Putin says Russia in ‘final stages’ of developing domestic strike systems

ISTANBUL

President Vladimir Putin on Sunday said Russia is in the “final stages” of developing domestic strike systems, warning of “mirror measures” against plans to deploy US long-range missile systems in Germany.

“Today, the development of a number of such systems is in the final stages. We will take mirror measures for their deployment, taking into account the actions of the United States, their satellites in Europe and other regions of the world,” Putin said in an address in the city of St. Petersburg during a parade on the occasion of Navy Day.

On July 10, Washington and Berlin announced in a joint statement that they will begin "episodic deployments" of long-range missile capabilities in Germany in 2026.

Describing Washington and Berlin’s statements on the deployment of American long-range missile systems in Germany as “noteworthy,” Putin said such systems would be able to reach important Russian facilities in “about 10 minutes.”

Putin accused the US of escalating tensions in connection to the flights of Russian strategic aviation, saying Moscow has not conducted air patrols “far from its borders” since the collapse of the Soviet Union.

“Russia believed then that there was no longer any need for this: the world had changed, the Cold War was in the past. However, the United States did not respond to this unilateral gesture of goodwill and continued patrolling near our borders,” he said.

“Therefore, since 2007, we have resumed such flights. This was a response to the increased activity of US strategic and reconnaissance aviation in regions of the world that are sensitive for Russia. This measure is aimed, among other things, at ensuring security in the Asia-Pacific region."