Russian troop surge in Crimea 'priority task,' says defense minister

MOSCOW, Sept. 17 (UPI) -- Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu said Tuesday that a troop surge in Ukraine's Crimea Peninsula is a "top priority."

Crimea has been under Russian occupation since its illegal annexation in March.

Speaking during a regular meeting of the ministry's board on Tuesday, Shoigu explained that more forces are needed in Crimea because of growing instability in Ukraine and the presence of foreign forces near Russia's borders, an apparent reference to unrest in eastern Ukraine that has been spurred on by Russia and subsequent action by NATO to demonstrate its support for Ukraine's sovereign territorial integrity.

"The military political situation in southwestern strategic areas has dramatically changed since the beginning of the current year," said Shoigu.

"To a greater extent, it stems from the territorial expansion of the southern military district after Crimea acceded to Russia. Apart from that, the situation is Ukraine has dramatically deteriorated and foreign military presence in the exact vicinity to our border has increased. Such state of things has made certain adjustments in the routine work of the district's command."

Earlier this week, the United States and NATO denounced regional and local elections held Sunday in Crimea as illegitimate because they occurred under Russian occupation.