The Kremlin is paying special attention to strategic aviation, atomic submarines, and intercontinental missiles.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin accused NATO of fueling a global arms race while announcing the reinforcement of Russia’s nuclear triad with modernized Tu-160M bombers and RS-24 Yars intercontinental ballistic missiles.

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“We know that at the NATO summit, plans are in place to announce a large-scale program to further increase the alliance’s capabilities. To achieve this, member countries will boost their military budgets,” Putin said during a speech to graduates of military schools and academies.

“NATO members now spend more on military purposes than all other countries in the world combined. This clearly shows who is truly driving global militarization and an arms race,” the Russian leader added.

Putin dismissed the so-called “Russian threat” and the possibility of a “Russian invasion of Europe” as narratives NATO uses to instill fear and justify its aggressive plans. “They invented this scare story themselves and repeat it year after year,” he said, asserting that Russian fighters in Ukraine are battling “for our future,” just as Russians did during the Great Patriotic War.

At the same time, Putin emphasized that the Kremlin is giving “special attention to the nuclear triad”—strategic aviation, nuclear submarines, and intercontinental missiles.

“Additionally, serial production is beginning for the new medium-range Zmeevik hypersonic ballistic missile system, which has demonstrated excellent performance in combat conditions,” the Russian leader noted, referencing its November launch against a Ukrainian arms factory.

In response to Finland joining NATO, Putin stated that efforts to fully establish military units in the Moscow and Leningrad districts would be completed this year. He added that these garrisons would be reinforced with more combat-ready divisions.

Putin also revealed that, due to the growing role of unmanned systems in modern conflicts, a new Drone Forces branch would be created.

Addressing the graduates, the Russian president also warned of escalating tensions in the Middle East, citing the involvement of “non-regional powers”—such as the U.S. airstrikes in Yemen—which he said has brought the world “to the brink of an abyss.”

“Given the rise in geopolitical tensions, we will continue taking appropriate measures to strengthen the security of Russia and our allies. Developing our Armed Forces is a guarantee of a sovereign and independent Russia,” Putin said.

teleSUR/ JF

Source: EFE

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