Satellite images have revealed new deployments of Russian forces and military equipment along the Ukrainian border, according to the American imaging company "Maxar." This comes as a witness told Reuters that an explosion was heard early Monday morning in the center of Donetsk, which is controlled by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine. The cause of the explosion remains unknown.
The satellite images show "multiple new field deployments of armored equipment and troops" coming from military positions located in forests and fields about 14 to 30 kilometers from the Russian-Ukrainian border, as stated by Maxar in an email. The new images, apparently taken on Sunday, illustrate the path of vehicles crossing snow-covered fields surrounded by forests and roads, with several buildings also visible.
Analysis of the images from Sunday, along with others taken on February 13, indicates movements of troops and equipment near three locations in southwestern Russia, according to the Colorado-based company. "Today, most combat units and support equipment in Soloti have left the area, and many vehicle tracks and several armored equipment convoys can be seen throughout the region," Maxar reported.
Additionally, "some equipment has also been deployed east of the city of Valuyki in Russia in a field about 15 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border." The American company continued, "On the other hand, several new deployments have been observed on the ground northwest of Belgorod (about 30 kilometers from the border with Ukraine), with much equipment and troops stationed in forest areas or near them," noting that other units are "deployed in agricultural and/or industrial areas."
A Pentagon official announced on Friday that more than 40% of the Russian forces amassed at the Ukrainian border have taken an offensive posture, indicating that the phase of destabilization led by Russia in this country has "begun." The official stated that the U.S. has observed movements of Russian troops towards the Ukrainian border since Wednesday.
Washington has been warning for weeks that Russia would fabricate an incident at the Ukrainian border to justify invading its neighbor, a claim Moscow denies. U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken reiterated on Sunday that "everything" points to Russia being "about to" invade Ukraine.
Several U.S. media outlets reported on Sunday, citing unnamed intelligence sources, that the U.S. has information indicating that a directive was given to Russian military leadership to invade Ukraine. The Washington Post stated that this information led President Joe Biden to assert on Friday that he is "convinced" that his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin has decided to attack Ukraine.
The American newspaper attributed this information to unspecified intelligence sources, without providing any direct quotes. The White House, Pentagon, and State Department have not confirmed or denied this information, which has also been reported by other U.S. media outlets.
