Ukraine says Russian troops near border rise to 120,000

KIEV – Defense office Ukraine say Russia has increased the number of troops near its borders to 120,000. This number includes additional army, air force and navy personnel.

According to the latest ongoing security assessment – shared with CNN by Ukrainian security source – Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense said combat and other military equipment, such as tanks, armed vehicles and ‘Iskander’ missiles remain near the Ukrainian border, following various Russian military exercises.

“Russia regularly redeploys and reassembles its military units to maintain tension in the region,” the assessment said.

“It allows it to quickly create an attack force, and lays the groundwork for rapid reinforcement,” the assessment continued.

According to the latest Ukrainian assessment, Russia is also stepping up operations from neighboring Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north. The report said several units of the Russian army remained near Russia’s border with Belarus at a distance of about 260 km from the Ukrainian state border.

Also read: Ukrainian Foreign Minister: Putin Gets Clear Message From Biden

Russia has also intensified its intelligence gathering in Ukraine, the report added, with the number of surveillance drone flights along Ukraine’s borders, over the Black and Seas of Azov, tripling since the same period last year.

Months of steady military build-up along the Russia-Ukraine border have worried Kiev and Western officials. CNN last week reported that Russian troops had the capability along the Ukrainian border to carry out a swift and immediate invasion, including setting up supply lines such as medical units and fuel that could shore up a protracted conflict.

However, President Vladimir Putin has described allegations that Russia would attack Ukraine as “provocative.”

– .