The deployment comes after three Ukrainian ships enters Russia controlled waters as they sailed toward the Kerch Strait last Sunday. Russia has deployed a Pantsir-S missile and anti-aircraft artillery battalion to Crimea, according to the press service of the Russian Southern Military District.

“The newest [Pantsir-S] air defence systems have entered service among the anti-aircraft missile units of the Southern Military District deployed in Crimea […] as part of the programme to re-equip the district's troops,” the press service said.

Earlier this week, S-400 batteries were deployed near the Crimean cities of Feodosia, Sevastopol and Yevpatoria.

The system is armed with a pair of dual 2AQ38M 30 mm automatic cannons and up to twelve 57Eb-E two-stage solid fuel radio-command-guided surface-to-air missiles capable of hitting targets up to 20 kilometres away and at altitudes of up to 15 kilometres.