Russian Foreign Ministry: US Missile Defense Strategy Will Escalate Frictions with Moscow
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Synopsis
Moscow's Foreign Ministry asserts that Washington's new missile defense initiative will escalate tensions rather than resolve them. The US aims to enhance its military capabilities, including space-based interceptions.
Key Takeaways
- US missile defense plans seen as escalation by Russia.
- Iron Dome to protect against various missile threats.
- Significant increase in US nuclear arsenal anticipated.
- Three Russians confirmed among crash victims in the US.
- Russian Embassy in contact with US authorities regarding the incident.
Moscow, Jan 31 (NationPress) The recent actions taken by Washington regarding a new missile defense initiative will not alleviate the existing tensions with Moscow, stated the Russian Foreign Ministry on Friday.
On Monday, US President Donald Trump enacted an executive order aimed at advancing a new missile defense system for the nation. This system, termed the Iron Dome, is designed to shield against ballistic, hypersonic, advanced cruise missiles, and other aerial threats.
During her weekly press briefing, Maria Zakharova, the spokesperson for the Russian Foreign Ministry, remarked that this move effectively underscores the US's desire to continue the militarization of space, emphasizing that it entails a substantial increase in the American nuclear arsenal.
“This initiative directly anticipates a significant enhancement of the American nuclear arsenal and capabilities for executing military operations in space, including the creation and deployment of space-based interception systems,” she noted.
“We view this as further evidence of the US's intention to transform space into a battlefield,” she added, as reported by Xinhua news agency.
Zakharova cautioned that this initiative could obstruct potential dialogue regarding strategic offensive arms, asserting that this development signifies the initial phase of Washington's destabilizing military-technical programs.
Moscow also confirmed that three Russians were among the 67 casualties of a tragic plane crash that occurred in the United States on Wednesday night.
A US passenger aircraft carrying 64 individuals crashed into the Potomac River following a mid-air collision with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter, marking the worst air disaster in the US since 2001.
The American Eagle Flight 5342 was transporting 60 passengers along with four crew members, while the Black Hawk helicopter had three service members onboard.
“We extend our heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims and to all Americans. It has been confirmed that our compatriots were among those aboard the airliner, including world champions in pair figure skating from the Russian national team, Evgenia Shishkova and Vadim Naumov, along with Soviet figure skater Inna Volyanskaya, who was coaching in the United States. The American athletes traveling with them also perished,” stated Zakharova during an external media briefing in Saransk, Mordovia.
“According to the American side, there are no survivors from this crash. Our embassy has confirmed that three of the victims held Russian passports, while for a fourth individual, there is a possibility of possessing a Russian passport, which is currently being verified,” Zakharova added.
The spokesperson mentioned that the Russian Embassy in the US is maintaining communication with the US State Department regarding all aspects of this tragic incident.
