A senior Russian general recently warned that U.S ballistic missile defense could spark a nuclear arms race. Speaking to Interfax on 27 February, Colonel-General Varfolomey Korobushin, vice president of the Military Science Academy, stated that “If the U.S. deploys a national missile defense, other nuclear powers may opt for increasing their nuclear missile potential, which will worsen the situation in the world.” Korobushin also warned Eastern European countries against allowing Washington to deploy missile defense interceptors within their territories, or else risk that “the balance of power in the nuclear missile domain will be shattered.”
Korobushin added that Russia’s strategic missiles now have the capability to penetrate any missile defense. “Large amounts of heavy and light fake charges in each missile that enter space simultaneously with combat elements will significantly reduce U.S. NMD intercepting capabilities.” He acknowledged that the U.S. system might intercept one or more missiles, “but it will never intercept hundreds of combat elements that would be sent as part of the retaliation strike.”
Korobushin added that Russia’s strategic missiles now have the capability to penetrate any missile defense. “Large amounts of heavy and light fake charges in each missile that enter space simultaneously with combat elements will significantly reduce U.S. NMD intercepting capabilities.” He acknowledged that the U.S. system might intercept one or more missiles, “but it will never intercept hundreds of combat elements that would be sent as part of the retaliation strike.”