May 2007 - Russia Special Weapons News

Russia: A New MIRV Emerges RFE/RL 31 May 2007 -- -- Russia has tested a new ICBM with MIRV capabilities.
Russia/U.S.: Analysts Say New Arms Race Unlikely RFE/RL 31 May 2007 -- Russia's recent test of new strategic and tactical missiles and U.S. plans to base parts of a missile-defense system in Central Europe have sharpened fears of a new arms race.
Military train leaves Russia's Batumi base in Georgia RIA Novosti 31 May 2007 -- A military convoy left a Russian military base in Georgia by rail early Thursday as part of a 2006 deal on the withdrawal of Russian bases from the South Caucasus country.
Putin says missile tests were response to NATO's actions RIA Novosti 31 May 2007 -- Russia's president said Thursday his country's recent tests of new ballistic missiles and possible withdrawal from an arms control treaty are a direct response to harsh, unreasonable actions by NATO countries.
Lugovoi Says Litvinenko Was British Spy RFE/RL 31 May 2007 -- The chief suspect in the murder of former Russian intelligence officer Aleksandr Litvinenko has said British secret services were behind Litvenenko's murder last year.
Lugovoi says Litvinenko, Berezovsky spied for U.K. RIA Novosti 31 May 2007 -- Andrei Lugovoi, accused by the U.K. of poisoning a former Russian intelligence officer, alleged Thursday that the murdered Alexander Litvinenko and fugitive tycoon Boris Berezovsky worked for the British secret services.
Suspect in Litvinenko Murder Says Former Russian Intelligence Agent Worked as British Spy VOA 31 May 2007 -- The Russian suspect in the killing of ex-KGB agent Alexander Litvinenko maintains he is innocent and says Britain tried to recruit him to provide intelligence
Russia: Missile Test Heightens Arms Race Fears RFE/RL 30 May 2007 -- Russia has tested new strategic and tactical missiles at a time when tensions with the United States remain high over Washington's plans to locate parts of a missile-defense system in Central Europe.
Russian officials tout Iskander, MIRV as "21st century weapons RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- The commander of the Russian Ground Forces, Alexei Maslov, said Wednesday Russia has "a 21st century weapon," following two successful missile tests Tuesday.
Russia to stay on course with NATO - official RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- Russia does not intend to scale down its cooperation with NATO, but is skeptical about the outlook for relations, a senior Russian diplomat said Wednesday.
Ukraine insists on Russian naval base withdrawal by 2017 RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- Ukraine's defense minister reiterated Wednesday that Russia must withdraw its naval base from Ukraine's Crimea Autonomy by 2017, in compliance with a previous bilateral agreement.
Fifth truck convoy leaves Russian military base in Georgia RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- The fifth military convoy left a Russian military base in Georgia Wednesday as part of a 2006 deal on the withdrawal of Russian military bases from the South Caucasus country, a spokesman for Georgia's Defense Ministry said.
Russia Again Warns On Kosovo RFE/RL 30 May 2007 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at the start of a meeting of G8 foreign ministers in Potsdam, Germany, that only talks between Belgrade and Pristina could solve a row over independence for the Serbian province.
Russia makes U-turn, joins UN sanctions against N.Korea RIA Novosti 30 May 2007 -- Russia has agreed to impose UN sanctions on North Korea following its nuclear bomb test last October, the Kremlin Web site said Wednesday.
Russia Successfully Tests Two New Missile Systems VOA 29 May 2007 -- Russia has successfully test-fired a new intercontinental ballistic missile and a tactical shorter range cruise missile.
US Responds to Putin's Call for Meeting on Forces in Europe VOA 29 May 2007 -- A Pentagon spokesman says the United States would be "disappointed" if Russia stopped meeting its obligations under the Conventional Forces in Europe Treaty
Russia hits target in ICBM debut test RIA Novosti 29 May 2007 -- Russia successfully test-launched a new intercontinental ballistic missile (ICBM) from the Plesetsk space center in northern Russia Tuesday, a press spokesman for the strategic missile forces said.
Netherlands okays CFE Treaty conference RIA Novosti 29 May 2007 -- An emergency conference of signatories to the Conventional Forces in Europe (CFE) Treaty will be held within the next 15 days, a Dutch Foreign Ministry spokesman said Tuesday.
Another military convoy set to leave base in Georgia May 30 RIA Novosti 29 May 2007 -- A military convoy will leave a Russian military base in Georgia Wednesday as part of a 2006 deal on the withdrawal of Russian bases from the country, a senior military official said Tuesday.
Russia-U.K. intelligence ties to continue despite Litvinenko -source RIA Novosti 29 May 2007 -- A source in the Russian intelligence community said Tuesday the Litvinenko case is not likely to affect cooperation between Russian and British intelligence services.
Russian military to fly over U.S. under Open Skies Treaty RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- A plane carrying Russian military observers will make a series of inspection flights over the United States under the Open Skies Treaty May 28-June 2, the Russian Defense Ministry said Monday.
Russia proposes urgent CFE treaty conference in Vienna June 12-15 RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- Russia proposed conducting an urgent conference of the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty member states in Vienna June 12-15, the Russian Foreign Ministry said Monday.
No plans for missile shield talks with Russia - Polish president RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- Poland has no intention of conducting a discussion with Russia on the proposed deployment of a U.S. missile defense base on its territory, Poland's president said in an interview Monday.
Russian Foreign Ministry confirms Lugovoi extradition request RIA Novosti 28 May 2007 -- Russia's Foreign Ministry confirmed Monday it had received a request from the British authorities to extradite Russian businessman Andrei Lugovoi in connection with the murder of ex-FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko.
UK prosecutors file formal request for Lugovoi's extradition RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- British prosecutors said Friday they had filed an extradition request with the Home Office, to be sent to Russia, for a former FSB guard accused of murdering ex-spy and Kremlin critic Alexander Litvinenko.
Russia: Chances Of Litvinenko Suspect's Extradition 'Hypothetical' RFE/RL 25 May 2007 -- British prosecutors on May 22 announced an important breakthrough in the poisoning case of former Russian intelligence agent Aleksandr Litvinenko, who died of radioactive poisoning in London last November
Russia's upper house ratifies NATO SOFA treaty RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- The Federation Council, Russia's upper house of parliament, endorsed Friday an agreement among signatories to NATO and other states participating in the Partnership for Peace program regarding the status of their forces (SOFA).
No plans to join NASA lunar program - Russian space agency RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- Russia will not participate in joint lunar exploration with NASA, but will assist the U.S. with its shuttle program until 2015, a spokesman for the Russian space agency said.
Moscow says nuclear ties with Iran to continue despite sanctions RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- Russia's nuclear chief said Friday possible new sanctions against Tehran over its controversial nuclear program will not affect Russian-Iranian cooperation in the nuclear sphere.
Russia says Bushehr NPP project unprofitable, talks in question RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- The construction of the Bushehr nuclear power plant in the south of Iran has become unprofitable for Russia and the planned talks on the project financing could be cancelled, a source in the Russian Nuclear Power Agency said Friday.
Russia not given Litvinenko cause of death by UK-top prosecutor RIA Novosti 25 May 2007 -- Russia's prosecutors have not yet received an official statement from UK authorities on the reasons for ex-FSB officer Alexander Litvinenko's death in November 2006, the prosecutor general said Friday.
Russia expects NATO to ratify CFE treaty - Gorbachev RIA Novosti 24 May 2007 -- Russia is not pulling out of the treaty on conventional armed forces in Europe, but is waiting for other countries to ratify the pact, ex-Soviet leader Mikhail Gorbachev said Thursday.
Russia continues military pullout from Georgia RIA Novosti 24 May 2007 -- Another train carrying Russian military hardware from a Soviet-era base in Georgia left the Caucasus state Thursday, the Georgian Defense Ministry said.
Space official says Glonass to equal precision of GPS by 2011 RIA Novosti 24 May 2007 -- A senior space official said Thursday Russia's Glonass global positioning system should reach the same precision level as the U.S. Global Positioning System (GPS) by 2011.
Video Shows Russian Spy Litvinenko Saying Bosses Ordered Killings, Kidnappings VOA 23 May 2007 -- A Russian talk-show host has released a video recorded in 1998 outside Moscow that shows three Russian security agents describing how their bosses had ordered them to kill, kidnap and frame prominent Russians.
Russian Duma ratifies NATO SOFA agreement RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- Russia's lower house of parliament ratified Wednesday an agreement among signatories to NATO and other states participating in the Partnership for Peace program regarding the status of their forces (SOFA).
Russia did not approve arms sale via Syria to Iran - Ivanov RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- Russia did not approve the alleged sale of its Pantsyr-S1 mobile air defense system from Syria to Iran, a first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Moscow still negative on U.S. missile defense in C.Europe -Putin RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- After recent contacts with U.S. representatives, Moscow has not changed its negative attitude toward U.S. plans to deploy missile defense elements in Central Europe, President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday.
Russia will end foreign inspections under CFE - Ivanov RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- Russia will no longer receive foreign inspections or send notifications on troops' movement under the Conventional Forces in Europe treaty, a first deputy prime minister said Wednesday.
Ivanov says Russia-UK relations unaffected by poison scandal RIA Novosti 23 May 2007 -- A first deputy Russian prime minister said Wednesday the Litvinenko-Lugovoi poisoning scandal will not affect Russian-British relations.
Russia to complete peacekeeper rotation in Abkhazia by June 2 RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- Russia will start rotating its peacekeeping contingent in Georgia's breakaway province of Abkhazia on May 27 and complete the process by June 2, the force command said Tuesday.
Russia set to ratify NATO SOFA agreement RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- The lower chamber of the Russian parliament plans to ratify Wednesday an agreement among signatories to the North Atlantic Treaty and other states participating in the Partnership for Peace regarding the status of their forces (SOFA).
U.S. missile shield in Europe puts Russia at risk - FM Lavrov RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- The U.S.'s unilateral decision to deploy elements of a national defense system in Central and Eastern European countries jeopardizes Russia, as well as the whole of Europe, Russia's foreign minister said Tuesday.
Russia's fifth generation combat aircraft to fly by late 2008-Ivanov RIA Novosti 22 May 2007 -- Russia's fifth generation fighter will take to the skies by the end of 2008, a first deputy prime minister said Tuesday at a session of a government military commission.
Russian Air Force to procure new Yak-130 trainers RIA Novosti 21 May 2007 -- The Russian Air Force is planning to commission over 200 Yak-130 combat trainers, the Air Force commander said Monday.
Two Navy bomber regiments to join Air Force in 2008 RIA Novosti 21 May 2007 -- Two regiments of Tu-22M Backfire strategic bombers currently under Navy command are set to become part of the Russian Air Force by the end of 2008, a senior Air Force official said Monday.
S-400 missile defense systems to start defending Moscow July 1 RIA Novosti 21 May 2007 -- S-400 missile defense systems will be put on combat duty around Moscow July 1, the commander of the Russian Air Force said Monday.
Rice, Putin Agree to Disagree, Respectfully VOA 15 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice and Russian President Vladimir Putin have agreed to ease tensions and tone down harsh rhetoric, but after two days of extensive talks in Moscow, stark differences remain over missile defense and Kosovo
Putin, Rice agree to tone down rhetoric, turn to real issues - Lavrov RIA Novosti 15 May 2007 -- Russia's president and the U.S. state secretary agreed Tuesday to "tone down rhetoric" in public debate and focus on real issues, the Russian foreign minister said.
Military convoy leaves Russia's Batumi base in Georgia RIA Novosti 15 May 2007 -- A military convoy left a Russian military base in Georgia by rail early Tuesday as part of a 2006 deal on the withdrawal of Russian bases from the South Caucasus country.
Rice Continues Missile Defense Talks in Moscow VOA 15 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice is meeting Russian President Vladimir Putin at the Kremlin, later Tuesday for talks aimed at improving ailing U.S.-Russian relations ahead of next month's G-Eight Summit in Germany, when President Putin will meet President George Bush
Losyukov: Russia to confront US' missile defense shield plan IRNA 14 May 2007 -- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Losyukov said on Monday that Russia considers any US plan to place elements of a missile defense shield near its borders in East Europe as a factor of instability and will confront it.
Rice in Russia for Missile Defense Talks VOA 14 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice begins discussions in Moscow later Monday with Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, aimed at smoothing over Russian objections and mistrust over Washington's missile defense plans in Europe
Russia: Rice Visits Moscow Amid Strained Relations RFE/RL 14 May 2007 -- The U.S. secretary of state arrived in Russia today for two days of talks with President Vladimir Putin, Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov, and other top officials.
U.S. Secretary of State arrives in Moscow for talks RIA Novosti 14 May 2007 -- U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice arrived in Moscow Monday to discuss a variety of bilateral and international issues with the Russian leadership, a spokesman for the U.S. Embassy in Moscow said.
Russia, North Korea to sign agreement on migrant labor RIA Novosti 11 May 2007 -- Russia and North Korea will sign an agreement on the use of the temporary labor of one another's nationals, the Russian government said Friday.
FSB, security agencies prevent terrorist attack on Moscow RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- Russia's Federal Security Service (FSB) and territorial security agencies have stopped a terrorist group that was preparing to carry out a large-scale terrorist attack on Moscow, the FSB said Thursday.
Russia, Kazakhstan Agree Uranium-Enrichment Center RFE/RL 10 May 2007 -- Moscow and Astana are to set up the world's first international uranium-enrichment center.
Russian chief of staff comes to Brussels to discuss CFE RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- A NATO-Russia chiefs-of-staff meeting opened in Brussels Thursday amid tension surrounding a key arms control treaty in Europe.
U.S. may lift restrictions on Russian uranium supplies in June RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- Moscow and Washington may sign an agreement to lift restrictions on Russian uranium supplies in June during the Russian nuclear chief's visit to the United States, the official said.
Russia, Kazakhstan sign deal on uranium enrichment center RIA Novosti 10 May 2007 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin's visit to Kazakhstan has produced a bilateral agreement to set up an international uranium enrichment center in East Siberia.
Backgrounder: Russia’s Beef with Regional Arms Control cfr.org 07 May 2007
Russia to deploy fixed-site Topol-M ICBMs by 2010 -SMF cmdr. RIA Novosti 08 May 2007 -- Russia's Strategic Missile Forces will complete the deployment of silo-based Topol-M ICBMs by 2010, the SMF commander in chief said Tuesday.
Rice to Go to Moscow for Talks on Missile Defense, Kosovo VOA 07 May 2007 -- The U.S. State Department said Monday Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice will visit Moscow next week for talks on problem issues including Kosovo and U.S. missile defense plans for central Europe
Russia forces development plan unaffected by U.S. missile shield RIA Novosti 07 May 2007 -- Russia's mid-tem military development program will not be reviewed despite U.S. plans to deploy a missile defense system in Central Europe, a Russian senior military official said Monday.
State Dept. confirms timeframe for missile defense talks with Russia RIA Novosti 05 May 2007 -- U.S.-Russia missile defense talks will go ahead as planned in early fall, Assistant Secretary of State for Europe and Eurasia Daniel Fried said Friday.
US, Russia Agree to High-Level Missile Defense Talks VOA 04 May 2007 -- The United States and Russia have agreed to hold special cabinet-level talks in an effort to resolve a dispute over U.S. plans to put elements of a missile defense system in central Europe
NATO Urges Russia to Stop Threats Against Estonia VOA 03 May 2007 -- NATO is calling on Russia to stop threats against the Estonian embassy in Moscow and to resolve a dispute over the relocation of a Soviet war memorial in Estonia's capital.
Russian deputy PM cold on troop deal, warm on chemical weapons RIA Novosti 03 May 2007 -- Russia will honor the convention to destroy chemical weapons, but will not disclose the strength and location of its troops, a Russian first deputy prime minister said Thursday.
NPT crucial to countering proliferation risks - Russian FM IRNA 02 May 2007 -- However complicated the current situation may prove, 'responses to the new challenges and threats to the nuclear non-proliferation regime must be looked for on the basis of the nuclear arms non-proliferation treaty', the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Wednesday in connection with the first session of the preparatory committee of the 2010 conference on NPT observance.
Indian Navy chief denies delay in delivery of Russian aircraft carrier IRNA 02 May 2007 -- Dismissing reports that the delivery of Soviet-era aircraft carrier Admiral Gorshkov would be delayed, Indian Navy chief Admiral Sureesh Mehta said the carrier would arrive in the Indian waters by 2008-end or early 2009.
U.S. concerned over Russia's intelligence ops - McConnell RIA Novosti 02 May 2007 -- Russia's foreign intelligence operations against the United States are currently at the same level as during the Cold War, the U.S. national intelligence chief said.

Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

May 2007 - Russia Special Weapons News