More than 100,000 Russian troops in attack vehicles painted with “invasion stripes” were on their way to the Ukrainian border on Wednesday, intensifying fears of war between neighboring countries.
According to documents leaked to the Daily Mirror, there are 1,300 combat tanks, 3,700 drones, 1,300 artillery and mortar units and 380 rocket systems.
Tensions between the countries escalated following Russia’s annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean territory in 2014, an attempt by Moscow to keep NATO away from its borders. Ukraine is not a member of NATO, but support for the organization has increased in recent years, and the country is affiliated with many NATO countries – including the US
Tanks of the Ukrainian army are seen during exercises at an unknown location near the border of the Russian-annexed Crimea, Ukraine. (Reuters / Press Service General Staff of the Ukrainian Army)
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According to Kiev, 14,000 people have died in the ongoing conflict, and many fear that Russian President Vladimir Putin believes the COVID-19 pandemic is the right time to attack and control large parts of the country, according to the report.
The mirror reports that the appearance of painted stripes on Russian armored vehicles to the front line reminded military experts of similar stripes on tanks used by the Soviet army during the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. The stripes are used as a deterrent to friendly fire.
The military exercise could also be seen as a challenge for the US, as President Biden is expected to impose sanctions on Russia for interfering in the election, coup and throne in Afghanistan.
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The Biden government sent warships to the Black Sea to defend against military build-up, and Russia warned the US to surrender.
The Kremlin has claimed protection for pro-Russian citizens in eastern Ukraine and warns against the return of “Nazi Europe”, according to the article.
This story first appeared in the New York Post.