Russia to create new military divisions amid NATO drills

Russia says it will create four new military divisions this year in an effort to reinforce its military forces amid increased exercises by NATO members states.

Russian Ground Forces Commander General Oleg Salyukov said on Friday Moscow plans to form the divisions in the western and central regions of the country in 2016.

“Formation of these divisions is a measure to respond to the increase in intensity of exercises among NATO member countries that’s been seen recently,” said Salyukov.

Salyukov also announced that the Russian military will take part in seven international drills this year.

He said the military exercises, including a joint Russia-Pakistani drill as well as a Russian-Vietnamese exercise, will be held in “the context of interaction with our foreign partners in 2016.”

Russia has long considered the expansion of NATO toward its borders a threat.

Earlier this year, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a defense strategy document that declared NATO a threat to the country’s national security.

Putin signed the document in response to a rising military presence by NATO countries in Eastern Europe and the Baltics.

The Western military coalition has increased its troop and equipment presence in Poland and the Baltic nations in order to deter perceived Russian threats. Montenegro, a former Soviet bloc country, has been invited to join NATO.

Relations between Russia and NATO specially strained after Crimea integrated into the Russian Federation following a referendum on March 16, 2014.

The military alliance ended all practical cooperation with Russia over the ensuing crisis in Ukraine on April 1, 2014.

The United States and its European allies accuse Moscow of destabilizing Ukraine and have imposed a number of sanctions against Russian and pro-Russia figures. Moscow, however, rejects having a hand in the Ukrainian crisis.

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