Russia Warns Over US Missile Launcher Deployment in Norway
Dragon Media News Desk
Russia has strongly objected to the deployment in Norway of a US system capable of launching intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, describing the move as another in a series of seriously destabilising actions by NATO countries.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova, responding on September 7 to a question from RBC, said the expansion of US missile systems in Europe was further complicating Russia’s security environment. According to her, NATO has made no secret of its plans to deploy Western ground-launched intermediate- and shorter-range missiles in the region and is openly seeking the capability to strike deep inside Russian territory.
Zakharova also accused NATO of seeking to establish dominant control over large maritime areas containing military, commercial and transport routes of critical importance. She said the US systems deployed in Norway include Mk 41 launchers capable of firing a wide range of missiles against both land and maritime targets.
According to the Russian side, the Mk 41 system can also launch long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles. Zakharova said the deployment of such systems in Norway places a substantial part of Russia’s European territory, including Moscow, within potential striking range.
She warned that such missile systems could be used by NATO countries against Russia to accomplish strategic-level objectives and said Washington and Oslo should be aware of the possible consequences of their decision.
Zakharova said that, as part of Russia’s response measures, the deployment sites of the US missile systems, their command and control facilities, and supporting infrastructure would become a particular focus of Russia’s strategic deterrence forces. She added that these facilities would also be taken into account in planning the possible combat use of Russian strike assets in the event of an armed conflict.
On strategic stability dialogue between Russia and the United States, Zakharova said the process had not merely stalled but had been unilaterally suspended by the Joe Biden administration.
She said the current US authorities were discussing the possibility of multilateral negotiations requiring China’s participation, despite Beijing having repeatedly stated that it has compelling reasons not to join such talks at this stage.
Zakharova reiterated Moscow’s position that the necessary conditions for substantive and productive strategic dialogue with Washington do not currently exist. She said the deployment in Europe of US ground-launched intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems capable of threatening Russia would further undermine any basis for constructive strategic dialogue between the two countries.
