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No Russian troops near Ukrainian border - Putin's aide

20 June 2014, 14:36 -- Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has refuted the allegations that Russia is moving troops towards the Ukrainian border. 'There is no enlargement [of the military contingent] there. There is only a certain saturation of the border factor,' Ushakov told a press briefing on Friday. He said that was done because the Russian administration was concerned about the border situation.

'The troops were pulled back and they will stay pulled back,' the presidential aide noted.

Moscow perplexed by allegations about troop build-up near Ukrainian border

Moscow is perplexed by allegations that Russia has amassed forces along its border with Ukraine because Russian President Vladimir Putin issued an instruction to step up security on the border several weeks ago, Putin's press secretary Dmitry Peskov has said.

'We are surprised by such statements about Russian troops allegedly amassed on the border with Ukraine. In this case, any build-up of troops is out of the question. Rather, these are measures to enhance security along the borders of the Russian Federation, measures that are being taken on direct orders from President of the Russian Federation Vladimir Putin,' Peskov said.

This instruction was not issued several days ago, he said.

'It was issued several weeks ago, which was announced earlier and, by the way, received a positive response from European leaders then,' the press secretary said. These measures are being taken in response to 'the growing number of border trespass incidents, including by military hardware,' he said.

'As for the number of Armed Forces soldiers, it is determined based on the current needs in order to ensure the required level of security along the border,' Peskov said.

Troops movements within Russian territory are Russia's 'internal issues' - MP

The chairman of the State Duma Defense Committee, Admiral Vladimir Komoyedov, has said he does not believe it is necessary to explain to the West all movements of Russian troops within the country's territory.

'The activities of Russian forces in [Russia's] districts along the border with Ukraine are our internal issues,' Komoyedov told Interfax on Friday.

'If [Ukrainian] armored combat vehicles are entering our territory and bullets are flying along the border, there is obviously a need to take some measures, to protect ourselves. We own this territory [Russia], not the United States. We can do on our own soil whatever we please,' he added.

Source: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_06_20/No-Russian- troops-near-Ukrainian-border-Putins-aide-9279/