Poroshenko: The threat posed by Russia persists
In a speech to the key military personnel, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko claimed that at present the threat of a full-scale military invasion by Russia in Ukraine remains unchanged, and that the buildup of Russian military presence near the Ukrainian border has continued.
Poroshenko made the comments during a speech to senior personnel at the information-collection headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces in Kyiv, as reported by Interfax-Ukraine.
"The threat of a full-scale Russian invasion has not disappeared. And this threat not only trickles through our uncontrolled areas in the Donbas -. It hangs along the line the border with Russia, and even further," said Poroshenko.
According to the President, the Russian Federation has deployed units of its armed forces numbering up to 50,000 people in very close proximity to the Ukrainian borders.
"About 470 tanks; more than 1,700 armored vehicles; 390 artillery systems and 220 multiple rocket launcher systems; around 490 combat aircraft and hundreds of helicopters; 24 warships," Poroshenko listed.
He noted "the Russians are creating new bases, as well as expanding and upgrading the bases and other military infrastructure already there."
"And there is no guarantee that one day it will not move towards us!" said Poroshenko.
Earlier, Poroshenko noted the presence of Russian troops in the separatist divisions in the Avdiivka region.
"In each division, there are Russian military personnel operating on the orders of the Russian Federation,” said the president.