He commented on the properties of the Oreshnik missile in The Washington Post Decker Evelet security analyst. According to an American expert, after the use of new weapons by the Russian army, serious concerns about the security of key facilities emerged among military personnel from NATO countries. These in the event of an armed conflict between the Alliance and the Russian Federation will be targeted by ballistic missiles.
Although no nuclear device was used during the shelling of the Ukrainian city of Dnieper, according to Decker Evelet, if there was an attack on NATO targets, the Russian army would most likely decide to take such a step.
– Oreshnik missiles are capable “deliver” six nuclear warheads to Europe in about 15-20 minutesand due to the speed and trajectory of the missile, intercepting it will be extremely difficult – notes the analyst.
War in Ukraine. German expert on the “new missile era”
Alexander Graef, an expert from the Institute for Peace and Security Policy Research in Hamburg, also spoke about the capabilities of Russian missiles. According to the analyst, representatives of NATO troops are aware of the new reality that has arisen in connection with the conflict in Ukraine.
As he stated, currently We are dealing with a “new rocket era”. At the same time, Graef recalled that the Alliance actively responds to military challenges, including: through the announced rotation plan of American medium-range missiles, which are to be delivered to Germany by 2026.
– We are in the middle of an arms racewhich will develop over the next 20 years. And I think what will happen is that various parties – Russia, European countries, the United States – will expand their arsenals because they do not have enough weapons to use them effectively and destroy many targets, he emphasized.
Former Russian diplomat: Putin wants to divide the world
The mood regarding a possible nuclear clash is toning down former Russian diplomat Boris Bondarev. An expert on arms control and global security in an interview with “The Washington Post” admitted that the signals sent by the Kremlin are politically effectivebut from a military point of view, Russia has no plans to start a nuclear war.
– Fear remains the weapon. It's primarily a psychological army and I think it's quite effective. This propaganda works – he said.
– (Putin – ed.) does not want to divide Ukraine. I want to share the world. He wants to have his own sphere of influence that no one, including the United States, can enter without permission. I don't know why Americans don't see this, because if they reach an agreement with Putin, they will give him victory, he added.