Moscow seeks to repair military image

August 26, 2000

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Russian President Vladimir Putin, already under severe criticism for his handling of the Kursk submarine tragedy, has pleaded for national unity, saying that “such events should not disunite, but unite society,” according to official Russian sources.

Putin, in an effort to reassure the Russian people concerning their nation’s role in the world, declared that “within a short period of time,” Russia will “re-emerge as a self-confident, global superpower.”

Seeking to counter international skepticism regarding Russia’s military capabilities, Moscow asserted that such criticism implies “that only the United States and NATO are capable of maintaining order and security in the world.”

The statements were carried by the Voice of Russia World Service, the official broadcasting service of the Russian government.

The broadcast criticized U.S. Defense Secretary William Cohen for questioning Russia’s ability to maintain its nuclear arsenal “at the level of American standards.” Germany’s Defense Minister Rudolf Scharping drew similar reproach for suggesting that Russia could avert similar tragedies in the future by “making additional efforts to cut back its nuclear weapons unilaterally.”

Russian relations with NATO have been severely strained since the Western alliance launched an air war against Yugoslavia in March 1999. Since the end of the air war, Moscow has bitterly criticized the manner in which the U.S.-led alliance is governing Kosovo, nominally still a province of Yugoslavia.

Moscow expressed its suspicion that a NATO submarine was involved in the sinking of the Kursk and referred specifically to “U.S. submarines” being near the Kursk at the time of the Russian sub’s sinking. The U.S. submarines, according to Moscow, were seeking to obtain secret Russian technology.

“Why were American submarines keeping such a close eye on the Russian navy exercises?” the Russian broadcast asked. “The answer is that the Russian navy [possesses] … sophisticated weapons that America still lacks — and American experts are aware of this,” according to the broadcast.

Republican presidential candidate George W. Bush again came under close scrutiny from Moscow. The GOP standard-bearer was cited for “doing all he can do … to build-up America’s military … and enlarge NATO.” Moscow stated just over a week ago that Bush and the GOP were less likely than Al Gore and the Democrats “to develop cooperation with Moscow.”

Ironically, the Kursk tragedy comes at a time when Russia is seeking to further expand its naval presence and widen its military role as defender of the former Soviet republics.

Earlier this month, Moscow announced plans to increase its naval forces in the Mediterranean Sea with additional ships, including an aircraft carrier. Reports in April told of Russian plans to commit a nuclear submarine to the Persian Gulf. The sea exercises in which the Kursk was lost were intended to demonstrate Russian military prowess in opposition to NATO’s eastward expansion.

Russia has also pledged to increase its military role with the former Soviet republic of Belarus in Eastern Europe and to assist the Central Asian republics — all former members of the U.S.S.R. — in their struggle against fundamentalist Islamic guerrillas.

Despite Russia’s often-reported military budget difficulties, Moscow is modernizing its armed forces. Russia continues to manufacture the advanced Tupolev 160 strategic bomber and is developing a highly sophisticated version of the stealth bomber. Russia has also introduced a new and highly advanced ballistic missile, the Topol M.