Russia Confirms Tactical Missile Deployment on NATO Borders.
Source: RIA Novosti
MOSCOW, December 16 (RIA Novosti) Russia confirmed Monday that it has deployed tactical ballistic missiles near its borders with NATO but said the move did not violate international agreements.
Bild newspaper in Germany reported over the weekend that Russia had quietly moved 10 Iskander-M (SS-26 Stone) missile systems into its Baltic exclave of Kaliningrad and along its border with the Baltic States and NATO members Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.
The deployment marks the realization of threats from Moscow to respond with a firm gesture to NATO plans to place elements of the so-called European missile shield close to Russian borders.
The deployment of Iskander missile battalions on the territory of the Western Military District does not violate any respective international agreements, ministry spokesman Maj. Gen. Igor Konashenkov said.
Read more: http://en.ria.ru/military_news/20131216/185614387/Russia-Confirms-Tactical-Missile-Deployment-on-NATO-Borders.html
Javaman
(62,534 posts)is putin trying to "revive the good old days"?
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)No the US did that with the missile shield.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)Tactical missile deployment....offense.
With this move, Putin is simply confirming the fact that NATO was right to pursue missile defense.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Nothing else.
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)then NATO countries around Russia were right in their assumptions and it helps to justify their pursuit of a shield for defensive purposes.
The Russians are merely confirming suspicions that countries like Poland and Lithuania had about Russia.
Essentially, it's no surprise that they'd want a shield even though NATO may claim it's not for defense against Russian nuclear missiles.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts).
Cali_Democrat
(30,439 posts)When you deploy tactical nuclear missiles, that will tend to happen. Is it any wonder why countries like Poland and Lithuania would want defense?
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)on the basis of which the US should wholly fund its existence.
Is it any wonder ? Do you really think Russia would use nukes against bordering counties especially those near Kaliningrad ?
The missiles referred to are tactical ballistic missiles with no mention of them being fitted with nuclear warheads. So - where do get nuclear from ?
politichew
(230 posts)He goes out of his way to antagonize the U.S.
dipsydoodle
(42,239 posts)Can't get much more antagonistic than that. This is in response.
eggplant
(3,913 posts)They are ballistic missiles. They go up, then they fall down. Does it actually matter if they are fired from the border or further inland?