Possibly Russia’s Southern Military District is Getting Ready for Preventive Actions: Anatoly Tsyganok

Parallel to unleashed military operations on Nagorno Karabakh conflict zone, on Azerbaijan’s northern border—Dagestan, separate motor rifle brigades of Russia’s southern military district, have been alarmed. As the press service of southern military district informs, number of participants of military drillings, held in “Dalni” polygon comprises about 1000 servicemen and 300 units of military equipment. Servicemen of motor rifle brigade should reverse the attack of the conventional adversary in the line of military equipment, take defensive positions and conduct protection of the district. Military drillings will go on till April 9.

Anatoly Tsyganok, head of the Center of Military Prognosis, Russian military expert, in an interview with 168.am, stated that a few hypotheses may be discussed. Firstly, according to him, it’s the fact that it’s an initially planned military drilling not having any connection to developments in Karabakh. “Southern district implements likewise military drillings from time to time, but it’s clear that sometimes they take political shapes, and unnecessary political context is given to them,” Tsyganok said.

However, in the latter’s conviction, the second hypothesis is the fact that Russia clearly realizes that units deployed in Azerbaijan, are able to attack trough bombers during military operations.  “Thus, we may also think that Russian southern military district is taking preventive actions, however, it’s not clear for the moment for which purpose,” the military expert said. However, in the latter’s conviction, this scenario may be discussed in case of a large-scale attack, and it won’t occur, as Azerbaijan properly assesses power balance, also the fact that Armenia may demand a CSTO support.

“The most interesting is that all presidents of the South Caucasus, except Turkey, speak of the necessity of conflict settlement through diplomacy and policy, and only Turkey claims on supporting Azerbaijan in liberation of Azerbaijani lands,” Tsyganok said. However, all sides and intermediaries, in his conviction, should understand that OSCE Minsk group should have its say, as there are no any other structures to settle its conflict. “Yes, many say Minks group is immature, but this is the only platform available, and it’d be better if negotiations continued. Otherwise, I consider, NKR Defense army will do its best, to change borders, reshaped by Azerbaijan, in its favor” Tsyganok noted.

By Araks Martirosyan