Russian President Vladimir Putin attends a parade marking Navy Day in Saint Petersburg, Russia July 31, 2022. REUTERS/Maxim Shemetov
ST PETERSBURG, Russia, July 31 (Reuters) – President Vladimir Putin signed a new naval doctrine on Sunday that singled out 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 Russia’s Navy Day in the former imperial capital of St Petersburg founded by Tsar Peter the Great, Putin praised Peter for turning Russia into a major naval power and raising the global status of the Russian state.
After inspecting the navy, Putin gave a short speech in which he promised what he touted as Russia’s unique Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles, and warned that Russia had the military leverage to fight off potential aggressors.
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Shortly before the speech, he signed a new 55-page naval doctrine, which sets out the broad strategic goals of Russia’s navy, including its ambitions as a “major maritime power” spanning the globe. To see also : As Russia and the United States Seek Influence in Africa, There Are Strategic Pitfalls.
The main threat to Russia, the doctrine says, is “the strategic policy of the United States to dominate the world’s oceans” and the movement of NATO’s military alliance closer to Russia’s borders.
Russia can use its military strength appropriately for the situation in the oceans if other soft powers, such as diplomatic and economic tools, should be exhausted, the doctrine states.
Putin did not mention the conflict in Ukraine during his speech, but the military doctrine envisages a “comprehensive strengthening of Russia’s geopolitical position” in the Black and Azov Seas.
It also designates the Arctic Ocean, which the US 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 the delivery of Zircon hypersonic cruise missiles to the Admiral Gorshkov frigate would begin within months. The location of their deployment will depend on Russian interests, he said.
“The key here is the capability of the Russian Navy… It is able to respond with lightning speed to anyone who decides to violate our sovereignty and freedom.”
Hypersonic weapons can travel at nine times the speed of sound, and Russia has conducted previous test launches of Zircon from warships and submarines in the past year.
In Crimea, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said Ukrainian forces struck the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet in the Russian-controlled port city early Sunday, wounding five employees.
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Editing by Guy Faulconbridge, William Maclean On the same subject : The US is urging countries to reach out if they have problems with Russian food, exporting fertilizer.
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