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Russia moves nuclear-capable missiles closer to EU

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Russia revealed on Monday that its armed forces had moved nuclear-capable Iskander missiles closer to Europe's borders in response to the U.S.-led deployment of a disputed air defence shield.

The advanced version of the Russian missile has a range of 500 kilometers and could potentially be used to take out ground-based radar and interceptors of the new NATO shield.

The announcement prompted fears in the U.S. and neighboring states such as Poland.

"We've urged Russia to take no steps to destabilize the region," State Department deputy spokeswoman Marie Harf said in response, adding the US had also passed on to Moscow its neighbors' concerns.

Those concerns were voiced earlier on Monday.

Poland's foreign ministry called the planned missile movement "disturbing".

"This is a matter for NATO and we can expect possible consultations and action (...) at the NATO and EU level," added the ministry in a statement.

Estonia, Lithuania and Latvia called the news "alarming".

Latvia's Defense Minister Artis Pabriks, quoted by the Baltic News Service (BNS), said: "It is clear that it is alarming news as it is one of the arguments changing balance of powers in our region."

He added "several Baltic cities" were threatened by the move.

Germany's Bild newspaper first reported over the weekend that Russia had deployed about 10 Iskander systems in its Kaliningrad exclave -- wedged between Poland and Lithuania -- at some point in the past year.

A top Russian defense official said in response to the report that several Iskander batteries had been stationed in Russia's Western Military District -- a region that includes the exclave and also borders the European Union's three Baltic nations that were once a part of the USSR.

"Iskander operational-tactical missile systems have indeed been commissioned by the Western Military District's missile and artillery forces," Russian news agencies quoted defense ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov as saying.

He added that Russia's deployment "does not violate any international treaties or agreements" and should therefore not be subject to protests from the West.

The Kremlin warned in 2011 that it could station the short- and medium-range ballistic missiles along the European Union's eastern frontier in response to NATO's missile defense program.

Both the United States and the Western military alliance have argued that the shield is not aimed at Russia but is designed to protect the West from potential threats from so-called "rogue states".

But Moscow fears the system -- whose components include missile-positioning satellites -- may one day be turned into an offensive weapon that targets Russian soil.

The Kremlin also believes the shield could in the future be expanded to a point that makes Russia's own vast nuclear arsenal ineffective.

A report prepared by the U.S.-based Stratfor global intelligence consultancy and published by the WikiLeaks website said most Iskander missiles had previously been stationed in Siberia and the volatile North Caucasus region.

Stratfor added that the long-mooted but never-before implemented "Kaliningrad decision is highly political, since (the Iskander) could reach into Germany or take out any American (ballistic missile defense) system".

The advanced version of the missile -- known as the Iskander-M -- was one of Russia's first major post-Soviet weapons and is now among its most prized military exports.

"The Iskander is a type of weapon that could influence the military and political situations in certain regions of the world," Russia's state-owned ITAR-TASS news agency wrote.

But military analysts said cash constraints have prevented the armed forces from deploying as many Iskander systems as originally hoped.

Stratfor estimated that only 60 Iskanders will have been "produced and implemented" by 2015 -- far too few to pose a serious threat to the West.

The analysts added that the Kremlin appears to be trying to use the threat of a potential attack to influence public opinion in nations such as Poland against the NATO defense shield.

"What they are doing resembles a propaganda campaign," said military affairs writer Pavel Felgenhauer.

"They hope that the Poles will get frightened and come out against the deployment of U.S. rockets," he said.

But Alexander Konovalov of Moscow's Institute Strategic Assessment said the decision to deploy Iskanders closer to EU borders could leave Russia exposed in far more dangerous regions along its southern and eastern flanks.

"If they move all the Iskanders to the west, there will not be enough left to protect our southern and eastern borders, where they are really needed," Konovalov said.

© (c) 2013 AFP

©2024 GPlusMedia Inc.

8 Comments
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How stupid can Russia be, last time I check the cold war had ended.

-1 ( +1 / -2 )

in that case why US needs that defense system incl weapons positioning sats opposing Russia ? Russia wasnt the one taking the first step, its US that is fearmongering everywhere

0 ( +1 / -1 )

As long as NATO exists, there will be an underground Cold War. The organization itself is anti-Russian. If their goals would be friendly, as they claim, why then do they take in as members former republics of the Soviet Union? Especially after the promise to NOT do that. Not only that, they form military bases on those territories, right next to Russia's borders. This is encroaching on Russia's sphere of defense and is an unveiled, open threat. No wonder Russians don't trust the West. Everything western countries do is to threaten Russia's very existence.

-2 ( +0 / -2 )

This is encroaching on Russia's sphere of defense

Zaldaus, there is no right to a 'sphere of defense', every country in the world, no matter how small, has the right to determine its own alliances. You and Russia need to get out of this cold war thinking. Eastern Europe states are no longer part of the russian empire.

1 ( +1 / -0 )

@some07791

Then why do you build military bases around Russia's periphery? Isn't having bases in Western Europe enough for you? It's a threat, no matter how much you try to sugar coat it. It's not just that "small countries want NATO", it's that NATO is actively promoting itself and inducing countries to join. Sorry, but this is realpolitik, not some game of tricky treat.

"You and Russia need to get out of this cold war thinking."

The memory of Hitler's invasion is still too fresh. We do not want any more invaders on our soil. You Europeans are poor in resources. Russia is rich in resources. This is why for hundreds of years invader after invader tried to conquer our land. From the Teutonic Order all the way through Polish Commonwealth and their crusades, through Napoleon to Hitler. You'll never trick the Russians into thinking you are a friend. We don't get burned twice, usually. Once is enough.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

Europe has other non-Russia enemies now whose missiles could reach Europe. Just because Russia doesn't think they'd be attacked does not mean that Europe won't get attacked. Europe has to protect itself.

0 ( +0 / -0 )

@lostrune2

In that case, work WITH Russia to include them in the defensive measures. I'm quite sure a collective defense could be achieved. That is, if Russia is not considered an enemy - it would be the logical solution, as the country's borders are close to the potential missile threats and Russia already has a lot of expertise on this issue.

But no. Actions speak louder than words. So long as NATO's actions are aimed at isolating and "containing" Russia and its influence, so long Russia will look at all Western nations with extreme suspicion and act accordingly. It goes both ways, not just one way. If the West is waving a big club in Russia's face with a big smile, Russia will wave one right back. The smile doesn't make the club magically invisible, you know. Especially when it's in your face.

-1 ( +0 / -1 )

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