Russia’s force building along the border with Ukraine is a cause for concern, and is referred to by Norwegian experts as disturbing.
– Both intelligence and political levels in the US and the UK come with warnings about Russian military activity along the border. It shows how serious the situation is, says Lieutenant Colonel Geir Hågen Karlsen at the Norwegian Defense College to TV 2.
Warns about coup plans
– The Kremlin is stepping up its efforts throughout the region. They want to undermine the security architecture developed in Europe since the end of the Cold War, Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmijtro Kuleba said on Thursday.
– Ukrainas president Volodymyr Zelenskyj. Foto: Reuters / NTB
–
The President of Ukraine says on Friday that he is prepared to deal with an escalation of the conflict with Russia.
The Ukrainian authorities have unveiled plans for a coup attempt involving Russians, according to President Volodymyr Zelensky.
Ukraine has intelligence information about a possible coup attempt in early December, the president said during a press conference on Friday, referring to information he is said to have received about a possible coup attempt 1-2. December.
– We will face challenges, not only from Russia and a possible escalation of the conflict. We have major internal challenges, said President Volodymyr Zelenskyj.
The head of Ukraine’s military intelligence service has previously warned that Russia is preparing a large-scale operation invasion of Ukraine.
The build-up of forces is a cause for concern in NATO, and is at a level not seen since 2014, when the conflict between Russia and Ukraine over Luhansk and the Donetsk region broke out.
– A Ukrainian soldier stands guard at the front line near Gorlivka in Donetsk. Photo: ANATOLII STEPANOV / AFP / NTB
–
– Can lead to war
Not only Ukraine, the United States and Britain are warning about Russian armaments and troop movements. The Norwegian intelligence service is now also warning about Russian military activity.
The head of the Intelligence Service says that Russia has strengthened its presence in the area.
– There are approximately 100,000 forces supported with advanced and heavy weapons, air defense and a number of coastal defense capabilities located around Ukraine, says Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes to TV 2.
– How serious is what we see now?
– It is so serious that it can, and I emphasize can, lead to a war in Ukraine of a relatively solid scope. It does not have to do that, it depends on what assessments Russia makes as time goes on, Stensønes says to TV 2.
– Did not bring the equipment back
Russia mobilized earlier this year at the border with Ukraine, and held extensive exercises in the Black Sea, among other places.
– A Ukrainian soldier on the front line near the village of Talakivka in Donetsk. Photo: SERGEY VOLSKIY / AFP / NTB
–
In April, military materiel and forces moved towards the border, and the US Joint Command EUCOM changed the threat level from “possible crisis” to “potentially imminent crisis”.
The strained relations between Russia and Ukraine escalated, and Russia warned against full-scale war in eastern Ukraine.
Russian media reported that Moscow would close parts of the Black Sea to foreign naval vessels and official ships, and NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg said Russia would impose restrictions on the Black Sea, including access to the Sea of Azov via the Kerch Strait.
According to the E-commander, close to 100,000 soldiers were moved closer to the border in connection with the exercise that took place in the spring. But the Russian forces did not take the equipment back when they finished the exercise, says Stensønes.
– What do you read out of the strength building?
– It looks like Russia is building up forces to be able to carry out a military operation against Ukraine. What they have of forces now means that they are already able to carry out smaller operations into Ukraine. If the force build-up continues, they will be able to carry out major operations into Ukraine, says Vice Admiral Nils Andreas Stensønes.
At the same time, the rhetoric is becoming increasingly hostile to Ukraine and NATO. According to the EU body East Stratcom Task Force a disinformation campaign is underway in the Russian media.
“We see that Russia accuses Ukraine and NATO or the West of increasing tensions in the surrounding areas, and that is worrying,” the e-chief told TV 2.
–
