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​Russian Occupation Authorities in Crimea Concerned About Ability to Defend the Peninsula, “Paramilitarization” Has Dramatically Accelerated

Russian fuel depot on fire, Sevastopol, May 4, 2023 / screenshot from video
Russian fuel depot on fire, Sevastopol, May 4, 2023 / screenshot from video

The proliferation of paramilitary groups in Russia, particularly in the Crimean Peninsula, has significantly accelerated since the country's invasion of Ukraine, prompting concerns over national security and the effectiveness of the regular army in defending the region

Over at least the last 20 years, russia has experienced a proliferation of paramilitary groups out of its regular armed forces. However, this “paramilitarization” has dramatically accelerated since russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is particularly important in the Crimean Peninsula, the UK Defense Intelligence reports.

An oil depot near Kozacha Bay on fire Defense Express Russian Occupation Authorities in Crimea Concerned About Ability to Defend the Peninsula, “Paramilitarization” Has Dramatically Accelerated
An oil depot near Kozacha Bay on fire / open source

The leader of the russian occupation administration in the temporarily occupied Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, has been instrumental in setting up several local units, which often claim affiliation with the Cossack tradition. Most have been given some semi-official status as reserve units of the regular army.

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According to the UK Defense Intelligence, Sergei Aksyonov is likely keen to burnish his patriotic credentials by recruiting fighters, but he is likely also concerned about the regular army’s ability to defend the peninsula.

The main element of the Russian garrison, 22nd Army Corps, is currently mostly deployed outside the peninsula and has taken heavy casualties.

The 22nd Army Corps soldier Defense Express Russian Occupation Authorities in Crimea Concerned About Ability to Defend the Peninsula, “Paramilitarization” Has Dramatically Accelerated
The 22nd Army Corps soldier / open source
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