The Bering Strait and the coast of Chukotka will be covered by a new coastal defense division — its formation in the region has already begun.
The compound will take control of the territory from the western borders of Chukotka to Kamchatka, and, if necessary, to Sakhalin. It will include several regiments, including the previously created 50th Coastal Defense Regiment.
The formation of the division should be completed in 2022. Experts note that the importance of the Northern Sea Route is gradually increasing and the right to use it in Russia has been disputed by several countries. Therefore, experts are sure that the appearance of a new connection will help Russia consolidate its influence in the region.
As sources in the Ministry of Defense told Izvestia, the area of responsibility of the new unit will extend along the Northern Sea Route from the western borders of the Chukotka Autonomous Okrug to Sakhalin, including Kamchatka. She will patrol the coast and will have at her disposal all the necessary weapons systems. The formation of a new division should be completed this year.
The topic of creating a new division was raised at the final board of the Ministry of Defense in December 2021. The division will have to include the 50th Coastal Defense Regiment, which is currently stationed in Kamchatka, but is responsible for the defense of the coast of Chukotka.
His units, in particular, make up the garrison of the city of Anadyr - the personnel of the regiment serves there on the principle of rotation. After duty, soldiers and officers return to Kamchatka, where they rest and engage in combat training.