Russia continues to increase the number of troops near the borders of Ukraine | News from Germany about Russia

New satellite images taken by private US company Maxar Technologies show that Russia has continued to build up troops in annexed Crimea and close to the Ukrainian border in recent weeks. This was reported by Reuters on Friday, December 24, citing images obtained from Maxar Technologies.

The images published by Maxar the night before show, in particular, the Russian military base in Crimea, which as of December 13 was filled with hundreds of armored personnel carriers and tanks. A satellite image of the same base, taken by the company in October, showed that it was half empty. Reuters could not confirm the complete accuracy of the latest images.

Maxar said in a statement: “Over the past month, our high-resolution satellite imagery has recorded an increase in the number of Russian troops in Crimea, as well as at several training grounds in western Russia along the periphery of the Ukrainian border.”

On December 23, Bloomberg also reported on a further build-up of Russian troops near the border with Ukraine, citing satellite images studied by the military intelligence company Janes.

According to her, since November, tanks, artillery weapons and air defense systems have been moved to the border areas. Despite the limited number of troops on the border, Russia could quickly build up these forces by sending large formations on trains and planes, Janes officials said.

Pulling Russian troops to the Ukrainian border

In October, reports began to arrive about the pulling together of Russian troops to the border with Ukraine. President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky said that up to 100 thousand Russian military personnel were deployed near the borders of his country. US Deputy Secretary of State Victoria Nuland suggested that Russia could invade Ukraine in early 2022. The United States and other Western countries have threatened the Russian Federation with the toughest sanctions in case of such a scenario.

Moscow constantly denies information about the impending invasion of Ukraine and, for its part, accuses NATO of arming Kiev and conducting maneuvers near the borders of Russia. On December 21, Russian President Vladimir Putin blamed the United States for escalating tensions in Europe.

Last week, Russia demanded to exclude Ukraine from joining NATO and suggested that the alliance abandon military operations in countries neighboring Russia. The Russian Foreign Ministry included the relevant provisions in the draft security treaty, which was sent to Washington. The United States stated that a dialogue with Moscow on a guarantee of security is possible only in conditions of de-escalation at the borders of Ukraine and in coordination with European allies and partners.

See also:

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Checking weapons systems

So far, artillery fire on both sides of the Russian-Ukrainian border is being conducted for testing purposes. According to official figures, the troops are checking the combat readiness of their weapons systems. In a video released by the Russian Defense Ministry, a Russian self-propelled mortar fires.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

West expresses support for Ukraine

The West assures Kiev of its solidarity. In his first telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, US President Joe Biden reiterated to Volodymyr Zelenskiy “the unwavering support of the United States for Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the face of Russia’s ongoing aggression in Donbas and Crimea.” Representatives of NATO and the EU made similar statements.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Troops are pulling up to Donbass

In early March, Russia began to strengthen its military presence on the border with Ukraine. Moscow said that in this way it responds to Kiev’s provocations aimed at escalating the conflict in Donbass. According to observers from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), there were no provocations.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

American destroyers are already in the Black Sea

The US, NATO and the EU have pledged support to Ukraine in protecting its territorial integrity. On April 9, Ankara reported that the United States had already announced at the end of March the passage of two of its warships through the Bosphorus to the Black Sea. The picture shows one of two American destroyers that passed through the strait towards the Black Sea on March 20.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

A war that has been going on for seven years

The conflict in eastern Ukraine erupted in early 2014, when pro-Russian separatists took control of parts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of Ukraine. According to the authorities in Kiev and their Western allies, the Kremlin is helping the separatists by supplying illegal weapons and sending mercenaries. Since then, the parties to the conflict have repeatedly agreed on a ceasefire, but these agreements have been constantly violated.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Bombed and destroyed

This man is standing on the ruins of his house, located on the territory of the self-proclaimed “DPR”. The house was destroyed during the fighting between the separatists and the Ukrainian army. They involve soldiers, mercenaries, separatists and paramilitary units. But the fighting has affected civilians again and again. At the beginning of 2019, according to the UN, about 3,300 civilians were killed in the Donbas.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Clashes and deaths despite the truce

In total, since 2014, more than 13,000 people have died as a result of the fighting in Donbass. According to the OSCE, the current ceasefire, in effect since July 2020, has been relatively stable. However, shelling has recently become more frequent. In recent days, at least five Ukrainian soldiers and a five-year-old boy have been killed on the territory of the “DPR”. Kiev denies any involvement in his death.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Zelensky presented awards to Ukrainian soldiers

On April 8, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy visited Donbass and tried to sort out the situation on the spot. He awarded the Ukrainian soldiers who distinguished themselves in their service at the front. And on April 10, Zelensky will meet with Turkish President Erdogan. Ukrainian media report that Zelensky is also scheduled to meet with French President Macron.

Time.news of a new aggravation of the conflict in Donbass

Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure

In 2019, Russia began to issue citizenship to residents of the “DPR” / “LPR” using a simplified procedure. According to various sources, about 600 thousand people with Russian citizenship now live there. Moscow has already announced that Russia will take all the necessary measures to protect them. A spokeswoman for the US president said the Russian military presence on the border with Ukraine is now the largest since 2014.

By Jan Walter, Kevin Mertens