On December 14, the German edition Bild published sensational news. From sources in the German Ministry of Defense, journalists learned about the latest actions of the Russian military. According to the newspaper, Russia has deployed a number of new Iskander-M operational-tactical missile systems (OTKR) in the Kaliningrad region. There is no exact information on the number of complexes, but on the available satellite images, according to Bild, at least a dozen combat vehicles are visible. OTRK "Iskander-M" are located in Kaliningrad and along the borders with the Baltic states.
Group launch of OTR type 9M723K5 or similar 9K720 Iskander-M complex and OTR 9M79 complex 9K79-1 Tochka-U during the Center-2011 exercise, Kapustin Yar training ground, 2011-22-09 (https:// www.mil.ru)
Information about the missile systems deployed in the Kaliningrad region appeared on Saturday and became one of the main topics in the European media over the weekend. An official comment from the Russian military department appeared on Monday. The head of the press service and information department of the Ministry of Defense, Major General I. Konashenkov, said that Iskander-M systems are indeed in service with the missile forces and artillery of the Western Military District. In addition, he noted that the areas of deployment of missile systems fully comply with all international agreements and do not contradict them. Thus, Russia exercised its right to deploy weapons and military equipment on its own territory at its own discretion.
Nevertheless, the states of the near abroad have already managed to express their dissatisfaction with the Russian actions. Several Eastern European countries are concerned about the deployment of Iskander-M missile systems in the Kaliningrad region and have issued relevant statements. For example, Poland, prior to the announcement of official information, announced the need to verify the information published by the newspaper Bild. In addition, the Polish Foreign Ministry believes that the issue of the deployment of Russian missiles in the Kaliningrad region affects not only the nearby Eastern European states, but also the North Atlantic Alliance. Polish diplomats believe that such moves on the Russian side could negatively affect the spirit of positive cooperation between NATO and Russia. On October 19, a meeting of the Russia-Poland Strategic Committee is to take place. Probably, one of the main topics of these negotiations will be missile systems near Kaliningrad.
Estonian diplomats and military personnel are also concerned about the strengthening of Russian missile forces and artillery. Estonian Defense Minister U. Reinsalu intends to discuss this topic with other NATO countries. At the same time, however, the Estonian Defense Minister does not consider the appearance of Iskander in the Kaliningrad region something unexpected. He recalled that missile systems of this model were recently used during the Zapad-2013 exercises. Nevertheless, the Estonian military intends to continue to monitor the development of the Russian armed forces.
Latvian Defense Minister A. Pabriks is not inclined to perceive the new Iskander-M OTRK as an additional threat to his country. He agrees that missile systems are capable of influencing the situation in the region, but does not consider them capable of posing a major threat. In addition, the Latvian military is hoping for NATO assistance.
SPU 9P78-1 with 9M723 ballistic missiles of the 9K720 Iskander-M missile system of the first serial brigade set on the day of the transfer of equipment to the 107th RBR. Kapustin Yar, June 28, 2013 (https://i-korotchenko.livejournal.com)
Official Vilnius is going to continue monitoring the situation, as stated by the Minister of Defense of Lithuania J. Olekas. The strengthening of Russian missile forces close to the borders is cause for concern. However, the Lithuanian Prime Minister A. Butkevicius is not inclined to regard the Iskander-M OTRK as an additional threat to his country.
Finally, the United States showed its position on the latest news. According to State Department spokesman M. Harf, Washington and Moscow have already discussed the issue of deploying missile systems in the Kaliningrad region. Taking into account the position and interests of the Eastern European states, the United States called on Russia not to destabilize the situation in the region. M. Harf did not specify when the American side last made such statements. Like other interested countries, the United States will continue to monitor the situation.
It should be noted that the topic of placing the Iskander-M OTRK in the Kaliningrad region is not new. Back in 2011, Russian President D. Medvedev said that if the construction of the Euro-Atlantic missile defense system in Eastern Europe continues, our country reserves the right to an asymmetric response. In particular, it was argued that operational-tactical missile systems of a new model could be deployed on the western borders of the country. Since then, Iskander-M complexes have regularly appeared in international news in the context of the military-political situation in Eastern Europe.
Immediately after D. Medvedev's statements, it became clear what kind of combat mission the missile systems located on the western borders of Russia, including in the Kaliningrad region, would have. The firing range of 400 kilometers (according to some sources, up to 480 km) will allow "keeping the gun on the fly" fairly large areas. Thus, the Iskanders located in the Kaliningrad region are capable of striking several Euro-Atlantic missile defense facilities in Eastern Europe, which are still under construction. In the event of a full-scale conflict, Russian missile systems will have to destroy missile defense facilities, ensuring the safety of intercontinental ballistic missiles.
Some available information does not allow us to consider the deployment of the Iskander-M OTRK near Kaliningrad as an unexpected and sudden event. For example, the head of the Estonian military department U. Reinsalu reminded a few days ago that the military equipment of this model had already been used during the Zapad-2013 exercises. In addition, information appeared a long time ago, according to which, during this year, several units of the missile forces and artillery were to receive new complexes. As you can see, the units stationed near the western borders of the country became the owners of this technique.
Thus, the situation with the Iskander-M missile systems is simple, but interesting. Russia continues rearmament and increases the combat effectiveness of the missile forces and artillery of the Western Military District, equipping them with new complexes. The location of some units receiving new equipment is such that Iskander-M OTRK are involved in geopolitical games of regional significance. While updating the equipment of the armed forces, Russia complies with all international rules and regulations. Because of this, a number of Eastern European states can only continue to monitor the development of the situation and from time to time make various appeals or even protests. However, in view of a competent policy, Russia may not pay attention to such statements. As a result, interested or dissatisfied parties can only watch what is happening and wait for further developments.
