The recent sudden check of the combat readiness of the troops of the Western and Southern military districts was associated with increased escalation on the part of the United States and NATO in the European region, as well as the growth of nationalist sentiments in Ukraine.
The head of the Russian defense department, Sergei Shoigu, stated this at a meeting of the Council of Defense Ministers of the CSTO member countries, a PolitNavigator correspondent reports.
According to the minister, NATO is provoking the Ukrainian authorities to escalate in Donbass and strengthening its military presence in Europe.
“The military infrastructure is being modernized, the intensity of operational and combat training is increasing, and the American concept of “four by thirty” is being implemented. Nationalist sentiments are fueled in Ukraine, which provokes an armed conflict in the Donbass, including in the areas bordering Russia...
We have taken appropriate action in response to NATO's threatening military activities. As you know, a sudden check of the combat readiness of the troops of the Western and Southern Military Districts was carried out. Two armies and three airborne formations have been successfully deployed to the western borders, to areas where combat training missions are carried out,” Shoigu said.
The head of the Ministry of Defense also emphasized that Russia does not accept any “warnings” and is doing everything necessary to ensure the security of its borders. In particular, it closely monitors the progress of the transfer and deployment of NATO forces in Europe as part of the Defender Europe exercise.
“We are observing the transfer of the 53rd Infantry Brigade of the 29th Division of US National Guard troops, which arrived the day before yesterday in the Albanian port of Durres. “Together with them are 750 units of military equipment,” Shoigu added.