Russia has announced large-scale air defense exercises along its Ukraine border. The move is being perceived as a show of strength by Moscow, and is likely to further raise tensions in the region.
Russia has announced large-scale air defense exercises along its Ukraine border. The new military drills will involve around 100 aircraft, and will be staged from Monday through to Friday this week, a Russian air force spokesman told the Interfax news agency.
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Air force spokesman Igor Klimov told AFP the drills were “a routine event.” He said they were not related to the ongoing conflict between government forces and pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
During the drills, the military will conduct missile launches and test aircraft weapons against land and air targets, he added.
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NATO military commander General Philip Breedlove said last week there were still more than 12,000 Russian troops and weapons along the border.
Pro-Russian separatists fighting in eastern Ukraine appear to have lost ground against government forces in recent weeks, while Russia has a firm hold on Crimea, which it annexed in March.
Full artilce: Russia launches huge air defense exercises close to Ukraine (Deutsche Welle)
