S-400 in Crimea: Russia's Preventive Strike

January 11, 2018

Russia is deploying S-400 missile defence systems in Sevastopol, Crimea, for "protection from Ukraine". According to Putin's Press Secretary Dmitry Peskov, this should not be perceived as a threat to anyone.

However, it is clear that there is a threat for Ukraine coming from Crimea, as, according to Shoygu, a self-standing military group has been created there, and the very fact that Russian military-political leadership views or presents this situation as potential defence capability, is already a sign of a dangerous arms race and militarisation on the peninsula. The threat is perceived not so much as an actual threat, but as perception of this threat by the country that is preparing to fight off similar aggression. And one of the steps is a preventive strike, so, if at any moment, Russia feels that it is not enough to have equipped themselves to fight off any aggression, in theory, they could legitimise a pre-emptive attack as defence.


Oleksiy Melnyk

Co-Director, Foreign Relations and International Security Programmes, Coordinator of International Projects


Born in 1962 in Khmelnytsty Rgn

Education:

Royal College of Defence Studies, London, UK (2007)

Air Field Operations Officer School, Biloxy, MS, US (2001)

Squadron Officer School, Montgomery, AL, US (1994)

Defence Language Institute, San Antonio, TX, US (1994)

Chernihiv Higher Military Air Force Academy, Ukraine (1984)

Employment:

1980 – 2001 — Air Force Active Service (Cadet, Instructor Pilot, Flight Commander, Squadron Commander, Deputy Air Force Base Commander, Participant of two UN peacekeeping operations, Lt.Colonel (Ret)

2001 – 2004 — Razumkov Centre

2004 – 2005 — State Company Ukroboronservice

2005 – 2008 — Ministry of Defence of Ukraine, Head Organisational and Analytical Division — First Assistant to Minister of Defence

(044) 201-11-95

melnyk@razumkov.org.ua

oleksiy.melnyk