Polar Spring

I've been noting but not blogging about the increasing aggressive acts of the Russian state and military. I'm going to start collecting them under the new category "Polar Spring."

Russia's up to no good, folks.

Here's the latest:

RAF Jets Intercept Russian Bomber Updated: 12:42, Wednesday August 22, 2007

Two RAF jets have intercepted a Russian bomber over the north Atlantic.

Typhoon interceptors shadowed a Russian Tupolev-95 "Bear" reconnaissance aircraft last Friday.

A Typhoon shadows the 'Bear'
It is the first time the £60m Eurofighter has been scrambled on a genuine alert since it took over defence of Britain's airspace in June.

The MoD said in a statement: "RAF Typhoons from Numbers 3(F) and XI Squadrons launched to shadow a Russian Bear-H aircraft over the North Atlantic Ocean on Friday 17 August 2007."

The £67m fighter jets were officially put on active standby last month, ready to protect the UK from hijacked airliners and other threats from the skies.

A dozen Eurofighter Typhoon aircraft of 3 (Fighter) Squadron are now on round-the-clock active duty at RAF Coningsby, Lincolnshire.

"Polar Spring" is my way of conceptualizing Russia's new assertiveness in the Arctic and North Atlantic.

Yips! from Robbo: If memory serves, Tom Clancy called it "Polar Glory" in his book Red Storm Rising. Iceland better start watching out for bogus cargo ships.