Russia’s Response to U.S. Deployment of Longer-Range Missiles

Russia is actively preparing military countermeasures in response to the planned American deployment of longer-range missiles in Germany. The Russian deputy foreign minister, Sergei A. Ryabkov, emphasized that the U.S. decision is perceived as “destructive to regional safety and strategic stability.”

In a statement to Interfax, Ryabkov stated, “Without nerves, without emotions, we will develop a military response, first of all, to this new game.” He also mentioned that Moscow had foreseen the U.S. move and had already initiated the preparation of “compensating countermeasures” in anticipation.

The United States and Germany jointly announced that Washington would commence “episodic deployments” of the missiles in Germany starting in 2026, including those with “significantly longer range” than the current deployments across Europe. The statement further outlined that these periodic deployments are aimed at paving the way for a future “enduring stationing of these capabilities.”

According to the statement, the missile arsenal to be deployed will encompass nonnuclear SM-6 missiles, Tomahawk cruise missiles, and developmental hypersonic weapons. This move evokes memories of the Cold War era when Moscow and Washington engaged in competing missile deployments, leaving American allies in Europe in a delicate position.