Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu says that Russia will begin "defense drills" today, forced to react to the situation in southeast Ukraine and, more improtantly, the NATO build up, the first time Russia has explicitly reacted to the military build up of the military alliance. There are already tanks amassing within meters of the border (as the following clip indicates), and
- RUSSIAN DRILLS TO INVOLVE PLANES WORKING NEAR BORDERS
It is now entirelyclear that the "truce" deal is dead as both sides not only escalate but blame each other for the un-de-escalation. Russia's move - after US and NATO's expansions this week - leaves the situation as bad as it has been since tensions began.
As Bloomberg reports,
Drills to involve planes working near state borders, troops along Ukrainian border, Interfax reports, citing Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu.
Shoigu says Russia forced to react to situation in southeast Ukraine: Interfax
Shoigu says drills began today, Interfax reports
Interfax confirms...
RUSSIAN BATTALION TACTICAL COMBINED-ARMS GROUPS FROM SOUTHERN, WESTERN MILITARY DISTRICTS START DRILLS IN RESPONSE TO SITUATION IN SOUTHEAST UKRAINE - SHOIGU
SHOIGU: IN FRAMEWORK OF DRILLS AVIATION TO CARRY OUT FLIGHTS TO EXERCISE ACTIONS NEAR STATE BORDER
Finally, from RT [3]:
Russia has begun extensive military exercises on its Ukrainian border following the escalation of violence in eastern Ukraine.
“The order to use force against civilians has already been given, and if this military machine is not stopped, the amount of casualties will only grow,” Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said during an official meeting in Moscow.
“We are forced to react to the situation.”
Shoigu said that the drills involve march and deployment exercises by forces in the southern and western military districts, and separate Air Force maneuvers.
And as the following so far uncofnrimed clip shows, the troops are already allegedly within meters of the border...
Finally, RIA notes the explicit warning from Russia:
- Ukraine risking large number of casualties w/ military operation in southeast of country: RIA
Final warning?