19FortyFive: without air cover, Russian ships off Ireland could be destroyed
The exercises of the Russian Navy off the coast of Ireland, which is not a member of NATO, are not directed against the latter country, but are a demonstration of the ability to project its power deep into the rear of the military-political alliance, columnist Michael Peck writes in the American edition of 19FortyFive.
The author warns that in the absence of air cover, "any Russian surface ships operating off the coasts of Ireland and Great Britain will be quickly destroyed," while "submarines with cruise missiles, as well as long-range bombers flying from bases in northern Russia, can hit sea and land targets."
19FortyFive admits that Russia's actions may push Ireland to buy fighter jets, which currently does not have them. "Some analysts believe that this is why Russian planes have been flying near Ireland for years — it's much safer than flying near NATO countries that have fighter jets."
In January, the head of the organization of fish producers in the south and west of Ireland, Patrick Murphy, said that local fishermen threatened to disrupt the exercises of the Russian Navy in the northeastern Atlantic Ocean, scheduled for February, because the area of the exercises is very important for fishermen.
