Russian forces were placed on full combat alert Thursday as troops prepared to conduct snap military drills on the nation’s Western flank bordering Ukraine, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu confirmed.
Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered the exercises to examine the ability of southern troops “to deploy promptly self-sufficient forces to localize crisis situations,” the Wall Street Journal reported. The Defense Ministry will also test the preparedness of forces in the western and central regions to deliver support to the southeast. The drills will continue through Aug. 31.
The exercises come as tensions between Ukraine and Russia worsen. Putin accused Kiev earlier this month …read more
Source: The Washington Free Beacon
