Tensions between Russia and Ukraine have escalated once again in the conflict over Crimea, as Russian military officials have recently announced that new air defense missiles are being delivered to Crimea. Moscow had announced its intentions to deliver the S-400 Triumph missile systems last month.
Russia also announced this week that they had foiled a Ukrainian sabotage mission, and accused Kiev’s Ukrainian government heads of sending undercover saboteurs into areas of Crimea under Russian control. Reportedly one soldier as well as a secret police officer were killed in the operation to foil the plot. The Prime Minister of Russia, Dmitry Medvedev, suggested that, should the crisis worsen any further, Moscow may be forced to sever all diplomatic ties with Ukraine.
The S-400 Triumph missiles have the capability to intercept and hit other airborne targets up to 249 miles away, as well as ballistic missiles from 60km. They are presently being installed in Crimea to protect and support Russia’s Hmeimim air base, located in Syria.
Tensions between Russia and Ukraine came after Russia’s annexation of the Crimea region in 2014. Moscow justified sending tens of thousands of Russian troops into the region after alleging Ukrainian factions had staged armed incursions in the area. Ukraine has denied these allegations. Within the Donetsk and Luhansk parts of Ukraine, some clashes still continue between pro-Russia rebel factions and Ukrainian government military troops.
The latest crisis comes just ahead of next month’s parliamentary elections. Besides the two Russians killed in the clashes, explosives were also recovered in alleged sabotage plot, according to the foreign ministry. The president of Ukraine has called the claims “preposterous,” and blamed the reports of border gunfire on drunken Russian troops.
That report of gunfire near the border has been independently confirmed, and Russian State TV also released a video apparently showing former volunteer fighter Yevhen Panov confessing to the sabotage. Panov’s family claims he was abducted, and the video shows apparent injuries to his right eye.
According to Ukrainian officials, Russia’s actions display a pre-text for a far more serious military incursion in the near future.
