New satellite images released Wednesday show additional Russian troops and equipment near the country’s border with Ukraine .
The images, released by satellite imagery company Maxar Technologies, show equipment and troops as close as eight miles to Ukraine in Klimovo and about 18 miles from the border in Klintsy.
Maxar says the images show key locations where additional troops and forces have recently been deployed. The Pogonovo training area, located near Voronezh, is about 102 miles near the Ukraine border.
Satellite image shows military equipment deployed to Klimovo Storage Facility, Bryansk Oblast, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of armored personnel carries and trucks at Klimovo Storage Facility, Bryansk Oblast, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image shows military equipment at Klimovo Railyard, Bryansk Oblast, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image of Klintsy facility, Bryansk Oblast, Russia, Dec. 25, 2021. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Elements of the 41st Combined Arms Army, including hundreds of tanks, self-propelled artillery and other military equipment are deployed in a training area located near Yelnya, Russia, approximately 160 miles north of the Russia – Ukraine border, Nov. 9, 2021. (Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides an overview of deployed units in Yelnya, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of additional tanks, artillery, and support equipment in Yelnya, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of tanks, artillery, and support equipment in Yelnya, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of battle groups and vehicles in Yelnya, Russia, Jan. 19, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Several Russian battle groups, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and a long-range multiple rocket unit is deployed in Pogonovo Training Area near Voronezh, Russia, Dec. 21, 2021. (Satellite image ©2021 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides an overview of deployments in Pogonovo Training Area, Voronezh, Russia, Jan. 16, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of the deployment in Pogonovo Training Area, Voronezh, Russia, Jan. 16, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Satellite image provides a closer view of tanks, artillery, and tents in Pogonovo Training Area, Voronezh, Russia, Jan. 16, 2022. (Satellite image ©2022 Maxar Technologies) Russian military activity has been increasing in recent weeks, with officials announcing Tuesday that it would send troops to Belarus for war games .
The head of Ukraine’s defense intelligence agency told Military Times in November that Russia could launch an attack through Belarus.
A more recent Ukrainian government assessment concluded Russia has the capability now to strike Kyiv with medium-range ballistic missiles .
White House Press Secretary Jen Psaki underscored the urgency for de-escalation, as well, ahead of Secretary of State Antony Blinken’s trip to Ukraine . Blinken is expected to meet with Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavros in Geneva on Friday.
Russia has requested guarantees that NATO deny membership to Ukraine and other former Soviet countries , as well as roll back military deployments in Central and Eastern Europe.
In a press conference Wednesday, President Joe Biden said the U.S. would not withdraw troops in order to de-escalate tensions. Biden also promised to send additional troops to eastern European NATO member countries if Russia moves forward with an invasion of Ukraine.
