Potential Adversaries Have No Chance Against Russia's Military Group In Crimea - Bondarev

MOSCOW (UrduPoint News / Sputnik - 19th March, 2019) Russia's military group in Crimea, which is constantly getting strengthened, leaves no chance for any potential enemy of Russia, Chairman of Russia's upper house Defense and Security Committee Viktor Bondarev said Monday.

Bondarev stressed that the Russian military group in Crimea, having advanced, ultramodern weapons systems at its disposal, "does not leave a single chance to a potential enemy who dares to attack Russia from this direction, protects our southwestern borders and guarantees security in the macroregion."

"Since the restoration of historical justice and the reunification of Crimea with Russia, its status as a subject of Russia has radically changed this situation. Now a strong group of our troops is based there, and is constantly growing. The S-300 and S-400, Buk-M2, and Pantsir-S1 air defense systems are deployed in Crimea. These systems are able to provide reliable defense against attacks from the air. There is also the Bastion anti-ship coastal missile system, equipped with ultra-modern weapons," Bondarev said as quoted by his press service.

The press service added that information on deployment of Tu-22M3 long-range bombers was previously circulated by mistake.

"Developing the military potential of the region, we focused not only on the deployment of warships, but also on the construction of coastal defense infrastructure. Today, the Black Sea fleet is a serious, powerful defender of the southwestern part of Russia," Bondarev said.

"If Crimea and Sevastopol were not promptly returned to become again a part of Russia, the territory would have gone under the protectorate of the United States. The United States would have immediately deployed its combat systems there. In case of a war, they would be able to freely put obstacles for our ships: for example, by mining the bottom of the Bosporus. And in this case, the Russian ships would not have been able to perform combat missions there. Today it is impossible. An adversary will not be able to hold our ships here," he stressed.

Crimea rejoined Russia in 2014, when 97 percent of those who participated in the referendum on the matter supported the reunification. The reunification was not recognized by Ukraine or Western states, which subsequently imposed economic and political sanctions on Moscow. Russia has repeatedly stated that the referendum was conducted in compliance with international law.