Russia threatens Norway over alleged deployment of US missile systems

Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs has threatened Norway after it was reported that the country had allegedly deployed a system capable of launching cruise missiles at land and sea targets, including Tomahawk missiles.

Source: Kremlin-aligned news agency Interfax citing Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for Russia's Ministry of Foreign Affairs, as reported by European Pravda

Details: Zakharova said Russia views the appearance of American systems in Norway, capable of launching intermediate- and shorter-range missiles, as a destabilising move by NATO countries.

Quote: "We view the appearance in Europe of American systems capable of launching intermediate- and shorter-range missiles as yet another step in the endless series of sharply destabilising actions by NATO countries."

More details: Zakharova also said Russia takes into account the fact that "these systems can be used to fire long-range Tomahawk cruise missiles, and their deployment in this northern European country brings a significant swathe of European Russia within range, Moscow included".

Quote: "In this regard, it should come as no surprise to those in Washington and Oslo who decided to deploy these systems in Norway that, as part of Russia's response measures, the deployment sites and control facilities for the American systems, along with the infrastructure servicing them, are becoming the subject of particular attention from the Russian Federation's strategic deterrence forces, including planning for the combat use of the relevant strike assets in the event of an armed conflict."

Background:

• On 2 September, Norway detained the Russian vessel Professor Molchanov at the port of Barentsburg, at the request of Naftogaz Group, Ukraine's national oil and gas company.
• Zakharova expressed outrage at Norway's decision.

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