Russian Nuclear Weapons Cannot Be Stopped By US Defenses, Says Russian Deputy Prime Minister

[2013]

Russian S-400 air defense mobile missile launching systems were part of a military parade during celebrations marking Independence Day in Minsk July 3, 2014.

The deputy prime minister of Russia, Dmitry Ragozin, said Monday that a breakthrough in Russian missile technology means that the United States will no longer be able to intercept Russian ballistic nuclear missiles. The claim, which relates to an unspecified technology, came just a day after NATO leaders announced a summit in February to discuss the alliance's strategy in dealing with Russia's nuclear threat.

But rather than an ominous throwback to the nuclear deterrence of the Cold War, based on mutually assured destruction, this may be a way for Russia to still look like a superpower, despite a deepening economic crisis and backlash from the West due to its involvement in the East Ukraine war.

"I believe the comments go beyond defense and nuclear deterrents," said Steven Pifer, who served as the U.S. ambassador to Ukraine between 1998 and 2000 and was President Bill Clinton's special assistant on issues relating to Russia and Ukraine from 1996 to 1997. "If you're Vladimir Putin and you're trying to cling to and portray an image of Moscow as a superpower, nuclear weapons is the only thing you have left to cite since the economy is suffering badly."

Ragozin said the details of the technology would "not be disclosed to anybody" and that Russian technology "shows that neither the current, nor even the projected American missile defense system could stop or cast doubt on Russia's strategic missile potential." His comments regarding missile defense conjure memories of the U.S. proposal to build a missile defense hub in Poland and the Czech Republic. The project was scrapped in 2009 amid Russia's objections that it was a direct threat.

Under Vladimir Putin, who first came to power in 1999 and has been either president or prime minister ever since, Russia's economic performance was initially a resounding success. Within nine years of Putin taking charge, Russian incomes had increased 2.5 times, real wages more than tripled, unemployment and poverty were slashed by half and the Russian economy grew for eight straight years, seeing GDP increase by 72 percent. But since then Putin's economic leadership has come under increased strain. The dramatic fall in the price of oil from over $100 a barrel at the end of 2013 to under $50 a barrel today has hit the country's budget hard. According to one study, for every $1 reduction from a barrel of oil, Russia loses $2.3 billion from its budget.

All this, Pifer said, means that Russia feels its global status is slipping. "Russia cannot compete economically, it has no attractive ideology, it doesn't export things other than weapons that people want to buy, and so if you're trying to sort of say, 'We really are a superpower,' the nuclear weapons image is crucial."

Russia and the U.S. are parties to various treaties that have limited stocks of nuclear weapons and kept both arsenals down to around 4,500 warheads each. Nuclear issues aside, references to a "new Cold War" have circulated in the media since Russia annexed Crimea last year and began supporting pro-Russian rebels in the East Ukraine war. Russian spies were also caught recently by U.S. authorities in New York City, in another development recalling an era that seemed long over.

However, according to Sarah Lain, a research fellow and Russia expert at the Royal United Services Institute, a London-based think tank, the rhetoric from Russia does bring the world closer to Cold War-style relations. The comments from Ragozin may not have been aimed necessarily at the U.S. or the West, though.

"A lot of the information and claims from the Russian government are in some ways more directed toward the domestic audience," she said, "given the economic issues, demonstrating strength when there is weakness in domestic management."


Source:ibtimes

 

[Bongolander]

Mkuu huu ni ukweli, kuna post moja nilisema Russiao ndio nchi pekee yenye best air defence than the word combined. Lakini hiyo wanayosema kuwa marekani haina uwezo wa kuzuia makobora yao pia ni kweli, lakini sio Russia pekee. Hata China pia ina uwezo huo.

American systems can not beat Russian technology, jaribu kuangalia jinsi simple missile like Scud ilivyowasumbua Iraq. Na sasa ICBM za China na Russia zina uwezo wa kuhit multiple targets.....na kitu kikirushwa kutoka kiliko kikifika angani kina split 5 war heads, may be only two or three are war heads and others are dummies, sometimes all can be war heads. Inasumbua sana kwa systems kama patriot hata a bit more advanced ku deal na ICBM mbili za Russia zinazokuja na war heads.

Best way ni kuwa na system Poland na Czech, kutungua kabla haijapaa umbali mkubwa...but still Obama was smart, ukiweka System Poland na Czech what about missiles, which are launched from subs, and what about those launched by bombers, and those launched from inner Russia or near Alaska and Vladivostok?

 

[2013]

Mkuu huu ni ukweli, kuna post moja nilisema Russiao ndio nchi pekee yenye best air defence than the word combined. Lakini hiyo wanayosema kuwa marekani haina uwezo wa kuzuia makobora yao pia ni kweli, lakini sio Russia pekee. Hata China pia ina uwezo huo.

American systems can not beat Russian technology, jaribu kuangalia jinsi simple missile like Scud ilivyowasumbua Iraq. Na sasa ICBM za China na Russia zina uwezo wa kuhit multiple targets.....na kitu kikirushwa kutoka kiliko kikifika angani kina split 5 war heads, may be only two or three are war heads and others are dummies, sometimes all can be war heads. Inasumbua sana kwa systems kama patriot hata a bit more advanced ku deal na ICBM mbili za Russia zinazokuja na war heads.

Best way ni kuwa na system Poland na Czech, kutungua kabla haijapaa umbali mkubwa...but still Obama was smart, ukiweka System Poland na Czech what about missiles, which are launched from subs, and what about those launched by bombers, and those launched from inner Russia or near Alaska and Vladivostok?

Unayachukuliaje maoni ya SARA LAIN kuwa maneno ya Russia hayawalengi wamarekani na wests zaidi bali yanaelekezwa zaidi nyumbani ili kuwajengea matumaini wa RUSSIANs wanaotaabika na hali mbaya ya uchumi uliopinda baada ya vikwazo chini ya utawala wa PUTIN?.

Pia unatazamaje kuwa ni hofu ya Russia kwakuwa sasa inakiri kuzungukwa na mtandao mkubwa wa marafiki wa MArekani kwenye mipaka yake. Hivyo inapiga porojo za propaganda ili kuondoa uwezekano wa yenyewe kushambuliwa pande zote. Kama vile kurusha ndege za kinyuklia Ulaya na Marekani kama mkwara mbuzi?

 

[Mahluk]

Russia yuko juu zaidi kuliko westn kivita USA kila akituma dron Iran hushushwa na karibuni myahudi alituma na yeye Iran kaiangusha

 

[Nyani Ngabu]

Russians, just like North Koreans, are only good at running their mouths.

As if American nuclear weapons can be stopped by the aging Russian nuclear defenses.

 

[Prof]

Warusi ni wapuuzi tu. wazuri kwa kuchonga tu. the Best guy in business speak less and proves his/her ability by Actions. ila kwa mwendo huu huwenda tukashudia vita nyingine ambayo huenda Ka-Tanganyika ketu kakafutika kwenye uso wa dunia kisa Upuuzi wa Putin...

 

[a.k.a_Mimi]

Tunajua raha ya amani hatutaki kusikia vita, ila ni kweli Russia is super power in weapons licha mmarekani anapiga bao hasa kwenye teknolojia, air power na drones ila defensive Russia yuko juu, kiroho safi linchi lenyewe pamoja kulikatakata kutotoa vinchi vingine kutoka USSR lakini ukubwa wa Russia bado ni zaidi ya nusu ya Africa nzima

 

[JustDoItNow]

Unayachukuliaje maoni ya SARA LAIN kuwa maneno ya Russia hayawalengi wamarekani na wests zaidi bali yanaelekezwa zaidi nyumbani ili kuwajengea matumaini wa RUSSIANs wanaotaabika na hali mbaya ya uchumi uliopinda baada ya vikwazo chini ya utawala wa PUTIN?.

Pia unatazamaje kuwa ni hofu ya Russia kwakuwa sasa inakiri kuzungukwa na mtandao mkubwa wa marafiki wa MArekani kwenye mipaka yake. Hivyo inapiga porojo za propaganda ili kuondoa uwezekano wa yenyewe kushambuliwa pande zote. Kama vile kurusha ndege za kinyuklia Ulaya na Marekani kama mkwara mbuzi?

Mkuu, hizo ni propaganda. Kwa ukweli Tech ya russia iko juu sana ndo maana wanajaribu kumbinya mbavu kwenye uchumi na siyo kugombana naye kijeshi.
Shida moja kwa USA na washirika wake hawajui kuwa russia ilikuwa ni nchi ya kijamaa kama china. Nchi hizi zilishajifunza kujitegemea wenyewe bila kuomba msaada. Hiyo ni ngao yao kubwa sana.

 

[HIMARS]

Tatizo inaonesha Urusi hajui Area 51 kuna nini.
Marekani hawezi toa tech zote kwa public.
Anajaua ana maadui wengi sana wanaopenda kumtoa hapo juu hivyo yeye lazima tu ataficha siraha zake zingine.
Urusi na China ni waoga kuliko

 

[2013]

Tatizo inaonesha Urusi hajui Area 51 kuna nini.
Marekani hawezi toa tech zote kwa public.
Anajaua ana maadui wengi sana wanaopenda kumtoa hapo juu hivyo yeye lazima tu ataficha siraha zake zingine.
Urusi na China ni waoga kuliko

Definitely mkuu

 

[Sijali]

Mkuu huu ni ukweli, kuna post moja nilisema Russiao ndio nchi pekee yenye best air defence than the word combined. Lakini hiyo wanayosema kuwa marekani haina uwezo wa kuzuia makobora yao pia ni kweli, lakini sio Russia pekee. Hata China pia ina uwezo huo.

American systems can not beat Russian technology, jaribu kuangalia jinsi simple missile like Scud ilivyowasumbua Iraq. Na sasa ICBM za China na Russia zina uwezo wa kuhit multiple targets.....na kitu kikirushwa kutoka kiliko kikifika angani kina split 5 war heads, may be only two or three are war heads and others are dummies, sometimes all can be war heads. Inasumbua sana kwa systems kama patriot hata a bit more advanced ku deal na ICBM mbili za Russia zinazokuja na war heads.

Best way ni kuwa na system Poland na Czech, kutungua kabla haijapaa umbali mkubwa...but still Obama was smart, ukiweka System Poland na Czech what about missiles, which are launched from subs, and what about those launched by bombers, and those launched from inner Russia or near Alaska and Vladivostok?

Bongolander, the truth is, hatuwezi kujua nani ana nini? Wengine hupenda kuzungumza lakini wengi hupendelea kukaa kimya.
Halafu vita si silaha pekee. Hivi sasa Urusi inaumia si kwa silaha. VITA yeyote haitabirki. Fikiria Hizbullah na Israel.

 

[CHASHA FARMING]

Misaile kama hii ni shida kwa USA ,

 

[CHASHA FARMING]

 

[Bongolander]

Man try to look at US warheads, launch systems and delivery systems, and look at Russias air defense systems.

That smart move of fight Russia is what the administration is doing now...just drain them their cash, make Rouble worthless and make oil cheap. Military option will be very costly, look at Ukraine, all weapons from west are not working.

 

[2013]

Mtaweka picha sana lakini USA ndiye kidume dunia nzima.
Haiitaji kwenda kupata elimu ya chuo kikuu ili kujua hili.
Russia, China, Iran, wanafanya kiburi tu kama Mugabe alivyowafanyia waingereza na wamarekani. Lakini USA is the most powerful nation in the world.
Kuna tofauti kati ya u-bully na Uwezo.
Kiuwezo USA is the best.

 

[HIMARS]

USA amekuwa kwenye vita kwa miaka mingi sana tokea vietnam, hadi sasa anajua vita yahitaji nini, anajua nini anatakiwa kufanya kushinda vita na nini akishindwa fanya atashindwa vita. Vita nyingi amepigana na watu wasio na nguo za kijeshi hivyo kufanya hiyo vita kuwa ngumu sana mfano Vietnam, Afghan.
Russia yeye amekuwa vitani na vi nchi vidogo vidogo sana visivyojiweza kama vile vi nchi vya USSR ya zamani.
Anachofanya Russia ni kuwaonesha wananchi wake kuwa tuko fit. Ndo maana anaparade vifaa nchini kwao.
USA wananchi wake wanaamini wako safe as long as wako ndani ya mipaka yao.
Ndio maana military budget yao ni kubwa sana kuliko za hao wawili tena mara tatu..
USA anarely kwenye technology na allies. China na Russia wao ni man power pekee ndo wanaona ni safi zaidi.
USA anajua anachofanya ndio maana ana base nyingi sana duniani. Ikitokea vita hatagharamika kutoa wanajeshi USA hadi Russia kwani Poland tayari ana base.
Sababu vita kati ya hawa watu watatu haitakuja tokea. USA atakachofanya ni kuwaumiza kiuchumi pekee

 

[Kimweri]

Russians, just like North Koreans, are only good at running their mouths.

As if American nuclear weapons can be stopped by the aging Russian nuclear defenses.

This is one of the few things i am very comfortable and content to go to grave without seeking or seeing its proof.I'd rather they continue with talk rather than going through with their threats.

Technologically Russians don't need to prove anything really. Anyone who understands how hard it is to successfully guide 10 Tons of Steel past the stratosphere to a pinpoint location and back, would know that these are very smart and capable people.

 

[2013]

This is one of the few things i am very comfortable and content to go to grave without seeking or seeing its proof.I'd rather they continue with talk rather than going through with their threats.

Technologically Russians don't need to prove anything really. Anyone who understands how hard it is to successfully guide 10 Tons of Steel past the stratosphere to a pinpoint location and back, would know that these are very smart and capable people.

But, don't you see... How Pyongyang and Russia are still bi.tching all the time...while USA is doing his own thing quietly?

China and USA are doing their own things very quetly. Because they know for sure Action is all that matters.

Russia like Pyongyang's is scared to death to confront USA.
Putin thinks words might eliminate the possibility of war against NATO.

Remember "An injury to one is an injury to all. This is NATO motto."
Russia can not go in a war against the West. This will be a suicide mission. Mind that NATO members will join the party to support USA at any cost.
There's no doubt, Russia will lose.

 

[HIMARS]

Pentagon just raised its military budget. Key areas is to inovate new technologies

 

[Kimweri]

But, don't you see... How Pyongyang and Russia are still bi.tching all the time...while USA is doing his own thing quietly?

China and USA are doing their own things very quetly. Because they know for sure Action is all that matters.

Russia like Pyongyang's is scared to death to confront USA.
Putin thinks words might eliminate the possibility of war against NATO.

Remember "An injury to one is an injury to all. This is NATO motto."
Russia can not go in a war against the West. This will be a suicide mission. Mind that NATO members will join the party to support USA at any cost.
There's no doubt, Russia will lose.

You seem to take war as if it were a my daddy has bigger car than your daddy game. War between two massive militaries such as Russia and US and all it's alliances is something no sane person even thinks about.It's a No-go, each and every living sould in this world will suffer eternal misery.

2 bombs wiped two cities in Japan,which continued to produce misfit children for the next 50 years, Russia has 7,000 of those bombs and many other unaccounted for. You do not poke this country into war, unless you have an alternative planet to live in.

War between Russia and US will have no winner, its what they call mutual assured destruction. you must be naive to think Russia and Ukraine or some tinny NATO militaries can match the Russian army.

US goes to war with defenseless poor countries,check history for the past 60 years.Afghanistan,Vietnam,Libya, etc..,these are hopeless countries.