Russia denies moving troops close to N Korea

Russian authorities are denying reports that they a re moving troops to the border with North Korea over growing tensions in the Korean peninsula. The Interfax news agency on Friday quoted Alexander Gordeyev, spokesman for the Far Eastern Military district, as saying that the movement of heavy weaponry, caught on film and widely distributed on social media, is part of "absolutely scheduled manoeuvres of combat readiness."

Gordeyev said the military hardware was on its way back from drills elsewhere and denied any connection to the tensions around NKorea's nuclear program. In Moscow, first deputy chairman of the defence committee said the movement was pre-planned and dismissed reports suggesting Russia was preparing for a possible attack on N Korea.