The Ministry of Defense announced the start of the return of the military of the Southern and Western districts to the garrisons after the completion of the exercises. The dollar and the euro on this news fell in price by more than a ruble.
Russia’s southern and western military districts have begun returning troops to their places of permanent deployment after the exercises, Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said, quoted by RIA Novosti.
“The units of the Southern and Western military districts, having completed their tasks, have already begun loading onto rail and road transport and will begin moving to their military garrisons today. Separate units will make marches on their own as part of military columns”, Konashenkov said.
The Russian market and the ruble reacted to the message of the Ministry of Defense with growth. As of 11:14 Moscow time, the Moscow Exchange index added 2.6%, the RTS index – 4.1%. The dollar exchange rate at a minimum fell to 75.6 rubles, which is 1.1 rubles cheaper than at the close of trading on Monday and at least since February 11. The euro at a minimum during trading fell by 1.03 rubles and cost 85.69 rubles – this is also the minimum since February 11.
Russia and Belarus are holding joint military exercises, which were announced at the end of December by Vladimir Putin and Alexander Lukashenko. The last stage of the exercises will be monitored by military attachés for defense at the embassies of foreign states in Belarus, Konashenkov said, but did not name specific states.
The joint exercises of Russia and Belarus have caused concern among Western countries and NATO members. The United States believes that Russia may be planning an attack on Ukraine. Bloomberg sources in American intelligence in November claimed that the attack could start, including from the territory of Belarus.
The Russian authorities have repeatedly denied any intention to attack Ukraine. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that Russia “does not want wars”, but will not allow “to attack rudely” and ignore its interests. The day before, the head of the Foreign Ministry told Vladimir Putin that the possibilities for dialogue between Russia and the United States were “far from exhausted,” and suggested that negotiations “continue and build up.”