- Title: Defiant Ukraine holds military drills in country's war-torn east
- Date: 14th December 2021
- Summary: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE (DECEMBER 14, 2021) (REUTERS) UKRAINIAN ARMY SIGNALMAN GUIDING PONTOON BRIDGE TRUCK DRIVER BRIDGE SLIDING OFF TRUCK INTO RIVER AND UNFOLDING SOLDIERS ON FLOATING BRIDGE SECTIONS OF FLOATING BRIDGE IN RIVER VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS PULLING FLOATING BRIDGE TO RIVERBANK MILITARY BOAT PASSING BY WITH SOLDIERS ON THE OPPOSITE BANK OF THE RIVER SOLDIERS VARIOUS OF BOAT PUSHING PART OF PONTOON BRIDGE (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) BRIGADIER GENERAL, DEPUTY COMMANDER OF JOINT FORCES, MYKHAILO DRAPATYI, SAYING: "First of all, amid the growing aggression from the Russian Federation, we have to be always ready for combat. Ready for any possible development." VARIOUS OF SOLDIERS REPOSITIONING PONTOON BRIDGE USING MOTORBOATS (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) BRIGADIER GENERAL, DEPUTY COMMANDER OF JOINT FORCES, MYKHAILO DRAPATYI, SAYING: "We have not only practiced setting up a pontoon bridge promptly, but also crossing it with army units, mechanized tanks, special forces, deployment into battle order for an attack, capturing strategic points for main forces positioning, or conducting counterattacks." SOLDIERS DROPPING LOADING RAMP INTO RIVER (SOUNDBITE) (Ukrainian) BRIGADIER GENERAL, DEPUTY COMMANDER OF JOINT FORCES, MYKHAILO DRAPATYI, SAYING: "If we will give a nice, strong, solid military counterpunch, and we are ready for it - this will lead to collapse of the Russian military and political authorities. Because there will be casualties (on the Russian side), we know it. And it doesn't matter how much they are trying to flex their iron muscles. They know that there will be colossal losses. They know it, and they are assessing." ANTI-AIRCRAFT MISSILE SYSTEM VARIOUS OF TANKS CROSSING PONTOON BRIDGE VARIOUS OF TANKS MOVING
- Embargoed: 28th December 2021 17:10
- Keywords: Luhansk Ukraine army border crisis drills military
- Location: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE
- City: LUHANSK REGION, UKRAINE
- Country: Ukraine
- Topics: Defence,Europe,Government/Politics,Editors' Choice
- Reuters ID: LVA001F80FTQF
- Aspect Ratio: 16:9
- Story Text: Dozens of Ukrainian soldiers took part in river crossing drills in the Luhansk region on Tuesday (December 14) as tensions with neighbouring Russia continue to ramp up.
The exercises, which included assembling a pontoon bridge on the Aidar River, was held near the town of Novoaidar, on the territories under Kyiv government control.
Ukraine's parliament on Tuesday approved a draft law allowing foreign troops to take part in military exercises on the territory of the former Soviet republic in 2022, a move likely to infuriate Russia.
According to the draft law submitted by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy, Ukraine plans to hold ten extensive military exercises next year.
Ukraine, which is not a member of NATO, has stepped up military cooperation with Western countries amid an increase in what they claim is hostile activity by Russia and its proxies that has raised the risk of open war between the two neighbours.
Ukraine accuses Russia of massing around 100,000 troops in preparation for a possible military offensive, raising fears that a simmering conflict in Ukraine's eastern Donbass region could erupt into open war between the neighbors.
Moscow says its moves are purely defensive and has the right to move forces around its territory as it sees fit.
(Production: Sergei Karazy, Sergei Sychev) - Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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