Russia defends intercept of U.S. reconnaissance plane over Baltic

Maybe it's time for the US to learn that they don't own the planet.

Maybe it's time for the US to learn that they don't own the planet.

The US plane was in international airspace and had not intruded within any airspace controlled by Russia and had it transponder on as its required by ICAO rules - yet the Russian fighter intercepts the US plane outside Russian airspace and performs maneuvers that endanger both aircraft.

Yes, sure, it's all the US's fault - after all, Russia never intrudes inside other nation's airspace.....

https://www.yahoo.com/news/japan-scrambles-jets-intercept-russian-plane-222619504.html?ref=gs

Any other Kremlin scripted talking points you'd like to share with us?

"NATO has said it plans its biggest build-up in the region since the Cold War to counter what the it considers to be a more aggressive Russia."

How is the largest military build up going to ensure peace in the region? I would suggest that the U.S. stops pretending to be the police of the world before there is a terrible accident. There has already been two very dangerous incidents in two weeks, adding more military only expands the chances of potintencial mishaps that could lead to war.

"The Baltic states, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania, which joined NATO in 2004, have requested higher and permanent presence of the alliance, fearing a threat from Russia after it annexed the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine in 2014."

I don't support any country who annexes land but Israel has been annexing land much more frequently than Russia. Why doesn't the U.S. and NATO not take action there?

To be honest, how would the US feel about Chinese or Russian aircraft, including surveillance aircraft, flying in close proximity to US ADIZ? The US would scramble the Ready-5 Fighters(armed) to intercept, that's how. SOP. This is a case of "OK for me, but not for thee" by the US.

The USA would not have performed "hot dog" maneuvers. It was three in three weeks. And the naval fly by was VERY provocative. Under a different president this would not happen! And returning to the woodpile-doo look what I can do Russian flyers, I'd take any average flyer over top Russian flyer skills any day of the week.

The U.S. has not been annexing parts of Canada or Mexico. On the other hand, we have seen Russia annexing, or some might say invading, neighboring countries on their borders just as China has done in Tibet and continues to do now in the S. China Sea. There is a difference. The U.S. is more interested in keeping the wolves at bay than annexing any country or anybody.

Why else would all of these smaller countries be running to the U.S. government for help instead of Russia or China?

Take the U.S. out of the good fences make good neighbors equation by removing all or a significant part of their military forces from Europe and Asia and then you'll see some real fireworks, and they won't be American fireworks either.

The U.S. has not been annexing parts of Canada or Mexico. On the other hand, we have seen Russia annexing

On the other hand, I'd say Mexico is "annexing" parts of the US. This is why we need a wall . . . imo, Russia should "annex" a couple ports on Mexico's coast. See how they like it.

“The U.S. Air Force has two solutions: either not to fly near our borders or to turn the transponder on for identification.” well, its a little hypocritical when long-range Russian bombers do the same, one was intercepted over the English channel not long ago, they never answer radio request and also fly with their transponders off.

Let's just hope the Russian inferiority complex doesn't get anyone hurt.

Obama started the economic war with Russia. Remember the sanctions the MSM don't talk about anymore? Cuz they didn't work. This is just spit ball stuff.

“The U.S. Air Force has two solutions: either not to fly near our borders or to turn the transponder on for identification.”

Sounds a good suggestion, and it is not because the Russian did the same thing that it makes it something that everybody should do.

BertieWoosterMay. 01, 2016 - 08:17AM JST Maybe it's time for the US to learn that they don't own the planet... RE: Maybe the whole world should think that the US is the world police and learn its proper place as there would be no other people's countries to be able and voice their opinions without the US. Besides read the articles they all say this took place in INTERNATIONAL BOUNDARIES..the moves by the Russian was provocative like China in the buildup in the waters and the territorial lines get larger and larger with every change...as TIBET what happened when China came in peace...

“The U.S. Air Force has two solutions: either not to fly near our borders or to turn the transponder on for identification.” Sounds a good suggestion, and it is not because the Russian did the same thing that it makes it something that everybody should do. RE: The US AF has one solution: shoot down that AC next time any country tries something provactive...that is what other countries would do in the first place that is factual as history has shown. the US shows restraint to please the political correct that reeks of weakness and cowardice.

It's international airspace, but planes should still keep their transponders on, for safety reasons.

The intercept itself is not the problem. Go ahead and intercept and shadow them in international airspace - that's allowed. Just keep a safe distance.

The problem is the high-speed close barrel roll maneuver - that is not safe. A slight misjudgement on either pilot's part, then an incident would have happened. They should minimize the possibility of an incident at all costs.

Incidentally, Russia's war planes also turn off their transponders:

http://www.newsjs.com/us/russian-fighter-jets-enter-syria-with-transponders-off/

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/russia/11233349/Russian-warplanes-risking-safety-of-European-airliners-says-Nato-chief.html

Russia’s long-range bombers and spy planes usually stay in international airspace, but they deliberately ignore safeguards designed to reduce the risk of collision with civilian flights. In particular, they switch off the “transponders” that allow aircraft to detect one another.

So Russia bombers and spy planes, keep your transponders on too.

“The U.S. Air Force has two solutions: either not to fly near our borders or to turn the transponder on for identification.”

The statement that the US plane did not have its transponder on is pure Kremlin propaganda - its SOP to use it and its required by IACO rules. More importantly, if it was off Russian radars would still see the plane and the US does not want another KAL 007. The transponder was squawking - the Russians just don't want to admit it.

What you see the Russians doing is the same thing that Kim Jong Un is doing - showing a lack of confidence and need to do childish pranks to get attention.

On the other hand, we have seen Russia annexing, or some might say invading, neighboring countries on their borders just as China has done in Tibet and continues to do now in the S. China Sea. There is a difference. The U.S. is more interested in keeping the wolves at bay than annexing any country or anybody.

Hello, who invaded Iraq? Among many other countries....

Why else would all of these smaller countries be running to the U.S. government for help instead of Russia or China?

Syria went to Russia for help and invited Russian forces into the country, unlike some other military force....

@ThePBox

Answer me this, if the U.S. is as bad as or worse than the Russians and the Chinese, then why are all of these little countries on their borders running to the U.S. for help but not to Mother Russia or China?

The answer is as plain as day and that is many countries think that when the Russians or Chinese invade, they intend to stay.

At the moment, it looks like Iran has more influence in Iraqi affairs than the U.S. does. To claim that Iraq has been annexed by the U.S. government when most of its military forces have left is just flat out wrong. The same cannot be said of the Russians in the Crimea or the Chinese in Tibet.

Apples and oranges.

To be honest, how would the US feel about Chinese or Russian aircraft, including surveillance aircraft, flying in close proximity to US ADIZ? The US would scramble the Ready-5 Fighters(armed) to intercept, that's how. SOP. This is a case of "OK for me, but not for thee" by the US.

Wrong. The U.S. didn't protest the intercept (it was international airspace so the fighter had just as much authority to be there as the recon plane did), what they protested was the unsafe aerobatics performed in close proximity to their aircraft. You cite the U.S. response to Chinese and Russian planes encroaching on U.S. airspace. Now tell us how many U.S. interceptors were performing aerobatics near the Chinese or Russian planes? You can't. How does that equate to "OK for me"?

FizzBit MAY. 01, 2016 - 03:50PM JST Obama started the economic war with Russia. Remember the sanctions the MSM don't talk about anymore?

Perhaps you Russians forget how Don Putin carved up Ukraine which caused the sanctions. The Russian economy is on the brink of collapsing, which is why Putin is whipping up patriotic fervor to hide his poor leadership and his own personal gluttony on the back of the impoverished fools who love him.

You Russians? Boy are you one angry and confused individual.

Or is that the shochu talking?

@ stormcrow

then why are all of these little countries on their borders running to the U.S. for help but not to Mother Russia or China?

Look at some of the Latin American countries that aren't close to the US and have or have been seeking closer ties to the Russians and the Chinese, which is no surprise considering what the US has done down there.

The answer is as plain as day and that is many countries think that when the Russians or Chinese invade, they intend to stay. To claim that Iraq has been annexed by the U.S. government when most of its military forces have left is just flat out wrong.

LOL, "most of it's military forces have left" is not equal to "have left". In fact, the US even sent in back a bit more recently, including other parts of the Middle East, even though Obama said "no ground troops" (because US Special Forces apparently go there barefoot I guess). Not to mention the reason for the entire invasion of Iraq, a country thousands of miles away from the US that did nothing wrong, was totally unjustified and criminal which was based on lies. How do Americans answer for that?

The same cannot be said of the Russians in the Crimea or the Chinese in Tibet.

If you want an apples to apples comparison, then Americans in Guam, or Hawaii, or even Okinawa, not to mention the Middle East or the Latin American countries I've mentioned above. Actually, that'd be a bit unfair for the Russians or the Chinese because at least Crimea and Tibet are at or within the historical boundaries of the respective countries. Your TL;DR answer is that the US is not as bad as Russia and China because the US have been worse since several decades now.

@ThePBot

I never said that the U.S. was Miss Daisy. True, the U.S. has had to get its hands dirty from time to time. Sometimes the U.S. makes the right choices and sometimes it makes the wrong choices. But when comparing U.S. history to the recent and not so recent history of Russia and China, come on, you can't be serious when you say that their global strategy is the best one available right now for peace and stability.

Yes, the CIA has been involved in unpleasant shenanigans around the world from time to time. But are you saying it's the only intelligence agency out there that's getting its hands dirty!? Don't make me laugh!

Iraq? A lot of it was just bad timing for them and the U.S. Unfortunately for the Iraqis, much of that mess took place right after the events of 9/11, so it was not exactly a good time to be on America's bad side. However, even though the U.S. could've stayed there, it did in fact leave (for the most part). These days who has the most influence over Iraqi affairs, the Iranians or the Americans? The Iraqis had their big shot to set up a democracy, but have decided on something else entirely coming out of Iran.

Guam? Hawaii? Okinawa? Are you listening to yourself think, man? I was talking about big chunks of Canada and Mexico just as Crimea and Tibet are really big chunks of land which have been annexed by their neighbors Russia and China, and you throw a few small islands at me. By the way, I was in Guam a few years ago and was talking with one of the native Guamanians. He told me that Guam had the chance to vote and declare independence like Saipan did, but they chose not to because they didn't like what they were seeing (crime & unemployment) in Saipan. So to each his own, I guess. Okinawa annexed? Again, are you listening to your self think?

Go on believing what you like about America being the biggest sinner in the room regarding Russia and China, but if Russia or China is who you prefer to marry and go to bed with then you should move to one of those countries. Better yet, go to the Ukrainians and ask them for some personal advice about life with the Russians or ask the Dalai Lama about how wonderful the Chinese are. Better yet, ask the peaceful pro-democracy protesters or the dead victims' families who were shot up in Tiananmen Square how wonderful the Chinese government is.

I'm sure you could find worse place to live than Hawaii, Guam or Okinawa. Okinawa!?

You should try Crimea, Tibet or Ukraine, which was a somewhat independent country the last time I checked, however, there are a good deal of Russian soldiers living and killing there whom you evidently approve of.

@stormcrow

But when comparing U.S. history to the recent and not so recent history of Russia and China, come on

Yeah, just check the US history. Just search "Victim Nations Since WW2" on google, then start comparing it with Russia and China.

Guam? Hawaii? Okinawa? Are you listening to yourself think, man? I was talking about big chunks of Canada and Mexico just as Crimea and Tibet are really big chunks of land which have been annexed by their neighbors Russia and China, and you throw a few small islands at me.

Well, if you want more examples, then all or parts of California, Arizona, Nevada, Utah, Colorado, and Wyoming AKA Alta California and Texas. Read about "Manifest Destiny". Before you go on about how all these happened a long time ago, well, the history of Crimea/Tibet with Russia/China is much longer.

These days who has the most influence over Iraqi affairs, the Iranians or the Americans?

You keep going on about how Iraq is being controlled by Iran. When the US illegally and unjustly invaded Iraq, they helped the Shiites in Iraq to replace Saddam Hussein. The US was trying to take advantage of the fact that the majority of Iraqis are Shiites and a good portion of them have always despised Saddam Hussein, a Sunni secularist. So when the US took Saddam out, the non-secularist portion of Shiites that the US helped took power and being Iran is also Shiite majority, Iraq and Iran became natural partners, thank to the US once again.

Unfortunately for the Iraqis, much of that mess took place right after the events of 9/11, so it was not exactly a good time to be on America's bad side.

How did Iraq get on America's bad side? What did they do to piss the Americans off?What did they ever do to Americans to deserve this? Were they celebrating 9/11? The entire world knows Iraq had nothing to do with 9/11. The jury is no longer still out on this case. There was absolutely no righteous reason for the invasion (the reasons were more sinister). And people like you brush it off as if the hundreds of thousands, if not millions, of dead innocent Iraqis, and still dying, is nothing. Not to mention, the opening of a can of worms like the rise of ISIS or the fact that US troops are still there. That's how Americans think. Why don't you ask Iraqi people how they feel? I'll take Russia and China any day, because they don't do this type of stuff. And hopefully those 2 can continue to cooperate to give some balance to this world. So that Americans won't be able to steamroll any country that they please. Hopefully with either Hillary or Trump, the balancing would be much faster.

I hate to break this to you, PBot, but the world is an imperfect place. As I posted earlier, there are good choices and bad choices, and then there is a choice between evil and less evil. If you think that Russia and China are less evil than the U.S. and its allies and that they should just roll over for the Russians & Chinese by not doing or saying anything, then that's your opinion. It's your right to choose throw your bet with the Russians and the Chinese. Many people, if not most, of the Western ones anyway, might not agree with such thinking, but it's your personal opinion of global affairs..

In your mind the Russians, the Chinese and the Americans are all equally the same, aren't they? And again, I would point towards the borders of Canada and Mexico and ask which portions of these resource rich countries and neighbors has the U.S. government been annexing? Not a one. Now, look at Crimea, Ukraine, Tibet and the South China Sea and tell me that the same holds true for the Russians and the Chinese.

There is a justified cause for concern for their recent behavior and actions. Yes, there is a difference between what they're doin' and what the U.S. is doin'. I'm not saying we should all go to war over Ukraine or Tibet, but a certain amount of pushing back has to be done instead of just rolling over and taking it without question.