Russia to strenghten and optimize its military forces in Baltic region to response NATO deployment 2604153

Posted On
Defence & Security News - Russia
 
Russia to strenghten and optimize its military forces in Baltic region to response NATO deployment.
Russia must strengthen and optimize its military contingent in the Baltic region in light of the current military-political situation, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday, April 24, 2015. Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s activities near its borders, saying that this move could contribute to further deterioration of the alliance’s relations with Moscow.
     
Russia must strengthen and optimize its military contingent in the Baltic region in light of the current military-political situation, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Friday, April 24, 2015. Russia has repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s activities near its borders, saying that this move could contribute to further deterioration of the alliance’s relations with Moscow. Russian soldiers of the separate tank battalion of the Baltic Fleet motorized infantry brigade, during loading of tanks on flatcars, for dislocation to the district selected for military exercises, in the city of Gusev, Kaliningrad Region on February 28, 2014.
     
"It is necessary to take steps aimed at improving effectiveness and reliability of the entire command-and-control chain on the Kaliningrad theater of operations," Shoigu said at a meeting with top military brass in Moscow.

"Based on a comprehensive analysis of a number of military-political, social and historical factors that influence the situation in the region, we will consider ways to improve the strength of the Baltic Fleet and the structure of its combined-arms contingent."

Earlier this year, NATO announced it would set up six new command and control units near Russia, including in the Baltic states. NATO suspended its cooperation with Moscow shortly after Crimea rejoined Russia in March 2014, limiting contact to ambassadorial and higher levels, despite the fact that the reunification came after an overwhelming 96 percent majority of the peninsula's voters supported the move through a referendum.

March 24, 2015, Swedish fighters intercepted four Russian planes flying in international air space over the Baltic sea with their transponders turned off.

Russia has stepped up flights near Europe's borders over the last couple of years forcing jets from NATO countries and allies like Sweden to scramble hundreds of times.