Russia’s Sukhoi and MiG working on unmanned combat air vehicles

Mikhail Pogosyan, the General Director of Russia’s aircraft-building giant Sukhoi, stated at the Farnborough International Airshow that the sixth generation of the Russian combat aviation would be unmanned.

For the time being, the Russian Armed Forces have only one domestic unmanned vehicle complex – Stroi-P complex with its Pchela-1T aircraft. The complex proved to be successful during military actions in the Caucasus, especially during the first and the second Chechen campaigns. Stroi-P successfully provided reconnaissance information to Russian troops during combat actions in Chechnya. However, the Russian unmanned system has become outdated and inferior to modern systems made in other countries of the world.

Another Russia’s aircraft design bureau, MiG, said last year that it was developing a combat unmanned aircraft known as Skat (Stingray). However, the company added that it was its own initiative which the state had not supported yet.

Russians mark 90 years since murder of Russian czar and his family

Russians attended church ceremonies Wednesday marking 90 years since the last czar and his family were murdered by the Bolsheviks, while investigators reaffirmed that remains unearthed last year were those of Nicholas II’s only son and a daughter.

Russian Orthodox Churches nationwide were holding services and processions Wednesday and Thursday, some overnight, to commemorate the canonized czar and his wife and children, who were shot dead in a basement in the Ural Mountains city of Yekaterinburg early on July 17, 1918.

Russian investigators marked the anniversary by repeating their confirmation that bone and tooth fragments found in a shallow grave in Yekaterinburg a year ago are those of the czar’s 13-year-old heir, Crown Prince Alexei, and one of his daughters, Grand Duchess Maria.

Another US family kills another baby adopted from Russia

http://english.pravda.ru

A two-year-old baby adopted from Russia by an American family died after his father left him in a car for hours. Foster father Miles Harrison, 49, fainted when he found the little boy dead in the back seat of the car outside his office. The man can be sentenced up to ten years in jail for involuntary manslaughter, The Washington Post reports.

The tragedy took place in the beginning of the current week in the town of Herndon. The man left his adoptive son locked in the car for almost the entire day. The car heated up because of the hot weather, and the little boy died.

Specialists said that the temperature inside the car could reach 54 degrees C. A spokesperson for the Russian Embassy in the USA said that the embassy was trying to investigate the details of the incident.

Over 376 children have died under similar circumstances since 1998.

The man’s wife, Carol Harrison, was also questioned after the baby’s death. The police are investigating what was happening prior to the incident and whether it could affect the boy’s death.

Russia cuts oil shipments to Czech Republic against the background of its radar agreement with USA

Russia cut the amount of exported crude to the Czech Republic twice last week, which made the country use its owns state crude reserves. Russia started the reduction of shipments immediately after the Czech authorities signed an agreement to deploy a US radar station in the country. Czech media assumed that the reduction of fuel shipments became Russia’s response to the decision.

Czech Industry and Trade Minister Martin Riman stated Friday night that it would be too childish of Russia to show such a reaction to the US-Czech radar agreement. Additionally, the part of the Czech population, which does not support the radar station in their country, will most likely be very unhappy about the reduction of oil shipments, the minister added.

Russia has not released any official statement in connection with the US-Czech agreement yet. Russian and Czech officials will meet to discuss the current state of affairs on July 14.

USA to deploy thousands of its interceptor missiles globally

Russia ’s Foreign Affairs Minister Sergei Lavrov believes that the US administration plans to deploy elements of its missile defense system in many countries of the world.

“Most likely, we will hear them talking about hundreds and even thousands of interceptor missiles in different parts of the globe, including Europe,” Lavrov said in and interview with the Polish Gazeta Wyborcza newspaper.

The minister specified that objects of the U.S. missile defense system have been created or are being created in Alaska, California and North-Eastern Asia. The minister added that Moscow is deeply concerned about the US strategic infrastructure approaching Russian borders, Interfax reported.

Sergei Lavrov said that the U.S. administration did not even intend to guarantee at least minimum restrictions for the deployment of its global air defense. The Russian minister said that it did not go about a dozen interceptor missiles in Poland and the Czech Republic alone. “The problem is a lot more serious. Does anyone really think that Russia will calmly watch the USA increasing its strategic potential near Russia’s borders?” the minister said.

USA plans to encircle Russia with missiles systems and radars

As long as the U.S. administration conducts talks on the use of Russian radar stations in Azerbaijan and Armavir (the Krasnodar region of Russia), the Pentagon harbors other plans. The USA intends to deploy more elements of its missile defense system to the south of Russia in addition to the missile base in Poland and the radar station in the Czech Republic. The chairman of the US Missile Defense Agency, Lieutenant-General Henry Obering said in the beginning of spring that the United States would like to deploy a radar station in the Caucasian region.

Poland’s National Security Bureau (BBN) showed pictures of the draft missile defense system in Europe to Russian journalists at the end of October. A mobile radar station in the Caspian region was marked on one of the pictures. Spokespeople for the BBN said that the radar was marked on the map by mistake. However, the station can be clearly seen on the map posted on the website of the U.S. Missile Defense Agency. It is a centimetric radar that can be mounted on a mobile platform based on both water and ground surface. The radar allowed for the detection of smaller objects and for a more precise targeting of intercepting missiles.

New Russian missile R-500 to destroy any US defense system

Russia successfully tested new missile R-500, the capacity of which allows to destroy any defense system including most recent perspective ballistic missile defense systems.

R-500 tests are to be finished in 2008, whereas in 2009 these missiles will be used to equip the Iskander tactical missile systems.

The tests of the new missile took place at the Kapustin Yar site in the Astrakhan Region of Russia. First Deputy Prime Minister Sergei Ivanov said that R-500 was a high-accuracy missile, capable of destroying ballistic missile defense systems and air defense systems. Ivanov also said that “these tests were preliminary and it is very pleasant to realize that they were successful”.

The flight of R-500 lasted for 24 minutes. Reporters observe the launch from the distance of six kilometers. The missile reached the height of 100 meters about three minutes after the launch and developed the speed of 250 meters a second. Having passed the half of its way the missile began to descend. The deviation was only 30 meters in spite of the wind and hot weather.

USA to deploy another radar system in Turkey in addition to Poland and Czech Republic

The US administration has been conducting secret talks on the deployment of a mobile radar of its missile defense system in another European country – Turkey. The USA may start official negotiations on the matter during the NATO summit. For the time being it is known that US Defense Secretary Robert Gates touched upon the issue during his recent visit to Turkey. The new plans of the US administration may seriously aggravate its relations with Moscow.

The fact of USA’s negotiations with Turkey has been officially confirmed only on March 13, 2008. Pentagon Press Secretary Geoff Morrell told reporters of Gates’s recent visit to Ankara, the capital of Turkey. US and Turkish officials discussed the military operation of the Turkish Army in Iraq. In addition, Morrell said, the parties discussed plans on the establishment of the missile defense system in Turkey.

John Rood, acting Undersecretary of State, previously rejected the fact of the negotiations. Rood particularly stated in Washington that the USA was not planning any missile defense talks with any countries other than Poland and the Czech Republic.

Russian Navy resumes military presence near Spitsbergen

The Russian Navy has resumed a military presence around the Arctic Ocean archipelago of Spitsbergen, which belongs to Norway, a navy statement said on Monday.
“Russia’s fleet has resumed a warship presence in the Arctic, including in the area of Spitsbergen,” the statement said.

Russia does not recognize Norway’s exclusive right to the 200-mile economic zone near Spitsbergen.

The statement also said that “the large ASW ship, Severomorsk, has already entered the area to fulfill its tasks.” It will be joined, starting from July 17, by the Marshal Ustinov, a Russian Slava-class missile cruiser.

According to the 1982 United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea, an exclusive economic zone extends for 200 nautical miles (370 km) beyond the baselines of a country’s territorial sea.

A coastal nation has control of all economic resources within its exclusive economic zone, including fishing, mining and oil exploration.

Russia’s Medvedev condemns Western ‘paternalism’

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Tuesday attacked Western “paternalism” in a major foreign policy speech, singling out US and European policies on missile defence and Kosovo for criticism.
“With the end of the Cold War, there is no reason to have a bloc mentality. There is also no reason for paternalism, where some countries decide everything for others,” Medvedev said during a meeting with Russian diplomats in Moscow.

The Kremlin leader also likened the situation in Kosovo to Iraq and warned that Russia would be forced to take countermeasures against controversial US plans to site missile defence installations in Eastern Europe.

What Should Russia Do To Counter US Missile Defense In Europe

Russia’s v-1000 missile interceptor.

A U.S. missile defense system in Europe is gradually becoming reality. On July 8, the United States signed an agreement with the Czech Republic to build a missile tracking radar on its territory, and is in discussions with Poland about the deployment of missile interceptors.
In this context, it seems appropriate to analyze the military threat posed by the U.S. missile defense deployment.

The U.S. missile defense system, especially its European component, has given rise to many myths. It is rumored that the missile silos in Poland will accommodate medium-range ballistic missiles rather than ground-based interceptors (GBIs).

If this were true, the threat would be very serious because these missiles are capable of incapacitating major control centers in Moscow and the surrounding area in a matter of minutes. So far, however, these are no more than rumors.

Russian cosmonauts make risky spacewalk for repairs

Two Russian cosmonauts at the International Space Station spent six hours in space Wednesday to retrieve an explosive bolt believed the cause of the Soyuz spacecraft’s dangerously high-speed descent and landing on two recent missions, NASA said.
While US flight engineer Greg Chamitoff monitored the spacewalk from inside the Soyuz capsule, ISS Commander Sergei Volkov and Flight Engineer Oleg Kononenko attached themselves to the Strela hand-powered crane outside the ISS and Volkov was maneuvered to the Soyuz.

Russian Pipeline Monopoly Denies Czech Oil Cut Political

Russia’s pipeline monopoly on Monday denied a cut in oil supplies to the Czech Republic was retaliation for that country’s decision to host a US missile-defence system, Interfax news agency reported.
The cut in Russian oil supplies was the result of a decision by two Russian companies to refine more oil at home instead of exporting it, the deputy head of state-owned Russian pipeline monopoly Transneft was quoted as saying.

“This has no relation to politics. It was purely commercial,” Mikhail Barkov was quoted as saying by the news agency. He said the shortfall was likely to be made up by another Russian company “before long.”

Outside View: Nuke force plans

If the Russian Defense Ministry sticks to its plans to devote three-fourths of this year’s booster rocket launches to placing new satellites in orbit, Russian officials hope that our future strategic nuclear missile forces will be not only the sword but also a strong shield for their country.
Besides missiles, silos and submarines, modern nuclear weapons systems also depend on a space-based component, comprising telecommunications and early warning satellites. Today, timely and precise information on a nuclear attack and adequate countermeasures are equally necessary for the effective use of strategic missile systems.

In other words, it is necessary to develop a system capable of working effectively with both enemy and friendly missile defenses operating in the same space. Yuri Solomonov, director of the Moscow Heat Engineering Institute and one of Russia’s principal developers of strategic missile systems, said: “Advanced strategic systems need to be adaptable to the full-scale deployment of missile defense systems, including space-based components.

Russia Becomes Major Uranium Supplier

Russia has overtaken Niger to become the world’s fourth-largest uranium producer, after Canada, Australia and Kazakhstan. Russia received its new rating in 2007, when it produced 3,527 tons of uranium.
It has ambitious plans to move even further up the league, based on promising deposits in Eastern Siberia and other regions, and opportunities for mutually advantageous cooperation with countries rich in uranium ore.

Today the uranium market is very busy and full of optimism. It is characterized by a high level of monopolization — three-quarters of all uranium is produced by five countries. Having placed its stake on nuclear energy, Russia has left itself no choice but to replenish its uranium reserves under a clear-cut and rational program.

Russian navy boosts combat presence in Arctic

The Russian Navy on Monday said it was boosting its combat presence in the Arctic, including near the Norwegian island of Spitsbergen, amid increased international interest in the region.
“The Russian Navy has restored the presence of combat ships of the Northern Fleet in the Arctic region, including in the region of Spitsbergen,” the Navy said in a statement.

Navy spokesman Igor Dygalo was unable to say the last time combat ships were in the region, but described the latest patrols as part of a “significant expansion of the activities of the Northern Fleet.”

The anti-submarine ship Severomorsk is already in the area and will be joined by rocket cruiser Marshal Ustinov later this week, the statement said.

Russia to ‘neutralise’ US missile defence threat: report

Russia’s military is ready to “neutralise” any threat to its nuclear deterrent from US missile defence sites in Europe, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Kislyak said Monday, according to Interfax news agency.
“If we see the development of systems that could reduce our deterrent potential, our military will have to take steps to neutralise the threat,” Kislyak was quoted as saying at a briefing in Moscow.

He did not specify the steps that would be taken, saying “this will be decided by military specialists.”

“We would prefer not to have to do this,” he added.

Kislyak said US proposals to ease Russian concerns about the missile shield, which Washington claims is aimed at countering possible threats from states such as Iran, remained in doubt.

Russia To Study Martian Moons Once Again

Yury Zaitsev is an expert with the Russian Academy of Sciences’ Space Research Institute.

Under a stage-by-stage national program for studying Mars, the Phobos-Grunt automatic probe will be launched in October 2009. This cutting edge modular spacecraft costs just 1.5 billion rubles ($64.4 million).
by Yury Zaitsev
Moscow (RIA Novosti) Jul 15, 2008

On July 7 and July 12, 1988, the Soviet Union launched two space probes, Phobos-1 and Phobos-2, to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars and its moons, Phobos, named after the Greek word for Fear, and Deimos, Terror.
Both spacecraft were to have conducted studies of the interplanetary environment en route to Mars, take observations of the Sun and survey the plasma environment around the Red Planet.

The Phobos craft featured state-of-the-art scientific equipment developed by 14 countries and the European Space Agency (ESA).

On July 7 and July 12, 1988, the Soviet Union launched two space probes, Phobos-1 and Phobos-2, to study the surface and atmosphere of Mars and its moons, Phobos, named after the Greek word for Fear, and Deimos, Terror.
Both spacecraft were to have conducted studies of the interplanetary environment en route to Mars, take observations of the Sun and survey the plasma environment around the Red Planet.

The Phobos craft featured state-of-the-art scientific equipment developed by 14 countries and the European Space Agency (ESA).

Phobos-1 operated without a hitch until a scheduled communications session on September 2, 1988 failed to occur. Contact was never reestablished. The failure has since been traced to an error in software uploaded on August 29-30 that deactivated the craft’s attitude thrusters.

Russia’s Putin tours new rig in Arctic oil drive

Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin on Friday toured a new Arctic oil rig that is being built to boost Moscow’s position in an intensifying competition for northern energy reserves.
Putin also met ministers and top oil executives at the Severodvinsk shipyard to discuss prospects for developing more Arctic fields which are estimated to contain up to a quarter of Russia’s oil and gas reserves as well as other untold resource riches.

“The Arctic zone is a guarantee of Russia’s economic power. Oil, gas, gold, diamonds and phosphates — it’s all there,” Artur Chilingarov, a member of parliament who is also an Arctic explorer, told AFP before the meeting.

“We need to find new oil fields … We need to go offshore,” he said.

Russian Air Defense Woes A Growing Concern

The discussion among highly placed Russian generals in early July of creating a Joint Commonwealth of Independent States Air-Defense System is good news. However, it would be more appropriate to assess the state of Russia’s air defenses and to choose an optimal system with up-to-date weapons.
In late June Lt. Gen. Anatoly Boyarintsev, commander of the Russian air force’s radio engineering troops, announced air-defense radars had started scanning an additional 185,000 square miles of airspace in northeastern Russia during the implementation of a federal target program called “Streamlining the Federal Air Space Reconnaissance and Control System in 2007-2010.”

That sounds optimistic, but some questions remain. Does Boyarintsev’s statement mean such control had been lost or was lacking? Are 185,000 square miles enough inside Russia’s 6,000-mile perimeter? And are there any other gaping holes that the Air-Defense Force does not control?

Most importantly, we must choose the best system for shielding this country from enemy airstrikes and other attacks.