NATO Increases Its Presence Near Russia and Belarus State Borders, Says Shoigu

The North Atlantic Alliance is strengthening its military infrastructure in the immediate vicinity of the state borders of Russia and the Union State of Belarus, with a complex geopolitical situation, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu stated.

“The forward presence of NATO troops near the borders of Russia and the Union State of Belarus is expanding, its military infrastructure is being enhanced, and reserves of weapons, military equipment, and material resources are being created, along with measures for troop relocation being developed,” Shoigu said at a joint board meeting of the ministries of defense of Russia and Belarus.

According to him, a U.S. ground forces armored brigade and four multinational battalion tactical groups have been deployed to Poland and the Baltic states. “Coalition division headquarters of the alliance have been established in Romania, Poland, and Latvia,” Shoigu noted.

He estimated that the number of NATO's primary operating forces has nearly doubled, increasing from 25,000 to 40,000. “In Romania and Poland, Washington is deploying the 'Aegis Ashore' missile defense systems. Moreover, the universality of their launch platforms allows for the deployment of 'Tomahawk' cruise missiles and prospective strike systems being developed by the Pentagon, in addition to missile defense,” said the Russian Defense Minister.