Russia To Send Bomber Planes 'For Drills' Near US Coast; Ships Near Australia Seen as Military Aggressiveness

Russian bomber planes are reportedly moving near the shores of North America. The country is planning to deploy its long-range bombers to the Gulf of Mexico amid tensions with western countries.

Russia's Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu told the state-run TASS news agency that the government needs to maintain its military presence in the eastern Pacific and western Atlantic region, including the Gulf of Mexico and the Carribbean. He said Moscow is sending bombers as part of "drills."

However, according to reports, U.S. officials do not believe in Russia's latest move. CNN reported that a senior Obama administration official said on Nov 13 that the government does not see the "security environment warranting such provocative and potentially destabilising activity." Jan Psaki, a spokesperson for the U.S. State Department, offered a similar view. She told reporters that they don't think there is a current situation in the locations the Russian official mentioned that needed additional flights.

However, Shoigu said Russia is also planning to strengthen its security in Crimea since the region's annexation from Ukraine earlier in 2014. He said the security boost is in connection with the Ukraine crisis and the prevalence of anti-Russian sentiments on the part of NATO.

Reports said the ceasefire in eastern Ukraine is on the verge of collapse with U.S. and allied nations accusing Russia of sending reinforcements along with more tanks and other military weapons across the border in the last few days. Russian officials have earlier denied the claims.

The Russians may be trying to send a message with their plan to send bomber planes near U.S. shores. Centre for Strategic and International Studies' Jeffrey Mankoff believes that Russia wants to make a point and sends a message in relation to Ukraine. He told CNN that Russia may be trying to muscle its way in some area of influence.

Shoigu also revealed that Russia will continue to expand its military presence in the Arctic region which analysts say may affect northern Canada and Alaska. The Russian official said Moscow will implement full radar coverage of the Arctic region by the end of 2014.

International security expert Barry Pavel at the Atlantic Council think-thank believes Russia's plans would mean new bomber drills may fly near the U.S. coastline. He said Russia would be "ringing the U.S." by flying close to shore.

The rise of incidents involving Russia such as recent sighting of four Russian navy ships off the Australian coast has raised concerns about safety and security. Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott said in a statement that Russia's move was a sign of its military assertiveness after strained relations with the country following the MH17 tragedy in Ukraine.