There is a growing sense of unease in the Ukraine about where Russian troops are. In late January and early February, satellites detected an increase in activity near the Crimean border. Hundreds of military vehicles and troop tents were observed on the base, but there were no signs of tanks or missile launchers. Analysts wonder if Russia is covertly storing their hardware in the area. However, it is unlikely that Russia is preparing for an invasion in the eastern region.
While there are no reports to date on the number of Russian forces in Ukraine, the U.S. military said that the majority of the troops are young men and not fully trained and aware of the combat operation. Although these figures were not confirmed by the Pentagon or the Ukrainian government, U.S. intelligence officials did not seem surprised that the number of draftees is higher than the total number of Russian forces. The number of conscripted soldiers in Ukraine has been on the rise in recent years, but that does not mean that the country is ready to negotiate with its neighbor.
While the Ukrainian Army does not have the numbers to justify a full-scale invasion, U.S. military analysts say they believe the number is still understated and that the next attack will probably come from the south. In the meantime, there are reports that Russian conscripts are being deployed along the border. These new comrades will be hardened to the rigors of modern warfare. So, the question is, where will they come from?
According to Maxar Technologies, a company that tracks the military movements of Moscow, new deployments were seen in western Russia. These deployments were within 10 miles of the Ukrainian border and 50 miles from Kharkiv. Other pictures showed a greater Russian presence in Belarus, 22 miles from the Ukrainian border. It is important to note that some of the photos were captured before the airfield at Bolshoy Bokov was fully operational.
While Russian forces are currently encircling Ukraine, the Russian military has not deployed their forces in full. This is due to the fact that most of them are conscripts, not volunteers. The fact that they are not all volunteers is alarming. But they do have the means to fight. Moreover, the presence of Russian military personnel in the Ukraine is unprecedented. This is why the Ukrainian government is attempting to protect the Ukrainian people in the east.
The U.S. Defense Department has confirmed that Russian troops have already occupied Ukraine, but it is unclear why they would want to invade the region. In the meantime, the situation is tense. And it’s difficult to imagine a peaceful resolution. The two sides have discussed talks, but there hasn’t been a breakthrough. As the conflict in Ukraine escalates, the U.S. military will not be able to contain the aggression.
On Wednesday, satellite imagery was released by Maxar Technologies, a private company that follows the military in Russia. It shows that the Russian army has recently deployed new units in the west and that the military is within ten miles of the Ukrainian border. Similarly, the pictures show an increased Russian presence in Belarus, but the airfield at Bolshoy Bokov was empty on Feb. 4. If this is a real-life scenario, where are the Russians?
The U.S. military has confirmed that it has deployed Russian troops along the Ukraine border. The conflict has been ongoing since November 2021, when the Ukrainian government first acted to stop the annexation. While the Russian government has said there is a potential for negotiations, the military has not yet been consulted. This is an extremely dangerous and unstable situation, and both sides are putting their faith in the international community. If Russia is occupying Ukraine, they could potentially destroy it from the inside.
The Russian army has deployed more than 100,000 troops in the region since November, but the Russian military has also said it has not used them. In fact, it has only used a third of its 190,000-strong army so far. Its increased military presence is consistent with the reports of Ukrainian security officials. While there is hope for negotiations between the two sides, the future is far from certain. If Russia does, the conflict in the region could erupt, but in the meantime, many of its soldiers will be killed and their families and loved ones will be left displaced.