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PRESS RELEASE


Russia To Deploy New Nuclear Forces in Western Russia

Jan. 13, 2016 (EIRNS)—Russia will deploy new nuclear armed forces in the West of Russia in 2016 which will include five new strategic nuclear missile regiments, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said yesterday in his first teleconference this year.

"Our main effort should go into strengthening the potential of our strategic nuclear forces and of fulfilling the space defense programs,"

RIA Novosti quoted Shoigu as saying.

"Five rocket regiments, equipped with modern rocket complexes, will enter active service in 2016."

Turkey’s Hürriyet Daily News reports that Russia recently announced deployment of five fourth-generation MIG-29 fighter jets and an Mi-8 transport helicopter to a Russian base near Yerevan, Armenia in the second half of 2016. Russia had earlier said it would deploy seven Mi-24 attack helicopters and an Mi-8 transport helicopter, which was announced by the Russian Southern Military District for the protection of Armenian air space, which is "part of the Commonwealth of Independent States air borders."

On Dec. 23, at the CIS Council of Defense Ministers meeting, Russia and Armenia announced that they would be integrating each other’s air defense systems, for their air defenses in the Caucasus. While Armenia, which has been a staunch ally of Russia, does not border it, it does border Turkey. Russia has, in addition to its airbase near Yerevan, a base in the northwest near Gyumri, not far from the Turkish border. All these moves have accrued a wider significance since Turkey shot down a Russian warplane over Syria on Nov. 24, 2015.

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