Russia sends two nuclear-capable bombers to Venezuela

Hope this isnt already posted I looked but didnt see anything on it , Wonder whats up ?

MOSCOW — Two Russian nuclear-capable strategic bombers arrived in Venezuela on Monday, a deployment that comes amid soaring Russia-U.S. tensions. Russia's Defense Ministry said a pair of Tu-160 bombers landed at Maiquetia airport outside Caracas on Monday following a 6,200-mile flight. It didn't say whether the bombers were carrying any weapons and didn't say how long they would stay in Venezuela.

Link

Long range deployment training. We do the same thing all the time.

Hopefully the crew isn't eaten when they go out for a night on the town.

Actually, it might be the first time that ladies from any South American country would be begging to go back with any man to Russia.

(anyone that was in the US military when we still did things with Venezuela should know what I am talking about)

a reply to: Zaphod58

Russia probably showing the US that it's standing by Venezuela since the president just went to visit Russia a few weeks ago , You think the planes are loaded ?

a reply to: Gargoyle91

If they did load them, I'd hope it would be with food, water, etc.

Be a nice gesture.

originally posted by: MisterSpock
a reply to: Gargoyle91

If they did load them, I'd hope it would be with food, water, etc.

Be a nice gesture.

It showed up with one of these:

en.wikipedia.org...

Lotsa vodka and potato's can fit into that beauty.

a reply to: MisterSpock

Like those trucks with 'Humanitarian Supplies' sent to the Ukraine ....

a reply to: Gargoyle91

No. The Il-62 isn't a tanker so they probably had extra fuel tanks loaded in the bays.

A detailed report from the enemy side, with a bit of anti American rant thrown in.

a reply to: worldstarcountry

The Venezuelan defense minister's name is Vladimir hummm...

a reply to: Gargoyle91

What?! You saying Maduro is colluding with the Russians?

Dang those bastards!

On topic: Is it standard procedure to send trainning bombers to Venezuela? Maybe it is indeed a provocation. Why not go to Peru? Such a beautiful place.

a reply to: Gargoyle91
It gets better, his last name being Padrino
His name is literally Vladimir the Godfather.

a reply to: vinifalou

They have basing agreements with Venezuela.

Or we could be conspiracy theorists and look at it from a different angle...

The US relationship with South America has always been problematic, we know the CIA/FBI history south of the border so well its part of pop culture, but more recent economic/political/social upheavals in the region could be just the spark needed to turn much of South America against us. With backing from Russia, China, and various other rival nations and a truly charismatic leader it's not unreasonable to see the entire region uniting against us....


If one we're to take it a simple step further, at least in this field of idealogy, there is an argument to be made that whatever shadowy group runs things knows we need a new enemy that's a little bit closer to home. Venezuela, or even a larger South American terrorist organization would work perfectly for that.

a reply to: Thorneblood
Colombia is the USA staunchest Ally in SA, and they are a formidable force on the continent. Brazil seems more independent than any of the other states, and would likely have little interest in such anti American adventurism outside of their role in BRICS' attempt to usurp the world reserve currency status of the USD.

Bolsonaro the recently elected Brazilian president will not be sworn in until 1 January . Maybe that could have some relevance - since Brazil is next door . The Russians will want to be in first for any 'restabilisation' efforts which may come across the border into Venezuela or via the US . You'd expect the East to be very reluctant to have to chop off the B of BRICS , they might be thinking they don't have to .

originally posted by: MisterSpock
a reply to: Gargoyle91

If they did load them, I'd hope it would be with food, water, etc.

Be a nice gesture.

The Russians are investing billions of (relatively) hard capital into keeping Venezuela (or the Venezuelan government) afloat in exchange for mineral and oil rights/exploration/development. This deployment is part of their their big brother act.
The USNS Comfort deployed to Columbia treating Venezuelans flooding over the border, recently, but that doesn't get any press time. The US is really bad at self-promotion.

a reply to: Gargoyle91

Maybe. Probably not with special weapons, but they might well carry something on deployment. It's mostly a dog-and-pony show. We do the same thing flying B-52's and Bones hither and yon.
They might be there awhile. A Condor with engines and parts, maybe a few Kh-55's, the Classic carrying all the ground crew and support staff. You don't bring everybody along for a quick joy ride in and out.
It's no secret we there's no love lost between the US and Venezuela. Russia gets to play patron while they invest millions into Venezuela and impress the locals. The crews get to practice forward-deployed operations. Lots of good photo ops for everybody. Bonus points for flyovers of any USN vessels in the area.

originally posted by: Gargoyle91
Hope this isnt already posted I looked but didnt see anything on it , Wonder whats up ?

Nothing up. The Russians have been sending Tu-160s to Venezuela every 5 years since 2008. All part of their long range bomber training and the defence pact that they have with Venezuela.

2008 Link

2013 Link

originally posted by: Zaphod58
Long range deployment training. We do the same thing all the time.

Exactly.

The media just wants to bring it to our attention during this time to keep us on edge. Probably to give the impression that someone in a certain office is bringing us closer to war. In all fairness, the same happened during the last and many earlier administrations.

I love when the media uses things like "nuclear capable" in the headline. Are they carrying nukes? Because if not, that's a non-story.