Almost six months have passed since Russia first invaded Ukraine militarily. Vladimir Putin continues to employ other elements of his army in quite different ways, even if technically it is classified as a “special operation.”
One factor Putin uses is highlighting joint training and allowing his military the space to train globally. Recent drills have taken the Russian Navy to the United States’ doorstep, only miles from Alaska.
With some 30 battleships participating in the combat operations, the Russian Navy has been conducting rigorous training exercises in the Laptev and Barents seas.
On a key maritime corridor from the Pacific to the continent of Europe, numerous missiles were launched during the drill.
These tests demonstrated the missiles’ range, since they were able to hit targets more than 650 miles away.
There is fire where there is smoke! Putin may be increasing his power in the Arctic to dominate the sea lanes, move about more freely, and facilitate commerce.
Putin was transparent in his choices. As soon as the U.S. started working with Ukraine and arming it more, Putin said that such behavior would make the US a target for Russia as well.
There’s no reason to assume he was cracking jokes or that his threats simply alluded to an actual assault.
The Russian administration has been quite clear that anyone aiding the western-backed government in Ukraine is aiding Russia’s foe. These increasingly intensive war simulations near Alaska demonstrate how much pressure Putin is imposing, despite the US’s aid with HIMARS and other cutting-edge systems.
An increasing fear of a Russia-China alliance against NATO and the West is shown by the fact that these events occurred immediately after Putin’s one-on-one meeting with Chinese dictator Xi Jinping.
Russia and China have grown closer in recent years, especially since the conflict. A Russian military facility has received direct assistance from China. Without a doubt, the two nations are coordinating against the United States.
In addition to the Taliban regaining control of Afghanistan, our close allies in India are also in danger from a China-Pakistan-Afghanistan axis.
Putin is taunting with these war maneuvers in the Barents Sea, but it would be unwise to dismiss Russia’s naval might out of hand. Putin is obviously becoming more daring in his attempts to elicit an American response and engage in play in the vicinity of the West.
More evidence of this can be found in Russia and China’s expanding influence in Eurasia and South America, where they work together militarily and through soft power to topple and govern puppet regimes.
At least not yet. The Russians won’t be arriving. Nevertheless, Putin’s warning must be taken extremely seriously.
