Kremlin says US has never given up trying to conduct intelligence activities in Russia

By Burc Eruygur

ISTANBUL (AA) – The Kremlin said on Monday that the US has never given up trying to conduct intelligence activities in Russia, but Moscow has met these efforts with appropriate opposition.

"Our special services and counterintelligence units are performing their functions. The United States has never left work and attempts to conduct intelligence activities on us. This is met with appropriate opposition from our side. In this case, our special services are doing their job," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said during a press briefing.

Commenting on a meeting between Russian President Vladimir Putin and Defense Minister Sergey Shoygu earlier in the day, Peskov said that Putin’s statement on the possible use of the navy in different directions is based on the country's encirclement.

"Our environment is very turbulent in many areas, it is fraught with conflict situations, regional conflicts. We all know the geography of these regional conflicts well. This is exactly what was discussed," Peskov said.

Noting that Putin and Shoygu also held a meeting the day before, Peskov also said that all of the country’s exercises are conducted “in strict accordance with international law.”

Japan's Chief Cabinet Secretary Hirokazu Matsuno said earlier in the day that the Japanese government protested Russia’s plans to conduct naval exercises in the southern part of the Kuril Islands from April 18 to 22.

Shoygu last Friday declared a surprise inspection of Russia's Pacific Fleet. Since then, more than 25,000 military personnel, 167 ships and vessels, 12 submarines, 89 aircraft, and helicopters are participating in military exercises, according to Shoygu.