Russia Warns US Missile Deployment in Norway Could Become Focus of Strategic Deterrence Planning
Dragon Media News Desk
Russia has strongly criticized the deployment in Norway of US systems capable of launching intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, describing the move as another destabilizing step by NATO and warning that the facilities involved could become a particular focus of Russian strategic deterrence planning.
Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova made the remarks on September 7 in response to a media question about Moscow’s assessment of the US deployment and its implications for strategic stability.
Zakharova said the appearance in Europe of US systems capable of launching intermediate- and shorter-range missiles represents what Moscow sees as a continuing pattern of destabilizing military activity by NATO countries.
According to her, NATO has openly demonstrated its intention to develop capabilities that could strike deep into Russian territory.
She also accused the alliance of seeking greater control over important maritime areas and sea routes with military, commercial and transport significance.
Zakharova specifically referred to US missile systems equipped with Mk 41 launchers, saying they are capable of firing a wide range of missiles against both land and maritime targets.
She noted that the systems can also be used to launch long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles.
According to the Russian Foreign Ministry, deployment of such systems in Norway would place a substantial part of Russia’s European territory, including Moscow, within potential range.
Zakharova argued that such systems could therefore be used by NATO countries for operations aimed at strategic-level objectives against Russia.
She warned that those in Washington and Oslo responsible for the deployment should expect Russia to take the systems into account in its own military planning.
According to Zakharova, the deployment sites, command-and-control facilities and supporting infrastructure could become a particular focus of Russia’s strategic deterrence forces.
She added that this could include planning for the combat use of relevant Russian strike capabilities in the event of an armed conflict.
Turning to US-Russia strategic stability dialogue, Zakharova said the process had not merely “stalled,” but had been unilaterally suspended by the administration of former US President Joe Biden.
She also criticized current US discussions about possible multilateral strategic talks involving China.
According to Zakharova, Washington is proposing negotiations in which China would be expected to participate, despite Beijing having repeatedly stated that it does not currently see sufficient grounds for joining such a process.
She said Russia has likewise repeatedly explained that conditions do not currently exist for substantive and productive strategic dialogue with the United States.
Zakharova argued that further deployment in Europe of US ground-launched intermediate- and shorter-range missile systems perceived by Moscow as threatening Russia would further undermine the basis for any constructive strategic dialogue between the two countries.
The Russian statement reflects the deepening strategic distrust between Moscow and NATO over missile deployments, military infrastructure and deterrence posture in Europe. Russia continues to view such deployments as directly affecting its national security, while NATO members have generally presented military deployments in the region in the context of deterrence and European security.
