# The president spoke of Russia's renewal of the Soviet-era practice of global bomber flights close to other countries' borders, saying that Moscow is not looking for a fight but must conduct the flights to keep its military in shape. "No clash is planned, and I hope that will never happen," he said. His remarks came five days after U.S. fighter planes intercepted two Russian bombers, including one that buzzed an American aircraft carrier in the western Pacific. The bombers were among four Russian Tupolev 95s launched from Ukrainka Air Base in the middle of the night, including one that Japanese officials say violated their country's airspace over an uninhabited island south of Tokyo.

They've been violating airspace for a while now....European countries included.

# He said recognizing an independence declaration by Kosovo would be "immoral and illegal," and that European countries supporting the region's bid to break away from Serbia should be "ashamed" of double standards. "I will yet again emphasize that we consider that unilateral support for independence for Kosovo is immoral and illegal," Putin said, days before the expected independence declaration by the province's ethnic Albanian leadership. Russia, a traditional supporter of Serbia, adamantly opposes any final decision on Kosovo's status that is not supported by Serbia.

Awwwww...hard to watch the old empire crumble.

Have a good one!:s4: