Russian strategic bomber patrols not a threat to West

Moscow, Aug 22 (UNI) Resumption of Soviet-era strategic bomber patrols last week do not pose threat to Western countries as Russia always issues prior warnings of their patrols, said Russian Air Force spokesman Colonel Alexander Drobyshevsky here today.

''Our pilots never violate foreign airspace and their actions have no aggression against other countries,'' Mr Drobyshevsky told newspersons.

He was referring to the allegation by the British Defence Ministry that in an incident last Friday the Royal Air Force had to scramble its Typhoon fighters to intercept a Russian Tu-95MS Bear-H strategic bomber, which approached British air space during a flight over the North Atlantic.

He said Russian Tu-160 Blackjack and Tu-95MS strategic bombers had been conducting routine flights over the last six weeks over the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans, the Black Sea and towards the North Pole as part of scheduled pilot training.

''We have made prior announcements of all flights,'' Mr Drobyshevsky said noting ''There is no saber rattling involved.'' President Vladimir Putin announced on August 17 the resumption of long-range strategic bomber patrol flights on permanent basis, which were suspended in 1992 after the collapse of the Soviet Union.

''Air patrol areas will include zones of commercial shipping and economic activity. As of today, combat patrolling will be on a permanent basis. It has a strategic character,'' Mr Putin said.

UNI