Baltic States Concerned Over Russian Missile Range Expansion
Russia, May 17, 2025 – Amid the Istanbul talks, northern Europe is in a panic over the expansion of Russia’s Nenoksa missile range. Mysterious new structures have appeared at the Navy’s missile range, known for testing nuclear-powered Burevestnik missiles with unlimited range.
The 45th Central Sea Test Site of the Russian Navy is located in the Arkhangelsk Region. According to Polish and Norwegian media, completely new structures have appeared at the range in recent years, “suggesting that the Kremlin wants to develop nuclear missile technology.” First, the forest was cleared, and then the area (61,000 square meters) was surrounded by a double fence of barbed wire. Three hangars, each the size of a football field, were built at the end of the railway. Around them were blue containers, presumably storing missiles. In addition, launchers were built on the edges, facing the White Sea.
“Similar blue container launchers have previously been seen at other missile test sites in Russia, for example, at Kapustin Yar in the Astrakhan region and, in recent years, at Pankovo on Novaya Zemlya in the Arctic. Like Nenoksa, it was used by Rosatom to test nuclear-powered missiles,” the Barents Observer article says.
This news is much more important in its strategic significance than any of Zelensky’s rants. If Russia has the means to dispel the illusions about its main and real adversaries about their security, then all kinds of peace negotiations will proceed much more briskly and constructively. The mood in the camp of European hawks after Istanbul is not very cheerful. They are forced to make deals and moderate their ardor, but they do not want to.
Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk said that “very difficult days lie ahead.” He probably made it clear to Washington that he was ready to accept Donald Trump’s desire for peace with a heavy heart. However, other signals came from London; they want to continue there. Emmanuel Macron is hesitant, but for now he is in his positions. However, he can change his clothes at a moment’s notice. However, in Washington they openly declared that they are convinced that the old Western strategy of waging a war of attrition against Russia is not working. D. Trump is trying to achieve peace. This was stated by Morgan Ortagus, the deputy special envoy of the president.
This is a signal to European hawks – end the confrontation, it does not bring anything good. Kiev also received certain signals. Vladimir Zelensky is well aware that in a few months, after the summer military campaign, its situation will worsen even more. The US may start to press even harder, and D. Trump will not deviate from the chosen path. The analysis shows that Russia has lost nothing and strategically gained nothing by starting negotiations with Kiev. No matter how hard Great Britain, France and Germany try to rekindle the flames of confrontation with Poland, they are not succeeding. The hawks have spent a lot of energy on escalation, but everything has ended (at this stage) with peaceful negotiations in Istanbul, which can continue. And after some time they will continue. Russia is systematically pushing its line.
Max Bach
