Vladimir Putin has unveiled an array of ‘invincible’ nuclear weapons. Russia’s president made the claims during his annual state of the nation speech that laid out his core policies for another presidential term ahead of the election in just over two weeks’ time.
During the speech to the Russian parliament, Putin presented videos that outlined the development of new nuclear delivery systems including cruise missiles, intercontinental ballistic missiles and supersonic jets. One of the nuclear weapons included a cruise missile that Putin claimed could “reach anywhere in the world”.
Another weapon announced included an undetectable missile. Putin explained that it was a “low-flying, difficult-to-spot cruise missile… with a practically unlimited range and an unpredictable flight path, which can bypass lines of interception and is invincible in the face of all existing and future systems of both missile defence and air defence.”
Beyond this, Putin unveiled a nuclear weapon described as a submarine-launched missile capable of delivering a nuclear warhead. “Russia still has the greatest nuclear potential in the world, but nobody listened to us,” he said. “Listen now.”
Putin claimed that the development of the new arsenal of nuclear weapons were a reaction to America’s move to withdraw from the 1972 Anti-Ballistic Missile Treaty.
“Efforts to contain Russia have failed, face it,” said Mr Putin. “I hope that all that was said today will sober up any potential aggressor.”
Chairman of the Russian Senate’s foreign affairs committee, Konstantin Kosachev, said Putin’s speech “should, I believe, cool down the minds of all those who are seriously reflecting on the possibility of delivering an unpunished blow to Russia: the answer will be crushing.”
While the threat may seem clear, Putin maintains that Russia’s development of these nuclear weapons is purely defensive. “We’ve never had an intention of attacking anybody,” he said. “Russia will only retaliate if it is attacked.”