US intelligence estimates that the number of Russian troops on the Ukrainian border may be up to 175k
The latest developments come after months of steady increases along the Russian-Ukrainian border have alarmed US and Western officials and led to tense conversations between American diplomats and those in the country. their peers.
Officials say the current level of equipment stationed in the area could provide frontline forces with seven to 10 days and other support units for a month’s time.
Half of these units are now near the Ukrainian border, intelligence said. The official said the identification was based on photos from the previous month.
“We have been aware of Russia’s actions for a long time,” he said as he left for Camp David. “My expectation is that we will have a long discussion with Putin.”
Intelligence also shows that Russia has unexpectedly created a reserve force under contract to be mobilized in the event of an attack by Ukraine.
In addition to the military build-up, intelligence indicates a Russian influence campaign aimed at vilifying the leaders of Ukraine and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, which has warned of a Russian attack. .
“Recent information also indicates that Russian officials are proposing to regulate Russia’s information activities against Ukraine to underscore the narrative that Ukrainian leaders have been planted by the West, fostering hatred. towards the ‘Russian world’ and is acting against the interests of the Ukrainian people,” the administration officials said.
On Friday, Biden warned he would make it “very, very difficult” for Putin to take military action in Ukraine, describing the “most comprehensive and meaningful set of initiatives” to prevent the government from taking action. Russian leadership launched an invasion.
That could include new sanctions, including for wealthy Russians in Putin’s inner circle, and increased military support for Ukraine, US officials said.
A spokesman for the National Security Council, which discussed the latest intelligence, said the United States was “deeply concerned by evidence that Russia is advancing a significant plan of military action against Ukraine. “
“The Biden administration has been consistent in our message to Russia: The United States does not seek conflict and the best way to avert a crisis and a negative spiral in the broader relationship is through diplomacy and de-escalation,” the NSC spokesman said.
Speaking in Parliament on Friday, Ukraine’s defense minister described Russia using the military buildup as a tactic, concentrating its troops near the Ukrainian border and then pulling them back to their permanent bases. , leaving devices behind – thus reducing deployment time. .
“In April and September of this year, Russia pulled more than 50 combat battalions to our border. Currently, 41 tactical battalions are ready to fight around Ukraine and in temporarily occupied Crimea. Of these, 33 remain permanently and 8 have been said by Mr. Oleksii Reznikov. about 94,300 people.
CNN’s Matthew Chance, Jim Sciutto and Natasha Bertrand contributed to this report.