Russia warned by Denmark warplanes PREPARED to intercept jets if Arctic territory violated

Denmark’s defence minister Claus Hjort Frederiksen said the country is more than prepared to send in planes should their Scandinavian airspace is violated by Russia, the Daily Star reports. Russian president Vladimir Putin is looking to secure the power nation’s future by attempting to tap into hidden oil supplies in the Arctic. The United States Department of Defence examines Russia’s strategic intentions in the region in a document called ‘Russian Strategic Intentions’.

It reads that it explores how “the formation of the Arctic Council between Russia and other Arctic countries has enabled cooperation on resolution of territorial claims, as well as oil spill and search-and-rescue operations”.

It adds: “Strategically, the Arctic region plays a significant role in Russia’s energy, economic, and defence priorities, as evidenced by the size and activities of the Northern Fleet, as well as frequent mention in Russian published doctrine.”

But President Putin has hit a brick wall in challenges from Denmark.

Mr Hjort Frederiksen told newspaper Berlingske: “We cannot tolerate violations of the Danish territory’s airspace. We have to assert our sovereignty, just as we need it over Denmark and the Baltic Sea when we experience Russian violations. We must act in the same way in Greenland.

“The Russians are expanding their military presence and taking things offensive, we must take our precautions.”

He added Denmark’s “policy has so far been that the Arctic must be a low-voltage area, and this will also be our policy in the future”.

The news follows an impassioned and chilling speech made by President Putin that saw him vow to expand Russia’s military and arsenal of weapons.

President Putin announced in a speech at the Victory Parade in Moscow’s Red Square that he intends to build his eye-watering military and adopt the world’s most powerful weaponry, Tass News Agency confirmed.

He said: “We did and will continue doing all that is necessary to ensure the high defence capability of our Armed Forces, the defence potential of the most advanced weapons and to further strengthen the prestige of the military service, the prestige of soldiers and officers and Fatherland defenders.

“At the same time, Russia is open for cooperation with all those who are ready to practically counter terrorism, neo-Nazism and extremism.”

source: express.co.uk