KUBINKA (Sputnik) — More than 2,000 pieces of military equipment will be delivered to the Russian Western Military District in 2016, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Wednesday.
"A lot of attention is being paid to the provision of modern weaponry, military and special equipment to the units of the [Western] district. This year the Western Military District will receive over 2,000 pieces of new and modernized equipment," Shoigu said.
He added that the increased NATO military build-up had forced Russia to take measures to neutralize the potential threats in the Western Military District.
Since 2014, NATO has been building up its military presence in Europe, using Moscow's alleged interference in Ukraine as a pretext for the move. Moscow has repeatedly denied the claims and warned NATO that the military buildup near Russia’s borders is provocative and threatens the existing strategic balance of power.