Russia Says Its Missiles Can Penetrate U.S. Missile Defense

Russia's strategic missile forces commander says his country's missiles will be able to breach the antimissile defense shield being built in Europe by the United States.

Colonel-General Sergei Karakayev told reporters in Moscow on December 16 that the U.S. "antimissile defense system being deployed today is not able to resist a massive salvo from a unit of [Russia's] strategic missile forces."

Karakayev's statement came a day before Russia's Day of Strategic Missile Forces, which is marked every year on December 17.

One year ago, Karakayev said that Russia will have a new liquid-fueled intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM), the Sarmat, in its arsenal by 2020.

Russian President Vladimir Putin has emphasized in recent weeks that Moscow will continue to put a high-priority on developing its nuclear forces.

Russia has been cool toward U.S. calls for further cuts in nuclear weapons following the landmark New START treaty, which was signed in 2010.

Based on reporting by TASS, Reuters, and Interfax