The type of missiles, in particular, I think were inexcusable to place near the USSR. If they were deterrence weapons, alright that's one thing, but these were

The type of missiles, in particular, I think were inexcusable to place near the USSR. If they were deterrence weapons, alright that's one thing, but these were as the article highlights, vulnerable, exposed missiles, that would serve no purpose in deterrence as they can be easily taken out. As such their only strategic purpose is as a first-use weapon, putting something like that on your neighbour's doorstep is extremely hostile.