Russian Military Manoeuvres No Threat to UK

No one really believes there is any “serious intent” by Russia to threaten the UK militarily a retired senior British officer has told RIA Novosti.

“It’s a game of cat and mouse. I don’t think there is any serious intent, I don’t think anyone thinks there is any serious intent,” Crawford told RIA Novosti. “What the Russians are doing is basically a quick reconnaissance of the UK’s air defences. The same thing happens with the Danes and Norwegians,” he added.

Lieutenant Colonel Stuart Crawford now works as an independent defence analyst and said the interception by RAF fighter jets of two Russian Tupolev Tu-95s strategic bombers flying in international airspace was “normal and commonplace” and should not be interpreted as a direct threat.“We don’t expect to be attacked by the Russians at all,” Lt Colonel Crawford said.

The Russian Defense Ministry has insisted that the flights are carried out "in strict accordance with international regulations" and do not violate the borders of other countries.


http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20140424/189350597/OPINION-Russian-Military-Manoeuvres-No-Threat-to-UK.html