Topline
Russia on Wednesday deployed more troops and fighter jets to Belarus—north of Ukraine—and carried out multiple military drills across its territory, as officials from four nations prepared to meet in Paris in an effort to de-escalate tensions amid growing fears of a Russia-led invasion of Ukraine.
Key Facts
The Russian defense ministry announced that it was relocating advanced Su-35 fighter jets and a unit of paratroopers to Belarus, ahead of a joint military exercise called “Allied Resolve” next month.
Additionally the Russian Navy deployed 20 naval ships of its Black Sea fleet—including those stationed in the annexed region of Crimea—as part of a combined-arms drill.
Some units of Russia’s mechanized artillery forces are also set to practice firing drills later on Wednesday in the country’s southern Rostov region, which borders Ukraine.
The Russian troop movements and drills come a day after U.S. President Joe Biden warned that he would consider unspecified personal sanctions against Putin in case of an invasion.
The flurry of military exercises take place on the same day that officials from Russia, Ukraine, Germany and France are set to meet in Paris for four-way talks.
Key Background
Russia has amassed about 120,000 troops along its border with Ukraine, a number that U.S. officials claim could be doubled in a short period of time. Russia has also moved forces—including its marines and heavy artillery—into Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north. Last week, U.S. Secretary of State, Antony Blinken, undertook an emergency tour of Europe in an effort to dissuade Russia from invading Ukraine and present a united front against it. In the last leg of his tour, Blinken met Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov in Geneva, where both sides agreed to continue talks after the U.S. delivers a written response to Russian demands. Two days before the meeting U.S. President Joe Biden warned that an attack on Ukraine was likely, noting that Putin will “move in” as he has to “do something.” Russia, however, has dismissed claims that it intends to invade Ukraine.
Further Reading
Russia holds military drills before four-way Ukraine talks in Paris (Reuters)
Over 20 Russian Black Sea Fleet’s warships deploy to sea for drills (TASS News Agency)
