Military experts believe that the BUKs, along with the S-300 and S-400 missile systems already stationed in Crimea will effectively secure the airspace over the peninsula and the Black Sea.
The 1096th regiment is currently armed with Osa short-range surface-to-air missile systems.
The Buk-M2 features a new missile and new third generation phased array fire control radar. It can track 24 targets and engage four targets simultaneously.
The BUK-M2 is capable of shooting down planes and UAVs 3 to 45 kilometers away, cruise and ballistic missiles up to 20 kilometers away and even high-altitude strategic spy planes flying at an altitude of up to 25 kilometers.
The Osa missile system has a maximum horizontal range of 10 kilometers and a vertical rage of just over 5 kilometers.
The 51st division of the Russian Airspace Forces also deployed in Crimea, is armed with S-300 and S-400 missiles and Pantsir combined short to medium range surface-to-air missile and anti-aircraft artillery weapon systems.
"The air defense regiments of the 51st division secure the strategic infrastructure in Crimea,” independent military expert Anto Lavrov told Izvestia.
“The 1096th regiment will protect the Black Sea Fleet’s ground facilities and ships. Together, these units can provide multilayered defense of both Crimea and the entire Black Sea against high-tech enemy attacks,” he added.
Batteries of BUK missiles guarded the airspace over Sochi and surrounding areas during the 2014 Winter Olympics.
In January Ukrainian air defense forces conducted tactical missile drills in Kherson Region, bordering Crimea.
In early December, the Ukrainian military held missile-firing exercises near Crimea, in violation of several international agreements.
Russian concerns stemmed from the fact that Ukraine's military has already had the unfortunate experience in of accidentally shooting down civilian airliners.
During December's drills, Moscow repeatedly called Kiev's missile launches in the Black Sea a “provocation,”, and a threat to the safety of Russian civilian flights to Crimea.
On March 18, Russia will be celebrating the third anniversary of Crimea’s reunification with the country.
On March 16, 2014, 96 percent of Crimean residents voted in a referendum to secede from Ukraine and join Russia.
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