Shoigu announced the pull of US and NATO troops to the borders of Russia
US troops are being transferred to Europe from the continental parts of North America to the Russian borders, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said. According to him, NATO intends to concentrate a large number of forces at the borders of the Russian Federation. At the same time, the Russian side has transferred two armies and three airborne units to its western borders.
The North Atlantic Alliance will concentrate 40 thousand military personnel and 15 thousand units of weapons and military equipment near the borders of Russia, Russian Defense Minister General of the Army Sergei Shoigu said.
As he noted, at the moment, the United States troops are being transferred from the continental parts of North America across the Atlantic to Europe. "There is a movement of troops in Europe to the Russian borders. The main forces are concentrated in the Black Sea region and the Baltic region, " the Minister stated.
This concept provides for the creation of 30 motorized infantry battalions in NATO, 30 aviation squadrons, as well as the presence of 30 warships ready for use within 30 days.
In addition, as the head of the military department drew attention, compared to last year, the intensity of aerial reconnaissance has been doubled and the intensity of sea reconnaissance has been increased by one and a half times.
"Every year in Europe, the alliance conducts up to 40 major operational training events with a clear anti-Russian orientation. In the spring of this year, the joint armed forces of NATO began the largest exercise in the last 30 years, Defender Europe 2021, " Shoigu said.
According to the Defense Minister, during the control check, Russia successfully transferred two armies and three airborne units to its western borders. As he noted at a meeting in Severomorsk, the troops were sent "to the areas of training and combat missions." This was done in response to threats from the North Atlantic Alliance, the head of the department explained. "In response to the alliance's military activities threatening Russia, we have taken appropriate measures," he stressed.
According to the Minister, the troops demonstrated " full readiness and ability to perform tasks to ensure the military security of the country." "Currently, these associations and formations are involved in the exercises," Shoigu said.
The Russian Defense Ministry previously reported that the Russian military will conduct more than 4 thousand exercises in April. "A total of 4,048 exercises of various scales, including 812 bilateral ones, will be held this month at 101 training grounds and 520 objects of the training and material base," the military department noted on April 8.
The Defense Ministry then reported that the control check is carried out in the military authorities, formations and military units in all military districts and in the Northern Fleet, including in the far North. "All types and branches of the Armed Forces are subject to checks," the military department noted.
The Russian Armed Forces began a control check for the winter training period on April 6. As reported in the Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation, the exercises are held in all military districts. In the Eastern Military District, according to the Ministry of Defense, as part of these measures, the inspection is carried out by the commission of the General Staff.
"The main draws of combat training will be held at the training grounds "Tsugol" and "Sergeyevsky" of the Eastern Military District. In the other military districts and in the Northern Fleet, control checks are carried out under the leadership of the commanders of the troops," the ministry noted.
"In accordance with the plan of training of the Armed Forces, control checks have begun in the military administration bodies, formations and military units. I demand to ensure the high quality of control classes and safety during the movement of military echelons and military equipment, " the Minister noted.
This is happening against the background of the aggravation of the situation in the Donbas, which has been observed since February. This month, Ukraine announced that Russia is pulling its forces to the borders with it. In this regard, Washington promised to support Kiev. At the same time, the Kremlin explained that the transfer of Russian troops to the southern regions of the country is connected with the decisions of the country's leadership and does not pose a threat to anyone.
Kristina Sizova
