If Russian President Vladimir Putin’s intentions were to scare the west and its leaders, he may have succeeded with his surprise announcement of the stunning catalogue of new doomsday nuclear weapons.

 

In his annual state-of–the-nation address to Russian lawmakers and the military top brass at the Federal Assembly, Putin declared his country had developed “invincible” weapons that cannot be detected, penetrated or even be destroyed by U.S. missiles, saying they could hit almost any point the world.

The super weapons, he claimed, can evade detection by U.S. radar and missile defense systems (THAAD) that are designed to shoot down missiles that fly slowly at an arc, describing the flight speed of these weapons as “like a meteorite.”

President Putin claims the new “invincible” weapons cannot be detected or shot down because its speed is “like a meteorite”.

In obvious defiance to the West, Putin further declared that Russia had these new strategic weapons and many more.

“No one listened to us,” he said.  “Listen to us now,” he boasted.

Taking a shot at the U.S. and NATO, he dismissed the alliance’s defense shield as “useless” and somehow putting an end to what has been the West’s efforts to weaken Russia.

Vladimir Putin unveiled Russia’s new “invincible” weapons that render U.S. missiles “useless.” Credit: Russian Television (RT) via AP

“They have not succeeded in holding Russia back,” said Putin in reference to the alliance. “Now they need to take account of a new reality and understand that everything I have said today is not a bluff.”

In what was taken as a direct warning and threat to the U.S. the Russian President said, “I hope everything that has been said today will sober any potential aggressor.”

President Putin presenting a video and computer simulations of Russia’s new “invincible” weapons. Credit: Maxim Shipenkov/EPA

Vladimir Putin’s address was accompanied by a video and computer simulation of the new “invincible” super weapons shown on giant screens.

“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 restrictions and sanctions aimed to contain our country’s development: All what you wanted to impede with your policies has now happened,” he said.

Putin issued a threat on the U.S. that an attack on its allies is an attack on Russia. Credit: Reuters

“You have failed to contain Russia,” he said in standing ovation and applause at one point.

“No one else in the world has anything like that. It may appear someday, but by that time, we will develop something new,” said Putin, another dig at the U.S.

Putin showed an ICBM preparing to launch. Credit: RT via AP

In yet another indirect attack to the U.S. the Russian issued this threat, “We would consider any use of nuclear weapons against Russia or its allies to be a nuclear attack on our country.”

Although the actual new weapons were not shown publicly, Putin however, assured the State Duma parliamentarians, members of the Federation Council, regional governor and all other Russian lawmakers at the General Assembly that they had all been developed.

Putin also presented the launch site during his speech to the Federation Assembly. Credit:AP

In response, the White House said Putin’s revelation confirms what the U.S. has already known, that Russia had been developing nuclear and conventional ground-launched ballistic and cruise missiles with a range of 500-5,500 km (300-3,400 miles), a violation of its Cold War treaty obligations

“President Putin has confirmed what the United States government has known all along, which Russia has denied: Russia has been developing destabilizing weapons systems for over a decade in direct violations of its treaty obligations,” said Sarah Huckabee-Sander, the White House spokesperson.

A diagram of Russia’s new deadly “invincible” arsenal. Credit: RT

While the Trump Administration has been criticized for not doing enough to go after Russia, the Spokeswoman said President Trump understands the threats and is “moving forward to modernize” the country’s “nuclear arsenal” and was doing everything to ensure that U.S. military “capabilities are unmatched.”

Dana White, the spokeswoman The Pentagon also said the Defense Department wasn’t surprised, adding that the U.S. military is prepared to defend the nation.

Putin, however, dismissed those arguments on Thursday saying that plans by the U.S. to develop its own defense system would instead, “eventually devalue the Russian nuclear arsenal” if they (the Russians) “sit with our arms folded.”

Going went further to point out that the U.S. had underestimated his country’s ability to respond in a “unilateral military advantage that could eventually allow it to dictate its terms in other areas.”

A “Sarmat” ICBM nuclear missile launch. Credit: AP

Putin then urged the U.S. government to now revise its foreign policy on Russia and then engage in a serious dialogue on global security.

One system, the Russian President described it as 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.”

Putin showed a submarine launching an unmanned submersible with innovative nuclear engine. Credit: EPA

The announcement shocked many military and security analysts in the world with one Russian independent analysist pointing out that,

“If we’re talking about nuclear-armed cruise missiles, that’s a technological breakthrough and a gigantic achievement,” said Aleksandr Golts, a view now uttered by many in the West.

A computer simulation of a missile flying and separating on the atmosphere.

However, while Putin’s announcement may have been targeted at his domestic audience to boost his standing in the upcoming elections, Golts also warned that this could backfire on Moscow as it did during the USSR era.

Military analysts warn Russia actions will create more tension and an arms race. Credit: Reuters

“The USSR arms race ended badly, it ruined the Soviet economy. And Russia does not have the same resources as the Soviet Union. There is every reason to believe that for Russia it would also end badly.”

 

 

 

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