Russia ramping up military drills to Cold War levels, NATO says

February 5, 2016 — FoxNews.com reports: “Russia has stepped up its military maneuvers to a level unseen since the height of the Cold War, according to a new report released by NATO Thursday.

Jens Stoltenberg, the alliance’s secretary general and author of the report, noted that Moscow has conducted at least 18 large-scale exercises over the past three years, ‘some of which have involved more than 100,000 troops.’

Those exercises included several simulated nuclear attacks against NATO allies and partner nations, such as Sweden in March 2013.

The report was released two days after the Obama administration proposed spending $3.4 billion on its troops and training in Europe as a direct result of Russia’s recent action in the regions, including the 2014 annexation of Crimea from Ukraine.

‘We haven’t had to worry about this for 25 years, and while I wish it were otherwise, now we do,’ said Defense Secretary Ash Carter Tuesday…”
(Ezekiel chapters 38 and 39 predict the union of Russia and China [Revelation 16:12; Daniel 11:44] as leaders in the battle for the greatest war in history called Armageddon – Revelation 16:16.  Revelation 9:14 – 18 pictures its upcoming disastrous results.  See the next report.)

 Russia to test new S-500 defenses in 2016

February 3, 2016 — Israel National News reports: “The first prototypes of Russia’s next-generation S-500 long range air defense system will reach completion and begin pre-tests in 2016, according to state-run Sputnik News.

The new generation system will be capable of destroying aerial offensive targets, as well intercontinental ballistic missiles and targets near space.

The S-500 ‘not only combines the best feats of the previous systems, but also offers completely new possibilities in the field of air, missile and space defense,’ according to Viktor Murakhovski, a member of the advisory council of Russia’s Military-Industrial Commission.

The long-range system, manufactured by Moscow-based defense firm Almaz Antey, will have a range of 600 kilometers (more than 370 miles) and could simultaneously intercept up to ten ballistic warheads flying at speeds of up to 23 thousand feet per second. Its missiles will be able to change their trajectory in midflight and may be able to strike targets as high as 115 miles.

By comparison, the S-400 anti-missile system, known to NATO as the SA-21 ‘Growler,’ is said to have a maximum range of 250 miles, and can bring down airplanes at up to 90,000 feet (17 miles)…”

North Korea test fires long-range rocket

February 7, 2016 — Israel National News reports: “North Korea on Sunday defied international warnings and launched a long-range rocket, The Associated Press (AP) reported.

The launch was confirmed by South Korean officials about two hours after an eight-day launch window opened Sunday morning. It will be considered a further provocation by Washington and its allies and likely draw more sanctions and condemnation from the United Nations, noted AP.

North Korean rocket and nuclear tests are seen as crucial steps toward the North’s ultimate goal of a nuclear armed long-range missile arsenal. North Korea says its nuclear and missile programs are necessary to defend itself against what it calls decades of ‘U.S. hostility.’

In early January, North Korea conducted a nuclear test and claimed it launched a hydrogen bomb, prompting the House of Representatives to vote nearly unanimously to pass legislation that would broaden sanctions over North Korea’s nuclear program…” (North Korea marches with Russia and China for the war of the latter years and latter days – Ezekiel 38:8, 16.  Atomic bombs will produce global incineration – Psalms 97:3; Isaiah 66:15; Joel 2:3, 30; Zephaniah 1:18; Malachi 4:1; Revelation 8:7 and 9:18.  See the next two reports.)

 North Korea Undeterred by International Condemnation

February 8, 2016 — Voice of America News reports: “North Korea’s defiant stance in the face of international condemnation over its rocket launch Sunday and its nuclear test last month are in some ways strengthening Kim Jong Un’s position at home and abroad.

Domestically, the young leader is portrayed by the North’s tightly controlled state media as a strong leader defending the country’s sovereignty against hostile American and South Korean forces.

And Sunday’s rocket launch is described by state media outlets as a great technological achievement by a rapidly advancing nation that fills many North Koreans with pride.

In an interview with the official Korean Central News Agency, Paek Jin Hyok, a student at Kim Il Sung University in North Korea, said, ‘I feel very proud to be a university student of a country that excels in science and technology which can launch an Earth satellite with its own technology.’…”

 Moscow warns U.S. over missile system deployment to South Korea

February 10, 2016 — SpaceDaily.com reports: “Moscow on Wednesday warned that Washington’s deployment of a US missile defence system to South Korea could spark an arms race in the region.

South Korean and US defence officials said last week they would begin formal talks on the deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defence System (THAAD) system in response to North Korea’s recent nuclear and missile tests.

‘The appearance of elements of the US global missile defence system in the region — which is characterised by a very difficult security situation — can provoke an arms race in Northeast Asia and complicate the resolution of the nuclear problem on the Korean peninsula,’ said the Russian foreign ministry.

‘On a more global scale, this step can increase the destructive influence of the US global missile defence system on international security and stability.’…”