A full invasion of Ukraine would not be a "simple walk in the park" for Russia because Ukrainian troops would fight for every metre of land until their last breath, the commander of all ground forces has warned.

General Oleksandr Syrskyi said his soldiers were starting a round of military exercises in the north of Ukraine, near to the border with Moscow-ally Belarus, where Russian forces are conducting a massive joint exercise on the other side with Belarusian troops.

The 56-year-old said Ukrainian personnel will also carry out training in the south. The exercises will include testing new US and UK weapons and practising how to counter airborne assaults.

Asked if he had a message for the Russian soldiers camped next door, General Syrskyi told Sky News: "The armed forces of Ukraine are ready. We are capable and we will not give up a single metre of Ukrainian land without a fight.

"This will not be a simple walk in park if they do decide to conduct a full-blown invasion.

"This is a warning... we will make sure to fight until the very last breath for every single metre of Ukrainian land.

"I trust in the Ukrainian servicemembers. I trust in our armed forces and I trust in our victory."

https://ca.yahoo.com/news/ukraine-russia-tensions-vladimir-putin-062600259.html