Putin: Last test of nuclear cruise missile
Unlimited range – virtually impossible to intercept
There is also a threat to resume nuclear testing after a 33-year hiatus.
North Korea accelerates arms support to Russia despite US warning
Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on the 5th (local time) that he had successfully tested an intercontinental nuclear-powered cruise missile with unlimited range, called a “doomsday weapon.” At the same time, he threatened to resume nuclear testing that had been suspended for 33 years. Analysis suggests that as Russia gained momentum to continue the war in Ukraine with North Korea’s weapons support, it increased the level of nuclear threat and put pressure on the West, which is divided over support for Ukraine. Meanwhile, there is a possibility that North Korea, which has been providing weapons such as artillery shells to Russia, may have transferred 122mm multiple rocket launchers, one of the weapons that Russia needs most in the war in Ukraine.
At the Valdai International Debate Club meeting held in Sochi, southern Russia, President Putin said, “Russia is facing the task of building a more fair world,” and added, “Burevestnik, a cruise missile with a range around the globe. “I succeeded in my final exam,” he said.
Burevestnik is a nuclear missile with unlimited range equipped with a nuclear-propelled rocket and is one of the six new strategic weapons unveiled by President Putin in 2018. In particular, it is pointed out that if the missile test is successful as President Putin claims, as it flies low at an altitude of 50 to 100 meters above the ground and cannot be intercepted by existing missile defense networks, it will pose a great threat to the United States and the West.
President Putin also hinted at the possibility of resuming nuclear testing, saying, “No one can survive if we attack Russia.” “I’m not ready to say whether we will actually resume nuclear testing, but it is theoretically possible to act in the same way as the United States,” he said, referring to the international nuclear test ban treaty. The idea is that, like the United States, which signed the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty (CTBT) but has not yet had it ratified by Congress, Russia can cancel its ratification of the Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty. Russia has not conducted a nuclear test since 1990 and the United States has not conducted a nuclear test since 1992.
The day after President Putin made a statement to the effect that he could withdraw ratification of the Nuclear Test Ban Treaty, the Russian State Duma (House of Representatives) took concrete steps. State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin said on Telegram on the 6th (local time), “The State Duma will definitely discuss the issue of canceling ratification of the CTBT at its next meeting. “This is in the national interest of the Russian Federation,” he said.
President Putin’s increased nuclear threat level is interpreted as a ploy to crack open Western countries, which are growing tired of supporting Ukraine. In the United States, there are concerns that securing additional support budget will be difficult due to the unprecedented dismissal of the Speaker of the House amid the conflict between the ruling and opposition parties over the Ukraine support budget.
A 122mm multiple rocket launcher owned by North Korea. In July of this year, North Korean-made 122mm multiple rocket launchers were already discovered on the Ukrainian battlefield, raising the possibility that even multiple rocket launchers could be transferred to Russia. Rodong Sinmun News 1North Korea is accelerating its arms support to Russia despite warnings from the United States. On the 5th, CBS reported that North Korea had begun transferring artillery to Russia, citing a U.S. government official. However, CBS reported that it is unclear whether this arms support is a follow-up to the North Korea-Russia summit and what compensation North Korea will receive.
In response to this report, the U.S. Department of Defense said, “We have no additional position other than the existing remarks of the Department of Defense spokesperson and deputy spokesperson.” Previously, Sabrina Singh, Deputy Spokesperson of the Ministry of Defense, said on the 3rd, “We know that Russia has been rapidly increasing its artillery recently,” and “I would not be surprised (even if a North Korea-Russia arms deal actually took place).”
Regarding the CBS report, a high-ranking government official told the Dong-A Ilbo on the 6th, “It is true that large quantities of materials have been frequently exchanged between North Korea and Russia recently.” It was reported that the South Korean government had already discovered the specific circumstances of North Korea’s support of artillery shells to Russia several months ago. In addition, the possibility that 122mm multiple rocket launchers were exported is also being discussed. Another government official emphasized, “One of the most urgent weapons for Russia in the current situation in Ukraine is the 122mm multiple rocket launcher.” During North Korea’s State Affairs Commission Chairman Kim Jong-un’s visit to Russia last month, there was speculation that Russia would have requested Chairman Kim to provide support for 122mm multiple rocket launchers.
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Source: Donga