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![Russia says it will beef up its defenses against a NATO build-up along its western borders [Xinhua]](http://thebricspost.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/254432635_8-e1478087311166.jpg)
Russia says it will beef up its defenses against a NATO build-up along its western borders [Xinhua]
Russia and Belarus will join forces to strengthen their mutual security in the face of the complexity of the situation, the minister told the two countries’ top military brass.
“Those actions undermine strategic stability and are forcing Russia to take reciprocal defensive measures, including some in the Western theater,” Shoigu said in remarks carried by local Russian press.
“[NATO] has not abandoned attempts to dictate its will to other countries through economic and political means, as well as by military force,” he said, adding “an information war is in full swing.”
Shoigu said that international crisis response mechanisms have stalled, with ‘hotspots’ cropping up near the Russian border.
In response, the minister said that Russia will now be supplying state-of-the-art armaments and weapons systems to army units stationed on the Western borders.
Meanwhile, Russia on Tuesday announced that it would be holding military drills with Serbia in an area stretching to Belarus.
The drills, named Slavic Brotherhoold, will involve various military units such as 150 Russian paratroopers, 50 air force staffers, and three transport planes.
NATO is also holding drills in neighboring Montenegro along with 10 member states and allies.
NATO is hoping to convince Montenegro to join the alliance.
The BRICS Post with inputs from Agencies
