Over the last 20 years, Russia has experienced a proliferation of paramilitary groups out of its regular armed forces, but this trend is accelerating, according to the British Ministry of Defence.
“This para militarisation has dramatically accelerated since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and is particularly important in the Crimean Peninsula,’’ the ministry’s latest analysis said.
“The leader of Russian-occupied Crimea, Sergei Aksyonov, has been instrumental in setting up several local units, which often claim affiliation with the Cossack tradition.’’
The ministry referred to militant communities that used to settle on the territory of today’s Ukraine, among other places.
“Most have been given some semi-official status as reserve units of the regular army.
“Aksyonov is likely keen to burnish his patriotic credentials by recruiting fighters, but he is likely also concerned about the regular army’s ability to defend the peninsula.’’
The ministry noted that the main element of the Russian garrison was currently deployed outside the peninsula and had taken heavy casualties.
