Russian Navy embarrased: failed high profile missile launch

[He219]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040217/capt.sge.lbu80.170204180846.photo00.default-238x428.jpg
Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) comes aboard a nuclear submarine class 'Shark' in the port of the northern Russian town of Severomorsk(AFP/ITAR-TASS)

Day at sea turns sour for Putin as Russia fails to launch missile (http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/afp/russia_military_putin)

13 minutes ago Add World - AFP

MOSCOW (AFP) - President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites)'s high-profile jaunt on a nuclear submarine in the Arctic just weeks before elections turned sour when the navy inexplicably failed to launch two intercontinental ballistic missiles as the Russian leader looked on.

Initial reports said a missile fell apart moments after its launch from a submarine in the Barents Sea -- the same location where the Kursk (news - web sites) nuclear submarine sank in August 2000, claiming the lives of 118 seamen.

But the state RIA Novosti and private Interfax news agencies later quoted navy sources as saying that missiles were never actually launched by the two ICBM tests but the exercise was scrapped through an automatic shutdown relayed to them by satellite.

The Northern Fleet command later denied there had been any "unforeseen incident" but did not mention any ICBM launches that had been planned for the day.

The official Krasnaya Zvezda (news - web sites) military newspaper quoted the commander in charge of sea launches as saying at least one ICBM was to be test-fired Tuesday morning and hit a prepared target in the Far Eastern coast of Kamchatka.

But the navy was clearly embarrassed by the snag in the presence of the Russian president and began to give a series of conflicting accounts -- just as it initially tried to cover-up the gravity of the Kursk disaster.

Navy commander Vladimir Kuroyedov told RIA Novosti the launch was supposed to be "virtual."

"This is when there is an electronic order to fire an ICBM but the missile itself never leaves its launch tube," Kuroyedov said.

The reported mishap -- if confirmed -- threatens to embarrass Putin less than a month before a March 14 presidential election that he is overwhelmingly expected to win.

Putin staged a similar military stunt on the eve of his March 2000 election by co-piloting a supersonic jet into Grozny, the war-ravaged capital of the separatist republic of Chechnya (news - web sites).

The incident's political sensitivity became apparent when the launch timed to coincide with Putin's mission to the Barents Sea -- top news on all networks before the ICBM tests -- was then completely ignored on state television.

The government Channel One channel focused on Putin shaking hands with navy commanders while making no mention of the ICBMs.

Putin was shown wearing navy gear Monday evening as he boarded the Arkhangelsk nuclear submarine and chatted amicably with the crew.

He inspected the ship and dined with the sailors in televised footage certain to bolster his tough-guy image among voters ahead of the presidential vote.

Putin's approval rating is reported at up to 80 percent -- a figure similar to that he brandished in 2000 when his drive to raise Russia's self-esteem through strong nationalist rhetoric helped him succeed Boris Yeltsin.

Russian military officials have repeatedly said on the eve of the war games that they were a regular test of the country's military readiness and not aimed as a show of force against the West.

The mishap apparently affected an RSM-53 missile (NATO (news - web sites) specification SS-N-23) which was first developed by the Soviet Union in 1979.

Military analysts said test launches of ICBMs are usually conducted by Russia on its oldest models to see whether they were still good for exploitation.

Russia has been forced to rely heavily on its Soviet-era arsenal because of severe cash constraints. The military is believed to be producing only a handful of modern missile each year.

"The nuclear forces are armed with very old ICBMs: Some have been in service in underground silos for over 27 years," independent military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer wrote in The Moscow Times.

"The number of ICBM replacements is inadequate. Each year the ICBM inventory is getting older and older. The life span of most Russian ICBMs, as guaranteed by their producers, has long expired," the analyst said.

[Herrmannek]

@ Russian Texan
Buhahahahahaha rofl...Chickens can "fly" higher than yours rockets...I see Poland is safe from both intentional and accidential drop of ICBM's on it's territory...



Last time they have some major training their best sub went down. I'm curious what will brake this time... :)
Best sub? What do you mean by "best": best diesel, best nuclear, best attack, etc?
You know what will be even more fun and entertaining :lol: , if some ICBM strays off its course and falls on Poland rofl rofl rofl and thus your curiosity will be satisfied :)

[cut]

doh!

[George W. Bush]

Nice try

:golf clap:

[usa320]

"golf clap"

[BlackRain]

I this prediction back in January


Predictions:
I would expect to see several high ranking Russian generals fired after this exercise is completed.


I wonder what will happen next in the leadership structure.


But the event became a hot topic for Russian analysts and military figures.

"The failed launch has shown the gap between the real condition of the Russian military and the ambitions and muscle-flexing of the Russian leadership," said Yevgeny Volk, the head of the Heritage Foundation's Moscow office.

Retired Capt. Igor Kurdin, who in the early 1990s served as captain of the Novomoskovsk, said a technical problem or a crew mistake might have caused the failure.

"It's very annoying that it happened in front of the commander in chief," Kurdin, who did not witness the exercise, told The Associated Press. "I'm sure that the crew was getting ready for the launch very thoroughly in such circumstances."

http://www.washingtonpost.com/ac2/wp-dyn/A48229-2004Feb17?language=printer

[oldsoak]

**** happens.

[Russian Texan]

It amazes me how many people wish Russia bad and would cheer if anything goes wrong over there... Guys what is your problem?

#1 Original media source that reported this info and where AFP got it from belongs to Mr. Berezovsky & co. So much for credibility :)

#2 Even if it did happen, so what? It is not the first time missile misfired and it is not going to be the last time :roll:
The only difference is that elections are comming and anything /everything will be used/eggagerated to discredit Putin, that is called politics...

#3 I do not know what happened because I wasn't there, so how does newspaper reporter that also wasn't there knows what happened.

#4 automatic shutdown relayed to them by satellite What does this mean?

#5 independent military analyst Pavel Felgenhauer wrote in The Moscow Times. I do believe we already discussed credibility of this "expert" :lol:

If it did happen it only proves that Russia needs to conduct its nuclear forces exercises more often than once every 12 years, screw all that "nuclear forces reduction" diplomacy bs.
What happens if you don't drive your car for some time - it's battery dies...

And on a separate note to my Dear frien Herrmannek:
Dude, you make your country look bad, are all poles such russophobes as you are?
In the end, Russia might stumble but it still will be Russia and Poland, well, always be Poland.... :)
But I do understand you, you come from a small, irrelevant country that has been had/owned by Germans, Russians, etc., now it is America's bitch...
I guess it is natural for a small *****/country guy to be jealous and wish bad to it's big neighboor...
Times will change, russian missiles will stop misfiring and Poland will always be someones bitch ;)

[Herrmannek]

And on a separate note to my Dear frien Herrmannek:
Dude, you make your country look bad, are all poles such russophobes as you are?


THis was meant as a JOKE. Next time I will put dissclimer :)...I'm not russophob. Why do you think so? You don't call Germans, Americans or Russians polandophobes when they tell each other polish jokes...Situation looks funny. I said something will go wrong, it wen't just all...



In the end, Russia might stumble but it still will be Russia and Poland, well, always be Poland.... :)
But I do understand you, you come from a small, irrelevant country that has been had/owned by Germans, Russians, etc., now it is America's bitch...

And Russia is relevant with it's strong economics, advanced technologies, and all those educated people who leaved to west without any "particular reason"...We can play educated guesing once more..I don't foresee bright future for Russia...


I guess it is natural for a small *****/country guy to be jealous and wish bad to it's big neighboor...

I wasn't wishing bad to Russia. It was just accurate educated guess...


Times will change, russian missiles will stop misfiring and Poland will always be someones bitch ;)

If all your countryman who lack arguments substitute them with insults?

[Nizark]

maybe russia should completly get out of the sub business. First the Kursed goes down, now missiles can't even be fired from them? Go to israel, maybe they can throw you a couple of dolphin class subs.

[memphiz]

it says the ICBM "fell apart" that must have been scary as hell for the crew.
"FIRE the missile"
*beep*
*snap*
*crackle*
*pop*
"what the hell was that?"
"****"
"RUUUUN"

[hedgehog]

Hey... be happy, the fail safe's worked. Good thing they didn't launch if they never even knew that they had a problem.

[Russian Texan]

Herrmannek, dude :cantbeli: just look at any of your posts that have anything to do with Russia. Everytime something goes wrong there - you get excited...

Nizrak, to trade Typhoons, Akulas, etc. for Dolphins rofl
You have very retarded sence of humour...

If it did happen, which is a BIG "if", so what? Accidents do happen...
True this incident could never have happened in Poland, Israel, Sweden, Honduras, Ethiopia and such because they don't have ICBM carrying subs but Russia does...
It's like that arguement when one of the european guys was dissing US pilots by saying that they have the most accidents/crashes, well - duh, they fly the most...
But like I have said before, that is exactly why Russia needs this kind of exercises so things like that don't happen in war times.

[Russian Texan]

it says the ICBM "fell apart" that must have been scary as hell for the crew.


It also says that

-the missile never fired
-fired but didn't leave the tube
-launch was blocked by satelite (whatever it means)
-launch was virtual (check of all systems without actual firing itself)

So which one is it?

[Herrmannek]

Herrmannek, dude :cantbeli: just look at any of your posts that have anything to do with Russia. Everytime something goes wrong there - you get excited...
Maybe because I care :) . And excited is wrong world. In this case I was "content" not because russian ICMB's failed, but because I was right, esspecialy noone was killed or injured, and only russian pride was hurt, as I see you have lots of it so there wasn't reason to be very sad about that accident. Yes. I don't like many things in Russia, but not because they are russian, but because they are bad. If you read carefuly my posts you will see I'm not sparing from critique Poland, USA, Chechenya, Israel, Germany...Nothing personal here...

[SFontaine]

I like the Soviet Union flag in your sig, Russian Texan.

God bless such a free, democratic and peaceful country.
;)

[Russian Texan]

Ok, so you care about the fate of Russia :)
This entire thread is about nothing because we don't even know what happened or didn't happen...
All we have are some contradicting reports and "expert" opinion of a disgruntled journalist who happens to be Berezovsky's bitch...
As far as I am concerned, untill I get this story from a credible source - there is nothing to talk about. :)

[Russian Texan]

I like the Soviet Union flag in your sig, Russian Texan.

God bless such a free, democratic and peaceful country.
;)

Try clicking on it, you'll get a burst of instant pride for my Motherland :lol:

[SFontaine]

Too bad the Soviet Union sorta kind of fell apart.
Too bad for the Motherland eh?

Don't mind if I perfer this, do you?

http://www.roboticparking.com/email/images/us_flag_waving.gif (http://www.thenationalanthems.com/inninazionali/usa.mid)

Be sure to click that flag, you know of the country that's still standing and going strong

[Russian Texan]

Oh trust me, I absolutely don't mind :)

The only thing is that you are kinda going cheap on "good ol' USA", I mean 1 minute MIDI clip in "real player" format... you should be ashamed.

You know what's really funny - I have a USSR(you know everyone is equal, etc.) flag in my signature but according to IRS live waaaay better than an average american rofl rofl rofl
God Bless America....la la la la... I am going to cry now :)

[SFontaine]

Too bad the USSR doesn't exist, eh? Oh account of it crumbling and all.

And wasn't one of the big reasons communism crashed and burned was due to the fact that when Commies came here they saw that even the poorest Americans had a car and 2 TVs and your average PROUD SOVIET WORKER had to wait 2 hours in line for a loaf of bread (Granted that doesn't happen anymore in the Russian Federation)?

[Russian Texan]

And wasn't one of the big reasons communism crashed and burned was due to the fact that when Commies came here they saw that even the poorest Americans had a car and 2 TVs and your average PROUD SOVIET WORKER had to wait 2 hours in line for a loaf of bread (Granted that doesn't happen anymore in the Russian Federation)?

No, it was due to the fact that Russians are quick to act but often think latter, just like in 1917.

BTW are you sure that poorest americans have a car and 2 TVs? You know there are no electrical plugs under the bridges ;)

[SFontaine]

It was an exagaration there bud.

It's so funny when someone argues that Russia has a better standard of living than the United States. Especially Soviet Russia.

[Russian Texan]

It was an exagaration there bud.

It's so funny when someone argues that Russia has a better standard of living than the United States. Especially Soviet Russia.

Who argues that?

[serbian boy]

Actually guys the Soviet Anthem has now been accepted as Russia's national anthem under Putin woot woot Because the contemporary Russian anthem didn't have any lyrics.

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

Go ask how great life is in South Central LA, Harlem
Lots of rich proud people

[SFontaine]

Who argues that?

Ummm you


Go ask how great life is in South Central LA, Harlem
Lots of rich proud people

Yeah so? Every country has it's **** holes. Some more than others. And as far as I'm concerned Soviet Russia was one big ****hole except for the elite few. And many places in Russia right now are **** holes.

Christ. Look at your own country before criticizing others.

[Russian Texan]

Who argues that?

Ummm you



Dear sir, where did I ever argue about that? Are you seeing things, hearing voices perhaps...?

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

Christ. Look at your own country before criticizing others.

Calm down grasshopper.

Our country is still strong, powerful, and great. Thats why there are topics like this, and arguments like that.

Being jelaous is perfectly ok. Face it. If you didnt care, you wouldn't be quoting here with your brainfarts.

[SeanAshi]

Brainfart?

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

http://ew2.lysator.liu.se/loth/s/h/shannon70/light.jpg

[He219]

Go ask how great life is in South Central LA,
Lots of rich proud people
Dude, don't knock SC!!
Yes, lots of rich proud people. I lived there for 4 years.

South Central Los Angeles. It's a riot ;)

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

South Central Los Angeles. It's a riot ;)

Mexicans and African AMericans?

Lots of riots

[SeanAshi]

they got black hebrews too

[He219]

South Central Los Angeles. It's a riot ;)

Mexicans and African AMericans?

Lots of riots

Actually, the riots were dominated by a struggle between young African American 'opportunists' and Korean storekeepers, not Latinos. I also observed an equal opportunity ethnic front participting in the looting of their neighborhood ...

:cantbeli:





As for the thread:

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040217/capt.sge.ldd25.170204215656.photo02.default-353x290.jpg

Russian President Vladimir Putin (news - web sites) (L) listens to an explanation of a submariner aboard of the balistic nuclear submarine Arkhangelsk upon their return to Severomorsk(AFP/POOL)
Putin's nuclear show blows up in his face. (http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/main.jhtml?xml=/news/2004/02/18/wrus18.xml&sSheet=/portal/2004/02/18/ixportal.html) Expalin that to Mr. Putin!


;)

[SFontaine]

Christ. Look at your own country before criticizing others.

Calm down grasshopper.

Our country is still strong, powerful, and great. Thats why there are topics like this, and arguments like that.

Being jelaous is perfectly ok. Face it. If you didnt care, you wouldn't be quoting here with your brainfarts.

Still strong and powerful... right.. Moreso than the US?


Oh and Russian Texan

but according to IRS live waaaay better than an average american

1) What does the IRS have to do with the standard of living?
2) That's where you say the Russian way of life is better than the American

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

Still strong and powerful... right.. Moreso than the US?


US is a great, powerful, and rich country.

[Russian Texan]

1) What does the IRS have to do with the standard of living?
2) That's where you say the Russian way of life is better than the American

#1 Did you ever fill out a tax return?

#2 Huh? Dear Sir, you are seeing things that are not really there...

May be you didn't get the irony, let me chew it up for you:

I was born in the USSR, the country that emphasized equality and everyone got paid pretty much the same regardless of what they were doing. Communism, socialism, you get the picture....

Now I live in the US - capitalist society that stands for anything but equality (income wise)...

[stuntman]

Go ask how great life is in South Central LA, Harlem
Lots of rich proud people
It's funny how you can probrably name a alot of US cities but yet no one hear (USA) can name yours! Gravitate around that you commie bastard!
Look russia's famous for being the largest 3rd world country! It's just to bad American aid did not reach those missle or maybe they would of worked. And by the way I live near harlem its actually been very nice for about 10 years now so again I see your still being brain washed about America you commie bastard! And also russian military tactics suck I bet you guys still think you single handedly won WW2?I bet you guys droped the Atom bomb to? Silly reds still living in the past, I bet Poland could wipe there ass with your military if it came to a show down. Also I cannot blame them for being A little concerned about Mother russia as you guys have the record for most governments in a century. Unstable, poor, missmanaged economy, weak military mother russia is something to worry about, not because she is tough or smart but because she is unstable and well under funded..
Later and eat lead you dirty red!

[SeanAshi]

http://us.news2.yimg.com/us.yimg.com/p/afp/20040217/capt.sge.lbu80.170204180846.photo00.default-238x428.jpg
*Putin* hmmm..what would Stalin do......Commander Vladimir Kuroyedov... to Siberia!!

[Kingpin]

Well, men. I was born and lived in Soviet Union until it collapsed. And you can consider me as eyewitness. Soviet Union was good place to live. May be i can't say excellent but anyway good. Especially in case if you're not dedicated your life to earning own condominium, yacht and rolls-roys.

[martinexsquaddie]

rofl rofl rofl
those are the sort of icbms I like ones that don't work rofl rofl rofl

[Brzeczyszczykiewicz]

But I do understand you, you come from a small, irrelevant country that has been had/owned by Germans, Russians, etc., now it is America's bitch...
I guess it is natural for a small *****/country guy to be jealous and wish bad to it's big neighboor...
Times will change, russian missiles will stop misfiring and Poland will always be someones bitch ;)

Thanks a lot, man.
It's always good to know that you come from "small, irrelevant country that has been had/owned by Germans, Russians, etc., now it is America's bitch... "

[Kingpin]

Malfunctions during underwater launches isn't something unusual. US submarines also experieneced such failures. So this is more political question rather then military (due to presence of Putin and elections in sight).

I think following discussion have no point.

PS And, yes, Poland looks like bitch of the strongest. The same about Bulgaria. May be this opinion is wrong but this is how things looks like from my chair.

[Herrmannek]

Malfunctions during underwater launches isn't something unusual. US submarines also experieneced such failures. So this is more political question rather then military (due to presence of Putin and elections in sight).

I think following discussion have no point.

PS And, yes, Poland looks like bitch of the strongest. The same about Bulgaria. May be this opinion is wrong but this is how things looks like from my chair.

This is Marriage not Bitching...

[Kingpin]

This is Marriage not Bitching...

How long i should wait for divorce? p-)

[Sergei]

Until I hear a more credible review of this incident I reserve the judgement about this case to myself.
Come on, Felgangauer is Berezovsky's bitch, he is paid to write that crap. I wouldn't trust him even if he wrote that Earth is round.

[hood]

Go ask how great life is in South Central LA, Harlem

It can't be that bad, Ex-President Bill Clinton has his office there.


As far as I am concerned, untill I get this story from a credible source - there is nothing to talk about.

After so many years of doing this kind of idiocy, ie. contradicting accounts of what "really" happened, you'd think they'd get better at talking to each other first so that they lie in unison. I don't mind when governments try to cover up big scandals, that's their job. What pisses me off is when they try to cover up the stuff that nobody really cares about, and fail horribly so everyone knows it.

[Herrmannek]

Until I hear a more credible review of this incident I reserve the judgement about this case to myself.
Come on, Felgangauer is Berezovsky's bitch, he is paid to write that crap. I wouldn't trust him even if he wrote that Earth is round.
So be ready for next 50 years of waiting or gov. change.. :)

[Kingpin]

Until I hear a more credible review of this incident I reserve the judgement about this case to myself.
Come on, Felgangauer is Berezovsky's bitch, he is paid to write that crap. I wouldn't trust him even if he wrote that Earth is round.
So be ready for next 50 years of waiting or gov. change.. :)

I think me should go to 16 OBr SpN bosses and ask them: "Please install new gov't in Poland. I don't like current one" :)

He he. Just kidding!

[MolliG]

'Shark' Class = Akula Class right? :)

[Brzeczyszczykiewicz]

I think me should go to 16 OBr SpN bosses and ask them: "Please install new gov't in Poland. I don't like current one" :)


90% of Polish citizens will support that idea :D

[Herrmannek]

I think me should go to 16 OBr SpN bosses and ask them: "Please install new gov't in Poland. I don't like current one" :)


90% of Polish citizens will support that idea :D

Of course if you'll leave just after that :)

[tony6]

Well, men. I was born and lived in Soviet Union until it collapsed. And you can consider me as eyewitness. Soviet Union was good place to live. May be i can't say excellent but anyway good. Especially in case if you're not dedicated your life to earning own condominium, yacht and rolls-roys.
Sister! Quick! We have a emergency case here! Prepare anaesthesia and operating room (for brain transplantation).
:D

[Kingpin]

Sister! Quick! We have a emergency case here! Prepare anaesthesia and operating room (for brain transplantation).
:D

Kingpin (peacefuly): **** you man! That was best time of my life. :-*$

[tony6]

There's name for that: nostalgia
(homesickness)
:)

[Sergei]

Until I hear a more credible review of this incident I reserve the judgement about this case to myself.
Come on, Felgangauer is Berezovsky's bitch, he is paid to write that crap. I wouldn't trust him even if he wrote that Earth is round.
So be ready for next 50 years of waiting or gov. change.. :)

So your basic suggestion is to start spreading manure and gossip around like an old **** babushka without knowing what actually happened, right? Sorry, I am not that kind of person.

[Herrmannek]

Until I hear a more credible review of this incident I reserve the judgement about this case to myself.
Come on, Felgangauer is Berezovsky's bitch, he is paid to write that crap. I wouldn't trust him even if he wrote that Earth is round.
So be ready for next 50 years of waiting or gov. change.. :)

So your basic suggestion is to start spreading manure and gossip around like an old **** babushka without knowing what actually happened, right? Sorry, I am not that kind of person.

I didn't sugested that. I tired to say it may happen this time. We have seen similiar behavior "recently" with Kursk. I thought that after that accident russian authorities learned how to act in such situations, but I was wrong...Anyone can tell me what is the reason of that equivocations: "Tradition", responsibility system...? Yes. there is not much shame when something fails, but when many authorites lie about case it looks much worse than telling true...

[Sorbas2000]

PS And, yes, Poland looks like bitch of the strongest. The same about Bulgaria. May be this opinion is wrong but this is how things looks like from my chair.

This is the nature of small countries: to be the bitch of someone...but for me as a bulgarian, better to be the bitch of america and to get economic help than to be russian bitch and get nothings than words! and by the way...russia has been the last 10 years the bitch of IWF und american credits/ financial help!

[Kingpin]

PS And, yes, Poland looks like bitch of the strongest. The same about Bulgaria. May be this opinion is wrong but this is how things looks like from my chair.

This is the nature of small countries: to be the bitch of someone...but for me as a bulgarian, better to be the bitch of america and to get economic help than to be russian bitch and get nothings than words! and by the way...russia has been the last 10 years the bitch of IWF und american credits/ financial help!

Ues, but after 1998 crisis and 1999 bombing campaign we divorced with those cowards entirely. Hourray! We got nothing from them except debts. They only helped us to destroy our weapons. :)

[Sergei]

PS And, yes, Poland looks like bitch of the strongest. The same about Bulgaria. May be this opinion is wrong but this is how things looks like from my chair.

This is the nature of small countries: to be the bitch of someone...but for me as a bulgarian, better to be the bitch of america and to get economic help than to be russian bitch and get nothings than words! and by the way...russia has been the last 10 years the bitch of IWF und american credits/ financial help!


Says a person who said that Russian paratroopers look gay. What is this obsession with *** and gay attitude?
You aren't by chance any gays rights activist from Bulgaria, no?

You probably know quite a lot about bitching don't you? And hack, remember Shipka and stuff. The Russians saved your very nation from being wiped out back in 19th century. Ever heard what happened to christian Armenians in 1915? Genocide on a massive scale.
Grateful Bulgarians remember that, while the younger generation (and you seem young by your stupid remarks) think it is quite useful to trade bitches. No problems with me, but next time don't cry for help because you will receive none with such arrogant attitude. Sovok.

[duck]

Weren't there talks after WWII to incorporate Bulgaria into the Soviet Union?

[Sergei]

Weren't there talks after WWII to incorporate Bulgaria into the Soviet Union?

That was just it, "Talk", no more. No common border made it impossible and politically bad to include Bulgaria into Soviet Union. We would take the Finns any day, though, but few were willing the join the "socialist paradise". :D

[MolliG]

Russia denies failure of missiles

The Russian navy has denied reports that two ballistic missiles failed to launch from a submarine during a military exercise in the Barents Sea.

A spokesman for Russia's Northern Fleet said there had been no "unforseen incidents" during Tuesday's exercise.

But Russian news agencies quoted a Northern Fleet official as saying the launch had failed, apparently because of a satellite error.

President Vladimir Putin was on a submarine watching the manoeuvres.

The reported missile failure comes weeks before the presidential election, in which Mr Putin is widely expected to win a second term.

Interfax and Itar-Tass, quoting an unnamed navy officer, reported that a signal from a military satellite had blocked the launch. No further explanation was given.

Missile tests

The missiles had been due to take off from a nuclear submarine, the Novomosskovsk, with Mr Putin watching from another submarine, the Arkhangelsk.

Itar-Tass said the Novomosskovsk was to test-fire two ballistic missiles in succession at a practice target more than 5,000km (3,107 miles) away on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East.

The president's arrival at Severomorsk naval base, on Russia's Arctic coast, had received wide television coverage in Russia. Mr Putin was filmed wearing navy gear on Monday night as he chatted with sailors on board the Arkhangelsk submarine.

The planned manoeuvres had been described in the Russian media as the largest show of military might since Soviet times. Ten ships and six nuclear submarines had been due to take part.

In August 2000, just months into Mr Putin's term as president, a nuclear submarine, the Kursk, sank in the Barents Sea, killing 118 sailors.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/europe/3496291.stm

[budanski]

That was yesterday's news... ;)


Missile failures mar Putin show
CNN (http://edition.cnn.com/2004/WORLD/europe/02/18/russia.accident/)

MOSCOW, Russia --A Russian missile that self-destructed in a test proved another embarrassment for President Vladimir Putin as he toured military exercises in the run-up to the March presidential election.

Wednesday's malfunction -- the third in two days -- happened during Russia's largest war games in more than two decades, which are being overseen by Putin himself.

A Russian navy statement said the launch from the submarine Karelia in the Barents Sea went to plan for the first 89 seconds, but the missile then veered off its programmed path. At that point, the missile's self-destruct mechanism took over.

Navy Capt. Igor Dygalo told The Associated Press that the missile was launched at a practice target on a testing range on the Kamchatka Peninsula in Russia's Far East. He did not identify the missile.

According to the Russian media reports, the Karelia carries 16 RSM-54 missiles, each equipped with four independently targeted warheads.

Two launch failures in as many days were seen as an embarrassment for Putin and another blow to the image of the Russian military, which has been plagued by chronic funding shortages, low morale and frequent crashes and accidents.

On Tuesday Putin had been watching from a nearby vessel as two missiles being launched from the Novomoskovsk nuclear submarine malfunctioned. The test was aborted.

"The commander of the Novomoskovsk detected an irregularity in the system of directing the weapon and took the decision to stop the launch," Izvestia newspaper said.

Izvestia said the naval command was in the uncomfortable position of aborting while Putin, the armed forces commander in chief, was watching.

Eventually on Wednesday Putin, keeping up his high-visibility military exercises tour, was able to watch the successful launch of a rocket carrying up a military satellite.

He stood in snow in winter fatigues to watch a Molniya rocket blast off from the cosmodrome near the White Sea port of Arkhangelsk.

Putin, looking cold in bitter temperatures, congratulated rocket forces on the successful Molniya launch which he said confirmed "the high level of research and space technology in our country."

Russian media have billed the exercises as the largest show of military muscle in more than 20 years with numerous missile launches and flights by strategic bombers.

Putin, whose supporters won an overwhelming victory in parliamentary elections in December, is set for re-election in March in a field with little real competition.

State television has given his northern tour of the exercises -- aimed specifically at the votes of Russia's powerful military establishment -- huge coverage.

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

Go ask how great life is in South Central LA, Harlem
Lots of rich proud people
It's funny how you can probrably name a alot of US cities but yet no one hear (USA) can name yours! Gravitate around that you commie bastard!
Look russia's famous for being the largest 3rd world country! It's just to bad American aid did not reach those missle or maybe they would of worked. And by the way I live near harlem its actually been very nice for about 10 years now so again I see your still being brain washed about America you commie bastard! And also russian military tactics suck I bet you guys still think you single handedly won WW2?I bet you guys droped the Atom bomb to? Silly reds still living in the past, I bet Poland could wipe there ass with your military if it came to a show down. Also I cannot blame them for being A little concerned about Mother russia as you guys have the record for most governments in a century. Unstable, poor, missmanaged economy, weak military mother russia is something to worry about, not because she is tough or smart but because she is unstable and well under funded..
Later and eat lead you dirty red!


Why do we know more about your own American history, than most of the Americans themselves? Well thats because we are educated, and to argue who's high school education is better - would be unfair for you.

You are too busy with gangs, drugs, and racism. Books are no where to be found in your schools. Looking in the college or university, you will see a **** load of foreigners. But thats normal, since the United States was built by them. From all over the world.

History of WW2? Wow, they didn't teach you that either? When did the United States joined the world against Hitler?

To some storming a city with a PPSh and a Mosin was the best pride of his motherland. Soviet soldier fought with great bravery, and won.
But to some, it is much easier to drop 2 atom bombs and kill hundreds of thousand people instantly.

Our guys took Berlin, defeated Hitler, and planted our flag on the Reichstag. But your American soldiers did help a lot. So I must thank them, and not you!!!

Come to think that if you would be even alive in that era, meeting on Ebe River with Russians and Americans would be a tragedy for you. If both sides would hear your words like above, you would be stomped from both sides. With PPShs and Tommy Guns.

I don't want to defend communism too much, but it did made Russia powerful. Don't give me this 3rd world ****. The WHOLE WORLD shook when our migs rocketed over their skies. As I remember there were plenty of pants with poo in them when our Sputnik flew over the world. Yeah I don't want to go into Space debate anymore. ANother tragic argument for you.

Since there are no 3rd world countries with better space technology then ours. Actually, the only country that can still even speak about Space exploration, and it would be worth listening to her acheivements is USA.

As for brain wash. Hmmmm M E H
When I was in school the teachers tolled us this-
America was a land full of racists, rednecks, overweight heart attack having people, drug addicts, criminals, and greed.

Hear any facts ? But not all of it is true.

Here is what they tolled your kids in schools about Russia 0
Russian people stood in line for bread(even though ours is 100% better then yours), toilet paper (LOL), there are bears walking around with furhats and AKs, Vodka is consumed by everyone and everything.

Geee, now thats what I call propaganda.

So relax, and grab a cup of coffee.

[hank]

Granted stuntman probably had it coming, but would it be possible to lighten up? This US is better than Russia and vice versa is so cool I just can't stay away. But since we are at it, I'll point out some of the truly enlightened info that Kadsfha ksfn posted.

"Books are no where to be found in your schools." - Wow, glad you told me. I'm at school right now and I was wondering were all the book were, glad you cleared it up for me.

"But to some, it is much easier to drop 2 atom bombs and kill hundreds of thousand people instantly." - if it ws such a bad idea then why did you copy them? Good point. 200,000 lives versus 2,000,000 - can't figure why in teh world Truman did that, he must have been crazy!

"As I remember there were plenty of pants with poo in them when our Sputnik flew over the world." - you REMEMBER sputnik - congratulations - that would make you like 40 or more - glad to see that at that age you've achieved such a high level of knowledge, understanding, and enlightenment.

"But thats normal, since the United States was built by them. From all over the world. " - what is your point? maybe we aren't as pure as a true Russian? What exactly does this little jab mean? Sounds like somebody doesn't like foreigners. Genius - only people in this country who are not foreigners are American Indians.

I'm done. Grow up.

hank

[Herrmannek]

History of WW2? Wow, they didn't teach you that either? When did the United States joined the world against Hitler?
About the same time as you 1941

To some storming a city with a PPSh and a Mosin was the best pride of his motherland. Soviet soldier fought with great bravery, and won.
But to some, it is much easier to drop 2 atom bombs and kill hundreds of thousand people instantly.
I'm sure if USSR had A-bombs, Stalin wouldn't mind to try them on Berlin

Our guys took Berlin, defeated Hitler, and planted our flag on the Reichstag. But your American soldiers did help a lot. So I must thank them, and not you!!!
Only because of pact betwen GB, USA and USSR. USA military intentionaly slowed down it's progress to not be first in Berlin


So relax, and grab a cup of coffee.
Good point, do the same

[tony6]

Am I the only one who thinks that every thread here becomes Russia vs. rest of the world-pissing contest?
I doesn't make sense. Really.

[hank]

Sure it does tony6, its great can't you tell? What makes you say that this is not great? See, what happens next is that after enlightening us, adklf ai na or whatever the f--k his name is, will tell us that we insluted him and that he is leaving. Its a game, and once you understand the rules its better than Monopoly or Yahtzee! So be quiet and play or adkjf hase h, or whatever the f--k his name is, will run away and take his toys.

hank

[Herrmannek]

Sure it does tony6, its great can't you tell? What makes you say that this is not great? See, what happens next is that after enlightening us, adklf ai na or whatever the f--k his name is, will tell us that we insluted him and that he is leaving. Its a game, and once you understand the rules its better than Monopoly or Yahtzee! So be quiet and play or adkjf hase h, or whatever the f--k his name is, will run away and take his toys.

hank

His callname is CONTRACTNiK :)

[hank]

Ksdf ois ndf l, CONTRACTNiK, PermskiiOMON, its all the same.

hank

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

I only speak to protect my country. I do not care for other topics. But if Russia is in the spotlight, especially being ****ted on - than I'm there swinging.

At least we can resolve and continue our gospels in this way. It is better like that. Instead of meeting on the battlefields, and shooting at each other.

You know who enjoys this the most right now? The guys who pray 5 times a day, and don't shave. They are in the state of Orgasm when they see Russians and Americans fight each other. Thats what they want, since they can't do **** one on one.

All they can do is to hijack planes, blow up subways, and watch Russians and AMericans kill eachother. After that they just brisk through the mess, and take us while we are leaking our wounds.

They don't care for Europe, because Europe looked by them as bunch of little whining bitches. They are not affraid of them, thats why they target us Americans and Russians, because they are scared of us.

Now back to our **** swinging fiesta.

[tony6]

They don't care for Europe, because Europe looked by them as bunch of little whining bitches.
Do You really think so? Or is it just Your anger?
I think that they don't attack Europe (for now!) because they know that Europe supports them in some way. There are many muslims in Europe, Turkey is about to join EU and-what's important!-many people in Europe critisize war in Czechnya (so they support their cause) and USA.
That's my opinion but if You think that Europe is a "bunch of little whining bitches"and that is the reason that muslims don't attack it-You surely have right to have Yours.

[DPGLAW]

The new ICBM Russia is testing is actually a water pump rocket with an explovie warhead...you know the rockets, like the one that you had when you were 5...You pump it up and it flies like 200ft in the air....that is probably the extent of the Russian missle program nowadays...Their last training exercise killed 100+ brave sailors, at least this ****-up didn't kill anyone.... :P :-*$

[Russian Texan]

The new ICBM Russia is testing is actually a water pump rocket with an explovie warhead...you know the rockets, like the one that you had whn you were 5...You pump it up and it flies liek 200ft in the air....that is probably the extent of the Russian missle...The alst training exercise killed 100+ brave sailors, at least this f***-up didn't kill anyone.... :P :-*$

"And that is kids your brain on crack..."

[KOHTPAKTHuK]

what kind of rocket was on Columbia ?
just curious to know,
educate me on rocket sience please, but only after you put down your crack pipe.

[2Sheds_Jackson]

I think it's disappointing that the missiles failed, but least nobody got hurt. Hey, these things happen - it was probably a bad decision to "go public" in such a way before they were really sure it would work. Whoever guaranteed a good show is prolly checking out their new office space in Siberia - Putin looked a bit pissed off.

Now how am I supposed remain employed without a good old fashioned arms race? If the other side(s) can't get their stuff to work, nobody here is gonna spend the big $ on new systems. Let's get it together people...

[Russian Texan]

Actually, if anything this accident should reasure your future employment because Russian Northern Fleet specifically and Strategic forces in general are going to get some cash to buy some new stuff.
Missfired missile was at its expiration date.
Also today there were two successfull launches: Stiletto and Topol-M.

Accidents like this mean cash injections for the miitary, so ultimately it was a good thing: no one was hurt and russians learned not to trust missiles "near the expiration date."

[hank]

The new ICBM Russia is testing is actually a water pump rocket with an explovie warhead...you know the rockets, like the one that you had when you were 5...You pump it up and it flies like 200ft in the air....that is probably the extent of the Russian missle program nowadays...Their last training exercise killed 100+ brave sailors, at least this f***-up didn't kill anyone.... :P :-*$

Dude, those were cool rockets. Cooler than this lame thread.

hank

[BlackRain]

Russia Plans New Generation of Weapons

VLADIMIR ISACHENKOV

Associated Press


MOSCOW - After two failed missile launches during highly publicized military maneuvers, President Vladimir Putin announced plans Wednesday to deploy a new generation of strategic weapons and said Moscow may build new missile defenses.

Some analysts said the new weapons may be warheads that zigzag on their way to a target, an idea that dates to the Soviet era. Putin did not say exactly what they were.

Putin spoke after watching Wednesday's launch of a military satellite from the Plesetsk cosmodrome in northern Russia, which was part of a massive exercise of the nation's strategic forces described as the largest in more than 20 years.

"The experiments conducted during these maneuvers ... have proven that state-of-the art technical complexes will enter service with the Russian Strategic Missile Forces in the near future," Putin said in remarks broadcast by Russian television stations.

The new weapons will be "capable of hitting targets continents away at hypersonic speed, with high precision and the ability of broad maneuver both in terms of altitude and direction of their flight," he said.

Putin spoke after two embarrassing missile launch failures Tuesday and Wednesday. A missile launch from the Novomoskovsk nuclear submarine set for Tuesday didn't take place, though the navy later claimed that it had never planned the test despite numerous statements to the contrary.

On Wednesday, the navy sent another Northern Fleet nuclear submarine to the Barents Sea to repeat the launch - only to fail again. The missile launched from the Karelia submarine started drifting from its flight path 98 seconds after launch and self-destructed automatically, Russian navy spokesman Capt. Igor Dygalo told The Associated Press.

Retired Adm. Vladimir Chernavin, the former Soviet navy chief, said that until the cause of the failed launch is found, "it's hard to talk about full combat readiness of the navy's strategic nuclear forces," the Interfax-Military News Agency reported.

State television kept mum about the failures. Putin didn't directly mention them, though he did acknowledge some shortcomings in the exercises.

"We have not had such exercises for almost 20 years," Putin said. "Naturally, in the course of such exercises there are minuses and pluses ... and those minuses will be detected and clearly we'll be drawing conclusions. It is only for the better."

The military exercises were widely seen as part of campaign efforts to play up Putin's image as a leader determined to restore Russia's military power and global clout ahead of the March 14 presidential election. He is expected to win easily.

In his comments, Putin focused on the new weapons, which he said would be unrivaled in the world. He said they would ensure Russia's safety for years to come.

Putin said that Russia was continuing research in missile defense systems and may build a new missile shield. Russia now has a missile defense system protecting Moscow that was designed in the 1970s and modernized in the 1990s.

Some military analysts said his statement could indicate the revival of Soviet designs for nuclear warheads that zigzag on their final approach to a target, confusing missile defenses.

Such behavior would make a missile hard to intercept and destroy.

"On the other hand, its accuracy leaves much to be desired, making it unfit for dealing precision strikes," said Pavel Felgenhauer, an independent Russian military analyst.

He said that the research on zigzagging warheads began in the 1980s in response to Ronald Reagan's "Star Wars" program.

Putin said the new weapon systems wouldn't be directed against the United States, which has backed out of the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty and is developing a missile defense system of its own.

"Modern Russia has no imperial ambitions or hegemonist strivings," he said.

Alexander Pikayev, a Moscow-based expert in Russian nuclear forces, said that the military had experimented with a maneuvering warhead during a missile launch several years ago, but voiced doubt about Russia's ability to deploy such weapons any time soon.

Putin could also have been referring to a ballistic missile system being developed for submarines, said Ivan Safranchuk, the head of the Moscow office of the Center for Defense Information, a Washington-based think-tank. Little is known about the system, called Bulava.

In Plesetsk on Wednesday, Putin watched the successful launch of a Molniya-M booster rocket, which carried a Kosmos military satellite into orbit.

Later in the day, the military successfully test-fired a Topol ballistic missile from Plesetsk and an RS-18 ballistic missile from the Baikonur cosmodrome which Russia leases from Kazakhstan. The two are reliable weapons systems dating from the Soviet era.

[SeanAshi]

Our guys took Berlin, defeated Hitler, and planted our flag on the Reichstag Stalin and Russian Gernerals were to careless with the lives of Soviet soldiers in WWII. How many died from when you entered Berlin to the Reichstag?

[hood]

OK! that's it.. I've had way too many complaints over the last week to let threads like this go on. The number of insane idiotic stereotypes flying back and forth are amazing. Maybe after I lock enough topics, those people will stop posting here. Locked.