The Russian Federation gathers tactical forces from its western and southern regions and brings them close to Ukrainian border. Ruslan Khomchak, the Commander-in-Chief of Armed Forces of Ukraine said this in an interview with Voice of America, as quoted by Radio Liberty.
"Today, we can see that the Russian Federation has been dragging (...) battalion tactical groups to the east of our country, to eastern borders of Ukraine - posing it as preparation for West 2021 strategic drills. [Troops come from] Bryansk, Voronezh oblasts, and the temporary occupied Republic of Crimea. They are holding drills there", he said.
According to him, another 25 battalion tactical groups will be brought to the Ukrainian borders - in addition to these 28 that have been stationed there since 2014.
Khomchak claims that such actions show that Russia has not abandoned its plans of military aggression in Ukraine that it designed yet before 2014. Thus, Russia aims to show its determination to the world.
The Ukrainian officer added that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will respond to such actions adequately.
