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Putin: Russian Military Stronger Than Anyone's

by Associated Press

   MOSCOW --

   Russia's military is now stronger that any possible foe, President
   Vladimir Putin told an annual end-of-year meeting with the defense
   ministry on Thursday.

   "We can say with certainty: we are stronger now than any potential
   aggressor," he told the meeting. "Anyone!"

   Tensions between Russia and the West escalated after Russia's
   annexation in Crimea in 2014 and its involvement in the conflict in
   eastern Ukraine. Last year, Russia began an air force operation in
   Syria to support President Bashar Assad that's irked the U.S. in
   particular.

   Both Russia and NATO members conducted a flurry of military drills near
   the Russian border this year. Russia has insisted that it's bolstering
   its forces at the border to react to a growing NATO threat.

   Speaking at the defense ministry's headquarters in Moscow Putin said
   Russia should follow closely any military movement along its border as
   well as changes "in the military and political situation globally." He
   said Russia should be swift in "adjusting plans to neutralize potential
   threats to our country."

   Putin made the comments after Defense Minister Sergei Shoygu presented
   his annual report, lauding Russia's military achievements in Syria as
   well as successful efforts to modernize the Russian army.

   Among other things, Shoygu said Russia "for the first time in its
   history" has fully covered the Russian border with early warning
   anti-missile systems. Shoygu also announced plans to send more troops
   to Russia's west, south-west and the Arctic region.

   Putin thanked the ministry for its work but added that "the situation
   might change very quickly" in case "we let ourselves relax even for a
   moment."