New satellite photos of the private American company Maxar Technologies, published today, Sunday, seem to show the development of Russian forces on the border between Belarus and Ukraine, before the joint military exercises announced by Moscow and Minsk.
The deployment of military forces has been described by NATO as the largest concentration of military forces in Belarus since the Cold War.
Russia and Belarus have announced that they will conduct joint military exercises codenamed “Union Resolve 2022” during the period from 10 to 20 February, with operational scenarios to halt a possible attack on the southern borders of their military alliance.
Russia has announced some details about the missiles, but also about the aircraft that it is developing in the area of ​​the exercise, regarding its realization.
The new development of military forces and the planned exercises are taking place at a time of escalating tensions between Russia and the West over the massive concentration of Russian military forces near the border with Ukraine.
Western countries have accused Russia of preparing to invade Ukraine, while Moscow denies such plans.
Photographs of US-based Maxar Technologies show Russian military units equipped with missiles, multiple rocket launchers and attack aircraft deployed in Belarus, in three areas near the border with Ukraine.
Reuters could not independently confirm the satellite photos. The Russian Defense Ministry did not immediately respond to a request for comment, and Belarussian military officials did not respond to calls.
Russia has gathered about 70% of military capacity required for a large-scale invasion of Ukraine in the coming weeks, US security officials told Reuters.
U.S. officials have warned that a Russian invasion of Ukraine could kill up to 50,000 civilians. They also estimated that in a Russian attack Kiev could fall within two days, and cause a refugee crisis in Europe, as well as millions of people will flee.
Additional US troops have arrived in Poland as part of a new development to bolster the Western military alliance’s NATO forces in the region. The first group landed in the southeast of the country on Saturday. The Biden government announced a few days ago that it would send almost 3,000 additional troops to Eastern Europe.
Moscow says its troops are in the area for military exercises, but Ukraine and its Western allies remain concerned that the Kremlin plans to launch an attack.
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