Russian Defense Minister Shoigu: special operation dispelled the myth of the "superweapon of the West"
On August 16, in his speech at the Moscow Conference on International Security, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry, Sergei Shoigu, said that from a military point of view there is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine to achieve the goals of the special operation. Russian President Vladimir Putin noted that the era of the unipolar world order is becoming a thing of the past. According to him, it is important to strengthen the positions of the UN and other international dialogue platforms. For more information, see the material "Newspapers.Ru".
There is no need to use nuclear weapons in Ukraine in order to achieve the goals of the special operation. This was announced on Tuesday, August 16, by Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
According to him, the main task of the Russian nuclear forces is to deter a nuclear attack. "Its use is limited to extraordinary circumstances, which are defined in Russian governing documents that are open to the public," Sergei Shoigu is quoted as saying by TASS.
The Defense Minister added that during the special operation, the myth of the "superweapon" of the West, which he supplies to Ukraine, was dispelled. Russia is carefully studying Western captured samples and taking into account their features to improve the effectiveness of its weapons, Shoigu said.
At the same time, Russian weapons, on the contrary, have confirmed the best qualities, the head of the Defense Ministry believes. "Initially, it was about the supply of Javelin anti-tank systems, some "unique" drones. Recently, HIMARS multiple rocket launchers and long-range howitzers have been promoted by Westerners to the role of superweapons. However, these weapons are also being ground in battles," the minister said, noting that "these weapons did not have a significant impact on the situation."
Shoigu claims that the operations carried out by the Armed Forces of Ukraine are allegedly planned in the United States and Great Britain. "Operations of the Armed Forces of Ukraine are planned in Washington and London. Not only the coordinates of the targets for strikes are provided by Western intelligence, but also the input of this data into the weapon systems is carried out under the full control of Western specialists," he said.
Western countries, in his opinion, are responsible for the deaths of civilians in the Donbass, since they supply NATO weapons to Kiev. "The role of Kiev in the West's approach to the conduct of hostilities is reduced to the supply of manpower, which is considered as expendable.
According to him, the real figures of the dead servicemen and mobilized defense forces are hidden by the Kiev leadership. However, over time, such data will become public, Shoigu believes.
The general also claims that "the united forces of the West control the leadership of Ukraine during the hybrid war against Russia": the supply of weapons and military equipment to Kiev is increasing, the West is training the personnel of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
"I would like to focus separately on the humanitarian aspects of the special military operation. Compliance with the Geneva Conventions on the rules of warfare has always been and remains the focus of attention of commanders at all levels. Since the beginning of the operation, relevant orders have been issued, fixing the procedure for the actions of military personnel against the civilian population and prisoners of war of the enemy," he said.
In addition, the Defense Minister noted that the department is grateful to the UN and the International Committee of the Red Cross for constructive and depoliticized cooperation on humanitarian assistance during the special operation.
"In particular, under the auspices of the UN and with the active role of Turkey, it was possible to solve the difficult problem of grain export from the Black Sea ports of Ukraine. Red Cross specialists are carrying out an important mediation mission in relation to captured servicemen," Shoigu stated.
NATO's Eastern Flank
The deployment of additional NATO formations on the "eastern flank" of the bloc began before the special operation in Ukraine, the head of the Russian Defense Ministry said.
"A few years ago, experts suggested using the European experience to create confidence-building measures, in particular, in the Asia-Pacific region," he said.
The claim that the reason for the entry of Sweden and Finland into NATO was allegedly the special operation of the Russian Federation in Ukraine is false, since these countries have been getting closer to the alliance for many years, Shoigu noted. He pointed out that the deployment of shock weapons on the territory of these countries will require a revision of approaches to the defense of Russian territory.
"Of course, the official participation of Helsinki and Stockholm in the strategic planning of NATO, the possible provision of the territory of these states for the deployment of strike weapons will change the security conditions in the Baltic region and the Arctic, will require a revision of approaches to the defense of Russian territory," the minister said, adding that some conclusions have already been made and enshrined in the updated Maritime Doctrine.
"Conflicts are needed to retain power"
Earlier, Russian President Vladimir Putin addressed the participants and guests of the X Moscow Conference on International Security, noting that the era of the unipolar world order is a thing of the past.
According to him, "The West needs conflicts to retain power, so the United States and its allies actively interfere in the affairs of other countries and organize provocations and civil wars." "The hegemony of the West means stagnation for the whole world.
Russia will continue to take steps to build a more democratic world and improve the existing mechanisms of international security," he said. The Russian leader added that the contours of a multipolar world order are actively being formed - "more and more countries and peoples are choosing the path of free, sovereign development based on their identity, traditions, values."
Putin claims that Western countries "prepared the fate of cannon fodder for the people of Ukraine, implemented the anti-Russia project, turned a blind eye to the spread of neo-Nazi ideology and mass killings of Donbass residents."
"Under these conditions, Russia has decided to conduct a special military operation in Ukraine in full compliance with the UN Charter.
The President said that Russia, together with its allies, will continue to "improve the existing mechanisms of international security and create new ones, consistently strengthen the national armed forces and other security structures, increasing their equipment with modern weapons and military equipment." According to him, it is necessary to restore respect for international law, its fundamental norms and principles, it is important to strengthen the positions of the UN and other international dialogue platforms.
"The UN Security Council and the UN General Assembly, as originally conceived, should serve as effective tools to reduce international tension and prevent conflicts, contribute to ensuring reliable security and well-being of countries and peoples," Putin concluded.
Grigory Plakuchev
