`Russia is planning military action against Ukraine as early as early 2022, with forces twice as large as what we saw in the lightning exercises near the border earlier this year. This plan will mobilize
The Pentagon has not commented on the information, but expressed `deep concern about signs that Russia is preparing an action plan against Ukraine`.
Russian forces exercised in Yaroslavl province in August. Photo: TASS.
US intelligence documents show that about 50 Russian tactical battalion units are gathering in four locations near Ukraine, while many tank and artillery forces are being reinforced.
The Russian Ministry of Defense has not commented on this information.
A tactical battalion unit (BTG) is a flexible combat formation based on the infantry battalion framework, coordinated with artillery, army air defense, engineering and logistics, to serve the brigade’s campaigns.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier this year that the country is maintaining 168 tactical battalion units, capable of being ready to mobilize within an hour of receiving an order.
Russia-Ukraine border area and Crimea peninsula.
Ukraine, which is not a NATO member, has long sought to strengthen ties with the West.
Russia also continuously denied information that it was planning to attack Ukraine, accusing the West of `leading an information campaign` with the aim of escalating tensions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov confirmed on November 23 that any movement of military forces on Russian territory does not pose a threat or concern to anyone.
Relations between Russia and Ukraine collapsed in 2014 when Moscow annexed the Crimean peninsula and supported separatist forces in the Donbass region.
