Putin boasts of new ‘immune’ nuclear missiles intercepted

Russia has new nuclear-powered missiles which can pierce western defences says Vladimir Putin.

Vladimir Putin delivers his state-of-the-nation address in Moscow. Picture: AFP

President Vladimir Putin says Russia has tested new nuclear weapons, including a nuclear-powered cruise missile and underwater drone, that would be immune to enemy intercept.

Speaking in a state-of-the-­nation speech tonight, Mr Putin said that the nuclear-powered cruise missile tested last northern autumn has an unlimited range and high speed and is capable of penetrating any missile defence.

He told parliament the high-speed underwater drone capable of carrying a nuclear warhead could target aircraft carriers and coastal facilities.

Mr Putin said that Russia also tested a new heavy intercontinental ballistic missile, called Sarmat, with a range and number of warheads exceeding its predecessor.

He also accused the US of ­violating the New START ­nuclear arms reduction treaty before presenting videos of the Sarmat and other advanced weapons, followed by roars of applause.

The US is “violating the strategic balance”, and “Russia in ­response is creating new systems”, he said in the address carried on state television.

Mr Putin, who has led the country as either president or prime minister for the past 18 years, used the address to outline policy for a widely anticipated new six-year term in the Kremlin following March 18 presidential elections.

Opposition leader Alexei ­Navalny, an anti-corruption campaigner who has been banned from taking part in the election, has called for the vote to be boycotted as believes it will not be fair. Mr Putin’s victory would extend his rule to 2024 and make him the longest serving Russian leader since dictator Joseph Stalin.

Mr Putin focused on domestic issues in the speech, saying that the coming years will be “decisive” for Russia, called for a technological push to improve living standards and the economy as well as strengthening the country’s democratic institutions.

“Lagging behind in technology is the main threat and our main enemy,” he said.

“To move forward, to develop dynamically, we should expand freedom in all spheres and strengthen institutions of democracy, local government, structures of civil society and courts.

“The well-being of Russia and the well-being of our citizens must be the foundation of everything, and it is in this area that we must make a breakthrough.”

He aimed to cut the country’s “unacceptable” poverty rate in half over the next six years, saying 20 million Russians live below the official poverty line equivalent to $252 a month. He said Russia must take steps to improve the healthcare system and the environment, despite environmental activists in his country facing harassment and imprisonment under his regime.

“It is hard to talk about a long and healthy life when to this day millions of people are forced to drink water that does not meet standards,” he said.

This was also the case “if black snow is falling, like in Krasnoyarsk, when people in industrial hubs can go for weeks without seeing the sun because of smog”.

Smog is a major problem for industrial cities like Krasnoyarsk in Siberia and levels of fine, toxic particles that penetrate deep into the respiratory tract are recorded well above the recommended limits set by the World Health ­Organisation. Areas of natural beauty are under threat, including Lake Baikal, which experts say is undergoing its gravest crisis.

Russia’s central bank is still struggling to boost the economy as it slowly emerges from the longest recession of Mr Putin’s rule that was triggered by low oil prices and sanctions over Ukraine.

Mr Putin called on the Interior Ministry to investigate “pressure on entrepreneurs” from the authorities and create an atmosphere where businesses could thrive.

“The unjustified persecution (of business people), including by the security services, is absolutely unacceptable,” he said, adding that this “undermines people’s faith in the law and in justice”.

AP, AFP