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Armed forces of Ukraine are testing the combat-readiness of troops 1103144.

11 Mar, 2014 17:54 | 2014

Defence & Security News - Ukraine

Tuesday, March 11, 2014 06:49 PM

Armed forces of Ukraine are testing the combat-readiness of troops.

Ukraine began military drills as Russian forces tightened their hold on the Crimean peninsula and the Foreign Ministry in Moscow warned of "lawlessness" in the former Soviet republic's eastern provinces.

Ukrainian armoured regiments with T-64B main battle tank ready for military drills.

Ukraine’s armed forces are testing the combat-readiness of troops, the Defense Ministry said today on its website, reiterating the government’s desire for a peaceful end to the standoff in Crimea.

As scheduled, the servicemen of armored troops drive armored vehicles and work out range practice from T-64B under day and night light.

According to brigade leaders, each serviceman is ready to accomplish the duty, defend the state integrity and sovereignty.

Ukraine sent troops to training grounds after alleging that Russian soldiers seized a missile unit at Chornomorskoe in Crimea. Ukraine’s border service said Russian forces control 13 border bases and the ferry crossing across the Kerch Strait to Russia.

Ukraine’s interim prime minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said his country could hold a dialogue about more rights and powers for Crimea, but not “under muzzles of Russian guns,” according to a statement on his government’s website.

CNN has reported that the Russian military installed checkpoints along the border between Ukraine and Crimea, along with with minefields and other heavy defences.

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Armed forces of Ukraine are testing the combat-readiness of troops 1103144.