Russian Defense Minister: Terrorism And NATO Expansion Are The Main Threats

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu (archive). © RIA Novosti. Ilia Pitalev

Shoigu Says NATO and Terrorism Russia's Top Challenges -- Moscow Times

Terrorism and NATO's expansion at Russia's borders are the country's two main security threats, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Saturday, hinting at a renewal of the armed forces' strategic and doctrinal direction after years of failed reforms.

During an interview broadcasted on Rossia 1, Shoigu cited Syria, Afghanistan, Mali and Libya as "hot spots" of international terrorism, a threat Russia also faces domestically.

The minister's declaration comes one week after President Vladimir Putin introduced prison terms of up to 10 years for training to engage in terrorist activity, and made terrorists' family members liable for the damage incurred by terrorist attacks.

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Russian Defense Minister Shoigu Says Terrorism And NATO Expansion Are The Main Threats

Defense Minister Shoigu Outlines Security Threats to Russia -- RIA Novosti
Russian Defense Minister Sees Terrorism, NATO Expansion As Main Threats -- Radio Free Europe
NATO third on the list of threats to Russia -- inSerbia
Shoigu Faces Bigger Challenges in Second Year -- Alexander Golts, Moscow Times