Russian Deputy PM: We Will Rip Apart the U.S. Missile Defense System

Dmitry Rogozin, the Deputy Prime Minister of Russia who oversees the military industry, said that the new Russian intercontinental ballistic nuclear missile, currently under development, would be capable of ripping apart any existing and future U.S. missile defense system. The comments were made on a popular daily talk show on the governmental Russia 1 TV channel on February 19, in the context of the U.S. missile defense system currently being deployed in Europe.

Dmitry Rozogin: "If we speak about (nuclear strategic forces), their modernization is the highest priority. As of today, our (nuclear) inventory is mixed. We still have the old, classic Soviet Voyevoda missiles, termed 'Satan' missiles in the West. The West is very afraid of these missiles, which are very reliable. We have extended their shelf life until we have a new missile, which is currently being developed according to plan. This missile will soon be deployed in our army. This missile is capable of penetrating any existing and future U.S. missile defense system. We will rip apart this system, which, apart from being provocative, poses no serious military danger to us."