Comments on the Russian interception of U.S. aircraft
Russians intercept U.S. antisubmarine aircraft over Black Sea coast of Caucasus.
Just recently a mystery submarine has escaped from Israeli waters and a Chinese sub intruded into Japanese waters. #msg-4550556 #msg-4575059
However this incident at first glance looks to be in response to the rapidly deteriorating Abkhazia situation.
The self-proclaimed republic of Abkhazia stands on the brink of civil war. After the seizure of several government buildings by supporters of presidential candidate Sergei Bagapsh, the authorities labeled their actions an attempted coup d'etat and ordered troops to stay on full combat alert.
There exists the possibility of Russian troops being redeployed in Abkhazia. If a decision is made to send in troops, they will move along the Black Sea coast where the U.S. plane was spotted. #msg-4568772
-Am
2004-11-16 11:33 * RUSSIA * BORDER * U.S. * AIRCRAFT * SU-27 TOOK OFF TO INTERCEPT AIRCRAFT OF US NAVY
MOSCOW, November 16 (RIA Novosti) - A Su-27 fighter took off to possibly intercept an aircraft of the US Navy which was flying over the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus, RIA Novosti was told in the press service of Russia's Air Force.
An Orion aircraft of the land-based patrol aviation forming part of the Air Force detachment of the Atlantic Fleet of the US Navy which is disposed on Crete island flew over the Black Sea water area from 14.48 to 15.44 on the day before, November 15, the press service officials noted.
The aircraft flew along the Black Sea coast of the Caucasus at a height of 200 meters. According to a representative of the press service of Russia's Air Force, the American aircraft passed at a distance of 10 km from the state border of Russia.
After a Russian Su-27 took off to intercept the Orion the latter turned and, having gained speed and height, flew away from the border.
The officials of the Air Force press service noted that last year the Su-27s also took off to intercept the U-2 reconnaissance airplanes on the section of the border between Russia and Georgia.
Moscow, Russia, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- The Russian air force scrambled an SU-27 fighter jet to intercept a U.S. Navy Orion aircraft over the Black Sea, Russian news agencies reported Tuesday.
The encounter occurred Monday, but was only disclosed by the Russian air force Tuesday, which said it had determined the Orion was flying from the U.S. Atlantic Fleet based in Cyprus.
The Orion, the Navy's sole land-based antisubmarine warfare aircraft, was reportedly flying at 6,500 feet when the Russian jet flew alongside.
The Itar-Tass news service said the U.S. pilot did not respond to radio calls from the Russian craft, but rather abruptly altered course, gained altitude at high speed and sped away.
The Russian air force press service said last year SU-27s also were sent up intercept U.S. U-2 reconnaissance airplanes on the section of the border between Russia and Georgia.
There was no confirmation of the contact available from U.S. sources.
Russia Protests Inauguration of Abkhazia’s Bagapsh
I have yet to find why Putin objects to Sergei Bagapsh. Supposedly Bagapsh, as well as his Russia-supported rival Khadzhimba, wish to separate from Georgia and foster closer ties with Russia. Russia is way overstepping on this one, imo.
Sergei Bagapsh, the winner of disputed presidential elections in Georgia’s separatist republic of Abkhazia, is preparing for his inauguration to the backdrop of Russian threats to close its border.
Russia has already backed up words with deeds and shut down a rail link between Moscow and Abkhazia’s capital Sukhumi, citing fears of instability after Bagapsh’s inauguration, Associated Press reported. Georgia has been infuriated by Moscow’s latest comments and accused Russia of “blackmail”.
Russia had backed Bagapsh’s rival, former PM Raul Khadzhimba, in the poll that took place at the beginning of November.
The outgoing Abkhazian leader, Vyacheslav Ardzinba, did not acknowledge Bagapsh’s victory. He said the Abkhazian government has no legal base for Bagapsh’s inauguration. However, the local election commission reported earlier that Bagapsh had won the race. He is preparing to swear an oath on Dec. 6.
Georgian president Mikhail Saakashvili said on Friday that the elections could not be considered legal. He added, however, that “Georgia is ready to hold a dialogue with this leadership and personally with Sergei Bagapsh who is supported by the majority of Abkhazians today,” ITAR-TASS news agency reported.
For his part, Bagapsh said he does not intend to hold negotiations with Saakashvili. “We can do well without him,” Interfax news agency quoted him as saying. “It is a provocation aimed at a split inside Abkhazia and between our republic and Russia.” Bagapsh, as well as his Russia-supported rival Khadzhimba, wishes to separate from Georgia and foster closer ties with Russia. He said earlier he could support a dialogue with Georgia but if it was a dialogue between two sovereign nations.
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