Russia Deploys Missiles Near NATO Border, Sparks Fears

Russia confirmed Monday that it has deployed tactical ballistic missiles in the territory of Kaliningrad near its borders with NATO.

A Russian Defense Ministry spokesman has insisted that the move does not violate international agreements. But Lithuania and Poland have both issued statements of concern.

The deployment marks the realization of threats from Moscow to respond with a firm gesture to NATO plans to place elements of the European missile shield close to Russian borders.
Russia sees the missile shield as a threat to its nuclear deterrent.

The Iskander-M is a mobile theater missile system equipped with two solid-propellant single-stage 9M723K1 guided missiles with "quasi-ballistic" capability, RIA Novosti informs.

With its reported effective range of 400 kilometers (250 miles), the Iskander does not fall into the category of intermediate-range nuclear missiles banned by the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty between Russia and the United States.

The missiles deployed in Kaliningrad could hit NATO targets located in Poland, Lithuania and even in Germany, however.

We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!