Russian troops in final stages of readiness add to worries for Ukraine

While the Russian military is not yet capable of mounting a total invasion of Ukraine, portions of its army have reached full combat strength and appear to be in the final stages of readiness for military action should the Kremlin order it, according to an assessment by the Ukrainian military's high command.

Of particular concern to Ukrainian officials is the Crimean Peninsula, which Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. In the last two weeks, Russia has deployed an additional 10,000 troops to the region, including infantry and airborne forces; more ominously, it has put some commands on the highest level of readiness, according to the military's assessment.

Along with recent efforts to strengthen forces near two Kremlin-backed separatist enclaves in Ukraine, the deployments mean that Russia could soon be fully prepared to begin military actions along about 800 miles of Ukraine's eastern and southern borders, according to the assessment.


The assessment was described in general terms by a senior Ukrainian military official who spoke on condition of anonymity to disclose confidential intelligence findings. It broadly aligns with newly released satellite images showing a significant military buildup in Crimea over the last few weeks.

Along much of Ukraine's border, analysts are seeing what they describe as a near textbook example of a modern military making final preparations for war. They cited the arrival of logistical infrastructure like hospital and communications units, elements of electronic warfare meant for disrupting enemy communications, air power and additional troops to man equipment that was deployed earlier.

The Kremlin's ultimate intention remained unclear, the Ukrainian official said, echoing the determination of American officials who say that President Vladimir Putin of Russia has yet to decide whether to attack.

Russia has roughly 130,000 troops massed near Ukraine's border, American and Ukrainian officials say. The Kremlin has said repeatedly it has no plans to attack, and Putin - while claiming that the United States was trying to goad Russia into war - was less strident in his language in an appearance this week, leaving the door open for future diplomacy.

The Ukrainian military's assessment of Russian capabilities diverges from one the Pentagon provided last week, which said that Moscow had deployed sufficient troops and military hardware to go far beyond a limited incursion into only the border regions. But it moved Ukraine's military leadership closer to the U.S. position.