Satellite images show new Russian troop, armour deployments near border

WASHINGTON • Satellite images show new deployments of Russian troops and military equipment near the Ukrainian border, a US company said on Sunday evening.

The pictures show "multiple new field deployments of armoured equipment and troops" departing from existing military sites into forests and fields approximately 15km to 30km from Russia's border with Ukraine, United States satellite imagery company Maxar said in an e-mail.

The new photos, taken on Sunday, appear to show vehicle tracks cutting through snow-covered fields that are surrounded by woodland and bordered by roads, with several buildings also visible.

Analysis of the photos, plus others taken on Feb 13, indicate troop and equipment movement near three localities in south-western Russia, according to the Colorado-based satellite company.

"Today, most of the combat units and support equipment at Soloti have departed and extensive vehicle tracks and some convoys of armoured equipment are seen throughout the area," Maxar said. "Some equipment has also been deployed east of nearby Valuyki, Russia, in a field approximately 15km north of the Ukraine border."

"Moreover, a number of new field deployments are also seen north-west of Belgorod (deployments are approximately 30km from the border with Ukraine) with much of the equipment and troops positioned in or near forested areas," the US firm said. "Other company-sized units are deployed within farm and/or industrial areas."

Russia has placed more than 150,000 troops near Ukraine's borders in recent weeks, the US and Western allies have estimated, with Washington warning an invasion is imminent.

A US official, insisting on anonymity, told reporters last Friday that "40 to 50 per cent (of those troops) are in an attack position. They have uncoiled in tactical assembly in the last 48 hours".

Moscow denies it has plans to attack its western neighbour, but is seeking a guarantee that Ukraine will never join Nato and that the Western alliance remove forces from Eastern Europe, demands the West has refused.

Meanwhile, US media reported on Sunday that the US received intelligence last week saying the Russian military has been ordered to move forward with an attack against Ukraine, citing anonymous sources.

It was that intelligence that gave US President Joe Biden the confidence to say last Friday that he was "convinced" his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had decided to invade, the reports said.

AGENCE FRANCE-PRESSE