Golden Dome Missile Defense Test Raises Russia Concerns
Golden Dome missile defense test draws concern from Konstantin Sivkov, who says the U.S. system targets Russian strategic nuclear forces and needs a response.
The United States is developing its Golden Dome missile defense system as a tool for confrontation with Russia, according to Konstantin Sivkov, a doctor of military sciences.
Sivkov said Moscow should respond to Washington by creating a comparable system of its own. He described Golden Dome as a multilayered complex that includes spacecraft, missile defense and surveillance assets, as well as command centers.
According to the expert, the system is designed primarily to neutralize Russia’s strategic nuclear forces. He argued that if the United States reports a successful test, Russia should respond in one of two ways: either by building an equivalent missile defense network to prevent American nuclear forces from posing a threat, or by proportionally expanding the relevant types of weapons.
Sivkov said that if the United States deploys a missile defense system capable of intercepting 200 to 300 warheads, Russia should bring its nuclear capability to a comparable level. In his view, such a move would allow Moscow to offset the threat posed by American missile defense systems.
The expert also questioned what exactly the United States had tested, saying it was unclear which component or function had been examined. He said the test did not appear to involve the satellite segment and described it as an ordinary event. Sivkov added that strategic-level American missile defense systems remain under U.S. control and are not transferred to other countries.
Earlier, Pentagon chief Pete Hegseth announced the first test of the Golden Dome missile defense system in the United States. According to him, the trials used modern directed-energy technologies. The system automatically detected and struck targets, including unmanned aerial vehicles and cruise missiles. Hegseth said all assigned objectives were completed successfully and on schedule.