Russia begins combat readiness inspection in military district bordering Ukraine after accusing U.S. of “escalating tensions” by readying soldiers for deployment to Europe
Russia has kicked off military drills near Ukraine involving thousands of troops and dozens of warplanes near Ukraine and Crimea amid ongoing tensions.
The Russian Defense Ministry said 6,000 troops and 60 warplanes have been deployed for the combat readiness drills stretching across three regions near Ukraine and in Crimea, which Moscow seized in 2014. The drills would continue till January 29.
The Russian military drills were announced a day after Pentagon said 8,500 U.S. troops have been placed on “high alert” and NATO said it would send jets and ships to the region to deter Russia from incursion into Ukraine.
Kremlin accused Washington of “escalating tensions” by readying a contingent of U.S. soldiers for deployment to Europe. The West has been taking measures to counter Moscow’s buildup of an estimated 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin’s spokesman Dmitry Peskov said these actions were only adding to an already tense atmosphere. “The United States is escalating tensions,” he told reporters. “We are watching these US actions with great concern.” Peskov also said the U.S. and NATO were orchestrating “information hysteria” around Ukraine by reporting “lies”.
Meanwhile, at the same time, Russian navy ships are also taking part in joint anti-piracy drills with the Chinese fleet in the Arabian Sea, the Russian defense ministry said.
Ireland tells Russia live-fire naval exercise is ‘not welcome’
Russian has planned live-fire naval exercises in early February. Ireland has told Russia that the exercises off the country’s coast are “not welcome”.
Irish Foreign Minister Simon Coveney told reporters that the exercises are due to take place 240km (150 miles) off Ireland’s southwest coast, in international waters but also within the country’s exclusive economic zone. “We don’t have a power to prevent this happening but certainly I’ve made it clear to the Russian ambassador in Ireland that it’s not welcome,” Coveney said. Ireland has a long-standing policy of military neutrality and is not part of the NATO military alliance.
