"Russian Subs In Scottish And Swedish Waters..." Topic

…What Does It Mean?

"Betrayed by its high-powered periscope, the vessel then disappeared, triggering a fruitless search that sent all manner of unwelcome messages to the Westminster Government.

Firstly, it is a reminder that the UK's armed forces lack a suitable maritime patrol aircraft after scrapping the Nimrod equivalent in 2011 and, secondly, the uncompromising message that Russia has the capacity to mount aggressive Cold War-style reconnaissance missions unhindered against Nato countries will have been noted in London.

The first issue was resolved by Nato allies sending their aircraft to Scotland to join the hunt. They included two US navy P-3 Orions, a Royal Canadian Air Force CP-140 Aurora and a Dassault Atlantique 2 of the French navy – but the problem of Russian aggression will be less easily resolved. Ever since Vladimir Putin returned to the presidency in 2012 he has made it his business to keep Nato on its toes by using his armed forces to further Russian interests across the world…"
Full article here
link

Maybe it mean that it's a sign of Europe's weakness rather than Russia's aggressiveness. Budget cutbacks, decrease in military expenditures, the perception is that national security is no longer an important issue for most European countries and countries like Russia are taking advantage of what they now see is a golden opportunity to show who is "the boss".

Amicalement
Armand

It means Putin is unhappy with EU sanctions, and is working hard to embarrass and bully their leadership, and to sow doubt amongst their citizenry.

Vlad the shirtless likes Iron Bru and Meatballs and was trying to bust the sanctions?

Fatman

Plummeting oil prices means soon the Russians will be in no position to keep paying for this useless aggressive stance. Coupled with sanctions which nations seem to actually be carrying out may end Vlad's rule.

One would think that normally, but popularity is about the only thing he's got going for him, for now, so he'll probably continue the belligerence, if not increase it.

I suspect his popularity with the people may lessen, over time, as the impact of his policies comes home to roost.

I heard the other day that people were begging the government for relief on their mortgages, since those costs had increased significantly. I suspect those people have variable loans, and that was before the interest rates shot up from 10.5% – 17% overnight.

I suspect his popularity with the people may lessen, over time, as the impact of his policies comes home to roost.

Alas irrelevant when one is a dictator in all but name.

Dictators are not immune from getting overthrown by sufficiently disgruntled citizens.

Significantly less likely? Absolutely.

But immune from overthrow? Not hardly.

I have to wonder if the Russian people are ever really capable of "democracy" as we know it. Maybe they really just need a strongman, and when Putin can't cut it, they'll find someone else.