The Russian army assembles on the Ukrainian border?K Palace spokesperson: deployment is not a precursor to war
Reference News Network reported on April 16 According to a report on the website of the Russian “Labor Daily” on April 14, the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said on the 14th local time that Russia had deployed 110,000 soldiers in the border areas of Ukraine and Russia. Uzbek Defense Minister Taran said: “According to the data we have collected, Russia is continuing to prepare more troops for advancing to the Ukrainian border. After adding more troops, the total number of Russian troops concentrated along the Ukrainian border will reach 56 battalions. Level tactical group, a total of 110,000 people.” Taran believes that Moscow’s move is preparing for offensive operations, “to ensure water supply to the Crimea peninsula.” The Uzbek Defense Minister said: “So far, Russia has increased its army in Crimea to 42,000. They have been incorporated into the Joint Assault Corps, which can use a series of weapon systems to attack.” Taran also pointed out that Russia has strengthened its air force in Crimea and improved the capabilities of the Black Sea Fleet, which can “execute important airborne operations.” Russian Defense Minister Shoigu stated on the 13th that the Russian military successfully deployed two army groups and three airborne regiments to the western border during the inspection of the armed forces’ readiness. He said: “At present, these troops and corps have been dispatched to participate in the exercise.” Satellite imagery confirms army maneuvers According to the British “Jane’s Defense Weekly” website reported on April 14th, Russia continued to increase its troops to the western Ukrainian border of the country. The reporter has confirmed that the troops deployed to Crimea include the elite Russian 76th Airborne Division, which is equipped with the BMD-2 airborne infantry fighting vehicle and the “Arrow”-10 tactical air defense system. In addition, the 31st Engineering Corps equipped with trench excavation and river crossing equipment is likely to have also been deployed in the area. According to reports, satellite images have confirmed the scale of deployment of some troops. The 136th Motor Infantry Brigade was one of the first troops stationed in Crimea. Its BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle first appeared in Crimea on March 30. Satellite images show that the number of combat vehicles of the brigade at the base in Dagestan has been greatly reduced, indicating that the brigade has carried out large-scale mobilization. The report also said that in Voronezh, the Central Military District is also continuing to gather. Satellite images show that as of April 9, an important camp in southern Voronezh has assembled about 70 main battle tanks, 100 infantry fighting vehicles, 70 artillery (including long-range multiple rocket launchers) and about 3,000 soldiers. . The video shows that the railway continues to deliver equipment to Voronezh. The report pointed out that the Russian Black Sea Fleet was reinforced by 10 small ships from the Caspian Sea Fleet. The Southern Military Region also began to strengthen the air power of the Black Sea Fleet. At least seven Su-34s of the 559th Bomber Regiment were deployed to the Saki Air Force Base in Crimea. Russian officials stated that the mobilization of troops was related to training exercises. However, reports believe that the current deployment is inconsistent with Russia’s normal training plan. U.S. says it wants to provide assistance to Uzbekistan According to a report from the TASS news agency in Brussels on April 14, US Secretary of Defense Austin issued a statement on the 14th at a joint press conference with Secretary of State Blincoln and NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg that the United States will provide Ukrainian self-defense. assistance. He declared: “I call on Russia to respect Ukraine’s territorial integrity. We will provide assistance for Ukraine’s self-defense.” Austin reiterated the US’s “concern” stance on Russia’s military construction. He said: “We will continue to closely monitor activities in the region and continue to consult with partners.” The US Secretary of Defense stated: “Our national security team has always provided the President with a variety of solutions to maximize the use of all elements of national strength. We are screening the solutions presented to the President. I will focus on this.”
According to the report, Austin made specific instructions for material assistance. He pointed out: “We have been providing material assistance to Ukraine for some time. This includes daily materials and equipment and some weapons. In addition, we have also sent some instructors to assist.”
Austin said: “In the future, we will continue to take such steps in accordance with the needs of Ukraine.”
“Putin tried to use pressure to promote negotiations”
According to a report by the Buenos Aires Economic News Network of Argentina on April 14, Ukraine is a “strategicly vital country” for Russia. The Kremlin believes that it is absolutely necessary for Russia to keep Ukraine within Russia’s sphere of influence. A necessary condition for defense.
According to reports, Zelensky only received tepid support during Trump’s administration. The visit to the White House gave Ukrainian President Zelensky a chance. He began operations to enable the new US government to more directly intervene in the conflict and to draw a red line for Russia’s path forward. However, in the context of pandemics and economic recession, Biden does not seem to have much time to consider Ukraine.
The report pointed out that Putin is very aware of this, so he may decide to seize the weakness of the United States at this time to concentrate the army on the Ukrainian border, and hope that this pressure will force the Ukrainian leadership to work hard to negotiate a political solution to the conflict. At the same time, as long as the conflict continues at this level, NATO seems unwilling to intervene, and even turned a deaf ear to Zelens’s request for a road map that would enable Ukraine to join NATO when necessary.
The report also pointed out that NATO’s calculation seems to be that Russia is unlikely to escalate the situation too much. Analysts believe that Moscow may threaten, but does not want to get involved in another costly conflict without a clear exit strategy.
According to reports, as far as Ukraine is concerned, if it can be avoided, it absolutely does not want to start a protracted war with its major neighbors. Kiev also knows that once any offensive action is taken against Russia, it is possible to lose the pitiful support of the West.
“In view of all these circumstances, the confrontation will definitely be concentrated in a limited area along the ceasefire line, but it will not exceed that range. As long as the violence is contained, it will not lead to further sanctions against Russia.” En Bremer pointed out.
This photo provided by the Office of the President of Ukraine shows that on April 8, President Zelensky of Ukraine (middle) inspected the positions of Uzbek government forces in the Donbass region.Xinhua News Agency
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