Russian general slams NATO practice 'attacks' over Arctic: report

by Staff Writers
Moscow (AFP) May 10, 2008

NATO planes regularly undertake "dangerous" practice attacks against Russian bombers patrolling the Arctic Ocean, the head of the Russian air force was quoted as saying Saturday.

"Regularly as our flights are fulfilling combat patrols, we are tracked by planes from the patrol forces of both NATO and other countries," General Alexander Zelin was quoted as saying by Interfax news agency.

"Over the waters of the Arctic Ocean we are regularly attacked by F-15, F-16 and F-22 aircraft. I did not use the word 'attack' lightly, as our partners, so to speak, practice combat manoeuvres, up to the threshold of an attack.

"I can tell you this is not very pleasant, even dangerous. Naturally we practice counter-manoeuvres."

Foreign planes "violate flight safety in every way" when tracking Russian planes, he said, adding: "It's good that our crews are restrained, disciplined."

He said Russia would continue to send strategic bombers on long-range flights well beyond its borders, a Cold War practice reinstated by then Russian president Vladimir Putin in August 2007.

The flights, which Moscow has said do not carry live nuclear weapons, will continue over the Arctic, Pacific and Atlantic oceans as well as over the Mediterranean and the Black Sea, Zelin was quoted as saying.