KRASNOARMEISK, the Moscow region, September 17 /ITAR-TASS/. Anti-aircraft defense should be the most powerful element in the Russian group of troops to be deployed in Crimea, Vladimir Komoyedov, the head of the Russian State Duma Defense Committee, said on Wednesday in comments of Russia’s decision to deploy a “full-fledged and self-sufficient” military force on the peninsula.

In his previous remarks, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the deployment of a military force in Crimea should be a priority for Russia’s Southern Military District.

NATO has described the expansion of Russian military presence in Crimea as a step to increase tensions in Europe.

Komoyedov said the main forces should be concentrated on major directions.

“The main direction for a country is a direction from where a threat may come,” he explained.

Komoyedov said the Crimean troops should not be divided into sea, air and ground forces. "All the forces should be carefully balanced like in the Kaliningrad special defense district where one commander is in charge of everything,” the deputy said, adding that all the forces should be deployed proportionately and should also interact proportionately with each other.

“Naturally, the biggest danger may come from air. That is why the air defense should be strong,” Komoyedov said.