KIEV, April 24 /ITAR-TASS/. Ukraine awaits explanations from Russia within the next 48 hours for the military exercise launched in an area adjoining the Russian-Ukrainian border, the commentary published by the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Thursday.

“Pursuant to provisions of the Vienna document on trust-building measures and security, Ukraine has issued a request to Russia through the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) to provide explanations for the objectives and place of the military exercise, the date on which it is expected to wind up, as well as the number and the types of Army unity involved in them,” the commentary claimed.

“Under the Vienna document, Russia is expected to provide clear explanations within 48 hours after getting the query, or before 16:00 hours Kiev time January 26,” it said.

Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier in the day that an exercise of battalion-level tactical groups of troops of the Southern and Western military groupings.

“The troops are exercising improvements in foot marches and in deployment for combat tasks,” he said.