MOSCOW, July 31 (RIA Novosti) — Russia’s top military commander told his US counterpart in a phone conversation Thursday that the use of aviation and artillery against civilians in eastern Ukraine was inadmissible.
Russian Chief of General Staff Valery Gerasimov and Joint Chiefs Chairman Gen. Martin Dempsey discussed the situation in Ukraine and other issues, the Russian Defense Ministry said in a statement.
"Speaking about the situation in Ukraine, Gerasimov commented on the Ukrainian troops' actions in the conflict zone and stated the inadmissibility of the use of combat aviation, heavy artillery, including multiple-launch rocket systems, and missiles against the civilian population," the ministry said.
“He also cautioned [Dempsey] against moving NATO infrastructure towards Russia’s borders,” the statement said. “The sides have agreed to continue the contacts,” the ministry said.
Over the last months, NATO has boosted its military presence in the Baltics in connection with the situation in eastern Ukraine. The alliance explained such measures with the need to ensure the security of its allies.
Earlier, Russia’s Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu described NATO troops massing near Russian borders as "unprecedented."
