Russia Threatens Missile Deployment

A top Russian general said today that U.S. deployment of missile defenses in Europe could lead his nation to place Iskander tactical missiles in Belarus, Reuters reported (see GSN, Nov. 9).

“Why not?  Under the right conditions and with the corresponding agreement of Belarus, it is possible,” said Maj. Gen. Vladimir Zaritsky, Russian artillery and missile forces chief, according to ITAR-Tass.

“Any action inevitably causes a reaction,” he added.  “And this is just the case with the elements of U.S. air defense in the Czech Republic and Poland.”

Moscow has repeatedly said that its strategic security could be threatened by the Bush administration’s proposal to install 10 missile interceptors in Poland and a radar base in the Czech Republic.  Washington counters that its plan is aimed at Iran rather than Russia.

The Iskander has a range of 250 miles and can carry a conventional payload of more than 1,000 pounds.

“Should Russia take a political decision to quit the [Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty], we will boost the military capabilities of these missiles, including their range,” Zaritsky said (see GSN, Oct. 18).

The bilateral treaty bans Russia and the United States from stockpiling ground-launched cruise and ballistic missiles with ranges between 300 and 3,400 miles.  When asked if the Iskander’s range might eventually top 300 miles, Zaritsky replied:  “Who knows that the motherland may order?” Reuters reported (Dmitry Solovyov, Reuters/Washington Post, Nov. 14). 

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