Russia: The US can make a ‘covert’ nuclear strike
US anti-ballistic missile systems (ABM) can intercept Russian and Chinese ballistic missiles. This was stated by Lt. General Viktor Poznikhir, First Deputy Chief of the Main Operations Directorate of the Russian General Staff during a conference in Moscow, reported RBC news agency.
“The US missile defense system already has the potential to intercept Russian and Chinese ballistic missiles and pose a threat to the strategic nuclear forces of Russia and China. In the future, these possibilities will increase,” Poznikhir said.
Additionally, according to the Deputy Head of the General Staff, Washington has every opportunity to launch a secret nuclear strike against Russia. In support of this claim, the Poznikhir pointed to US missile defense bases located throughout Europe.
“The presence of US anti-missile bases in Europe and anti-missile warships in seas and oceans close to Russia creates a powerful covert strike component for conducting a sudden nuclear missile strike against the Russian Federation,” said the representative of the General Staff.
According to Russian estimates, there will be more than a thousand United States missile defense systems by 2022. As Poznikhir noted earlier, Russia is forced to take measures to counter the installment of these missile defense complexes. He did not specify exactly what the leadership of the country would do, but noted that the response would be adequate and directed at the country’s security. “But the world will not be a safer place because of this,” added the deputy head of the General Staff.
In early March, the US began installing its THAAD missile defense system in South Korea. According to Harry Harris, Commander of the United States Pacific Command, the system will be operational “within the next few days.”