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Russian President Vladimir Putin signed into law a new naval doctrine targeting the US as Russia’s main global adversary.
Putin signed the 55 pages during an appearance in St. Petersburg to mark Russian Navy Day. The Russian leader gave a speech announcing Russia’s plans to become a major sea power and said resistance to the US was a top priority.
“The US strategic policy of dominating the oceans” threatens Russia, Putin said.
However, Putin’s speech made no mention of his ongoing invasion of Ukraine.
RUSSIA CLAIMS HYPERSONIC MISSILE TO HIT UKRAINE, EXPERT WARNS IT’S PART OF PUTIN’S ‘STRATEGIC PLAN’
Russian President Vladimir Putin. (Alexander Demyanchuk, Sputnik, Kremlin Pool Photo via AP)
Russian Navy ships are docked in Sevastopol Bay March 4, 2014. (VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP via Getty Images) (Photo credit should read VIKTOR DRACHEV/AFP via Getty Images)
RUSSIA CLAIMS IT USED HYPERSONIC MISSILES TO HIT UKRAINE’S AMMUNITION STOCK
Putin further claimed that a number of warships will soon be equipped with hypersonic weapons.
“The most important thing here is the capability of the Russian Navy,” Putin said. “It is able to respond with lightning speed to anyone who decides to violate our sovereignty and freedom.”
Putin also called NATO expansion the biggest threat to Russia, months after Sweden and Finland formally joined the Western alliance. Finland shares an 800-mile border with Russia, greatly expanding potential points of friction between NATO and Russia.
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Putin’s speech came on the same day as a drone strike on the headquarters of Russia’s Black Sea Fleet on Sunday. Russian officials say the attack, in which a drone dropped an unknown explosive device, injured at least six people. It is unclear who is responsible for the attack.