WASHINGTON, August 5 (RIA Novosti) – Washington expressed concerns by the large scale exercises of Russian Air Forces, which started on Monday, US State Department spokesperson Jen Psaki said at a briefing.
“We are deeply concerned by Russia’s plans to conduct large scale aviation exercises this week near border of Ukraine. Exercises of this kind are provocative and only serve to escalate tensions,” Psaki stated.
The spokesperson also claimed that Russia has been delivering “more powerful rocket launchers” to independence supporters in eastern Ukraine but refused to give any specific confirmations of her statement telling journalists that “[when] we have more information we can do public, we will do it.”
Earlier Monday, press service of Russian Defense Ministry announced the start of aviation exercises in Central and Western Districts of the country. According to the ministry, the drills are conducted in accordance with the training plan for 2014 that was approved last year.
Moscow has repeatedly denied Washington’s allegations of its involvement in Ukrainian conflict, as well as of supplying arms to independence supporters. Russian Defense Ministry also said that 18 international inspection missions had visited Russian regions bordering with Ukraine and did not detect “any violations or undeclared military activities”.
