Russian Defense Ministry Says No Cuts In Budget, Personnel

Russia's Deputy Defense Minister Tatyana Shevtsova said April 9 there would be no reductions of personnel or funding for the Defense Ministry.

Shevtsova said despite the sequester of the state budget there were no plans to cut any funding to the Defense Ministry.

Shevtsova added there would be no decrease in salaries or benefits for military personnel.

The Russian government had announced a 10 percent reduction in expenses across the board as the country's economy continues to face challenges due to the low international price of oil, one of Russia's biggest exports, and Western sanctions imposed on Russia for the Kremlin's role in unrest in Ukraine.

Based on reporting by TASS and RIA Novosti