in Belarus. The base will be home to a wing of Russian Su-27 fighter jets, news agency TASS reported.
Even before the conflict in Ukraine, Russia under President Vladimir Putin had been making major efforts to re-establish its historical military presence in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Arctic and beyond. Negotiations with Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to establish bases for Russian strategic bombers are ongoing.
"By 2020 ... 47 airfields, including in Crimea in the Arctic, will be renovated under the state armaments program," Bondarev was quoted as saying by Interfax. By 2025, he added, the Russian air force will have restored and reopened over 100 military airbases.
Last year, a unit of Russian fighter jets were deployed to a Belarussian airbase in Baranovichi as part of the countries' integrated regional air defense network. Russia also announced that it would station fighter jets at a Russian-built airbase in the Belarussian city of Lida, near the country's border with Poland and Lithuania.
Russian defense officials have characterized these deployments as a response to NATO's beefed-up air patrols in the Baltics and Poland.
Bondarev was also quoted by RIA Novosti as saying on Wednesday that Moscow is negotiating with Bishkek to reconstruct the Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan, which is a home for Russian fighter jets under CSTO auspices. While the base is usable, further construction is needed to support Russian strategic bombers, he said.
Bondarev said similar work will be done on an airbase in Armenia, the Soviet-era Erebuni base, which is already home to Russian MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-strengthens-air-defenses-with-bases-in-belarus-and-central-asia/509491.html
As Moscow moves to bolster its military presence in ex-Soviet allied states, the head of the Russian air force announced that Russia will establish an airbase for fighter jets in eastern Belarus in 2016, state media outlets reported Wednesday.
Colonel General Viktor Bondarev also said Moscow planned to expand its airbases in Armenia and Kyrgyzstan.
The three nations are members of a loose Russia-dominated security alliance known as the Collective Security Treaty Organization (CSTO), which has accelerated efforts to create a unified air defense network as the Ukraine crisis reenergizes the West's military powerhouse, NATO.
The new airbase in the Belarusian city of Babruysk will expand Russia's already strong air presence in Belarus. The base will be home to a wing of Russian Su-27 fighter jets, news agency TASS reported.
Even before the conflict in Ukraine, Russia under President Vladimir Putin had been making major efforts to re-establish its historical military presence in Eastern Europe, Central Asia, the Arctic and beyond. Negotiations with Vietnam, Cuba, Venezuela and Nicaragua to establish bases for Russian strategic bombers are ongoing.
"By 2020 ... 47 airfields, including in Crimea in the Arctic, will be renovated under the state armaments program," Bondarev was quoted as saying by Interfax. By 2025, he added, the Russian air force will have restored and reopened over 100 military airbases.
Last year, a unit of Russian fighter jets were deployed to a Belarussian airbase in Baranovichi as part of the countries' integrated regional air defense network. Russia also announced that it would station fighter jets at a Russian-built airbase in the Belarussian city of Lida, near the country's border with Poland and Lithuania.
Russian defense officials have characterized these deployments as a response to NATO's beefed-up air patrols in the Baltics and Poland.
Bondarev was also quoted by RIA Novosti as saying on Wednesday that Moscow is negotiating with Bishkek to reconstruct the Kant airbase in Kyrgyzstan, which is a home for Russian fighter jets under CSTO auspices. While the base is usable, further construction is needed to support Russian strategic bombers, he said.
Bondarev said similar work will be done on an airbase in Armenia, the Soviet-era Erebuni base, which is already home to Russian MiG-29 fighter aircraft.
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/business/article/russia-strengthens-air-defenses-with-bases-in-belarus-and-central-asia/509491.html
Swedish Armed Forces releases a photo of an observation that indicates underwater activity in the archipelago.
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/ubatsjakten-i-skargarden/
http://www.expressen.se/nyheter/ubatsjakten-i-skargarden/
Russian Deepwater Intelligence ship "Professor Logatchev" went to Stockholm Archipelago. Fishing.
http://by24.org/2014/10/19/russia_sended_searching_ship_to_oficially_not_losted_submarine/
http://by24.org/2014/10/19/russia_sended_searching_ship_to_oficially_not_losted_submarine/
auto-translated from norwegian site
Mysterious Russian oil tanker changed course again
The Russian-owned trading vessel NS Concord since Wednesday remained in international waters outside the Stockholm archipelago.
According to GPS data from Marina Traffic moving oil tanker a short distance eastward at midnight on Saturday, before being re-suspended shortly after it became known that the submarine in Sweden may be Russian, according to Svenska Dagbladet .
This happened after it became known that Swedish intelligence captured what may have been a Russian emergency in stockholm archipelago.
Have stopped and turned around several times
Early Sunday morning held tanker southwesterly course towards the island Gotska Sandön nine knots.
- Now it has turned around and going in 12 knots to the northeast, says Anders Nordin in the Swedish Maritime Administration said.
According to the same newspaper's NS Concords presence unknown to Swedish civil authorities, and the boat has probably never been in port in Sweden.
The ship is registered in Liberia and flying the Liberian flag but operated by Russian SCF Novoship, which in turn is owned by the Russian state. It was built in 2005 and classified by the Norwegian Veritas.
- Can be connected to Putin
The ship is 244 meters long and 42 meters wide, and has a net weight of all 57 000 tonnes.
According to the Swedish Dagens Nyheter oil tanker can be connected to what they call the "inner circle" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Novoships owner, the state oil transport group Sovcomflot, has in fact a CEO of Sovcomflot named Sergey Frank.
He has held several senior positions in Russian politics, including as transport minister from 1998 to 2004, under six different prime ministers.
He resigned when Putin dismissed the entire Kasjanov government in February 2004 In October of the same year he took the top job in Sovcomflot, a position he has held since.
Also read: Expert on Swedish defense alarm: Hardly Russian submarine
Could be a mother ship for ROV
The Swedes have now intensified the search for what is suspected to be a Russian submarine in Swedish waters. The Swedish commander Jonas Wikström described at a news conference Saturday afternoon that "submarine information is very credible," and told it that efforts were further enhanced.
Experts newspaper has talked to speculate about the submarine in the Swedish archipelago can be a mini submarine. Such a vessel is dependent on a mother ship and, according to the newspaper may be linked to the submarine oil tanker.
During the Cold War, Russia used the converted fishing or merchant vessels as a base for their subs, and according to the newspaper can this theory be the explanation behind the mystery submarine in Sweden.
Russian authorities dismiss
Russian authorities have now denied that there was any "anomalous events" simply no emergency regarding Russian naval vessels.
It writes the Russian news agency Interfax.
The Agency notes that the defense ministry rejected western media reports, without mentioning the Swedish submarine hunt especially. A spokesman for the defense ministry, however, says the agency:
- The Russian Navy's submarines perform tasks on all the world, like other naval vessels.
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Mystisk-russisk-oljetanker-har-endret-kurs-igjen-7750300.html
Mysterious Russian oil tanker changed course again
The Russian-owned trading vessel NS Concord since Wednesday remained in international waters outside the Stockholm archipelago.
According to GPS data from Marina Traffic moving oil tanker a short distance eastward at midnight on Saturday, before being re-suspended shortly after it became known that the submarine in Sweden may be Russian, according to Svenska Dagbladet .
This happened after it became known that Swedish intelligence captured what may have been a Russian emergency in stockholm archipelago.
Have stopped and turned around several times
Early Sunday morning held tanker southwesterly course towards the island Gotska Sandön nine knots.
- Now it has turned around and going in 12 knots to the northeast, says Anders Nordin in the Swedish Maritime Administration said.
According to the same newspaper's NS Concords presence unknown to Swedish civil authorities, and the boat has probably never been in port in Sweden.
The ship is registered in Liberia and flying the Liberian flag but operated by Russian SCF Novoship, which in turn is owned by the Russian state. It was built in 2005 and classified by the Norwegian Veritas.
- Can be connected to Putin
The ship is 244 meters long and 42 meters wide, and has a net weight of all 57 000 tonnes.
According to the Swedish Dagens Nyheter oil tanker can be connected to what they call the "inner circle" of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Novoships owner, the state oil transport group Sovcomflot, has in fact a CEO of Sovcomflot named Sergey Frank.
He has held several senior positions in Russian politics, including as transport minister from 1998 to 2004, under six different prime ministers.
He resigned when Putin dismissed the entire Kasjanov government in February 2004 In October of the same year he took the top job in Sovcomflot, a position he has held since.
Also read: Expert on Swedish defense alarm: Hardly Russian submarine
Could be a mother ship for ROV
The Swedes have now intensified the search for what is suspected to be a Russian submarine in Swedish waters. The Swedish commander Jonas Wikström described at a news conference Saturday afternoon that "submarine information is very credible," and told it that efforts were further enhanced.
Experts newspaper has talked to speculate about the submarine in the Swedish archipelago can be a mini submarine. Such a vessel is dependent on a mother ship and, according to the newspaper may be linked to the submarine oil tanker.
During the Cold War, Russia used the converted fishing or merchant vessels as a base for their subs, and according to the newspaper can this theory be the explanation behind the mystery submarine in Sweden.
Russian authorities dismiss
Russian authorities have now denied that there was any "anomalous events" simply no emergency regarding Russian naval vessels.
It writes the Russian news agency Interfax.
The Agency notes that the defense ministry rejected western media reports, without mentioning the Swedish submarine hunt especially. A spokesman for the defense ministry, however, says the agency:
- The Russian Navy's submarines perform tasks on all the world, like other naval vessels.
http://www.aftenposten.no/nyheter/uriks/Mystisk-russisk-oljetanker-har-endret-kurs-igjen-7750300.html
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