As tensions escalate towards tipping point and Russia is threatening to invade Ukraine, Vladimir Putin may choose the “nightmare scenario”, UK defense chiefs believe.
Russian President has 100,000 soldiers and military hardware along the border.
The White House warned yesterday the situation was ‘extremely dangerous’ and that Moscow could launch an attack ‘at any point’.
It had been thought Mr Putin would choose the ‘simple option’ of sending troops into the Donbass region in south-eastern Ukraine and then negotiate for it to become an independent state, providing a buffer between pro-western Ukraine and Russia.
It was assumed that the area would be easy to resist, as it is currently occupied by proRussian separatists.
The latest intelligence has the Ministry of Defence Chiefs concerned about an even larger invasion, raising concerns of war-engulfing cities as well as high civilian deaths.
According to them, Mr Putin’s troops have been positioned according to his objective. Armoured divisions are set for exercise in Belarus but will now be stationed close by Kiev.
Yesterday night, a top defense source claimed that “We strongly believe” [Putin’s]A full-scale invasion is preferable to a restricted offensive. He might want to invade as much Ukraine as possible, as the penalty is the same.
Russian President Vladimir Putin, pictured at the Kremlin during Tuesday’s meeting
The UK’s Ministry of Defence fears Putin will inflict large-scale warfare engulfing cities and high civilian death tolls (Pictured: A convoy of Russian armoured vehicles moves along a highway in Crimea, Tuesday, Jan. 18, 2022)
The White House warned yesterday that the situation was ‘extremely dangerous’ (Pictured: Anatoliy, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)
“Also, even if he only occupies the Eastern regions of Ukraine, he won’t be able take over the entire country because of the unavoidable strengthening of Ukrainian forces throughout the rest of Ukraine.
It is a nightmare scenario.
Putin knows that Ukraine is not part of NATO and therefore there won’t be any military reaction from the West.
The economic sanctions that the US and UK threaten to impose on the UK are the same regardless of their scale.
Sources claim that Moscow denies plans to invade and has concluded that the cost of capturing Ukraine seems to be worth it.
Yesterday night, Kiev thanked Britain for its anti-tank weapons support and soldiers as an “important first step” to defend the country.
Two C-17 transporters carrying 2,000 armor-piercing missiles and troops left Britain on Monday.
Vadym Prystaiko (the Ukrainian ambassador to Britain) requested extra support from Western countries.
“We’re asking for more and expecting more,” Mr. Prystaiko stated to BBC Radio 4’s Today program.
“I’m not ashamed to ask for your help in any way that I can to stop this war.”
Russia is not stopped by Putin deciding that enough is enough.
Berlin was more concerned with the threat of sanction and did not respond to Britain’s request for military aid.
“How is it possible to give us a chance of defending ourselves? Which? Rocks?’ He said.
Berlin is also being criticized by Mr Prystaiko, who slammed Berlin’s push for the Nord Stream 2 gas pipe that will be used to bypass Ukraine.
Critics are concerned that Germany will be more dependent on Russian energy supply.
Annalena Bärbock, German Foreign Minister said that Russia needs to be reliable in order for Europe to have gas.
The Joe Biden administration fears Moscow could launch an attack against Ukraine ‘at any point’ (Pictured: Mykola, a Ukrainian soldier with the 56th Brigade, in a trench on the front line on January 18, 2022 in Pisky, Ukraine)
Russian tanks from the Novorossiysk Guards Mountain Formation participated in maneuvers Friday. This further raised the temperature at the Ukrainian border where there are 100,000 Russian troops.
Russian military personnel prepare their vehicles to be unloaded for Russia and Belarus during the joint military drill held in Belarus, January 18, 2018.
The Belarus Defence Ministry Press Service made a handout photo that shows a Russian military vehicle arriving for the joint Belarus-Russian military drill “Union resolve 2022” in Belarus on 18 January 2022. They will take place next month
Moscow has been massing thousands of troops and tanks along its eastern flank for several weeks. It has raised fears that Russia will invade. But, the Kremlin insisted it was merely a defence force. (pictured: Russian forces are currently positioned in border areas).
The photograph of Russian military vehicles entering Belarus is taken by the Belarus Ministry of Defense Tuesday ahead of joint drills
Ukrainian soldiers from the 56th Brigade keep their positions in Pisky’s trenches
Olaf Scholz, the German Chancellor, said that he might consider stopping the pipeline in case of an attack by Moscow.
Under pressure to be more assertive, he met Jens Stoltenberg (Nato Secretary General) in Berlin to talk about the next steps.
Reporters were told by Mr Scholz that it was clear that there would be a steep price and that all issues will need to be addressed in the event of a military intervention.
Yesterday’s visit by Defence Secretary Ben Wallace to Latvia was a sign of support for the former Soviet republics. He told officials the UK stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the Baltic state – a Nato ally.
He claimed that all countries are united against Russian aggression.