Russia to construct up forces at western borders to counter NATO menace, defence minister Sergei Shoigu says

Russia is planning to construct up its forces at its western borders following Finland’s accession to NATO, the nation’s defence minister Sergei Shoigu has stated.

The defence minister additionally famous Poland had already introduced plans to strengthen its army, and that he anticipated important NATO forces and weaponry to be deployed in Finland.

Finland’s inclusion has virtually doubled the size of Russia’s land border with NATO.

“The collective West is waging a proxy war against Russia,” he stated, in response to his ministry, pointing to its “unprecedented support” for Ukraine.

Mr Shoigu described the entry of Finland into NATO and the longer term entry of Sweden “a serious destabilising factor”.

“These threats to Russia’s military security require a timely and adequate response. We will discuss the necessary measures to neutralise them at the meeting and make appropriate decisions,” he stated.

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It comes as Poland’s inside minister introduced plans to ship 2,000 troops to its boundary with Belarus following a request for reinforcements yesterday.

Concerns have been raised about potential army motion after Minsk reportedly determined to conduct workouts within the strategic area often known as the Suwalki Gap, which runs alongside the Polish-Lithuania border.

Lithuania and Latvia are additionally planning to bolster troop numbers at their borders.

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Belarusian officers confirmed a tank unit had been present process stay hearth exams on the Gozhsky firing vary, simply 15km from town of Grodno, which lies on the Belarus-Poland border.

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Russian mercenary Wagner fighters have additionally reportedly been collaborating in coaching drills close to the border, and there was a suggestion the group is establishing a “tent city” 24km away from the southern border with Ukraine.

Western analysts have steered Wagner isn’t any menace to Poland, with former commander of the Joint Forces Command, General Sir Richard Barrons telling Sky News there is not “any military capacity in Belarus that Poland is going to be worried about”.

Last week, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko stated Poland ought to “thank” him for stopping Wagner troops from coming into the nation and “smashing up cities”.