Crimea became part of Russia in March this year. This federal subject on land has no common borders with other Russian regions and therefore is considered an exclave (more precisely, a semi-exclave, since it has access to the sea). Thus, since the spring of this year, the Russian Federation has two semi-exclaves: Crimea and the Kaliningrad region. The connection between these regions and the "mainland" is primarily provided by aviation and maritime transport. In addition, in the future, a bridge should appear that will connect the Taman Peninsula and Crimea. The specific geographic location of the two federal subjects is the reason for the emergence of special risks. For example, in the event of the outbreak of hostilities, a potential adversary may attempt to blockade Russian semi-exclaves and thereby hinder or block the work of formations based on their territory.
The strategic position of the Kaliningrad region should be considered very difficult. In the south, this region borders with Poland, and in the north and east it is surrounded by Lithuania. From the west, the region is washed by the waters of the Baltic Sea. The Kaliningrad region is separated from the main territory of Russia by several hundred kilometers. The land routes of communication between the region and the rest of the country (roads and railways) run through the territory of Lithuania. Airways also cross the space of the Baltic states. Only maritime traffic is relatively independent from third countries. In addition, it is necessary to remember about the existence of pipelines and other communications used to supply power to the semi-exclave.
The military and political situation in the Baltics is a serious cause for concern. The fact is that both countries, with which the Kaliningrad region borders, are members of NATO. Thus, in the light of the latest statements and trends, the Kaliningrad region turns out to be an outpost on the border with a potential enemy. The geographical position of the Russian semi-exclave is such that in the event of a serious aggravation of relations or the beginning of an open confrontation, NATO will try to block it as soon as possible, leaving out of work the units of the Baltic Fleet and parts of the Western Military District stationed in the Kaliningrad region.
Fortunately for the military and the population of the Kaliningrad region, several factors prevent the beginning of the blockade (at least a complete one, both land and sea). Thus, international law prohibits blocking semi-exclaves by the forces of the navy. In addition, one should not forget that the North Atlantic Alliance, for all its disagreements with Russia, is not interested in an open conflict, which is why it will solve the existing problems without obvious aggression. Finally, in the context of the beginning of a real conflict, it must be borne in mind that the Baltic countries do not have powerful armed forces. Thanks to this, the Russian army will be able, in a relatively short time, to organize a "road of life" on the territory of one of the countries dividing the Kaliningrad region and the rest of Russia. However, this scenario is more of a pure theory than a plan of action.
It should be borne in mind that the Kaliningrad region is not only a region subject to the aggression of a potential adversary. In the existing strategy, it, being the westernmost region of the country, plays the role of a springboard and location for various units. Thus, several formations of the Baltic Fleet are located on the territory of the Kaliningrad region. These are brigades of surface ships, landing boats, ships for the protection of the water area, as well as the 336th Separate Guards Marine Brigade (Baltiysk); 79th Separate Guards Motorized Rifle Brigade (Gusev); 152nd Guards Brigade (Chernyakhovsk) and a number of other units.
In addition to the ship and coastal units of the Baltic Fleet, the Kaliningrad region has units of the air force and ground forces. For example, it is in this region that one of the regiments of the newest S-400 air defense system is deployed. If necessary, the grouping of troops on the territory of the semi-exclave can be strengthened by transferring new formations from the Western Military District.
Several years ago, the Kaliningrad region began to figure in the news regarding disputes over the deployment of anti-missile systems in Eastern Europe. Russian officials have repeatedly argued that Russia, in response to the emergence of missile defense systems in Poland or Romania, will deploy Iskander tactical missile systems near Kaliningrad, whose task will be to suppress the Euro-Atlantic missile defense system in the event of an armed conflict.
When using Iskander, the geographical position of the Russian semi-exclave becomes a real advantage, since it shifts the positions of the missilemen several hundred kilometers west of the main Russian territory. When using various missiles, the Iskander complexes can hit targets at ranges of up to 500 km, which makes it possible to “target” a substantial part of Eastern Europe. As a result, Russian missile systems are becoming not only a means of countering missile defense systems, but also an instrument of regional policy.
As you can see, the Kaliningrad region has a specific geographic location, but the leadership of the armed forces is taking measures aimed at strengthening the grouping in the semi-exclave on the shores of the Baltic Sea. Such measures, including the supply of new weapons and equipment, are intended to protect the westernmost region of Russia and to strengthen its presence in the Baltic. In the future, it is necessary to continue the development of the grouping of forces in the Kaliningrad region, since special tasks are assigned to it.
The second Russian semi-exclave is Crimea. For more than two decades, the peninsula was part of a neighboring state, but after well-known events decided to join Russia. Historically, the main facilities of the Black Sea Fleet were located in the Crimea. In recent decades, Russia has leased a number of facilities from Ukraine where our servicemen have served. Now Crimea has passed to Russia and she began to develop its military infrastructure.
In mid-August, Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke about the development of a program for the creation and development of a military group. At the time of the announcement, the program was drawn up and approved in all instances, in addition, the signature of the head of state appeared under it. Then, in August, the president revealed some details of the program.
Like the Kaliningrad region, Crimea differs from other Russian regions in its unusual geographical location. The peninsula is connected to the rest of the land by the narrow Perekop isthmus, and the rest of its borders are washed by the waters of the Black and Azov Seas. Before the deterioration of Russian-Ukrainian relations, communication between Russia and Crimea was carried out through Ukrainian territory and the Perekop Isthmus, as well as with the help of ferries crossing the Kerch Strait. As a result of events in the international arena, the land routes to Crimea were actually blocked. For this reason, ferries are currently the main means of transporting passengers and goods. There is an air connection.
To solve the transport problem, over the next few years, it is planned to build a bridge across the Kerch Strait, which will significantly simplify and speed up the journey to Crimea, as well as relieve the ports. In addition, it is planned to develop transport infrastructure on the peninsula, including that used by civil aviation. The result of all these works should be the creation of full-fledged communication routes between Crimea and the rest of Russia, which will optimize not only civil, but also military logistics.
In the course of the approved program for the creation and development of a military group in Crimea, it is planned to carry out a number of measures to update the infrastructure and strengthen the existing group of forces. First of all, it is proposed to repair and modernize the facilities of the navy in Sevastopol. At the same time, however, repairs and construction in Sevastopol will not affect the work in Novorossiysk. The Novorossiysk base of the Black Sea Fleet will be completed in accordance with current plans. The only change in the plans for the base in Novorossiysk is the adjustment of the dates. On September 23, V. Putin announced that the base would not be completed by 2020, but by 2016.
The plans to continue the construction of the Novorossiysk base with the simultaneous restoration of facilities in Sevastopol clearly show the methods by which it is planned to build and develop a group of troops in Crimea. It is supposed to implement already existing plans, as well as work in the framework of new projects. For example, on September 17, a new submarine B-261 "Novorossiysk" of project 636.3 "Varshavyanka" was accepted into the Black Sea Fleet. She is the first ship of six previously ordered for the Black Sea Fleet. In addition to diesel-electric submarines Novorossiysk, two Varshavyankas have already been launched, and one more is on the slipway. In the near future, construction of the fifth and sixth submarines of the series will begin.
Several Crimean airfields will be restored and modernized over the next few years. Fighters and attack aircraft of several types will serve on them. In addition, Tu-22M3 bombers will be transferred to Crimea in the future. It will take about two years to update the naval aviation stationed on the semi-exclave peninsula. The air force being created will defend the southern borders of the country and the Crimea, and long-range bombers will be able to control the entire Black Sea region and part of the Eastern Mediterranean.
The deployment of troops in Crimea is intended to solve two strategic tasks. First: the protection of the peninsula and state borders, passing through the Black Sea. For example, the simultaneous deployment of the Black Sea Fleet formations both in the Crimea and in Novorossiysk will help not only strengthen it, but also provide it with greater flexibility of use. The second task of the Crimean group of forces is to ensure the presence of the Russian armed forces in certain regions. The Black Sea Fleet's area of responsibility includes the Black Sea and part of the Mediterranean. The bombers planned for redeployment will be able to control part of the Eastern Mediterranean, as well as the entire water area of the Black Sea. The ships of the Black Sea Fleet, in turn, can operate in any area of the Mediterranean. In the future, missile systems can be sent to the Crimea, which will increase the strike potential of the military group.
The western direction is traditionally regarded as the most dangerous. In the current situation, the Kaliningrad region and Crimea are the outposts of the Russian armed forces in the western direction. The military and political leadership of the country understands this and plans to modernize the Crimean formations, and also gradually increases the potential of the units serving near Kaliningrad. The geographic features of the semi-exclave regions are associated with certain difficulties and impose some restrictions on the implementation of existing plans, but their strategic role leaves no other choice. The groupings of troops in the Crimea and the Kaliningrad region should be developed and updated.
