Ukrainian military holds anti-invasion exercises

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Ukrainian infantry fighting vehicles force a crossing over a river during military exercises on a firing range not far from city of Rivne on September 18, 2008. Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko oversaw military exercises aimed at preparing to fight off an invasion amid growing tensions with Russia. "The Ukrainian army can fulfil its constitutional duty" to defend Ukraine, Yushchenko told journalists after watching 3,000 troops, as well as fighter aircraft, tanks and helicopters, take part in the exercises. Photo courtesy AFP.

by Staff Writers
Rivne, Ukraine (AFP) Sept 18, 2008
Ukrainian President Viktor Yushchenko oversaw military exercises Thursday aimed at preparing to fight off an invasion amid growing tensions with Russia.

"The Ukrainian army can fulfil its constitutional duty" to defend Ukraine, Yushchenko told journalists after watching 3,000 troops, as well as fighter aircraft, tanks and helicopters, take part in the exercises.

A spokesman for the defence ministry emphasised that the exercises were planned last year and had no link to the current political crisis in Ukraine or the conflict between Georgia and Russia that erupted in August.

Yushchenko has complained of interference by Russia in Ukraine's domestic affairs in recent weeks. He has also imposed restrictions on the movement of Russia's Black Sea Fleet, which is based in southern Ukraine.

European officials have warned Ukraine could be the next flashpoint for tensions with Russia because of its large Russian-speaking population, disputes over the Black Sea Fleet and Ukraine's bid to join NATO.

Russian President Dmitry Medvedev on Thursday said relations between Moscow and Kiev must remain strong despite Ukraine's political crisis and its "new foreign policy sympathies," a reference to its ties with the West.

photo-ant/dt/ch/rom

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Russia row shows NATO needs reality check: IISS

London (AFP) Sept 18, 2008
NATO would be making a major strategic error trying to expand in the face of Russian anger, a respected international think tank said Thursday.

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