Russian - UK 'Airspace Games...'

Hi Everyone,

You're probably aware of the pretty regular occurrence of Russian Bear Bombers flying very close to UK airspace (but staying in international airspace) and the RAF scrambling Eurofighter Typhoon Jets to intercept and escort.

I've just read that it happened again this week;

Link

A Cornwall resident, Sue Bamford, 45, told the Guardian that one of the Russian airplanes had definitely entered British airspace as she had seen it flying inland while taking a driving lesson. The Ministry of Defence said the Russian warplanes had not entered British airspace on any of the occasions when RAF planes had been scrambled.

I know its only one person who claims she saw it inland (i.e. well inside UK airspace) but if true, it shows a change of tactics from the Russians, I've read several times, both on ATS and in other media that the Russians do this 'fly around the edge' thing to test response times and generally make their presence known, and whilst in international airspace, they have every right to.

The thing I'm asking myself is why? Why would they not do their usual 'fly around the edge' thing and decide to enter UK airspace (if true)?

The only reason I can come up with is something along the same lines as the article, Following NATO's statement about the Balkan states possibly being under threat and Russia wanted to 'send a message' so to speak, though this is just my personal opinion.

It'd be great to hear anyone else's theories or opinions on this.

a reply to: ukmicky1980

The thing I'm asking myself is why? Why would they not do their usual 'fly around the edge' thing and decide to enter UK airspace (if true)?

NATO has been waging war at Russia its border by proxy in Georgia `08 and now does it again in the Ukraine.

This was a common cold war tactic to gauge the enemy's readiness and response times.

Seems old cold war tactics are becoming commonplace again.

How sad.

originally posted by: ScientificRailgun
This was a common cold war tactic to gauge the enemy's readiness and response times.

This was my first thought as well.

a reply to: ukmicky1980

This was a common tactic throughout the cold war, as ScientificRailgun says, to test defenses. It's hard to know whether that's all it is in this case, but I doubt it. It seems to be an attempt to threaten, as Russia has been doing this to other European nations too.

I very much doubt that there was any incursion into UK airspace, as we have protocols to respond with force if this happens, and even though we're not at war, Russia is regarded as a threat to our security.

I'm sure if this had happened as the witness suggests, we would have forced them out, then called the Russian ambassador and released a public statement warning than any future incursion would lead to military action against the threat.

Yeah, well the Soviets did this. It gave the RAF something to do. No harm done.

However, it is a coded message and is rather aggressive. Us and them.

Come on Putin/Russia - the world has moved on! It has, really.

Regards

a reply to: Rocker2013

When will you get tired of hitting the same threads over and over again with the same nonsense every time and nothing to back up your claims?

It does look rather silly when I actual give the proof and you say I don`t.

Lying is the thing which costs a lot of energy, and not telling the truth...so tiring is not going to happen.

originally posted by: Rocker2013
a reply to: ukmicky1980

This was a common tactic throughout the cold war, as ScientificRailgun says, to test defenses. It's hard to know whether that's all it is in this case, but I doubt it. It seems to be an attempt to threaten, as Russia has been doing this to other European nations too.

I very much doubt that there was any incursion into UK airspace, as we have protocols to respond with force if this happens, and even though we're not at war, Russia is regarded as a threat to our security.

I'm sure if this had happened as the witness suggests, we would have forced them out, then called the Russian ambassador and released a public statement warning than any future incursion would lead to military action against the threat.

bh

Tbh, I wouldn't put it past the Russians to have briefly entered it for a few secs to see the ensuing response & reaction from both the MOD and MP's.

The MOD or MP's would never admit it. Just like the silence from them a good few weeks back when they had to call in NATO MPA's to look for the foreign sub in our waters.

We have no bombers, we don't have enough major surface vessels. We don't have enough subs and these clowns are still looking to cut more away. As we cut our armed forces, expect more and more frequent Russian 'incursions' to happen.

a reply to: PizzaAnyday505

I'd like to hear how nato forced Russia to invade Georgia, and I mean something of substance not a talking point that's pure opinion.

On topic, as long as it's one, no biggie Russia is trying hard to restart the cold war.

UKMicky1980, glad you posted this as I wanted to ask a question about these latest incidents.

Back in the Cold War days, were not those incursions limited to our eastern coasts, where our interceptor air bases were positioned? These latest incidents all seem to involve the western coastline and in some cases a prolonged visitation, with these bombers in the air for some hours.

If this is correct, does it not show a different objective for these latest flights, or at least an extended range. Is the UK protected down it's western coasts, as, during the cold war era an attack was not expected towards our rear, unless the US was against us that is?

a reply to: ukmicky1980

The witness who claims to have seen the Russian plane well inland may well be genuine, but I wonder if they are aware how difficult it is to judge distance when looking at aircraft. As this scale shows, it could be plainly visible while being 100 miles away.



As for our pro Russian members, you can't really blame the for parroting their own governments propaganda. I'm sure many of us do the same, if unwittingly.

a reply to: dowot

I'm not sure how protected we are with all the cuts our military has suffered in recent years. We'll be protected all around our coast line to some extent, and I have no doubt that a Typhoon would have little difficulty in taking out a Bear if the situation ever arose, however, with the number of Typhoon's on standby and the positioning of them, a Bear could have already done the damage by the time a Typhoon is scrambled.

a reply to: Dabrazzo

Do you have any proof of this thread's "state sponsored" status? Or proof that it's just "propaganda"?

Or are you here just to derail any constructive discussion that could be had?

On Topic: These flights started shortly after the west started sanctioning the Russian Federation. The flights are clearly meant to scare the west into backing down from it's position. It's not working, in my opinion.

EDIT: Corrected by Zaphod in following posts. Flights have been happening since the early 2000's.