Russian planes to start patrolling Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean

Russia's defense minister announced Wednesday that the country will start sending long-range bombers to patrol the shores of the western Atlantic and eastern Pacific, as well as the Caribbean and Gulf of Mexico.

During the Cold War, nuclear-capable strategic bombers from Russia often conducted flight operations near the U.S., the Los Angeles Times reports. This move is "connected to the situation in Ukraine, with the emerging anti-Russia inclinations on the part of NATO and the increasing foreign military presence in the immediate vicinity of our borders," explains Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.

Shoigu did not say how often these runs would be conducted, or if they had already started.

The Week

Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

SUBSCRIBE & SAVE

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.

Sign up