The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Russian Federation responded to the US claims on the installation of the KR "Caliber" on the Russian icebreaker
The US claims on arming the Russian icebreaker Ivan Papanin with the Kalibr cruise missiles are unfounded, since this ship is not a classic icebreaker. This was stated in an interview with RIA News Ambassador-at-Large of the Russian Foreign Ministry Nikolai Korchunov.
According to Korchunov, the statement by the commander of the US Navy in Europe and Africa, Admiral James Foggo, that the Russian icebreaker Ivan Papanin can carry the Kalibr cruise missiles on its board has no basis at all. This ship is not a classic icebreaker, it is an ice-class patrol vessel built for the Naval fleet Russia.
- explained the Russian diplomat.
He emphasized that the possibility of installing containers with Kalibr cruise missiles or Uran missiles on Russian icebreakers is only possible during a special period when these ships are involved in strengthening the Northern Fleet's naval grouping, whose area of responsibility includes the entire NSR route, as well as the Arctic coast of Russia.
Korchunov also explained that the United States did not apply to Russia regarding the leasing or sale of icebreakers. According to him, the United States intends to lease several icebreakers in addition to its own, which will be built. However, Russia is not one of those countries from which the Americans would like to buy or rent icebreakers. Most likely, Washington will turn to Canada, Sweden and Finland on this issue.
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