Defense Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak has said that the Armed Forces of Ukraine will continue building up their combat capabilities due to large-scale military exercises in order to be ready to deter any threats.

"We will continue building up combat capabilities through large-scale military drills so that the Ukrainian Armed Forces would be ready to deter any threats and protect their people," he wrote on Facebook on Tuesday.

The minister said that units with combat experience continue to hone their skills at military training ranges. In particular, large-scale command and staff exercises ‘Steadfast Firmness 2017’ began throughout the territory of Ukraine on Tuesday, September 12.