Russia’s President Vladimir Putin has continued to inflame fears about Moscow’s invasion of Kiev by staging massive live firing drills, with more than 1000 tank soldiers, near the Ukraine border.
Putin’s latest display of power comes amid tension between West and autocrat, with concerns that the Kremlin may invade the West within weeks.
Fears over the intentions of this man will not be calmed by ground battles conducted some thirty miles away from the frontier.
Pictures and video footage show drills at the Kadamovsky firing range, Rostov region.
Russia staged massive live-firing drills in an area close to Ukraine’s border with over 1,000 tanks troops as Russian President Vladimir Putin continued to stir fears about Moscow invading Kiev
Pictures and video footage show drills by Russia’s southern military region at Kadamovsky firing area in Rostov.
Boris Johnson, British Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, called Putin on Monday to express his concern about Russian military building-up in Ukraine. He also warned him of the’serious consequences” that could follow in case of invasion.
Putin has denied Russia planned to seize territory from Ukraine and accused Britain and its allies of ‘demonising’ his country.
According to US intelligence, 175,000 Russian troops may launch an attack on Ukraine in the first quarter of next year. They have troops, tanks, and artillery already positioned at the border with Ukraine.
Moscow and the West continue to be at odds over Ukraine as Russia claimed Tuesday it was keeping an eye on a French warship in its vicinity in the Black Sea.
According to TV Zvezda of the Russian defense ministry, the soldiers were trained in fire fighting techniques using AK-74M and RPG-7V.
According to TV Zvezda of the Russian defense ministry, the soldiers were trained in fire fighting on the battlefield using AK-74M and RPG-7V hand and automatic grenade-launchers.
The Russians reported that more than 100 BMP-3 BMP-3 infantry combat vehicles with 100-mm guns conducted live firing exercises at close stops, and up to 1000 metres.
According to Russians, more than 100 BMP-3 BMP-3 infantry fighting vehicle crews equipped with 100mm guns practiced live firing at short stops or in motion for distances as high as 1,000 meters.
Motorised riflemen participated in shooting with AK-74M assault rifles and RPG-7V automatic grenade-launchers, and AGS-17 Plamya grenade-launchers.
They “mastered the skill of concealing shooting positions”.
It is approximately 30 miles away from the Luhansk, Ukraine rebel-held region.
These drills, which included more than 1000 troops, were the result of a five-day winter live firing exercise that saw 500 tanks crews fire from T-60A and T72B3 tanks.
The drills that preceded them were conducted at various locations throughout the south military area, but also included Rostov.
Russian soldier stands on top of a moving tank and carries a gun in military drills
The Russians reported that more than 100 BMP-3 BMP-3 infantry combat vehicles with 100-mm guns conducted live firing exercises at close stops, and up to 1000 metres.
Kiev mayor asks European leaders to send military assistance and support in the face of Russian Invasion
Kiev mayor and former boxing champion Vitali Klitschko has urged European leaders to provide military aid and support to Ukraine amid growing fears that Russia will invade.
Klitschko stated that Kiev has begun to prepare for an ’emergency’ and is organizing the civil defense of the city.
Mayor expressed concern that some politicians were saying Putin won’t attack Ukraine, and that they’re ‘just threats and plays’.
Klitschko mentioned how in 2014 politicians claimed that it was impossible for Russia to invade the country. However, Moscow invaded.
Vitali Klitschko (ex-boxing champion) and Kiev’s mayor has asked European leaders for military support and assistance to Ukraine in the face of growing concerns about Russia’s invasion.
Ukrainians elected their proRussian president, leading Russia to invade Crimea and seize the peninsula.
Russian-backed separatists also captured vast swathes Ukraine’s two eastern regions called the Donbas.
Klitschko stated in Bild, German Newspaper: “Putin has more than 100,000 Russian troops near our borders. This is a terrifying threat.”
“There are many scenarios where the Russian army might attack Ukraine. It is important to prepare for each of these.
Klitschko stated: “Now I’m hearing that politicians are saying that Putin will not be attacking and these threats and games are just threats.
It reminds me of previous discussions. It seemed impossible to anyone, even international observers.
Klitschko stated that while Ukraine prepares for Putin’s invasion, it is urgently in need of military and international assistance.
During drills in Rostov on-Don on Friday, Russian troops disembarkated from an armored personnel carrier.
He said, “In my native Kiev, we prepare for an emergency. I, as mayor of Kiev organize civil defense.”
“We have increased our efforts to recruit and train reservists.”
His words were that Germany’s Federal Government must understand the significance of assistance to their country.
Klitschko stated that Ukraine is located in central Europe. At the border of several EU nations.
‘We will not allow Russia to lead us back into the Soviet empire, which the people of Ukraine do not want to be in.
“We are a European nation that requires European support more now than ever.”
According to an official account, ‘The servicemen also fired anti-aircraft machine gun large calibres’.
“The crews practiced hitting targets that imitated a moving tank or antitank rocket launcher, and at distances between 300-2,000 meters, a recoilless guns.
According to a spokesperson, the drivers had practiced driving tanks on rough terrain and negotiating natural obstacles such as barriers or anti-tank ditches.
“The tank crew combat training program is focused on offensive and defense tactics in both the daytime as well at night.
These exercises are part of a long list that Russia has been holding.
It comes as Russia’s Black Sea fleet forces said on Tuesday they ‘began to monitor’ the actions of the French navy’s multi-mission frigate Auvergne after it entered the Black Sea, the defence ministry said in a statement carried by Russian news agencies.
Russian defense ministry didn’t provide any further information.
Moscow is experiencing tensions with the West due to Russian troops’ movements close to ex-Soviet Ukraine.
The military stated that Russia mobilized three of its aircraft to assist five US and French military aircraft flying over the Black Sea.
This incident occurred after Russia sent planes to transport three French soldiers flying close to its Black Sea borders a day before.
Moscow was repeatedly warned by Western countries not to invade their allies Ukraine.
France warned Russia about’strategic, massive consequences’ last week if Moscow attacks Ukraine.
Moscow has accused NATO members France and Germany of inciting tensions in Black Sea.
The drills come after the G7 on Sunday warned Russia of ‘massive’ consequences if it invades Ukraine.
A two-day meeting was held by foreign ministers of the most powerful countries around the globe in Liverpool (northern England) to create a united front against international threats.
Britain handed over G7 presidency next year to Germany. The conference, held in London, was seen as an opportunity for the UK to resist authoritarianism throughout the globe.
Due to fears of invasion, talks were dominated by Russia’s military buildup at the Ukraine border.
Liz Truss, UK Foreign Secretary, stated that Russia will face severe consequences if it invades Ukraine.
Ministers unanimously supported Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity in the final communiqué, while praising President Volodymyr Zilensky’s “posture of restraint”.
Officials indicated that all options are available, including broad-ranging economic and political sanctions, if Russia refuses to negotiate a solution.
Senior US State Department officials said Saturday that ‘a lot of democratic nations’ are ready to support the G7 countries of Britain, Canada France, Germany Italy and Japan in their actions.
The US President Joe Biden held last week a virtual summit in Moscow with Putin to express Western concerns.
His top diplomat for Europe, Eurasian affairs will be going to Kiev next week in order to hold follow-up discussions with senior officials.
Following the Angelus prayer in St Peter’s Square, Pope Francis called for an international dialog to resolve the crisis.
Annalena Baerbock (German Foreign Minister) spoke later Sunday to warn that Russia’s Nord Stream 2 pipeline will not be permitted to continue operating in the case of any new escalation in Ukraine. The agreement was between Berlin and Washington.
In response to the G7 summit, Putin last night denied Russia planned to seize Ukraine and accused Britain and its allies of ‘demonising’ his country.
Dmitry Peskov was the president’s official spokesperson. He stated that the allegations made by Britain and its allies were “once again being made in the goal of further demonizing Russia”.