Russia increases its military presence in Crimea

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. Photo: TASS

Speaking at a meeting of the Defense Committee of the State Duma (the lower house of parliament) of Russia, Mr. Shoigu stated: "The gathering of forces in Crimea is being strengthened, this ensures the safety of this territory as well as Russia's interests in the Black Sea."

In addition, the head of the Russian defense industry emphasized that the country's military has tested 316 models of modern weapons during the war in Syria. Mr. Shoigu added that since 2012, the Russian Armed Forces have received more than 200 intercontinental ballistic missiles, both ground-launched and submarine-launched.

According to Mr. Shoigu, based on the decrees of Russian President Vladimir Putin in May 2012, the Russian Defense Ministry has developed an action plan until 2020.

Defense Minister Shoigu affirmed: "As a result, over the past six years, the Russian armed forces have received 109 Yar intercontinental ballistic missiles and 108 submarine-launched ballistic missiles, three Borey strategic missile cruisers, 57 spacecraft, seven submarines... along with 3,712 new and upgraded tanks and other armored combat vehicles; more than 1,000 aircraft and helicopters; 167 surface ships". According to Minister Shoigu, Russia has increased the number of high-precision cruise missiles 30 times over the past six years.