Russia strengthens military infrastructure near Ukrainian border
Russia is strengthening its military infrastructure along Ukraine's borders, National Security and Defense Council (NSDC) Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov has said.
"The situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone pushes us to make decisions, which we discussed at the start of this conversation [about a new format for resisting Russia]. Several ceasefires have been called during the last several months, but the aggressor did not abide by one, even for a day," Turchynov said in an exclusive interview with Interfax-Ukraine.
The NSDC secretary said Russian-occupation forces daily fire from weapons forbidden under the Minsk agreements.
"We suffer losses not only among soldiers, but the civilian population. Unremitting attempts are made to penetrate Ukraine's defenses," Turchynov said.
He said troops and munitions continue to flow from Russia into Ukraine.
"What worries us most is the build-up of Russian troops on the border. These large assault units at any moment might start conduct military actions against Ukrainian Armed Forces. We must do everything we can to get ready for such an eventuality," Turchynov said.
The NSDC secretary said the build-up of Russian troops is in sectors [of the border] with Russia's Belgorod, Voronezh and Rostov regions to the north and east of Ukraine
"From the Sea of Azov to the border of Belarus a powerful military infrastructure has been created. In addition, Russia is preparing to conduct the large Zapad-2017 military exercise, which is scheduled to kick off in September. The training exercise will also take place in Belarus and include aviation, armor units, artillery and special operations forces. There will be a gigantic and dangerous concentration of military forces on Ukraine's western borders," he said.
