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What Russia's second S-400 battalion meant for Crimea
Summary
A look back at reports from 13 to 15 January 2018 on Russian air defences in Crimea and a dispute over a Syrian border force.
What was Moscow signalling in the days before 17 January 2018? Two reports from that week point to a Russia reinforcing its military position and condemning Western-backed plans abroad.
Air defence in Crimea
On 13 January 2018, Russia was reported to have deployed a second S-400 anti-air missile battalion in Crimea. The peninsula is part of Ukraine; Russia invaded and occupied it in February and March 2014, then annexed it after a referendum described as illegitimate. That took place amid the uncertainty that followed Ukraine's Revolution of Dignity, and the invasion marked the start of the Russo-Ukrainian war. The 2018 deployment added to the Russian military presence on occupied territory.
Row over a Syrian border force
On 15 January 2018, a separate dispute escalated over the United States-backed Syrian Border Security Force. Turkey threatened to "strangle" the force "before it's even born". Syria vowed to crush it and to expel American military personnel from the country. Russia called the plans "a plot to dismember Syria".
The reactions came from three governments with differing interests in the Syrian civil war, and all three directed their criticism at the same American-backed project.
Why it is worth revisiting
Seen together, the two items show Russia strengthening its air defences in Crimea while publicly opposing a US-backed initiative in Syria. Both stories were developing in the days leading up to 17 January 2018.
