Ukraine Defense Minister Says Russian Troop Buildup Will Be At 110,000
Ukraine - The Ukrainian defense minister says that Russian troop buildup on the Ukrainian border will reach 110,000 military personnel organized into 56 battalions, though the prime minister did not give any proof verifying this number.
This while both Russia and the Ukraine are both carrying out military drills and training operations, and NATO foreign defense ministers commenced emergency meetings regarding the Russian troop and artillery buildup on the Ukrainian border and around the Black Sea.
Two United States warships were headed to the Black Sea, which prompted Russia's military drills and warnings from Russia to "Stay away for your own good" as well as threats of action if US warships were to patrol the Black Sea region, after which the US warships were recalled from their voyage and currently anchored off of Crete island in Greece.
Russia's Deputy Foreign Ministry Sergei Ryabkov stated, "There is absolutely nothing for American ships to be doing near our shores. We warn the United States that it will be better for them to stay far away from Crimea and our Black Sea coast, it will be for their own good."
Meanwhile the Ukraine's defense minister, Andrii Taran is currently accusing Russia of wanting to store nuclear weapons in Crimea, stating "Crimea's infrastructure is being prepared for potentially storing nuclear weapons".