The Russian Nuclear Horn Grows Longer

Russia to increase ‘patrols’ over Gulf of Mexico with nuclear-capable bombers in latest saber rattling amid tensions over Ukraine, Syria and Iran

• Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s announcement comes along with a spike in Russian flights over the Black, Baltic and North Seas and Atlantic
• The move highlights growing tensions between the West and Russia over Ukraine, where NATO says Russian tanks are streaming in
• Just Tuesday, Obama and Putin sat together in China for Asia-Pacific economic meeting that was pleasant in front of cameras but icy behind them
• On the table in addition to Ukraine were the issues of Russia’s involvement with warn-torn Syria and its renewed plans to build nuclear reactors in Iran 

By AP REPORTER and JOSH GARDNER FOR MAILONLINE

PUBLISHED: 11:00 EST, 12 November 2014 | UPDATED: 12:50 EST, 12 November 2014

Russia’s long-range bombers will range from the Arctic Ocean to the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico on regular patrol missions, the military said Wednesday, a show of muscle reflecting tensions with the West over Ukraine.

A statement from Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu’s statement comes as NATO has reported a spike in Russian military flights over the Black, Baltic and North seas as well as the Atlantic Ocean.

It reflects Moscow’s increasingly tough posture amid tensions with the West over Ukraine and its role in the conflict in Syria.

Shoigu said Russian long-range bombers will conduct flights along Russian borders and over the Arctic Ocean. He added that ‘in the current situation we have to maintain military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico.’ 

He said that the increasing pace and duration of flights would require stronger maintenance efforts.

Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers were making regular patrols across the Atlantic and the Pacific Oceans during the Cold War times, but the post-Soviet money crunch forced the military to cut back.

 

In the current situation we have to maintain military presence in the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico

The bomber patrol flights have resumed under Putin’s rule and have become increasingly frequent in recent years.