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Document No. 92: Information by Marshal Ustinov on Soviet Strategic Offensive Forces, September 1981 ——————————————————————————————————————————— In this statement during the annual “Zapad” exercises, Soviet Defense Minister Marshal Dmitrii Ustinov provides a description of the purpose of certain Soviet armaments, which basically confirms Western assessments that they were first-strike weapons. Specifically, he says that the SS-20 missile is meant for both first and subsequent nuclear strikes against strategic military targets in “all European NATO states and the adjacent seas.” Ustinov underscores that the United States and NATO have no equivalent and that SS-20s are particularly secure because they are on mobile launchers. He also talks about the Kiev aircraft carrier, making it clear that it was designed to destroy U.S. and NATO attack carriers and missile submarines as well as provide support for troop landings. In short, he confirms Western concerns at the time about these offensive weapons, which the Soviet Union had been developing and deploying during détente. ____________________ During the “Zapad 81” exercise, the following systems of the Soviet Union’s strategic offensive forces were explained to the ministers of defense of socialist states by […] Marshal of the Soviet Union [Dmitrii F.] Ustinov: 1. the RSD 20 intermediate-range strategic missile system 2. the “Kiev” aircraft carrier of project 1143 Both systems receive major attention from strategic intelligence in the United States and all other NATO countries. Their concealment from enemy intelligence is achieved through an effective system of safeguarding and deception at the locations of deployment as well as during transfer to areas of employment before and at the start of a possible war. Comrade Ustinov asked to consider both those strategic systems top secret, and to inform only a limited number of people about them. Also, within the Soviet Army only leading cadres are informed about these two systems. I. The RSD 20 intermediate-range strategic missile system (NATO classification: SS-20) Strategic goals – Participation in the first and subsequent nuclear strikes by the strategic offensive forces of the Soviet Union (strategic missile units, nuclear missile submarines , long-range aircraft) – Destruction of objects of military and strategic relevance on the territory of all European NATO states and adjacent seas. Characteristics – Since 1970, the missile system has been part of the strategic missile forces of the Soviet Union. 449 – It has long range, high flexibility, can be quickly deployed, and is very accurate ; it is part of the third generation of this missile system. – It can be aimed against both areas and specific targets. – Currently, and in the coming years, the United States and other NATO states do not have a comparable missile system ready. […] II. The “Kiev” aircraft carrier of project 1143 Strategic goals The “Kiev” aircraft carrier operates in a possible war as part of the relevant naval groupings and fulfills the following tasks: – Destruction of attack aircraft carriers of the United States [and] other NATO states on their way to, and within, areas of deployment. – Search and destruction of nuclear missile submarines of the United States and other NATO states on their way to, and within, areas of deployment. – Providing cover for our own nuclear missile submarines during their operations in areas of deployment and on their return to base. – Support of our own naval amphibious forces troops during landing and seizure of coastal areas. […] Since coming into service five years ago, the “Kiev” aircraft carrier has covered 240,000 km on the world’s oceans and fulfilled all its tasks with good or excellent results. [Source VA-01/32641, pp, 1–6, BA-MA. Translated by Karen Riechert.] 450 ...

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