Since the flotilla warships are not ice-class vessels, such severe climate conditions cause additional difficulties for conducting naval activities. The northern part of the Caspian Sea and the Volga Delta, in contrast to the middle part of the sea where Kaspiysk is placed, often freeze over during winter. The new base for the Caspian flotilla will enjoy a strategic geographic location. There are several advantages of the relocation plan. Since Russia announced its plans to open an additional unfreezing deep port in the city of Kaspiysk, it appears that Dagestan will be given a crucial role in improving both Caspian Sea security and cargo throughput. The idea to relocate Russia’s Caspian flotilla to the city of Kaspiysk appeared on the agenda in 2017 together with the Strategy for the Development of the Russian Seaports in the Caspian Basin initially presented in March and approved in September 2017. Under the first stage of the project that is to be completed by 2019, it is planned to create berthing places for warships, deepen the seabed, build moorings and the necessary ground infrastructure (Navy Recognition, 2017). In fact, the construction will entail improving the harbor, building new docks as well as barracks, ammunition storage facilities, and officers’ housing. In order to implement the transfer of the naval base from Astrakhan to Kaspiysk by 2020 vast construction work should be conducted in Dagestan during the next two years, including the building of quays, logistic facilities and housing. It has already been stressed that the new base will have the country’s most technically advanced naval facilities – even more advanced than those of the Northern, Baltic, or Black Sea Fleets. From Russia’s perspective, this decision should increase the effectiveness of the flotilla to protect coastal waters, fight against poaching and illegal trafficking, and guard the country’s national interests in oil-producing areas. For instance, on April 2, 2018, Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu officially announced that the Caspian flotilla would be relocated from Astrakhan to the town of Kaspiysk, Dagestan, and its personnel be increased. As a result, the historical factor plays a significant role in understanding the current motivation of the Kremlin in strengthening its naval facilities in the Caspian Sea. The Caspian flotilla was perceived as a key component of the Russian Empire’s expansion into the region, and it remains a vital element of continued influence and military dominance being the southernmost outpost of the country (German, 2014). It has been important for Russia in terms of securing its southern borders for the last 300 years. Therefore, Russia’s reasons for maintaining and improving the Caspian Navy are entirely different from the alleged Moscow’s concern about potential hostile relationship and distrust with the regional countries.Įstablished by Peter the Great as part of the Imperial Navy, the Caspian flotilla is actually one of the oldest fleets in the Russian Navy. Finally, the Caspian states committed themselves to not permitting any country to use their territories for a military attack against other littoral countries. Furthermore, the agreement was reached that only littoral states should be allowed to deploy ships and military forces in the sea. During the ongoing talks over the Caspian Sea’s legal status, the parties have repeatedly emphasized that they will avoid using military force in mutual relations. Moscow is supported by the coastal countries in its intention to ensure non-interference in inter-regional affairs, including security issues, by third countries. In fact, in contemporary political and economic realities, there is no rivalry between Russia and other Caspian littoral states. As a result, the Caspian flotilla has the largest number of warships with modern on-board weaponry. Since 2002, Moscow has consistently implemented the strategy of technical re-equipment and reorganization of its naval forces. Currently, the Russian Caspian flotilla is the largest and most powerful naval unit in the Caspian Sea.

Russian modern warships