Russians Now Have 12,000 Troops On Ukrainian Border & Increased Intel
KYIV - The Ukrainian military says that Russia now has 120,000 troops on their border, including 98,000 soldiers on the ground and 22,000 air and naval forces as well as increased intelligence gathering.
The Ukraine military also says that Russia has undergone 2,500 military exercises and drills 'of different scales' near their border with Ukraine 'including a series of strategic table top offensive exercises this year' and another 3,000 planned for next year.
Ukraine said in their assessment that the 'Situation on the temporary occupied territories and around Ukraine remains difficult' and that "Moscow regularly demonstrates its military power and readiness for aggression. The main goal of [the Russian Federation] is to restore the full control over Ukraine and to thwart its Euroatlantic aspirations".
The Ukraine Ministry of Defense stated that 'combat and other military equipment, such as tanks, armed vehicles and 'Iskander' missiles remain near the border of Ukraine'.
'redeploys and accumulates its military units to maintain tension in the region," the assessment said, allowing it to "create striking forces rapidly, and lays the ground for quick reinforcement' they said.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense has warned that they believe Russia is planning an invasion of Ukraine either in late January or early February of 2022.