The Ukrainian security service estimates the number of Russian armed forces stationed near the Ukrainian border at about 100,000.
Kyiv. Ukraine. Ukraine Gate – May 12, 2021 – Ukraine News
The head of the SBU Ivan Bakanov, speaking at a meeting on the security issue, said that he announced this assessment on Tuesday, May 11, at the Ukraine 30. Country Security forum. According to him, “tanks, aircraft, warships, helicopters, battalion tactical groups and groups of missile forces and artillery are concentrated near the borders of Ukraine, including the Crimean peninsula.”
The head of the SBU drew attention to the fact that currently, two-thirds of the length of the Ukrainian border remains vulnerable. But the rest of the border – in the western direction – also requires special attention, Bakanov added.
Russia at the beginning of spring sent about 120 thousand soldiers and officers to the annexed Crimea and to the border with Donbas.
This aroused in the West and in Ukraine itself, suspicions of the beginning of preparations for the war, writes “Deutsche Welle”.
Ukraine’s Ambassador to Germany Andriy Melnyk said that his country would be even more energetic in seeking NATO membership. The Russian Ministry of Defense explained the transfer of troops as a reaction to “threatening actions” of the North Atlantic Alliance and the need to check the combat readiness of the Russian army.
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Source: Ukrgate