Latest news with #Intermediate-RangeNuclearForces
News18
9 hours ago
- General
- News18
US Deploys 'Nuke Sniffer' Near Russia's Nuclear Bases After Moscow Exits Cold War-Era Treaty
Last Updated: A US Air Force WC-135R aircraft, occasionally called a "nuke sniffer", circled near Russia's northwestern Murmansk region after Moscow exited a Cold-War nuclear treaty. A US plane designed to track nuclear testing in the atmosphere flew close to Russian nuclear bases on Thursday, as per flight data, a day after Moscow announced its departure from the Cold War-era agreement between the United States and the Soviet Union, known as the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. A US Air Force WC-135R aircraft took off from RAF Mildenhall, a major UK base in the east of England, before traveling north along the coast west of Norway, Newsweek reported citing data from Flightradar24. The aircraft was identified by the call sign COBRA29 and circled around the Barents Sea, north of Murmansk and west of the Russian Arctic archipelago of Novaya Zemlya, before returning to the UK almost 14 hours later. There has been no word from the Russian Defence Ministry. About The 'Nuke Sniffer' Notably, the WC-135R aircraft, also known as Constant Phoenix or a 'nuke sniffer", collects data from the atmosphere, particularly radioactive clouds that indicate nuclear activity, according to the US Air Force. The US and UK have sent surveillance aircraft on multiple flights up close to Murmansk in recent weeks. Analysts tracking the flight online said it could indicate that Russia may soon carry out tests of its 9M730 Burevestnik nuclear-powered cruise missile at a launch site, according to Newsweek. The weapon is believed to be able to carry multiple nuclear warheads and dodge Western air defences, while travelling close to unlimited distances. Moscow last carried out a nuclear test in late 1990. Russia's Murmansk region borders NATO members Norway and Finland, and it is home to several naval and strategic air bases, including those serving Moscow's formidable Northern Fleet, which play a significant role in the country's nuclear arsenal. Russia Exit From Nuclear Treaty The deployment was apparently after Russia pulled out of the treaty – which banned short and medium-range nuclear missiles – after Trump said that he had ordered the deployment of two US Navy nuclear submarines in 'appropriate regions" near Russia, in response to former Russian President Dmitry Medvedev's 'highly provocative" comments. Russian officials said Moscow 'no longer sees itself as limited" by restrictions previously placed on both nuclear and conventional intermediate-range and short-range missiles. The feud boiled over after Donald Trump gave Ukraine a drastically shortened ceasefire deadline, slashing the window from 50 days to just under two weeks. Medvedev accused Trump of pressuring Russia into a ceasefire with Ukraine, and warned that such ultimatums were drawing the US closer to full-scale war. He also mentioned the 'Dead Hand', a semi-automated Soviet-era system designed to ensure nuclear retaliation even if the Russian leadership were wiped out in a first strike, which sparked alarm. Location : Moscow, Russia First Published: August 06, 2025, 20:24 IST News world US Deploys 'Nuke Sniffer' Near Russia's Nuclear Bases After Moscow Exits Cold War-Era Treaty Disclaimer: Comments reflect users' views, not News18's. Please keep discussions respectful and constructive. Abusive, defamatory, or illegal comments will be removed. News18 may disable any comment at its discretion. By posting, you agree to our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy.
Hans India
21 hours ago
- Politics
- Hans India
Russia exits N-treaty with US
Moscow: In a major response to US President Donald Trump's provocative move to deploy nuclear submarines near Russia, Moscow has formally announced its withdrawal from the Cold War-era Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. The Kremlin has blamed Trump's deployment of nuclear submarines and 'the actions of Western countries' for creating a 'direct threat' to Russia's security.
Epoch Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Russia Drops Self-Imposed Restrictions on Intermediate-Ranged Missile Deployments
Russia will no longer abide by self-imposed restrictions on the deployment of intermediate-ranged missiles, the Russian Foreign Ministry announced on Aug. 4. Until 2019, both Russia and the United States had been party to the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which prohibited either party from having ground-launched nuclear and non-nuclear missiles that can travel between 310 and 3,400 miles.
The Sun
a day ago
- Politics
- The Sun
Russia hints at deploying mid-range missiles after ending INF moratorium
MOSCOW: Russia on Tuesday suggested it could deploy intermediate-range missiles after ending a self-imposed moratorium on producing or deploying the weapons, which were banned for decades under a Cold War treaty with the United States. Washington and Moscow had prohibited missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres (300-3,400 miles) under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. But US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal during his first term in 2019, accusing Russia of failing to comply. The Kremlin said at the time it would continue to abide by a moratorium if the United States did not deploy missiles within striking distance of Russia. Russia's foreign ministry said Monday it was ending the self-imposed restrictions, with the Kremlin hinting on Tuesday that Moscow could soon deploy the previously-banned missiles. 'There are no longer any restrictions in Russia in this regard. Russia no longer considers itself limited in any way,' President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters. Moscow was 'entitled, if necessary, to take appropriate measures' on the deployment of the missiles, he said, adding that there would be no public announcement if Russia decided to station the missiles. Putin said last year Russia should start producing mid-range missiles -- capable of carrying nuclear warheads -- after the United States sent some launch systems to Denmark for training exercises. Russia has also accused the United States of sending the systems to the Philippines and Australia for drills. 'The United States and its allies have not only openly outlined plans to deploy American land-based INF missiles in various regions, but have also already made significant progress in the practical implementation of their intentions,' Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. The move comes after Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines 'in the region' amid an online row with Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president. Medvedev on Monday said Russia's foes should be on standby. 'This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps,' he said in his first social media post since the row with Trump erupted. - AFP
Hindustan Times
a day ago
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Russia hints at deploying mid-range missiles after ending key nuclear treaty with US
Russia on Tuesday suggested it could deploy intermediate-range missiles after ending a self-imposed moratorium on producing or deploying the weapons, which were banned for decades under a Cold War treaty with the United States. Russia has also accused the United States of sending the systems to the Philippines and Australia for drills.(AFP) Washington and Moscow had prohibited missiles with a range of 500 to 5,500 kilometres (300-3,400 miles) under the 1987 Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty. But US President Donald Trump withdrew from the deal during his first term in 2019, accusing Russia of failing to comply. The Kremlin said at the time it would continue to abide by a moratorium if the United States did not deploy missiles within striking distance of Russia. Russia's foreign ministry said Monday it was ending the self-imposed restrictions, with the Kremlin hinting on Tuesday that Moscow could soon deploy the previously-banned missiles. Also Read | Russia slams Trump's threat against India: 'Can't force countries to choose trade partners' "There are no longer any restrictions in Russia in this regard. Russia no longer considers itself limited in any way," President Vladimir Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, told reporters. Moscow was "entitled, if necessary, to take appropriate measures" on the deployment of the missiles, he said, adding that there would be no public announcement if Russia decided to station the missiles. Putin said last year Russia should start producing mid-range missiles -- capable of carrying nuclear warheads -- after the United States sent some launch systems to Denmark for training exercises. Russia has also accused the United States of sending the systems to the Philippines and Australia for drills. "The United States and its allies have not only openly outlined plans to deploy American land-based INF missiles in various regions, but have also already made significant progress in the practical implementation of their intentions," Russia's foreign ministry said in a statement. The move comes after Trump announced the deployment of two nuclear submarines "in the region" amid an online row with Dmitry Medvedev, Russia's former president. Medvedev on Monday said Russia's foes should be on standby. "This is a new reality all our opponents will have to reckon with. Expect further steps," he said in his first social media post since the row with Trump erupted.
