MOSCOW (Sputnik) — Russia is forced to increase the combat capabilities of the Southern Military District and take symmetrical measures to neutralize threats to national security on its southern borders, Shoigu said.
"Under these circumstances, Russia is forced to take symmetric measures to neutralize emerging threats to its national security, conduct strategic deterrence measures, and increase the combat capabilities of the Southern Military District."
"Our active efforts to stabilize the situation in the Middle East and maintain peace in Transcaucasia are considered by some countries as a threat to their national and coalition interests," Shoigu said at a meeting with senior military commanders in Moscow.
"Aiming to block Russia's participation in solving global and regional problems, a number of states do not abandon attempts to use military force to achieve geopolitical goals and are building up a military presence near the Russian borders," the minister stressed.
In addition, large-scale NATO exercises have been recently held in the western part of the Black Sea, in which more than 25,000 servicemen from 22 countries have taken part.
Moscow has repeatedly criticized the increased presence of the alliance’s troops and military facilities near the Russian border. Moscow has said Russia had never planned and does not plan to attack any NATO member.
