Despite the Russians report the end of the exercise and the withdrawal of troops back to the base, so far there is no indication of de-escalation. US President Joe Biden claimsthat the US has not yet seen de-escalation in the field and the troops remain in “Threatening positions”.
The British Prime Minister Boris Johnson and the Secretary General of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Jens Stoltenberg also did not notice announced withdrawal of Russian troops.
On the contrary, television ABC News a CBS News they claim that some Russian troops have moved to offensive positions, so-called firing positions. Television relies on its sources in the US intelligence and Joe Biden administration.
In addition, Russian troops had to move closer to the border and also had to move medical supplies with them.
CBS News sources claim that Russia has also moved some long-range artillery and rocket launchers into firing positions.
Order to be ready on Wednesday. The invasion should be “fast and brutal”
Russian President Vladimir Putin was to order troops to be ready on February 16. However, they have no information yet that Putin will definitely decide to invade. If this happens, an invasion can occur “Anytime” reports ABC News.
The United States expects Russia to attack Ukraine by the end of the week, although it is not yet certain what the attack will look like, according to CBS News.
ABC News sources say 150,000 Russian troops are gathering at the Ukrainian border to be ready for “Fast and brutal” invasion of Ukraine.
Joe Biden at a press conference on Tuesday as well informed about 150 thousand Russian soldiers. White House spokeswoman Jen Psaki count confirmed.
“We have seen a dramatic acceleration and accumulation of units in the last dozen days or so. That is why the president said very cautiously in his remarks that they surrounded Ukraine on the border and also in Belarus. “ Psaki said.
U.S. officials say Russia now has 80% of the forces it will need to launch a large-scale invasion, and the rest is on the way.
The United States believes the invasion is likely to begin with electronic warfare (cyber attacks) and aerial bombardment of critical infrastructure, ABC News sources said.
The United States says that in the next phase, special operations troops would enter Kiev to remove the Ukrainian government, replace it with a new pro-Russia, and supplement the supply of troops entering Belarus. They plan to end the operation within 24 to 72 hours of the start of the invasion.
Russia has repeatedly denied that it was planning an attack on Ukraine and said it had begun withdrawing its troops.
With the CIA moving, Biden warns of heavy casualties on both sides
The US management also reported on the relocation of the headquarters of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) from Kiev, the daily reports The New York Times. It remains unknown where the CIA residency was moved.
According to the daily, the move will make it more difficult for the United States to obtain intelligence on possible activities by Russia aimed at undermining or ousting the current Ukrainian leadership, according to TASR.
In addition, if Russia really starts an invasion, the Americans and their allies will lose the ability of air reconnaissance flights and also the ability to intercept communications, due to cyber attacks.
source: SITA / AP, Russian Defense Ministry Press Service
The decision to move was taken the day after US Secretary of State Antony Blinken announced the temporary transfer of part of the US Embassy staff in Ukraine from Kiev to Lviv (Lviv in Ukraine).
President Biden warned that if Russia decides to invade the loss of Ukrainian as well as Russian lives, “Huge”. According to him, everything needs to be done to prevent it “Human suffering”therefore, calls for diplomacy and de-escalation.
Biden did not rule out that if Russia invaded Ukraine and sanctions were imposed on it, it would affect us all in the form of higher oil and gas prices.
“It simply came to our notice then. It is about standing up for what we believe in, for the future we want for our world, for freedom – for freedom, for the right of countless countries to choose their own destiny and the right of people to determine their own future, or the principle that a country cannot change their neighbor’s borders by force, “ Biden said.
Sources: ABC News, CBS NewsTASR, White House, White House, New York Times