Ukrainians say Putin military drill a message to them

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Reports of the order do not include any reference tensions in neighboring Ukraine

MOSCOW - President Vladimir Putin ordered 'urgent comprehensive checks' of Russian troop readiness Wednesday in central and western military districts that border Ukraine, according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu, the Russian Interfax news agency reports.

While the report did not mention Ukraine by name, the order comes against a backdrop of tensions between the West and Russia over the political instability in Russia's western neighbor.

Interfax reports said the readiness checks would also involve 'aerospace, airborne troops, long-range and military transport aviation.' The reports did not give a reason for Putin's order, which was issued at 2 p.m. Moscow time on Wednesday, according to news agencies.

The Kremlin was unable to confirm the order, the Associated Press reports. The defense ministry was unavailable for comment.

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