Russia braces for invasion as Moscow posts frightening video of military exercises | World | News

Russia has reportedly sent up to 104,000 troops to the border with Ukraine in recent months, raising fears of an attempt to annex the rest of the Eastern European nation. Vladimir Putin issued a warning to NATO last week insisting that Moscow is ready to retaliate if the organization tries to welcome Kiev into its files. Scary images released by the Russian Defense Ministry over the weekend further fueled fears of an invasion after troops were seen carrying out a series of exercises near the Ukrainian border and in the Republic of Buryatia.

In the video, Russian troops can be seen training to eliminate “enemy” targets using Msta-S self-propelled howitzers and anti-tank guided missiles.

Soldiers could also be seen testing their tank abilities with target practice.

The military exercises in Buryatia come days after other footage was released showing troops leading war games near the border with Ukraine.

Ramzan Kadyrov, the leader of the Chechen Republic and close ally of Vladimir Putin, said regional forces were also ready to intervene in Ukraine if Moscow soon gave the order.

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Mr Kadyrov said: “With the existence of Kiev, there is always a place for the West to deploy its military bases there and dictate its demands on our country.

“I am convinced that our president would not allow it.

“We [Chechnya] are ready to act as an infantry force to deploy anywhere and carry out orders without any problem. “

Almost 1,200 soldiers were involved in the Ukrainian part of the military exercises, as well as more than 250 pieces of military equipment.

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Russia’s Foreign Ministry said on Sunday that NATO had forwarded a proposal to start talks on Moscow’s security concerns on January 12 and was considering it.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said on Monday that talks with NATO made sense and arrangements were being worked out through diplomatic channels.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the talks would take place immediately after the Russian New Year holidays.

The first official working day of 2022 in Russia is January 10.