President Vladimir Putin on Sunday signed a new naval doctrine that places the United States as Russia’s main rival and sets out Russia’s global maritime ambitions for crucial areas such as the Arctic and the Black Sea.
Speaking at Russian Navy Day in the former imperial capital of St. Petersburg, founded by Tsar Peter the Great, Putin praised Peter for making Russia a major maritime power and increasing the Russian state’s global standing.
After inspecting the navy, Putin gave a brief speech in which he promised that what he touted as Russia’s unique Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, warning that Russia had military leverage to defeat any potential aggressors.
Just before the speech, he signed off on a new 55-page naval doctrine that sets out the broad strategic goals of the Russian navy, including its ambitions as a “great maritime power” that spans the entire world.
The main threat to Russia, the doctrine says, is “the US strategic policy of dominating the world’s oceans” and the movement of the NATO military alliance closer to Russia’s borders.
Russia can use its military force appropriately to the situation in the world’s oceans if other soft powers, such as diplomatic and economic tools, run out, the doctrine says.
Putin did not mention the conflict in Ukraine during his speech, but military doctrine calls for a “comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position” in the Black and Azov seas.
It also defined the Arctic Ocean, which the United States has repeatedly said Russia is trying to militarise, as an area of particular importance to Russia.
Russia’s vast 37,650 km (23,400 mi) coastline, which stretches from the Sea of Japan to the White Sea, also includes the Black Sea and the Caspian Sea.
Putin said delivery of Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles to the frigate Admiral Gorshkov would begin within months. The location of its deployment would depend on Russian interests, he said.
“The main thing here is the capability of the Russian navy… It is capable of responding with lightning speed to anyone who decides to infringe on our sovereignty and freedom.”
Hypersonic weapons can travel at nine times the speed of sound, and Russia conducted earlier tests of the Zircon of warships and submarines last year.
In Crimea, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said Ukrainian forces attacked Russia’s Black Sea Fleet headquarters in the Russian-held port city on Sunday morning, injuring five employees.
Source: CNN Brasil
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