PRESS RELEASE
Russia Stresses Anti-BMD Capabilities of Its Missiles
July 22, 2015 (EIRNS)—The Russian Defense Ministry announced, yesterday, an exercise of the Strategic Missile Forces (RVSN), involving two regiments in Irkutsk equipped with Topol missiles. According to Tass, the exercise will be focused on practicing deployment of regiments and launch of missiles.
The Defense Ministry also announced, yesterday, that a missile brigade from the Eastern Military District, newly equipped with Iskander M missiles, will conduct live-fire exercises at the Kapustin Yar range in September. "The crews have started practicing the operation of a modern missile complex. The practical training will end in September with tactical drills and a live-firing exercise," after which they’ll proceed to their home base, the Defense Ministry’s press office reported. This is the fifth brigade in the Russian military to be equipped with the Iskander M, and the second in the Eastern Military District.
Meanwhile, the Russians are continuing to emphasize the anti-BMD capabilities of their missile systems. "Indeed, we are closely monitoring the situation with the creation of the US missile defense systems, including those being deployed to Europe," said Colonel Oleg Pyshny, the head of the 4th department of the Central Research Institute of the Russian Defense Ministry. "We are aware of the program for the development of the SM-3 family of antimissiles. We believe that over time these missiles will be upgraded with systems that will pose a threat to us," and he added, "Our modern missile systems are based on the technology solutions needed to counter these missile defense systems," the official said.
