Russia is to make a major naval redeployment, moving its Caspian Flotilla from Astrakhan to Kaspiysk, which is 18 km south east of the capital of Daghestan, Makhachkala. This would also bring the Russian Caspian Flotilla much closer to the South Caucasus region, including to the territorial waters of Azerbaijan.
The announcement was made by Russian Defence Minister Sergey Shoigu on Monday (2 April).
"A decision has been made to move the Caspian flotilla to Kaspiysk. Vast construction work is beginning there: piers, logistic facilities and housing. The number of our officers and other personnel will increase manifold," Shoigu said at a conference of senior Defense Ministry officials on Monday.
The Russian news agency TASS said that "the flotilla's redeployment is a major factor for security in the Caspian Region." The first phase of construction work at the site of the Caspian flotilla's new base will be completed in 2019.
The Caspian Flotilla of the Russian Navy consists of 50 ships, including its flagship Gepard-class frigate Tatarstan and also a second frigate Dagestan, three Buyan-class corvettes and four small-size gunships, as well as eight landing craft and minesweepers.
source: commonspace.eu with TASS news agency
photo: The flagship of the Caspian Flotilla, the frigate Tatarstan (picture courtesy of TASS news agency)
