US may force Russian military’s hand: Moscow
Potential US military buildup near Russia’s borders may force the Russian military to respond in kind by reinforcing its frontier presence, says a Russian military official.
Army General Yury Yakubov, a coordinator from the Russian Defense Ministry’s general inspectors directorate, was responding to reports that the United States Department of Defense is planning to concentrate US heavy military hardware near Russian borders.
"If US heavy hardware including tanks, artillery systems, or other fighting vehicles does appear in some Eastern European and Baltic countries, this would mark the Pentagon and NATO's most aggressive step since the Cold War time of the past century,” he said on Monday.
“And Russia won't have anything else to do but bolster its forces and resources on the Western strategic theater of operations," the official noted.
Yakubov said the response would be initialized by the reinforcement the forces along Russia’s western border.
The comments came amid continued high tensions between Russia and the US-led Western military alliance of NATO over the crisis in Ukraine, which the West accuses Moscow of having a hand in. Russia denies the allegations.
The New York Times reported on Saturday that the Pentagon was ready to store heavy military equipment in East Europe to face a possible “Russian aggression” in the wake of the crisis in Ukraine.
The weaponry, which includes battle tanks and infantry fighting vehicles, was enough for as many as 5,000 American troops, the daily wrote.
HN/KA/HMV
Russia downs over 40 Ukrainian drones as Putin vows 'destruction' on Kiev
Ukraine to cede territory despite US support: Report
Russia arrests suspect 'recruited by Ukraine' over killing of top general
Iran’s economy grew 2.7% y/y in Sep quarter: CBI
VIDEO | Freelancers in Gaza strive to stay online amid genocide
Mikati demands Israel's withdrawal from south Lebanon
Yemeni army strikes Israeli military sites with drones
‘Clock ticking’: UNRWA slams unjustifiable killing of children in Gaza
BP to be sued in Britain for supplying oil to Israel
VIDEO | Press TV's news headlines
Israeli strikes on north Gaza hospital ‘extremely dangerous, terrifying’: Director
PressTV NEWSLETTER
now
This makes it easy to access the Press TV website
