Editorial: Russia’s nuclear missile accident; New arms race must not be condoned
Aug. 15, 2019
It seems the two nuclear superpowers are headed back to the time of the Cold War, when they were at loggerheads. We must not condone the recurrence of a nuclear arms race that could push the international community to the edge of a cliff.
Last week, an explosion occurred at a navy testing range in the far north of Russia during the test of a new type of nuclear-powered missile, which failed when the engine exploded. According to an expert at Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, the accident involved a “small nuclear reactor” that was in development, killing five experts from a section of the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.
Natural radiation levels around the test site spiked 16 times above normal immediately after the accident. We are concerned about the radioactive contamination of the environment and the effects on local residents. Ships have reportedly been prohibited from sailing in the waters around the site for one month. The Kremlin should quickly take measures to prevent the contamination from spreading.
The limited disclosure of information is also problematic because radioactive contamination has a tremendous impact on people’s health and lives. In the wake of the accident, local residents of nearby towns rushed to pharmacies to buy iodine pills, which can help limit the damage from exposure to radiation. We urge the Russian government to fully disclose what they know to dispel the public’s fears.
The United States has analyzed that the blast involved a nuclear-powered cruise missile known as “Burevestnik,” which can fly for an “almost unlimited range.” Russia has been developing this missile to pierce the missile defense shield deployed by the United States.
However, a Russian military industry official said that the accident occurred while developing a new kind of technology, and that Burevestnik had nothing to do with it. Some experts in the United States also mentioned the possibility that Russia was developing a hypersonic cruise missile that flies at Mach 5 to 10, much faster than a supersonic missile. In any case, it can be said that Russia is pressing forward with the goal of expanding its military capability. The international community should not ignore these efforts.
Behind Russia’s actions are its countermeasures against the U.S. missile defense shield. Russia is making a strong bid to develop new types of nuclear weapons to penetrate the missile defense shield out of fear that the shield could nullify its nuclear forces.
The Putin administration has been engaging in provocative behavior of late. In 2014, defying opposition from the international community, Russia annexed the Crimea, in southern Ukraine, by force so that this region would become part of Russian territory. Its actions are geared toward destroying the world order that was constructed after World War II.
When Ukraine’s pro-Russian government collapsed, prior to the annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he was “ready” to use a nuclear weapon at that time. Such statements are outrageous.
At the same time, the United States must also take some responsibility for Russia’s recent actions. Despite strong opposition from Russia, the United States has advanced the deployment of its missile defense shield. The United States has also repudiated one nuclear arms reduction agreement after another, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which expired this year.
The most recent Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the guidelines for the U.S. nuclear strategy released by the Trump administration last year, includes the development of smaller-sized nuclear weapons, or “usable nuclear weapons,” to attack isolated areas. After the accident, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the explosion was the result of the failed Burevestnik, and boasted that his country has “similar, though more advanced, technology.”
Such comments could add fuel to the fire for the drive toward a military build-up and call into question his fitness as a leader.
Unless these two nations end their competition, another nuclear arms race will break out and China, which has the world’s second largest economy and continues to expand its military capability, will join the race as well. The international community must not accept the high-handed attitude of the nuclear weapon states and their use of absurd expressions like “usable nuclear weapons.” We must work together to put the brakes on the nuclear arms race so that the future of humankind will not be decimated by irresponsible leaders.
(Originally published on August 15, 2019)
Last week, an explosion occurred at a navy testing range in the far north of Russia during the test of a new type of nuclear-powered missile, which failed when the engine exploded. According to an expert at Russia’s state atomic energy corporation, the accident involved a “small nuclear reactor” that was in development, killing five experts from a section of the Russian Federal Nuclear Center.
Natural radiation levels around the test site spiked 16 times above normal immediately after the accident. We are concerned about the radioactive contamination of the environment and the effects on local residents. Ships have reportedly been prohibited from sailing in the waters around the site for one month. The Kremlin should quickly take measures to prevent the contamination from spreading.
The limited disclosure of information is also problematic because radioactive contamination has a tremendous impact on people’s health and lives. In the wake of the accident, local residents of nearby towns rushed to pharmacies to buy iodine pills, which can help limit the damage from exposure to radiation. We urge the Russian government to fully disclose what they know to dispel the public’s fears.
The United States has analyzed that the blast involved a nuclear-powered cruise missile known as “Burevestnik,” which can fly for an “almost unlimited range.” Russia has been developing this missile to pierce the missile defense shield deployed by the United States.
However, a Russian military industry official said that the accident occurred while developing a new kind of technology, and that Burevestnik had nothing to do with it. Some experts in the United States also mentioned the possibility that Russia was developing a hypersonic cruise missile that flies at Mach 5 to 10, much faster than a supersonic missile. In any case, it can be said that Russia is pressing forward with the goal of expanding its military capability. The international community should not ignore these efforts.
Behind Russia’s actions are its countermeasures against the U.S. missile defense shield. Russia is making a strong bid to develop new types of nuclear weapons to penetrate the missile defense shield out of fear that the shield could nullify its nuclear forces.
The Putin administration has been engaging in provocative behavior of late. In 2014, defying opposition from the international community, Russia annexed the Crimea, in southern Ukraine, by force so that this region would become part of Russian territory. Its actions are geared toward destroying the world order that was constructed after World War II.
When Ukraine’s pro-Russian government collapsed, prior to the annexation, Russian President Vladimir Putin revealed that he was “ready” to use a nuclear weapon at that time. Such statements are outrageous.
At the same time, the United States must also take some responsibility for Russia’s recent actions. Despite strong opposition from Russia, the United States has advanced the deployment of its missile defense shield. The United States has also repudiated one nuclear arms reduction agreement after another, including the Intermediate-Range Nuclear Forces (INF) Treaty, which expired this year.
The most recent Nuclear Posture Review (NPR), the guidelines for the U.S. nuclear strategy released by the Trump administration last year, includes the development of smaller-sized nuclear weapons, or “usable nuclear weapons,” to attack isolated areas. After the accident, U.S. President Donald Trump tweeted that the explosion was the result of the failed Burevestnik, and boasted that his country has “similar, though more advanced, technology.”
Such comments could add fuel to the fire for the drive toward a military build-up and call into question his fitness as a leader.
Unless these two nations end their competition, another nuclear arms race will break out and China, which has the world’s second largest economy and continues to expand its military capability, will join the race as well. The international community must not accept the high-handed attitude of the nuclear weapon states and their use of absurd expressions like “usable nuclear weapons.” We must work together to put the brakes on the nuclear arms race so that the future of humankind will not be decimated by irresponsible leaders.
(Originally published on August 15, 2019)
