Russia strengthens troops due to NATO border actions 12206171

Defense & Security News - Russia
 
Russia strengthens troops at the western strategic direction due to NATO border actions.
The Russian Defense Ministry is strengthening the combat composition of troops at the western strategic direction and their deployment system because of NATO actions, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told a meeting of his ministry leadership.
     
The Russian Defense Ministry is strengthening the combat composition of troops at the western strategic direction and their deployment system because of NATO actions, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu told a meeting of his ministry leadership.
Exercise of the assault and obstacle clearing engineer battalion of the Western military district (Nizhny Novgorod region) (Source Russian Ministry of Defense)
     
"Besides political, information and economic pressure, some countries want to use military force as an instrument of achieving geopolitical aims," he said.

"The actions of out western counterparts destroy the security system in the world, increase mutual mistrust and compel us to react, first and foremost, on the western strategic direction. We are improving the combat composition of troops and their deployment system," Shoigu said.

"Over 30 battalions and tactical company groups are ready for immediate combat engagement. They are fully manned and equipped with the necessary materiel stocks," the minister said.

In the past six months the forces of the district received over 300 pieces of armaments and military hardware and combat training of servicemen is constantly upgraded.

"By the end of the year the Western Military District will form close to 20 formations and military units. Close to 40 townships are being built to accommodate them," Shoigu said and stressed the developments are synchronized with deliveries of modern armaments.

He also said the level of training of the Western Military District forces grew 2.5-fold in the winter period against the same period last year. Training of junior specialists improved and 60 percent of training center graduates received good and excellent marks at exams.

"Since the beginning of the year over a hundred snap checks have been conducted in the Western Military District which confirmed the readiness of the troops for combat engagement," the minister said.

He stressed the Baltic fleet warships returned to important areas of the Atlantic Ocean after a long break.
     
© Copyright 2017 TASS. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.