Russia has conducted and will continue to conduct military exercises on its territory and this right is non-negotiable, spokesman said Vladimir Putin Dmitry Peskov.
“This is an ongoing process, as in all countries of the world. This is our right to conduct exercises at home, on the territory where we consider it appropriate, is not subject to discussion with anyone,” Peskov told reporters.
The spokesman commented on the movements of the troops who took part in exercises in southern Russia. Journalists asked him if this meant a de-escalation of the conflict?
“We have always said that after the exercises are over, the troops return to their places of permanent deployment. This is also happening this time. There is nothing new here. This is a normal process,” the Kremlin spokesman said.
Earlier, the official representative of the Russian Ministry of Defense, Major General Igor Konashenkov, said that the Southern and Western military districts had begun return of troops to the places of deployment after the exercises.