ABSTRACT
This chapter looks at what may be deduced about the possible military missions of the armed forces of the Kaliningrad Special Defence Area (KOOR) simply on the basis of their size and composition. It explores how relevant and realistic these missions may be under various conditions. The chapter aims to place Kaliningrad and the KOOR forces in the general context of Russian security policy and foreign relations. KOOR was formed in 1994 as a unique formation in the Russian defence structure. The academic analyses of alternative sovereignty arrangements for Kaliningrad therefore seem redundant - and potentially almost as provocative as the territorial claims by some political extremists. From a military point of view the location of Kaliningrad offers opportunities and presents problems - different sets of opportunities and problems depending on who is looking at them and depending on the situation.
