Russia’s defense minister said Wednesday that Moscow will set up three new divisions in the west and south of the country by the end of the year to counter NATO forces close to its border.
“The defense ministry is taking a range of measures with the aim of countering the build-up of NATO forces in close proximity to Russia’s borders,” Sergei Shoigu was quoted as saying by Russian news agencies.
“By the end of the year two new divisions will be established in the western military district and one in the southern military district.”
Relations between NATO and Russia have deteriorated since Moscow returned the Crimea region from Ukraine and eastern European countries are worried that they too might be targets of Russian aggression.