Russian military planes 'disrupted UK aviation'

[Schroeder]

Originally Posted by Skybird

I really wonder what should be demonstrated, trained, proven or tested by flights like this, into such locations. In case of a big war with Russia - heavy bombers trying to survive making it to the channel..? C'mon. In wartimes, they would be intercepted far, far away from 6 mile zones - they would get shot down as early and far away as possible. Maybe even already on the Russian side of the frontline.

The Channel is not the Eastern Baltic or the North Cape.

I think there are 3 reasons for that.
First is that Putin wants to show he's still there to both NATO and his own people.
Second they can clock the reaction time of NATO air defenses.
Third the bombers can have electronic reconnaissance equipment to have a look at Britain's coast or just to practice operating it in a "live environment".