TEMPO.CO, Moscow - Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday, February 27, 2014, instructed the Russian Ministry of Defense to assemble 150,000 troops which consist of Army and Air Forces near the Russian-Ukraine border.
Meanwhile, the United States warned Russia not to intervene in Ukraine's affairs. US Secretary of State John Kerry said that Russia's military action towards Ukraine will cause serious effects. "Any kind of military intervention that would violate the sovereign territorial integrity of Ukraine would be a huge - a grave mistake," Kerry said.
However, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu claimed the instruction was given to to prepare for war or military intervention towards Ukraine, but merely a military training to test the Russian troops.
The drills will be conducted in March 3, 2014, involving 150,000 troops, 90 fighter planes, 120 assault helicopters, 880 tanks, and 1,200 artilleries.
This is not the first time Russia conducts military training. Last year, President Putin instructed the first large-scale military training for the first time in 20 years. Russia held three military training in 2013, first in February 2013 in the central region of Russia, in March 2013 near the Black Sea, and in July 2013, which involved 160,000 troops and thousands of war fleets.
RUSSIA TODAY | REUTERS | DIMAS SIREGAR
