Kommersant
Aug. 05, 2008

Russia to Set Up Missile Defense Sites in Caucasus, Middle Asia

It is necessary to create in the near term united regional systems of
missile defense in the Caucasus and Middle Asia, Russia’s Air Force
Commander-in-Chief General-Colonel Alexander Zelin announced August 5.
`The practice of military cooperation in missile defense systems illustrated
expediency to further develop the United Missile Defense System of CIS
members on regional basis,’ Zelin specified. `Active work is underway to
create the United Regional Missile Defense System of Belarus and the RF in
the East European Region of Collective Security, and it appears expedient to
proceed in future to establishing the respective systems in Caucasus and
Middle Asia.’

The United Missile Defense System, Zelin reminded, currently consists of the
Missile Defense Force of Armenia, Air Force and Missile Defense Force of
Belarus, Air Defense Force of Kazakhstan, Air Defense Force of Kyrgyzstan,
Air Force of the Russian Federation, Air Force and Missile Defense Force of
Tadjikistan, Missile Defense Force and Air Force of Uzbekistan and Air Force
of Ukraine.

`In general, the established system of control ensures coordination of
forces and means that are parts of the United Missile Defense System as well
as the interchange of data on air situation, combat alertness and results of
combat actions of missile defense forces of member states,’ Zelin concluded.