Russia is strengthening its military capabilities at Western borders

The Russian military has sent thousands of new troops and weapons to its western border, where the U.S. and fellow NATO Western military alliance partners have attempted to beef up their defenses.

During a board session Tuesday, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said the "developing situation" in the region designated the Western Military District has led to the establishment of "more than 70 large units and military formations, including two divisions and three brigades" since 2016. He also revealed that "about 5,000 new and modernized weapons and equipment" were delivered to Russian troops there, who were subject to over 350 sudden inspections that "showed a qualitative increase in the level of training of the troops of the district and confirmed their readiness to solve tasks for the intended purpose."

Headquartered in St. Petersburg, the Western Military Command covers 26 federal subjects including Moscow and Kaliningrad, thus bordering Poland, the Baltic States, Finland and Norway. It was described as hosting "Russia’s most-capable ground and air forces" in a May 2018 Rand Corp report.

"Strengthening Russia as an independent international player does not give rest to our NATO colleagues," Shoigu said during the ministry meeting. "They are trying in every possible way to prevent Russia from becoming a geopolitical competitor, all the more having allies."