More than Decorative, Less than Decisive: Russian A2/AD Capabilities and NATO
Journal: Survival
Year: 2021

Following the Russian occupation and annexation of Crimea, Western assessments of Russia’s military capabilities rapidly changed from ‘basket case’ to ‘menace’. In this pendulum swing, some estimates clearly overshot, especially concerning Russian anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) capabilities. These were described as creating large no-go zones on NATO’s eastern flank that could be overcome only at high risk or with new, exotic and costly kit. This impression could reinforce perceptions that the e