Russia is going to deploy a division of troops about 50 miles from the US
Google Maps
"There are plans to form a coastal defense division in 2018 on the Chukotka operational direction," said Shoigu.
Shoigu said the deployment was "to ensure control of the closed sea zones of the Kuril Islands and the Bering Strait, cover the routes of Pacific Fleet forces' deployment in the Far Eastern and Northern sea zones, and increase the combat viability of naval strategic nuclear forces."
Japan and Russia dispute ownership of the northern Kuril Islands, where Russia plans to deploy missile defense batteries. The Bering Strait, of course, is the narrow waterway that separates Alaska from Russia's east.
Broadly, Russia has taken the lead in militarizing and exploring the Arctic region, as melting ice caps opens up new shipping lanes between the East and West. In that context, the deployment of a division to the sparsely populated Chukotka region makes sense.
In the past, Russia has bemoaned NATO and US troop deployments near to their borders. How the US will respond to this deployment remains to be seen.
- Spiti Valley guide 2024: Stunning locations & interesting things to do
- Zydus Q4 net profit surges 4-fold to ₹1,182 cr; revenue at ₹5,534 cr
- Sebi mulls facilitating MFs to invest in overseas funds with exposure to Indian securities
- India's forex reserves jump $2.56 bn to $644.15 bn
- JSW Steel Q4 net profit falls 65% to ₹1,322 crore
- Nothing Phone (2a) blue edition launched
- JNK India IPO allotment date
- JioCinema New Plans
- Realme Narzo 70 Launched
- Apple Let Loose event
- Elon Musk Apology
- RIL cash flows
- Charlie Munger
- Feedbank IPO allotment
- Tata IPO allotment
- Most generous retirement plans
- Broadcom lays off
- Cibil Score vs Cibil Report
- Birla and Bajaj in top Richest
- Nestle Sept 2023 report
- India Equity Market