Russia responds with 3 new military divisions to counter NATO’s build-up in Baltics

Russia responds with 3 new military divisions to counter Nato’s build-up in Baltics (Source Yahoo)

Russia will be forced to take retaliatory measures if NATO deploys four extra battalions in Poland and the Baltic states, Interfax news agency quoted a senior Russian Foreign Ministry official as saying on Wednesday.

“This would be a very dangerous build-up of armed forces pretty close to our borders,” Andrei Kelin, a department head at the ministry, said. “I am afraid this would require certain retaliatory measures, which the Russian Defence Ministry is already talking about.”Russia will form three new military divisions to counter what it believes is the growing strength of The North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) near its borders, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu announced on Wednesday.

China Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile into the South China Sea

China Test Fires Nuclear-Capable Missile into the South China Sea (Source Popular Mechanics)

China has apparently fired an intercontinental ballistic missile into the South China Sea, a provocative weapon test that-contrary to official statements-was likely meant to send a message to the United States and its neighbors in the region. News of the test, which was carried out on April 12th, had been leaked to the Washington Free Beacon. On April 19th, the Beacon  HYPERLINK “http://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-flight-tests-multiple-warhead-missile/” reported that two warheads carried by the missile had been tracked by U.S. satellites and regional sensors. The  HYPERLINK “https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/DF-41” Dong Feng (“East Wind”)-41 missile is China’s latest intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM). The DF-41 can carry a single 1-megaton thermonuclear warhead or up to 10 smaller nuclear warheads. A three stage, solid fuel rocket, DF-41 reportedly has a range of 7,400 to 9,300 miles-making it the first Chinese missile with enough range to reach all of the continental United States.

The curious-and provocative-aspect of this test was the aiming point for the missile. Typically, Chinese missiles are launched from central China and sent westward. This time, the missile was aimed south at the South China Sea. This may be the first time China has launched an ICBM into the South China Sea. China  HYPERLINK “http://freebeacon.com/national-security/china-confirms-multiple-warhead-missile-test-south-china-sea/” claims that allegations the warheads landed in the South China Sea are “pure conjecture”, only saying that the missile was tested near the Sea. However, China also said that it had every right to conduct such tests within Chinese territory-a given unless that territory were in some way contested by others. China claims roughly ninety percent of the South China Sea, but some of that territory is also claimed by other countries.China’s territorial claims in the South China Sea have generated tension with many of its neighbors, particularly the Philippines and Vietnam, and is being actively opposed by the United States, Australia, and Japan. China claimed the test was not aimed at “any specific country or target”.

U.S. stands by South Korea defense talks despite China, Russia objections

U.S. stands by South Korea defense talks despite China, Russia objections(Source Reuters)

The White House on Friday said talks to install a new anti-missile defense system in South Korea would continue in the wake of nuclear arms and missile tests by North Korea despite calls by China and Russia for the United States to back off. The United States and South Korea have begun talks on possible deployment of the Terminal High Altitude Area Defense (THAAD) system after North Korea tested its fourth nuclear bomb on Jan. 6 and conducted missile tests. The nuclear test and missile launches violate U.N. resolutions against North Korea backed by Russia and China. U.S. and South Korean officials have expressed concern the North could attempt a fifth nuclear test in a show of strength ahead of its Workers’ Party congress, which begins on May 6.

North Korea test-fired what appeared to be two intermediate range ballistic missiles on Thursday, but both failed, according to the U.S. military. On Friday, the White House said it was still in talks with its close ally South Korea and that the system, if installed, would not threaten other countries. “Those discussions are ongoing,” White House spokesman Josh Earnest told reporters. “That equipment would be oriented toward the threat that is posed by North Korea, not oriented toward China or Russia.” Speaking at joint press briefing with Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi earlier on Friday called on the United States to respect “legitimate concerns” of China and Russia over the missile system. “This move goes beyond the defensive needs of the relevant countries. If it is deployed it will directly impact China’s and Russia’s respective strategic security,” Wang said. “Not only does it threaten the resolution of the peninsula nuclear issue, it quite possibly could pour oil on the fire of an already tense situation, and even destroy strategic equilibrium on the peninsula.”

The U.S. has deployed 2 F-22 fighter jets to Russia’s backyard

The US has deployed 2 F-22 fighter jets to Russia’s backyard Source businessinsider.com)

The US  has deployed two of its most advanced fighter jets to Romania in order to better keep an eye on Russian activity in the Black Sea, the Air Force Times  www.airforcetimes.com/story/military f-22s-continue-training-europe-land-romania/83489748/” reports. The two F-22 Raptors are part of a supporting US force that has been deployed to NATO member Romania. The aircraft are there as part of a mission intended to “bolster the security of NATO allies and partners in Europe, according to a US Air Force press release.

The F-22, the first truly operational fifth-generation fighter in the world, will be used to further increase interoperability between the US and fellow NATO nations as well as signal to Russia that the US will stand with NATO against any Russian aggression. “These aircraft have the ability to project air dominance quickly, at great distances, to defeat any possible threat,” US Lt. Gen. Timothy Ray said of the F-22 deployment in Romania at a press conference. The deployment comes soon after Russian military aircraft  HYPERLINK “http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-fighter-buzzed-us-destroyer-2016-4” repeatedly buzzed a US naval ship that was in international waters in the Baltic Sea. In response to that incident, US Secretary of State John Kerry “http://www.businessinsider.com/kerry-we-could-have-shot-down-the-russian-jet-that-buzzed-a-us-destroyer-2016-4” said that the ship would have been justified in shooting down the Russian aircraft. The US decision to place the F-22s in Europe also comes on the heels of dire predictions concerning NATO readiness to defend the Baltics in the event of a Russian invasion of the NATO member states.