NATO Activity On Russian Borders Increases, Kremlin: We Will Take Security Measures

Juru Bicara Kremlin Dmitry Peskov. (Wikimedia Commons / Kremlin.ru / Press Service of the President of Russia)

JAKARTA - Fed up with the activities of countries that are members of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) near the Russian border, the Kremlin has condemned and said it is ready to take security measures if necessary.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov in his statement on Thursday local time highlighted the military exercises held by NATO, involving a number of neighboring Russia.

The alliance exercise which this time was given 'Agile Spirit 2021' has begun in Georgia with 12 NATO member countries participating, and inviting Azerbaijan, Georgia and Ukraine, countries that are at odds with Moscow.

"This is another proof, NATO with its military infrastructure is around our borders. What's more, NATO has come into contact with our borders rather than just around them," Peskov quoted TASS as saying Thursday, July 29.

“This, of course, encourages us to keep a close watch on the situation. Importantly, this led us to take steps to ensure our safety. This is what our president and minister of defense have talked about on many occasions, as well as our representatives at various levels," Peskov stressed.

NATO's 'Agile Spirit 2021' exercise begins on July 26. The exercise involved more than 2,500 troops from Azerbaijan, Great Britain, Germany, Georgia, Spain, Italy, Canada, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, the United States, Turkey, Ukraine and Estonia. More than 1,500 troops are from Georgia and another 700 are from the US.

In addition to military exercises conducted by NATO and its allies, Russia's border areas have also warmed in recent times, both on land, sea and air. On land, Russia and Ukraine some time ago deployed their troops and combat equipment to the border near the Crimea region.

At sea, the incident of the British destroyer HMS Defender in the Black Sea region, became the most attention to the friction in the border waters, where the Russian military also managed to 'drive' Dutch frigates to US destroyers.

While in the air, the Sukhoi fighter jet fleet to the Russian Air Force MiG several times 'repelled' US reconnaissance planes to Norwegian military aircraft. Starting from the airspace of the Black Sea, Barents Sea to the Pacific Ocean.