Situation in Ukrainian army is difficult - Ukraine's acting defense minister
KYIV. March 11 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian Armed Forces have been put on high alert, but the situation is difficult, Ukraine's acting defense minister Ihor Tenyukh said.
"We have put the Armed Forces on high alert. All Armed Forces are located on testing grounds in accordance with the military exercise plan, both in the eastern and southern areas, but the result is not good," he said in the parliament in Kyiv on Tuesday.
Ukraine's Ground Forces have 41,000 troops, of which 20,000 are to be on permanent readiness, Tenyukh said, adding that only 6,000 troops are on permanent readiness now.
He said the situation is extremely difficult and the General Staff and the Defense Ministry are doing everything possible to resolve this issue.
Tenyukh also said there is a need to create "a group that will be ready for actions in the southern and eastern regions of the country."
