Russia: "If the US Deploys Medium- and Short-Range Missiles in Asia, We Will Do the Same"

On the 25th (local time), Russia warned that it may consider deploying medium- and short-range missiles in Asia in response to U.S. measures.

According to TASS and other sources, Sergey Ryabkov, Deputy Foreign Minister of Russia, responded to reporters' questions about whether Russia is considering the possibility of deploying medium- and short-range missiles in Asian countries by saying, "Of course, this is one of the potential options that have been repeatedly mentioned." Deputy Minister Ryabkov added, "Our next steps, including military and military-technical responses, will be determined depending on where such U.S. systems appear anywhere in the world."

Russia has recently warned that the U.S. is showing moves to deploy medium- and short-range missiles in Asia, and Russia may take similar countermeasures. Russia, which is in confrontation with the West, is strengthening relations with several Asian countries. It is militarily close to North Korea and recently conducted joint naval exercises with China and Indonesia in succession. It also maintains close ties with countries such as Vietnam and Thailand, which are interested in joining the emerging economies coalition BRICS.

Deputy Minister Ryabkov said that countries confronting Russia should not be complacent with a "wrong sense of security," stating, "Persuasion and a kind of debate are still being used now, but in reality, they have proven to be almost ineffective." He continued, "Therefore, stronger measures are needed, including deploying such systems in regions where they can act as compensatory measures and reach appropriate targets."

Deputy Minister Ryabkov emphasized on the 21st that there are no international restrictions on the deployment of the new medium-range ballistic missile "Oreshnik," which Russia used in its attack on Ukraine. He explained that under the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces Treaty (INF) signed by the U.S. and the former Soviet Union in 1987, there were restrictions on the production and deployment of medium- and short-range missiles, but these restrictions were lifted after the U.S. declared the treaty's termination in 2019. However, since the Memorandum of Understanding on Missile Launch Notification signed by Russia and the U.S. in 1998 is still valid, Russia notified the U.S. when it test-fired the Oreshnik. He also added that the New Strategic Arms Reduction Treaty (New START), which focuses on limiting strategic nuclear warheads, is unrelated to the deployment of Oreshnik because Russia has declared its suspension of participation.

Meanwhile, the Russian Ministry of Defense announced on the same day that it had shot down eight ballistic missiles launched by Ukraine. The Ministry of Defense stated, "In the past 24 hours, the air defense system shot down eight ballistic missiles launched by Ukraine, U.S.-made guided joint direct attack munitions (JDAM), and 45 aircraft-type drones."