Russia's 'dead hand' 'more dangerous' as US withdraws from INF
Washington's withdrawal from the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty could prompt Moscow to adopt a preemptive nuclear strike in its military doctrine, the National Interest writes, noting that Russia still has a "dead hand" that has become more dangerous in recent years.
The publication recalls the November interview of former Chief of the General Staff of the Strategic Missile Forces Viktor Yesin with the Zvezda newspaper. He said that Russia currently has no effective response to US intermediate-range missiles in Europe, but the “dead hand” is still active and will be active when the country will have few means to defend itself after the first attack of the aggressor.
The magazine notes that during Soviet times, the existence of this "doomsday weapon" was kept secret.
“If Russia is now openly discussing this weapon, it is a reason for the rest of the country to worry,” the author writes.
