Russia deploys missiles in response to US shield

(Baonghean.vn) - Moscow will deploy S-400 surface-to-air missiles and nuclear-capable Iskander missile systems in the Kaliningrad region in retaliation for NATO's deployment, a senior lawmaker close to the Kremlin revealed on November 21.

Russian S-400 long-range and medium-range surface-to-air missile systems during the Victory Day parade on May 9, 2016. Photo: Reuters.

Russia has previously said it would periodically move Iskander systems to Kaliningrad, but has so far said they were routine exercises. Moscow has not publicly linked the moves to what it calls a NATO military buildup on Russia’s western border.

Following the US election of billionaire Donald Trump - who has said he wants closer ties with the Kremlin and questioned the cost of defending NATO allies - some analysts predict Moscow could become more assertive in Eastern Europe.

Viktor Ozerov, Chairman of the Defense Committee of the Federation Council, the upper house of the Russian parliament, in comments published by the RIA news agency said that Russia is forced to react to the planned US missile shield in Eastern Europe.

“As a response to such threats, we will have to deploy additional forces. This will include the deployment of S-400 and Iskander missile systems in Kaliningrad,” Ozerov was quoted as saying by the news agency.

The Russian Defense Ministry has yet to respond to a request for comment on Ozerov's statement.

Also on November 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin also spoke about how Russia would respond to the threat from US-led forces in Eastern Europe. RIA quoted Putin in an interview for a documentary: “Why are we reacting so strongly to NATO expansion? We are concerned about NATO’s decision-making process.”

“What should we do? We must take retaliatory measures, that is, use our missile systems to target those facilities that, in our opinion, are beginning to pose a threat to us,” Putin added.

Phu Binh

(According to Reuters)