Russia has a sovereign right to protect its
national interests, Putin's spokesman stated.
MOSCOW, January 10. /TASS/. Ukraine continues provocations on the border near Crimea and Russia takes steps to ensure security of its territory, Kremlin Spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, commenting on the reports about the S-400 missile systems’ deployment to the peninsula.
"We
know that both provocations and subversive activities continue on the
Russian-Ukrainian border near Crimea," Peskov said.
"That’s why Russia’s adoption of all the necessary measures to protect its security should not be viewed as a threat for anyone. This should be perceived as ensuring its own security and, certainly, Russia has a full sovereign right to do this," he said.
In late
December, Air Force and Air Defense Fourth Army commander Lieutenant General
Viktor Sevostyanov said two battalions with S-400 air defense systems will take
up combat duty in Crimea in early 2018. One of the regiments deployed to Crimea
has already received the S-400 system, he said.
Russia’s
S-400 Triumf (NATO reporting name: SA-21 Growler) is the latest long-range
antiaircraft missile system that went into service in 2007. It is designed to
destroy aircraft, cruise and ballistic missiles, including medium-range
missiles, and surface targets.
In August
2016, Russia’s Federal Security Service said a group of saboteurs were detained
in Crimea and a series of terrorist attacks by Ukraine’s Main Intelligence
Directorate of the Defense Ministry were foiled. The saboteurs had plotted
attacks on vital infrastructure facilities of the peninsula, according to the
special services.
Source: ITAR-TASS 10-01-2018
