The US is significantly increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region and strengthening ties with its allies to deter Russia and China, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.
"To deter Russia and China, the US is significantly increasing its military presence in the Asia-Pacific region, strengthening political and military ties with its allies," Shoigu said at a ministry meeting.
Shoigu added that the modernization of Moscow's missile defense system will be completed this year. He stressed that "one of the priorities of the Russian Aerospace Forces development direction is equipping troops with advanced air and missile defense systems."
Military officials also discussed the recent attack attempt on Sevastopol by Ukrainian naval drones. Shoigu stressed that all UAVs were taken down.
"Today, from 4 a.m. to 5:56 a.m. [local time, 01:00-02:56 GMT], an attempt was made to hit our facilities in the Crimea in Sevastopol with unmanned aerial vehicles. All three UAVs have been destroyed," Shoigu said at a ministry meeting.
Earlier in the day, Sevastopol Governor Mikhail Razvozhayev said that Russia's Black Sea Fleet repulsed an attack by surface drones in Sevastopol.
German Media Says Kiev Planning to Cut Russia's Land Bridge to Crimea in May Offensive
Ukraine is preparing to launch a counter offensive in May, focusing on the Lugansk People's Republic and Zaporozhye region, with the goal to cut off Russia's land connection to Crimea, German newspaper reported Tuesday, citing an unnamed NATO official.
According to the NATO source, Russia "fairly" believes that the main Ukrainian offensive will take place in "Lugansk and Zaporozhye regions," news outlet reported. The goal of the attack is to "destroy the land bridge to Crimea," the newspaper reported, citing the official.
The NATO official was confident that the weapons the West has been supplying to Kiev will be used in the counteroffensive as early as May, according to media. NATO and other Western countries are currently supplying Ukraine with about 500 tanks and armored personnel carriers, which will be used in the operation, according to the newspaper.
On March 16, the American newspaper reported that US officials expected Ukraine to launch a major offensive by May.
In February, the Ukrainian government started negotiations with its allies on the supplies of longer-range missiles and jets, as well as additional ammunition to prepare for an offensive this spring. The Kremlin has repeatedly warned against continued arms supplies to Kiev and further escalation that could lead to the direct involvement of the US and NATO in the conflict.
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