Russia to boost nuke arsenal with 40 missiles, Putin saysJune 16, 2015 - 17:35 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - President Vladimir Putin says Russia will add more than 40 intercontinental ballistic missiles to its nuclear arsenal in 2015, BBC News reports. Speaking at an arms fair, Putin said the weapons would be able to overcome even the most technically advanced anti-missile defence systems. It comes after the US proposed increasing its military presence in Nato states in Eastern Europe. Tensions are high over Russia's role in the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Nato and Western leaders accuse Russia of sending soldiers and heavy weapons, including tanks and missiles, to the pro-Russian militants in eastern Ukraine. Russia has repeatedly denied this, insisting that any Russians fighting there are volunteers. Russian officials have warned that Moscow will respond if the U.S. carries out its plan to store heavy military equipment in Eastern Europe, including in the Baltic states that were once part of the Soviet Union. "The feeling is that our colleagues from Nato countries are pushing us into an arms race," RIA news agency quoted Russian Deputy Defence Minister Anatoly Antonov as saying on the sidelines of the arms fair outside Moscow. Photo: AP Top stories Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". The earthquake caused a temporary blackout, damaged many buildings and closed a number of rural roads. Partner news | Narek Manasyan wins European Boxing Championships silver for Armenia Armenia’s Narek Manasyan (92kg) won Armenia’s second silver medal at the European Boxing Championships 2024 on April 28. Blinken urges Azerbaijan to continue negotiations with Armenia Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken has urged Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev to continue negotiations with Armenia. Pashinyan, Blinken talk Armenia-U.S. ties over the phone Prime Minister Nikol Pashinyan had a phone conversation with US Secretary of State Antony Blinken on April 28, Pashinyan’s office reports. Titus, Bilirakis lead legislation to sanction Azerbaijani war criminals Representatives Dina Titus (D-NV) and Gus Bilirakis (R-FL) have introduced the bipartisan legislation. |