Russia to Deploy Missile Defense Radar in Transnistria - Report

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov gives a press briefing at the end of NATO - Russia Foreign Ministers cooperation council at NATO headquarters, in Brussels, Belgium, 08 December 2011. EPA/BGNES

Russia intends to deploy a radar system of the "Voronezh" type in the breakaway Moldavian region of Transnistria, according to reports.

Citing unnamed sources from the Russian Presidency, the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily reported Tuesday that the new radar station might be based in the capital of the Russian-backed breakaway republic, Tiraspol.

The Russian radar in Transnistria is set to be Russia's response to the NATO / US missile defense in Europe, and especially the US bases in Romania.

The last round of the talks for Transnistria is expected to start in Vienna on April 18, 2012, with the participation of Moldova, Transnistria, Russia, Ukraine, USA, and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe, and the EU, with the US and EU being observers.

The report says Ukraine, Moldova, and Romania believe the major topic of the talks will be Russia's intention to place its radar in the breakaway republic.

Romanian and Ukrainian media have already published unconfirmed reports that Russia can set up a military base in Transnistria, or can deploye Iskander missiles.

At present, Russia's Defense Ministry has access to radar stations in Azerbaijan, Belarus, and Kazakhstan, which is why the Nezavisimaya Gazeta daily reports that the plans for stationing new Russian radars in Transnistria and Armenia may not be realized.

In February 2012, Russia made it clear that it will be spending about 20% of its defense spending on air and space defense by 2020, including for new radars.

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