Putin boasts of new nuke weapons

MOSCOW - Russia has tested an array of new strategic nuclear weapons that can't be intercepted, President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday, marking a technological breakthrough that would dramatically increase Russia's military capability.

Speaking in a state-of-the-nation speech, Putin said the weapons include a nuclear-powered cruise missile, a nuclear-powered underwater drone and new hypersonic missile. He said the creation of the new weapons has made NATO's US-led missile defense "useless", and means an effective end to what he described as Western efforts to stymie Russia's development.

"I want to tell all those who have fueled the arms race over the last 15 years, sought to win unilateral advantages over Russia, introduced unlawful sanctions aimed to contain our country's development: All that you wanted to impede with your policies has already happened," he said. "You have failed to contain Russia."

The announcement came as Putin is preparing for the March 18 election.

He said that the nuclear-powered cruise missile tested last fall has an unlimited range and high speed and maneuverability, allowing it to pierce any missile defense.

Putin accompanied his statement to an audience of hundreds of senior officials and lawmakers with videos and computer images of new weapons, which were shown on giant screens at a conference hall near the Kremlin.

"No one in the world has anything like that," he said. "It may appear someday, but by that time we will develop something new."

US 'ignores complaints'

Putin said that Russia also tested a new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, called Sarmat.

The Russian leader emphasized that the development of new weapons that have no equivalent in the West came in response to the US withdrawal from a Cold War-era treaty banning missile defenses and US efforts to develop a missile defense system.

He said that the US has ignored Russian complaints.

"No one has listened to us," he said. "You listen to us now."

Associated Press

(China Daily 03/02/2018 page12)