Putin addressed the Russian nation at his 14th address before the Federal Assembly (Parliament) [PPIO]
Just 17 days ahead of a presidential election which he is very likely to win, Vladimir Putin unveiled a number of advanced super-weapons during his state of the nation before the Federal Assembly late Wednesday.
The new weapons include a nuclear-powered cruise missile, supersonic weapons capable of breaching NATO defenses and rockets capable of flying below radar which he said were invincible against current anti-missile defense systems deployed by the West.
NATO defenses are now “useless and senseless”, he said.
Putin said that the weapons had been in development as a measure to boost Russia’s deterrence effect, and that they were now ready to be deployed.
“This is not a bluff,” he said in a message to Western countries.
“Russia has created and is upgrading relatively cheap but very efficient systems to overcome missile shields,” Putin said.
Putin said these weapons, and others – such as deep-sea drones, nuclear-powered low-flying nuclear missiles flying through the South Pole, and unlimited range rockets – were necessary for the West to take Russia seriously.
“You have failed to hold Russia back,” Putin said, adding “You now have to acknowledge the new reality.”
Some of the new weapons included the Kinzhal (Dagger) missile system which is nuclear-warhead capable and can achieve speeds 10 times that of sound.
Meanwhile, the ‘Avangard’ missile system reaches 20 times the speed of sound and is intercontinental.
Russia needs to be addressed as an equal partner, he said.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
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