Russia announced on Monday it was carrying out new military exercises close to the border with Ukraine.<br /><br />More than 100 bombers and fighter jets will take part in the manoeuvres throughout the week in Russia’s central and western regions.<br /><br />Last month Russian President Vladimir Putin promised an “adequate and well-measured response” to NATO building up its forces in Eastern Europe, including Poland, the Black Sea and Baltic Sea.<br /><br />NATO’s military exercises have been described as ‘provocative’ and are viewed by Moscow as an attempt to expand towards Russia’s borders.<br /><br />Meanwhile more than 400 Ukrainian troops are understood to have asked for asylum in Russia.<br /><br />Fighting in eastern Ukraine has intensified, with Kiev stepping up a campaign against rebels in their two main strongholds of Donetsk and Luhansk. Moscow denies supplying the rebels with weapons.
