KYIV. Feb 18 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Defense Ministry does not confirm the Russian forces' withdrawal from the area adjacent to the Ukrainian border.
"Speaking of situation on the Ukrainian border, first of all, we do not confirm the Russian announcement of the forces' withdrawal: no such thing is happening, forces and hardware are being redeployed," Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov said in the Verkhovna Rada on Friday.
There are about 129,000 Russian troops stationed near the border on the ground, and the overall number is nearing 149,000, including warship and aircraft crews, he said.
"We are expecting the arrival of several thousands more in the coming days. We are also expecting three more ships to come to the Black Sea. Thirdly, the Russian National Guard is holding drills alongside the Russian army exercises, and we are monitoring them, as well," Reznikov said.
Ukrainian intelligence sees every redeployment that might potentially threaten Ukraine, the minister said. "We see every plane, every helicopter, and every tank unit. We are in touch with our international partners, and our information is confirmed," he said.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman Igor Konashenkov said on February 17 that troops were returning to barracks from exercises.