Jason Ditz / AntiWar.com & Maria Tsvetkova and Polina Devitt / Reuters & Yaron Steinbuch / The New York Post & Scott Campbell / The Mirror – 2016-11-22 01:42:14
Putin Responds to NATO Expansion With More Missiles
Jason Ditz / AntiWar.com
(November 21, 2016) — In an interview to be broadcast on state media, Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern about NATO expansion along the Russian frontier, as well as military buildups in Eastern Europe, insisting it was obliging Russia to take “countermeasures,” adding that he is “concerned by NATO’s decision making.” [See story below.]
The chairman of Russia’s Defense Committee Viktor Ozerov elaborated further in his own comments, saying that Russia is deploying S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems and nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to the Kaliningrad exclave.
According to Ozerov, the move is in response to “threats” from NATO, including the US missile defense system, and the growing number of Western troops deployed along the border with Russia. Russia has long threatened the Iskander deployments in response to the missile shield, an argument that dates back to the Bush Administration.
Despite Russia doing exactly what they said they’d do in response to the US doing what they did, US State Department officials appeared shocked by the Russian move, insisting it was destabilizing to the security of all of Europe, and inconsistent with stability.
Putin Says Russia Will
Respond to NATO Expansion: RIA
Reuters
(November 21, 2016) — Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia would take countermeasures in response to NATO expansion, RIA news agency quoted him as saying on Monday.
“Why are we reacting to NATO expansion so emotionally? We are concerned by NATO’s decision making,” Putin was quoted as saying in an interview to be broadcast on Russian TV later on Monday.
New Russia Missiles in Kaliningrad Are
Answer to US Shield: Lawmaker
Maria Tsvetkova and Polina Devitt / Reuters
(November 21, 2016) — Moscow will deploy S-400 surface-to-air missiles and nuclear-capable Iskander systems in the exclave of Kaliningrad in retaliation for NATO deployments, a senior pro-Kremlin lawmaker was quoted as saying on Monday.
Russia has previously said it periodically sends Iskanders to Kaliningrad, but until now it has said these were routine drills. Moscow has not linked the moves explicitly with what it says is a NATO military build-up on Russia’s western borders.
After the election as US president of Donald Trump, who has said he wants closer ties with the Kremlin and has questioned the cost of protecting NATO allies, some analysts predict an emboldened Moscow could become more assertive in eastern Europe.
Viktor Ozerov, chairman of the defense committee in the Federation Council, Russia’s upper house of parliament, said in remarks reported by RIA news agency that Russia was forced to react to the planned US missile shield in eastern Europe.
“As response measures to such threats we will have . . . to deploy additional forces . . . This reinforcement includes deployment of S-400 and Iskander systems in Kaliningrad,” the agency quoted Ozerov as saying.
The defense ministry did not immediately respond to a Reuters request for comment on Ozerov’s remarks.
Also on Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin was quoted talking about how Russia has to respond to what it perceives as a threat from US-led forces in eastern Europe.
“Why are we reacting to NATO expansion so emotionally? We are concerned by NATO’s decision making,” RIA quoted him as saying in an interview for a documentary that will be broadcast by Russian TV later on Monday.
“What should we do? We have, therefore, to take countermeasures, which means to target with our missile systems the facilities, that, in our opinion, start posing a threat to us,” Putin said.
Russia’s Terrifying ‘Satan’ Nuke Could Create Hell on Earth
Yaron Steinbuch / The New York Post
(October 25, 2016) — This Russian nuke is the devil in disguise.
The country has unveiled the first images of its largest-ever nuclear missile, an intercontinental ballistic missile called the RS-28 Sarmat, dubbed Satan 2 by NATO. A single 100-ton behemoth can obliterate a country the size of France, and can travel vast distances, easily reaching the Big Apple, experts said.
Russian strongman Vladimir Putin wants to replace his arsenal of SS-18s with Satan 2 missiles, which Kremlin engineers will have ready by 2018, the Daily Star reported. They are planned to be operational by 2020.
Images of the new-and-improved missiles — packed with either 10 heavy nuclear warheads or 16 smaller ones — were released by the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau in the city of Miass.
Chillingly, the weapons will make the atomic bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki in Japan during World War II look like “popguns,” experts have said.
A message by chief designer V. Degtar and leading designer Y. Kaverin reads: “In accordance with the Decree of the Russian Government ‘On the State Defense Order for 2010 and the planning period 2012-2013,’ the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau was instructed to start design and development work on the Sarmat.
“In June 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a state contract for the Sarmat’s development.
“The prospective strategic missile system is being developed in order to create an assured and effective nuclear deterrent for Russia’s strategic forces.”
Moscow weapons experts have said the Satan 2 will be able to evade radar defenses and have a range of about 6,200 miles — allowing it to hit New York City with ease.
Russia Reveals Chilling First Images of Super-nuke
‘Satan 2’ Which Has ‘Power to Devastate Area Size of Texas’
Scott Campbell / The Mirror
(October 25, 2016) — Russia has revealed its biggest-ever nuclear missile which is powerful enough to destroy a country as big as France with a single strike. Vladimir Putin is seeking to replace his arsenal of SS-18 Satan weapons with the new RS-28 Sarmat super-nukes.
They are packed with up to 16 nuclear warheads according to pictures revealed online from the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau.
The weapons — which will be ready for launch in 2018 — will make the bombs dropped on Hiroshima and Nagasaki look like “popguns”, experts have said.
A message posted alongside the picture said: “In accordance with the Decree of the Russian Government ‘On the State Defense Order for 2010 and the planning period 2012-2013’, the Makeyev Rocket Design Bureau was instructed to start design and development work on the Sarmat.
“In June 2011, the Russian Ministry of Defense signed a state contract for the Sarmat’s development. The prospective strategic missile system is being developed in order to create an assured and effective nuclear deterrent for Russia’s strategic forces.”
Moscow weapons experts have said the so-called Satan 2 will be able to evade radar defences and could travel far enough to strike London or the East and West Coast of the US, according to the Daily Star.
Tensions between the UK and Russia are at breaking point with prime minister Theresa May having recently blasted Putin for “undermining the West’s efforts” to provide a political settlement in Syria.
Posted in accordance with Title 17, Section 107, US Code, for noncommercial, educational purposes.
