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Russia Increases Military Flights Over Armenia
June 9, 2012
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
MOSCOW - Russian fighter jets are conducting an increasing number of
training flights over Armenia, a military spokesman said on Saturday,
sending a clear warning that Russia could intervene at any moment
should violence escalate further in the territorial dispute between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The military spokesman, Colonel Igor Gorbul, told the Interfax news
agency that Russian fight jets stationed at a base in Armenia have
conducted about 300 training flights since the beginning of 2012, and
have increased the number of flying hours by more than 20 percent from
last year.
Violence has flared recently along the border of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the former Soviet republics, which have been at war over
the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh for more than 20 years. At
least eight soldiers - five Azerbaijanis and three Armenians - were
killed in clashes along the border last week.
Russia, along with France, the United States and other countries, has
repeatedly urged a peaceful settlement to the dispute between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Russia maintains a military base in Armenia and
regularly sells weapons to Armenia.
Colonel Gorbul said Russian fighter pilots were preparing for combat.
`The main emphasis in performing aerobatic elements is made on the
ability to apply them in real-life air combat conditions,' he said.
The Russian foreign ministry last week said it regarded the border
clashes as `unacceptable' and would continue to try to broker a
peaceful settlement.
Azerbaijan, which currently holds a seat on the United Nations
Security Council, said that it was also appealing to the United
Nations for help in hopes that international mediators could help
reach a settlement this year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/world/europe/russia-increases-military-flights-over-armenia.html
June 9, 2012
By DAVID M. HERSZENHORN
MOSCOW - Russian fighter jets are conducting an increasing number of
training flights over Armenia, a military spokesman said on Saturday,
sending a clear warning that Russia could intervene at any moment
should violence escalate further in the territorial dispute between
Armenia and Azerbaijan.
The military spokesman, Colonel Igor Gorbul, told the Interfax news
agency that Russian fight jets stationed at a base in Armenia have
conducted about 300 training flights since the beginning of 2012, and
have increased the number of flying hours by more than 20 percent from
last year.
Violence has flared recently along the border of Armenia and
Azerbaijan, the former Soviet republics, which have been at war over
the disputed territory of Nagorno-Karabakh for more than 20 years. At
least eight soldiers - five Azerbaijanis and three Armenians - were
killed in clashes along the border last week.
Russia, along with France, the United States and other countries, has
repeatedly urged a peaceful settlement to the dispute between Armenia
and Azerbaijan. Russia maintains a military base in Armenia and
regularly sells weapons to Armenia.
Colonel Gorbul said Russian fighter pilots were preparing for combat.
`The main emphasis in performing aerobatic elements is made on the
ability to apply them in real-life air combat conditions,' he said.
The Russian foreign ministry last week said it regarded the border
clashes as `unacceptable' and would continue to try to broker a
peaceful settlement.
Azerbaijan, which currently holds a seat on the United Nations
Security Council, said that it was also appealing to the United
Nations for help in hopes that international mediators could help
reach a settlement this year.
http://www.nytimes.com/2012/06/10/world/europe/russia-increases-military-flights-over-armenia.html