Russia’s actions may lead to a nuclear catastrophe, - Oleksandr Turchynov

The massive missile strike, conducted by a naval attack group of Caspian flotilla of Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on targets at the territory of Syria considerably exacerbates the situation in the zone of warfare. This was stated by NSDC Secretary in his comments.

He reminded that a naval attack group of Caspian flotilla that included: patrol ship "Dagestan," flagship "Guepard", small-size missile ships "Grad Sviyazhsk", "Uglich" and "Great Ustyug" from the Caspian Sea aquatory conducted a massive missile attack on targets at the territory of Syria in provinces of Rakka, Idlib and Aleppo.

In all 26 launches of sea launched cruise missiles type (SLCM) 3M14 have been conducted with universal shipboard complex "Caliber-NK"", - NSDC Secretary stated, stressing that for the first time in history the Naval Forces of Russia have applied the sea launched cruise missiles 3M14 in a combat environment. "Before now, they were launched only in the course of test operations and firing exercises", - he added.

According to Oleksandr Turchynov, the employment of cruise missiles by the Russia's Armed Forces to engage the objects at the Syrian territory cannot be explained by the military expediency, "because the destroyed targets were within the reach of Russian aircraft". "Moscow's intention is to demonstrate the international community the resolve and ability of the Russian Army to apply the powerful missile weapons", - he added, stressing that these missiles are capable of carrying the nuclear warheads as well. "Carrying the conventional charge this missile is capable of striking the target at a distance of more than 1500 km, with nuclear - more than 2600 km. The weight of a warhead of a single missile equals to 400 kilograms", - he explained.

In opinion of NSDC Secretary the employment of such weapons creates an extremely dangerous precedent, "accustoming the international community to passive observation of combat usage of missiles capable of carrying nuclear warheads". "Such actions of the Russian Federation is a substantive and very dangerous step towards provoking a global military conflict with the possible employment of nuclear weapons", - Oleksandr Turchynov summarized.