Russia will strengthen groupings of troops on the western borders – Kommersant

The board of the Ministry of Defense today, August 9, will consider the creation of the Moscow and Leningrad military districts with the simultaneous strengthening of groups on the western borders. The head of the military department, Sergei Shoigu, spoke about this when opening the board meeting.

“Today, at a board meeting, we will consider issues related to the creation of the Leningrad and Moscow military districts with the simultaneous strengthening of the groupings of troops of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation on our western borders,” the minister announced. He noted that NATO deployed 360,000 military personnel, 8,000 armored vehicles, 6,000 artillery systems and mortars, 650 aircraft and helicopters near the borders of Russia and Belarus. “The number of formations of non-regional states of the North Atlantic bloc has increased by 2.5 times since February last year and exceeded 30,000 people,” the minister noted.

He named a destabilizing factor is the entry into NATO of Finland and, in the future, Sweden. According to Mr. Shoigu, the alliance is strengthening the grouping near the borders of Russia and Belarus. All these factors, according to the minister, threaten Russia’s military security and require a “timely and adequate response.”

Polish Defense Minister Mariusz Blaszczak saidthat the country expects with the help of the United States to make the largest army in Europe. In the spring, Warsaw received American Abrams tanks and HIMARS multiple launch rocket systems. In general, in 2023, Poland intends to spend 4% of GDP on military needs – twice the level agreed by NATO countries. As a result of the July summit of the countries of the alliance declaredthat he does not seek conflict with Russia, but she will not be considered a partner until her “hostile policy” changes.

Laura Keffer