Ukraine Crisis
The Ukraine crisis has gained international coverage since it began. All eyes are now focused on Russia’s next move. The most recent reports show that Russia has amassed about 100,000 troops on the Ukrainian border. All the while, Russia claims that the US is on a disinformation campaign.
Experts have continued to track this growth and realized Russia has surrounded Ukraine on three points. The three points are in Crimea to the south, on the Russian side of the two countries’ border, and in Belarus to the north.
Most of the world knows about the troop build-up in Eastern Ukraine. The initial base is found in Yelnya which originally held Russian troops and artillery. Now, satellite images show that this base is empty. The troops have moved to a position even closer to Ukraine in the Bryansk region.
Belarus
The second pressure point is in Belarus. Russia and Belarus began 10 days of joint military drills on Thursday. The size and timing of which have sparked fears in the West. Belarus could provide Russia with an opening into Ukraine. The buildup in Belarus includes an expected 30,000 combat troops and Spetsnaz special operation forces. It also has fighter jets including SU-35, Iskander dual-capable missiles, and S-400 air defense systems. This is the largest buildup since the cold war. Experts from the west find it coincidental with the invasion threats.
Crimea
The third point is at Crimea. The peninsula annexed by Russia in 2014 would provide a natural staging ground for any new operation. A large deployment of troops and equipment has been observed by Maxar. They estimate that there are about 550 troop tents and hundreds of vehicles have arrived north of the Crimean capital, Simferopol. Then a new deployment was identified by Maxar for the first time Thursday near the town of Slavne. On the northwest coast of Crimea, they have begun to see armored vehicles. Those new deployments were observed on the same day that several Russian warships arrived in Sevastopol, Crimea’s main port.
With these movements, the west is interpreting the massive troop build-up as the beginning of the invasion plans. However, what if they are increasing a troop presence for defense purposes?