In article t,
"Thomas Schoene" wrote:

"Brian" wrote in message

"David Bromage" wrote in message
.. .
While the Soviets claimed that they did not have intercontinental
range, this was a moot point. If carrying the Kh-55SM they only
needed to get within 1300nm of their targets. That puts almost any
fixed target in the western USA within range of an unrefuelled
Backfire.

Unfortunately the US Navy might have something to say about that.
SM-2's would eat Backfires.

The US Navy would hardly be in a position to intecept bombers flying the
minimum distance path from Russia to the US, since it's mostly over
permanent ice pack.

Are you forgetting the nuclear battleship icebreaker with AEGIS and 20"
AA guns?