Russia continues to mobilize troops and military equipment on the border with Ukraine, despite assurances that it does not intend to invade. CNN quotes intelligence sources as saying that Moscow has not slowed down the pace of its deployment, although it already has more than 100,000 troops near the border.
The other day, Vladimir Putin a transmis Americans want NATO not to expand into Eastern Europe. White House National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan said Friday that the United States is ready for dialogue with Russia on its demands and that US diplomacy will present its own concerns about the crisis in Ukraine. He also said that the latest assessment by the US government shows that Vladimir Putin has not yet made the decision to invade Ukraine.
In recent days, however, Russia has continued to bring new troops near the border with Ukraine, despite President Joe Biden urging Russian President Vladimir Putin to ease the situation. Several Russian military units have been sent to the border area in recent days, sources close to the intelligence services told CNN.
U.S. and Ukrainian officials say they could see evidence of that Russia has begun using commercial aircraft and trains to support the military effort. A similar activity was observed in the spring, when Russia merged troops near the border with Ukraine.
What are the “tactical groups” of the Russian army
The latest assessments of US intelligence services estimate at over 50 so-called “tactical groups” of battalions carried out on the border with and around Ukraine, and another six would be on their way.
These groups, which can usually include up to 900 people each, are diversified combat units, quite autonomous, including a combination of troops, artillery, anti-tank weapons, reconnaissance and genius units. BTGs, as they are known, played a major role in Russian military activity in Ukraine in 2014, when Russia annexed Crimea, CNN reports.
Recent satellite footage, taken by Maxar Technologies and provided by CNN, shows that Russia massaged troops and equipment at a distance of up to 50 kilometers from the border with Ukraine. The images show an increase in the number of Russian military vehicles between September 7 and December 5 in the city of Soloti in southwestern Russia.
Russia appears to be forming a new regiment in the 3rd Motorized Rifle Division, an infantry division of Russia’s ground forces, according to expert Michael Kofman. Russia also sent troops to Voronezh, Elnia and the Crimea.
Democratic Congressman Ruben Gallego, who recently returned from Ukraine, pointed out that is to be followed, in the evolution of the Russian presence near the Ukrainian border, if reserve forces are also called.
What’s happening on the diplomatic front
Meanwhile, Russia continues to deny that it is preparing for an invasion, but Vladimir Putin has said that Russia has the right to defend its “security” in the face of a potential NATO enlargement to the east.
The Biden administration is still considering whether to send more weapons and equipment to the Ukrainians, after Javelin anti-tank missiles, Island-class patrol boats, first aid kits, secure radios, electronic equipment, medical equipment, engines were shipped in the last two months. generators, spare parts, as well as small arms and ammunition. However, Ukrainian officials would also press for air defense systems, such as Patriot surface-to-air missiles., according to sources quoted by CNN.
But National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan has expressed concern that such transports could be considered by Russia as extremely challenging, at a time when the US, Europe and NATO are trying to force Moscow to ease the situation. However, The White House did not rule out anything except sending American troops to the ground in Ukraine.
Russia has demanded security from the United States and NATO, including a compelling commitment that NATO will not expand further east and will not allow Ukraine to join the military alliance. Russian officials have presented proposals to Deputy Secretary of State Karen Donfried, who was in Moscow this week.
“One nation cannot force another nation to change its border; one nation cannot tell another nation to change its policy; and nations can’t tell others who they can work with, “Joe Biden told Vladimir Putin during a video conference last week.
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg on Thursday reaffirmed this view: “We will never compromise on the right of every sovereign nation, such as Ukraine, to choose its own path or the principle that it remains at Ukraine and its 30 allies to decide when Ukraine is ready to join the Alliance. “
Editor: Luana Pavaluca
