Putin says Russia to continue strategic bomber patrol

Source: Xinhua | 02-15-2008 08:57

MOSCOW, Feb. 14 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said on Thursday that his country will continue strategic bomber patrol despite recent rows with the United States and the West.

Putin made the remarks at his annual and maybe the last press conference before he steps down after the March 2 presidential election.

The marathon conference is attended by nearly 1,400 domestic and foreign journalists and expected to last for three hours.

Putin ordered last year to resume such patrol over north Atlantic and east Pacific oceans to flex its military muscle.

On Feb. 9, several Russian bombers approached U.S. aircraft carrier Nimitz south of Japan and one of them flew over the carrier, according to the U.S. account of the incident.

Four U.S. fighter jets took off and "escorted" Russian bombers.

But the Russian Air Force denied any action of intrusion, saying its planes carried out tasks strictly in compliance with international regulations.

Editor:Du Xiaodan