Russian bombers will return in days from Venezuela

American · 09-11-08, 12:45 PM

Quote:

Two Russian long-range bombers capable of carrying nuclear weapons will return to base from Venezuela in four days, the Air Force was quoted by Interfax news agency as saying on Thursday.
The bombers, known in the West by the NATO codename "Blackjack," were not carrying nuclear weapons during the flight to South America and will return to Russia on September 15, Air Force commander Vladimir Drik told Interfax.
"There were no nuclear weapons on board these planes," Drik said.
The visit by the Tu-160 bombers is a show of strength by newly-confident Russia at a time of tension with the United States after the war in Georgia and U.S. plans for a missile defence shield in eastern Europe.
On Wednesday Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez said the planes were in the South American oil-exporting nation to strengthen military ties and counter U.S. regional influences.

I wonder if the Russians think the guys at NORAD were quaking in their boots.