Russia declares that Iskander missiles will be permanently stationed in Kaliningrad
Russia will deploy Iskander missile systems as well as S-400 Triumf anti-aircraft systems in Kaliningrad district, according to the chairman of the Federation Council Defence and Security Committee, Victor Ozerov, as reported by Russia’s RIA news agency.
According to Ozerov, Russia is strengthening its air defense capability on its western border in response to deployment of the American anti-aircraft system in Europe.
“We have to strengthen our system of air defense in this direction, bring in additional forces and equipment to ensure the protection of special facilities and command posts. Deployment of S-400 and Iskander complexes in Kaliningrad as well as creation of new army formations in Western and Southern military districts, are a part of this reinforcement, ” he stated.
In the beginning of October, Russia deployed several Iskander missile systems to Kaliningrad region. This caused protests among NATO members. Sweden called this deployment “a provocation” while Lithuania put its army on a high readiness status. Russia then stated that Iskander missile systems were deployed to Kaliningrad as a part of a scheduled military exercises and they would be returned back to their regular deployment locations.