"We are very, very alert to statements that have been made by certain experts on the Russian side about deploying…dual capable aircraft, missile systems that could also be dual capable," Gottemoeller told House Armed Services subcommittee chairman Ted Poe Wednesday when asked if Russia was deploying or planning to deploy tactical nuclear weapons into Crimea.
The State Department has expressed concern to the Russian leadership about any option of reintroducing nuclear weapons into Crimea, Gottemoeller said.
Multiple members of Congress on the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces asked witnesses from the State Department and Defense Department to confirm or deny the movement of nuclear capable weapons into Crimea.
McKeon was pressed for details as to whether or not Russia is developing a new nuclear weapon. McKeon answered that he would "take that up in a closed session."
The subcommittee held a closed session with the witnesses later in the day.
Allegations of the movement of nuclear capable missiles into Crimea emerged in November, based on statements by NATO's top General Philip Breedlove. The Russian Defense Ministry denied the claims, stating that there were "no facts" behind NATO's accusations.
