Russian soldiers and tanks have gathered in the Belarusian town of Kalinkavichy, which lies across the border from Kiev and could be a launching pad for an invasion
Russia: Northern Fleet warships practice missions in Norwegian Sea
Russian firepower continues to pour towards the Ukrainian border, despite the Kremlin dismissing “absurd” claims that it wants war.
Footage emerged over the weekend of Vladimir Putin’s naval task force en route to controversial live-fire exercises off the coast of the Republic of Ireland.
Tanks and armored vehicles are closing in on the Ukrainian border, while new shipments of Russian tanks have arrived in Belarus, ostensibly for military exercises.
Russian soldiers and tanks have gathered in the Belarusian town of Kalinkavichy, which lies across the border from Kiev and could be a launching pad for an invasion.
Artillery has advanced west along the famous Trans-Siberian railway line, while around 100,000 troops have now gathered on Russia’s western fringes.
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Despite the moves, Russian Security Council Secretary Nikolai Patrushev says it’s “absurd” to assume Moscow poses a threat to Ukraine.
“Lately they say that Russia is threatening Ukraine – this is absurd, there is no threat,” said Patrushev, one of Putin’s closest allies.
“We don’t want war, we don’t need it at all.
“Those who are pushing it, especially from the West, are pursuing self-serving goals and we must make it clear that we do not condone such a development.”
A new video also showed Russian Northern Fleet warships conducting operations to seek out enemy submarines in the Norwegian Sea.
A nuclear submarine is believed to be accompanying the tactical group, which is reportedly under close NATO surveillance.
As the situation continues to escalate, the UN Security Council will meet in public on Monday at the request of the United States.
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The US describes the meeting of the 15-member body as a chance for Russia to explain itself, while the latter country suggested it could try to block the meeting.
Nine votes are needed for the meeting to proceed, and Washington is “confident” it has sufficient support.
But apart from allowing all members to express their views openly, the council will do nothing – even if Russia were to invade Ukraine.
A simple declaration requires consensus support, and Russia could veto any motion for a resolution.
Secretary of State Liz Truss said Russia posed a real threat to its neighbor.
She said Britain is sending arms to Ukraine and stepping up sanctions on Russia to deflect conflict.
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The Conservative minister said any invasion would be “dreadful for Europe” and that British troops would not be deployed.
“We’re doing everything we can through deterrence and diplomacy to urge him to stop it,” Truss told BBC One on Sunday Morning.
The UK currently has over 900 military personnel in Estonia, over 100 in Ukraine on a training mission and a light cavalry squadron of around 150 in Poland.
The government is considering doubling that number.
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