President Dmitry Medvedev turned on a new early warning radar in Russia's westernmost region reiterating his threats to counter U.S. missile plans in Europe.
“I hope this step will be seen by our partners as the first signal of the readiness of our country to make an adequate response to the threats which the missile shield poses for our strategic nuclear forces,” said Mr. Medvedev opening Russia's newest Voronezh-DM radar system in the Kaliningrad Region on Tuesday.
With a range of 6,000 km, the radar can detect ballistic and cruise missiles, as well as aircraft flying across Europe and Northern Atlantic.
“If this signal is ignored... we will take other means of defence including the adoption of tough counter-measures and the deployment of a strike force,” he warned.
Last week, Mr. Medvedev said Russia would deploy Iskander short-range ballistic missiles in Kaliningrad if the U.S. goes ahead with placing missile interceptors in Europe.
Moscow sees the U.S. plans for building a global missile defence as posing a threat to Russia's nuclear deterrent.
