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Russia Stages Mass Military Drills as Ukraine Tensions Climb

Zelenskiy says Ukraine needs NATO membership to deter Russia
Russian troop build-up has sparked growing Western concerns

Russian servicemen take part in military exercises in the Astrakhan region of Southern Russia in 2020. — Russian servicemen take part in military exercises in the Astrakhan region of Southern Russia in 2020.
Photographer: Dimitar Dilkoff/AFP/Getty Images

By

Daryna Krasnolutska, and

Kateryna Choursina

April 6, 2021, 3:43 PM UTCUpdated onApril 6, 2021, 5:23 PM UTC

Russia announced the start of mass military drills, ratcheting up tensions with neighboring Ukraine amid Western concerns about the risk of renewed fighting.

More than 4,000 training exercises will be held in military districts across Russia in April, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Tuesday, in comments posted on the ministry’s website.