Ukrainian naval bases in Russia?

05.05.2010 Ukrainian naval bases could be established in Russia, reports Kraina. Dmitry Timchuk, director of politico-military research center and project manager of Flot-2017 tells about possible deployment of Ukrainian bases at Russian territory.

According to Timchuk, "Ukraine should deploy three military bases – in southern Russia, in Rostov region and in Novorossiysk", writes Gazeta.ua.

"Ukrainian air base deployed in southern Russia near Kazakhstan's border could be a stopover base at the route Europe-Afghanistan", said Timchuk.

"It could be equipped with transport aircrafts, mechanized brigade providing coverage from the land and consisting of two mechanized battalions, recon company, and air defense battalion armed depending on tasks with S-300, S-200 or Buk SAM systems", added Timchuk.

"Ukrainian Army base in Rostov region could protect noncombat population from terrorist threat of Northern Caucasia; and support development of Kuban region which is populated with ethnic Ukrainians. The base's strength would not exceed 2,000 servicemen", Timchuk said.

"Ukrainian naval base in Novorossiysk could secure our regional interests in the Black Sea and the Azov Sea", suggested Timchuk.

"It could include three corvettes, two large landing ships, two submarines, and 10 auxiliary vessels", added Timchuk.

By the way, according to Ukrainian foreign minister Konstantin Grischenko, Russian Black Sea Fleet poses no threat to Ukraine. "In my opinion, everything depends on how we're building our relations. The base [of Russian BSF] itself can not be a threat. It has been existing through the history", said Grischenko. Russian president Dmitry Medvedev tasked defense minister Anatoly Serdiukov to prepare development plan of Sevastopol naval base and make an agreement with Ukrainian party about social development of the base.