MOSCOW (Reuters) - Russia has strengthened its southwestern flank as NATO builds up its military presence and Ukraine remains unstable, Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday in remarks the United States called contrary to efforts to lower tensions. He noted that the reports indicated the Russian buildup included troops in Crimea, which Moscow seized and later annexed. “Since 2013 ... we have formed four divisions, nine brigades and 22 regiments,” he said. We’re not going to allow ... the borders of Europe to be redrawn at the barrel of a gun,” Kirby said, calling for an “immediate end to the Russian occupation there.” Moscow has deployed more air defense systems in the southwest and has also deployed a “self-sufficient” contingent of troops in Crimea, Shoigu told a meeting at the Defence Ministry broadcast on state television.

Source: Huffington Post July 28, 2016 10:07 UTC