Summary: Vladimir Putin announced that Russia has new nuclear technology that could pierce American defenses.
On Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin unveiled a new array of nuclear weapons, which he boosted could “reach anywhere in the world.”
According to the BBC, President Putin made his announcement during his state of the nation speech, which was given 17 days before the country’s next election. Putin, who is currently serving his third term, is expected to win his fourth.
During his rousing speech, Putin called his nuclear arsenal “invincible” and said that the West needed “to take account of a new reality and understand … [this]… is not a bluff.”
Putin used video presentations to showcase Russia’s new nuclear delivery systems, which he said could evade detection. According to the BBC, one video showed a “low-flying, difficult-to-spot cruise missile… with a practically unlimited range and an unpredictable flight path, which can bypass lines of interception and is invincible in the face of all existing and future systems of both missile defense and air defense.” Putin also showed a submarine that is capable of delivering a nuclear warhead.
Putin’s speech was two hours and televised to both houses of Russian parliament. He said that Russia’s new nuclear weapons were in reaction to years of pleading with the United States about not breaking away from anti-missile agreements.
“Since the range [of our new weapons] is unlimited, it can maneuver as much as necessary,” Putin said.
Putin bragged that Russia’s nuclear weapons could pierce American defenses and render NATO ineffective, according to CNN.
“Russia still has the greatest nuclear potential in the world, but nobody listened to us,” Putin said. “Listen now.”
According to CNN, Putin’s boasts about Russia’s power was intended to showcase his strength as a leader and his country’s advancements in weapons technology.
Russia Strategic Missile Force Commander Sergei Karakayev told the state news agency Tass that one of their missiles, the Avangard, has already been tested and is ready to use.
“Creating the strategic missile system Avangard, equipped with a glide vehicle, has become a no less efficient response to the deployment of the American anti-missile defenses,” Karakayev said to Tass. “Its testing has been successfully completed.”
The United States has responded to Putin’s claims, and they stated that if Russia were to ever attack, then they would be met with overwhelming force.
“President Trump understands the threats facing America and our allies in this century and is determined to protect our homeland and preserve peace through strength,” White House press secretary Sarah Sanders said. “US defense capabilities are and will remain second to none.”
- Russia Denies Interfering in US Election
- 13 Russian Nationals Indicted for Interference in US Election
- Top Official Says Russia Hacked U.S. Voter Systems
- Senate Intelligence Committee Grills Facebook, Twitter, and Google about Russia’s Role in 2016 Presidential Election
