News, Russians move 2 SS-21 Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launchers into South Ossetia. (interview, ethical)

[JD59]

Col. Sam Gardiner notes, in an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to South Ossetia. The SS-21 Missile launchers are relatively weak compared to bombs that have already been used against Georgia by the Russian air force.

Russians move 2 SS-21 Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launchers into South Ossetia « Free & Independent

[Mach50]

I really hope they don't use those.

Could this be a response to the US/Poland/Czech missle defense pact? I just have a feeling Russia has a side agenda.

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by John1960

Col. Sam Gardiner notes, in an interview with Amy Goodman on Democracy Now, Russia has deployed tactical nuclear weapons to South Ossetia. The SS-21 Missile launchers are relatively weak compared to bombs that have already been used against Georgia by the Russian air force.

Russians move 2 SS-21 Medium Range Ballistic Missile Launchers into South Ossetia « Free & Independent

You mean Col. Sam Gardiner who's never seen a nuclear weapon and wouldn't know if he's sitting on one?

DemokraziNow isn't exactly a well-informed and researched publication either. The SS-21 is a short range missile. That should be obvious from its very short range, 70 km range (about 45 miles).

The system is dual use. I'd use the sub-munitions warhead to crater airfield runways and the HE warhead on point targets.

[freeandindependent]

But the Business Wire article which also supports the story predates their report. This actually old news now. The SS-21s can carry nuclear warheads, but in the reported instances of them being used in this conflict it appears they were used only to fire cluster bombs or other non-nuclear.

Col. Sam Gardiner was merely referring to the Beijing press conference and he suggested perhaps that the SS-21s are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which they are. Clearly the fact that the SS-21s were discussed at the Beijing conference suggests that their appearance on the battlefield has concerned the US. Whether this was meant to be a deliberate message to the US or not, it has had that effect. BUSINESS WIRE link below. Democracy Now's integrity still intact.

Press Briefing by Press Secretary Dana Perino and Senior Director for East Asian Affairs Dennis Wilder and Deputy National Security Advisor Ambassador Jim Jeffrey

Updates at Free & Independent

[Mircea]

Originally Posted by freeandindependent

The SS-21s can carry nuclear warheads, but in the reported instances of them being used in this conflict it appears they were used only to fire cluster bombs or other non-nuclear.

Col. Sam Gardiner was merely referring to the Beijing press conference and he suggested perhaps that the SS-21s are capable of carrying nuclear warheads, which they are. Clearly the fact that the SS-21s were discussed at the Beijing conference suggests that their appearance on the battlefield has concerned the US. Whether this was meant to be a deliberate message to the US or not, it has had that effect.

I know what SS-21s are. Unlike the colonel, I'm one of the few westerners to have seen one up close and personal. It is unethical and immoral for him to comment on things he knows nothing about, and it is unethical and immoral for the media to constantly run to people like him for "analysis."

It is of no concern to US. The US knows it carries a 10 kt nuclear warhead, a 1 kt or 10 kt neutron warhead, or a conventional warhead. The US also knows the Russians will not use a nuclear device.

The real value of knowing that SS-21s are there is in knowing the size of Russian military forces there. SS-21s are organic to an army (a US corps).