Russia says troop build-up near Ukraine is response to Nato

Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu (Vadim Savitsky/Russian Defense Ministry Press Service via AP)

Russia’s defence minister said that the country’s massive military build-up in the west was part of readiness drills amid what he described as threats from Nato.

Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said the manoeuvres in western Russia that have worried neighbouring Ukraine and brought warnings from Nato would last for another two weeks.