Russia Conducts Test Flights Near N. Pole

Flights Boost Military Presence In An Area Believed To Be Rich In Oil, Gas

(AP)  Russia's navy conducted test flights near the North Pole on Thursday, boosting its military presence in an area believed to contain vast quantities of oil and natural gas.

Cpl. Vladimir Serga, a naval spokesman, said that Il-38 anti-submarine bombers and Tu-142 long-range strategic bombers of the Northern Fleet took part in the exercise, in which the planes' crews tested radio and weapons systems management equipment.

Serga described the exercise as successful.

The flights come two days after a Russian missile cruiser began patrols in the Arctic.

The Marshal Ustinov, a nuclear-capable missile cruiser, was deployed Tuesday in the Arctic area "to provide for the safety of Russia's shipping industry," the navy said in a statement.

Russia has been increasingly assertive in the Arctic region as global warming makes the area's oil and natural gas resources more accessible. Last year Moscow sent an expedition to plant a Russian flag on the seabed under the North Pole.

On Wednesday the U.S. Geological Survey announced that the area north of the Arctic Circle might contain some 90 billion barrels of oil and a third of the world's undiscovered natural gas.

The survey required four years and is the most complete of the Arctic area ever undertaken.

In May five countries with competing claims to the Arctic - Russia, Denmark, Canada, Norway and the United States - agreed that control of the region where the polar melt is expected will be decided in an orderly way.

[yongamerica]

Where is Canada in the list of nations mentioned? Canada should be included as it has a large stake in the Arctic.

[deacon20081]

So what is different about Soviet Bombers flying near the North Pole? They do it all of the time. I have a photo of a Bear Bomber being escorted out of US Air Space by F-16''s from years ago. The Russian Bomber crew is waving at the American Fighter Pilots through a window. Same old thing, just now something to deflect attention I guess.

[edintex]

Who cares about Russia? Put Russia in perspective:
Their total 2007 GDP was 2 trillion dollars, inflation rate of 11.9%, with exports of only 365 billion dollars. The U.S. spends more dollars each year on our social security then the entire Russian exports are worth.
Most of their wealth is now from oil. I believe that Exxon alone makes more than Russia does.

They are not a threat to the U.S. They just want respect & not to be overlooked. But they will get it when they GIVE it.

[cfin5]

Their gonna set up some offensive and defensive weaponry there. It''s in the "strategic mathematics" cards. That''s what all the real hubbub is all about in their claim.......Think about it.

[libsluv2spit]

"Russia has been increasingly assertive in the Arctic region as global warming makes the area''s oil and natural gas resources more accessible. Last year Moscow sent an expedition to plant a Russian flag on the seabed under the North Pole."

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that means less oil and natural gasses for all you *** anti-american liberals..ever thought of that??

oh cource your long term solution to that is : "whine about the government"

[libsluv2spit]

Bail Russia out of debt by increasing oil prices and "game on" we can start the arms race (I mean excuse) again.


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Posted by lochlan at 01:23 PM : Jul 25, 2008
+ report abuse


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Man moves forward in history through warfare..

[libsluv2spit]

Posted by talkingham at 04:01 PM : Jul 25, 2008
+ report abuse

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if that really really really bothers you..then why not do something about it???? better yet why not move to russia?? or europe?? or asia??

I think you are a whinney little bullsh*ter till you ship your arse out of this country and live somewhere you think is not oppressive..

[talkingham]

TBweb, compared to us, Russia is a complete amateur at invading nations. Other than Afghanistan whom we are now in the process of a continuing invasion who has Russia invaded in the last 40 years? I admit their track record up to and right after WWII was horrible under Stalin, but most people believe Churchill and Roosevelt pretty much opened the door for much of Stalins reign of terror at Yalta in much the same we did the hands off with Saddam in Iraq allowing him to persecute anyone he wanted as long as he kept up his war with Iran.

We''ve invaded and/or bombed:
Iraq, twice
Afghanistan (ongoing)
Panama
Grenada
Vietnam
Haiti
Somalia
The Balkans
Cuba (by proxy)
Chile (by CIA proxy)
Libya

I''m sure I''m leaving some out there are so many!

[sepa2]

Any new cold war may be entirely different from the former. New cold war is waged on grab for wealth, a time tested path for brutal war

[lochlan-2009]

Bail Russia out of debt by increasing oil prices and "game on" we can start the arms race (I mean excuse) again.