Head of the Defense and Security Committee of the Russian Federation Council Viktor Bondarev stated on March 18 that his country had deployed Tu-22M3 strategic bombers and Iskander-M missile systems in the Republic of Crimea to counter US anti-missile elements in Romania.
Bondarev described the installation of the US MK-41 missile defense launch systems in Romania as a “serious challenge” for Russia.
“Russia’s Defense Ministry making a decision to deploy squadrons of Tu-22M3 long-range missile-carrying bombers in Crimea, at the airbase in the town of Gvardeysk,” he said adding that such missile systems, including S-300 and S-400, Buk-M2, Pantsir-S1 and two modifications of [nuclear capable] Iskander, have also been stationed at the peninsula.
He further stated that the Tu-22M3s in Crimea are to be modernized and equipped with new armaments in the next few years, which will allow them “to deliver warheads to any point in Europe, hitting any type of enemy anti-missile or air-defense facilities.”
However, later this statement appeared to be a ‘mistake’. The Defense and Security Committee in the Russian parliament denied reports about the deployment of the strategic bombers and Iskander missile systems to Crimea.
State Duma Defense Committee head Vladimir Shamanov denied the reports, but said that the multifaceted force stationed in Crimea is fully “capable of repelling any attempted attack.”
“S-300, S-400, Buk-M2 and Pantsir-S1 anti-air complexes have been deployed to Crimea. Anti-missile and anti-air systems are capable of reliably defending from airborne attacks. There is also the shore-based anti-ship Bastion missile complex, outfitted with cutting-edge weaponry,” the committee’s press service told TASS.
While the statement appeared to be including a mistake, it itself is another example of the current state of public rhetorics employed in the US-Russian relations.
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i doubt it was a mistake! More like a warning! And yes, Russia should arm the fuck out of Crimea! Putting those missile defence systems (which can also launch offensive missile (i think tomahawk cruise missiles) was asking for it!
Crimea is so important to Russia!