Russia Announces Troop Build-Up in Far East

Russia Announces Troop Build-Up in Far East
Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu attends the opening ceremony of the International military-technical forum "Army-2020" at Patriot Congress and Exhibition Center in Moscow Region, Russia, on Aug. 23, 2020. Maxim Shemetov/Reuters
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MOSCOW—Russia is increasing its military presence in the Far East in response to rising tensions in the wider region, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday.

In remarks cited on the defense ministry website, Shoigu said reinforcements were being sent because of tensions in the “eastern strategic direction”, referring to an area encompassing Russia’s eastern border with China and the wider Asia-Pacific.