Feb 27, 2019
MOSCOW: Russian State TV has listed targets in the US for nuclear strike and claimed
that its new hypersonic missile technology could hit them in less than five
minutes in case US deploys missiles in Europe.
The targets included the Pentagon and Camp David. The TV report follows Russian
President Vladimir Putin's warning against the reported US move to deploy intermediate-range
missiles in Europe. It said Moscow will target other US decision-making centres
too.
The TV listed Pentagon, Camp David, Fort Ritchie (Maryland), McClellan (California) and Jim Creek (Washington State). The TV presenter showed a map of the United
States and identified several targets.
As a Cold War-era arms control treaty is falling apart, Putin has said Russia
would be forced to respond by placing hypersonic nuclear missiles on submarines
near American shores.
However, the United States says it has no immediate plans to deploy such missiles
in Europe and that even it does not have ground-based intermediate-range nuclear
missiles to position in Europe.
But, the decision to quit the 1987 Intermediate-range Nuclear Forces (INF)
Treaty gives the US the leverage to deploy the missiles.
“Every time Putin issues these bombastic threats and touts his new doomsday
devices, he should know he only deepens NATO’s resolve to work together to ensure
our collective security,” Eric Pahon, a Pentagon spokesman, said.
