The head of the CIA was sent by President Joe Biden to Moscow to alert the Kremlin to the fact that the US monitors their increase in troops at the Ukranian border.
Bill Burns, the Director CIA of Operations made a rare journey to Russia to speak with national security officials. They are involved directly in building up troops.
A Ukrainian energy crisis has fueled the increased passion between Kiev, Moscow. Ukraine feels that Russia purposefully causes the problems.
The United States is growing more and more concerned by the activity, multiple sources said, as the Biden administration tries to soothe tensions between Russia and Ukraine.
A senior State Department official said that Burns spoke by telephone to President Volodymyr Zelesky of Ukraine.
The Russian invaders did not return to Ukraine after a similar spring.
Bill Burns, the Director of the CIA made a rare visit to Russia in order to meet with Russian national security officials who were directly involved in troop building.
Satellite images showed an increase in tanks, armored units and self propelled artillery near Yelnya. It raised fears that there would be a new upsurge of fighting between pro-Moscow separatists.
In recent videos, social media posts showed Russian military vehicles and trucks moving tanks and missiles near Ukraine’s border in southwest Russia.
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, told reporters Monday that Washington is monitoring the situation. The Washington Post was informed by officials from the US saying they are concerned.
However, the Ukrainian defense ministry stated late Monday in a statement that no additional Russian troops had been seen near the border.
According to the ministry, these videos may be an “element of psychological and special informational actions” and show a plan movement of troops following a Russian military exercise.
Dmitry Peskov of the Kremlin dismissed reports that there might be a build-up Tuesday, and stated that it was unnecessary to waste time with low-quality claims.
Reporters were told by him that the movement and organization of army equipment and military units was his sole business. Russia has never threatened anyone.
This is after a US official speaking anonymously to the Washington Post said that there had been movement. However, it was not the same as the Moscow surge earlier this year.
Satellite imagery showed a building-up of armoured units, tanks and self-propelled guns, close to Yelnya in Russia, just near the border with Ukraine and Belarus.
Satellite images show troops tents and administrative areas in the presence of large-scale ground forces deployments.
Satellite images appear to indicate the presence of large ground forces deployed near the Ukrainian border at the northern edges of Yelnya.
US officials were concerned about satellite images showing a new buildup of Russian troops along the Ukraine border. But the Kremlin denied the claims. Pictured: Russian President Vladimir Putin
After a military joint exercise with Belarus, the satellite images seemed to reveal the Russian army building up at the border.
Maxar Technologies also captured the images. They include troop tents, an administrative area as well armoured units, and support equipment.
“It isn’t a drill. This doesn’t seem to be training. Something is going on. It is not clear what it might be. Washington Post was told by Michael Kofman (director of Russia Studies Program at CNA-based non-profit analysis group).
Kofman stated that satellite imagery shows that Russian 41st Combined Arms Army forces did not go back to Siberia’s Novosibirsk as planned after the joint exercise, but instead joined forces close by the Ukrainian border.
John Kirby, a Pentagon spokesperson, stated that he was aware of reports about unusual Russian military activities near Ukraine.
“We are going to keep in touch with our allies and partners regarding this issue… As I’ve previously stated, aggressive or escalated actions would be of grave concern to the United States.”
However, the Kremlin dismissed reports that Russia had built up a military presence near Ukraine. It claimed it was Moscow who moved its troops on its territory.
Ukraine claimed that it hasn’t seen any Russian troop or equipment increase near its border.
On Monday, this satellite image shows tanks and armoured personnel carrier vehicles as well support equipment in the presence of large-scale ground forces deployed at the northern border of Yelnya
Satellite image shows self propelled artillery and other equipment amid the presence of a large ground forces deployment
Satellite image shows a view of the large deployment of ground forces on the northern side of Yelnya
The announcement comes shortly after US Defense secretary Lloyd Austin visited Black Sea, visiting NATO partners Ukraine and Georgia as well as alliance full member Romania. This was to demonstrate solidarity and increase support for Russia’s presence in the region.
Russia-aligned separatists from eastern Ukraine are fighting Ukrainian government troops since 2014.
The Crimea region in Ukraine was also taken by Russian forces in 2014. This led to stiff Western sanctions.
This also happens just days after Putin stressed the importance of strengthening Russia’s Air Defenses in light NATO’s military operations near Russia’s Borders.
Russian snipers were also seen participating in shooting competitions in Krasnodar, Ukraine.
Russian snipers were also seen participating in an shooting competition in Krasnodar, Ukraine.
An Russian sniper was part of a shooting match in Krasnodar near Ukraine.
Russia’s March invasion of Ukraine triggered fears about an invasion and led to the massing of thousands of military personnel, aircraft, and heavy equipment on its border with Ukraine and Crimea.
Moscow called it an exercise. But many of the military equipment remained for weeks. Analysts saw this as a warning signal to Biden.
Washington refused Russia’s claim to Crimea, and sent lethal military assistance to Kyiv to fight the separatists.
Moscow stated its indignation at any attempt to integrate Ukraine (a former Soviet Union part) into NATO.
Kirby stated that Washington will consult its allies and partner on Russian buildup.
He said, “We support deescalation and a diplomatic solution to conflict in eastern Ukraine.”
This comes just days after Putin stated that he would strengthen Russia’s air defenses.
Putin spoke out during an informal meeting with Sochi’s military and arms officials. He specifically mentioned the U.S.-led NATO missile defense component deployment in Eastern Europe, and the increasing frequency of missions of NATO ships to Russian waters near the Baltic and Black Seas.
“Even now, an U.S. warship entered the Black Sea,” he stated in apparent reference to USS Porter’s deployment in the Black Sea. Porter, a U.S.-class destroyer, arrived in the Black Sea last weekend. USS Mount Whitney is the U.S. 6th Fleet flagship.
Russian President Vladimir Putin (center) speaks at a meeting of high-ranking officers and heads from defense industry companies in Bocharov Ruchei, Sochi’s Black Sea resort.
U.S. Sixth Fleet released a statement saying that the mission would help to ‘further improve collaboration between U.S.-NATO forces at sea’ and that NATO allies will stand with them to create a secure, safe, and secure Black Sea area, and build capacity among partners to increase effectiveness and interoperability.
Russia is resentful at U.S., NATO and NATO ship deployments near its waters. Tensions between Moscow and West are now low post-Cold War levels after Russia’s 2014 annexe of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula and its support of a separatist movement in Ukraine.
Russia suspended its NATO mission and closed the Moscow office of NATO after NATO had withheld accreditation for eight Russian officials. NATO claimed that they believed the Russians were working secretly to steal intelligence.
Moscow repeatedly expressed concern over NATO’s deployment near Russian borders. It described it as a danger to its security. Russia and the NATO alliance have been accused of provocative actions at sea as well as in the air.
Russia claimed that one of its warships had fired warning shots, and the British warplane dropped bombs on the destroyer Defender in order to force it from Black Sea waters close to Sevastopol. Britain denied that account, insisted its ship wasn´t fired upon and said it was sailing in Ukrainian waters.
Like most of the world, Britain recognizes Crimea as part of Ukraine despite the peninsula´s 2014 annexation by Russia.
Moscow made clear that its intention to attack intruding warships was to be followed up on the warnings.
Putin declared that it was necessary to further enhance our air and space defense system, as major powers are currently developing high-speed strike arms. The military-political environment, which includes increased air traffic by NATO aircraft in Russia’s vicinity and the presence of alliance warships with guided missiles on the Baltic Sea and Black Seas, makes it necessary.