Russia’s military is beginning a “combat readiness” inspection as tensions between the Kremlin and Ukraine have escalated in recent weeks. “In accordance with the plan for the training of the armed forces, control checks have begun in the military administration bodies, formations, and military units,” Russian Defence Minister Sergei Shoigu said in a meeting at the Defense Ministry on Tuesday. “The troops went to the training grounds for tactical, tactical-special, and bilateral exercises,” he added. The official said that 4,048 military exercises will be held in Russia this month at more than 100 training grounds, with most training occurring in the Far East region in Siberia. On April 2, the Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters that any NATO troop deployment to Ukraine would lead to more tensions between Kyiv and Moscow. NATO voiced concern last week over what it said was a big Russian military build-up near eastern Ukraine after Russia …