TROUBLE AND STRIPE
Russia paints ‘invasion stripes’ on tanks as Putin ‘deploys ANOTHER 30,000 troops to Ukraine’
RUSSIAN tanks painted with “invasion stripes" are gathering on Ukraine’s border as Putin is reportedly set to deploy 30,000 more troops.
A local in the Russian Astrakhan region, 350 miles from the border, filmed the BTR 80 armoured vehicles with white crosses painted on them.
10
10
10
The tanks were reportedly spotted yesterday heading in a convoy to the railway station.
Military experts have warned that similar white markings were used by the Soviet Army during the 1968 invasion of Czechoslovakia. The stripes help identify vehicles to friendly forces.
Russia will soon have a staggering assault force of more than 100,000 troops along with tanks and other armoured vehicles amassed at Ukraine’s border, reports the .
This comes after a leaked Ukrainian government report suggests another 30,000 troops may be on their way supporting the 80,000 already waiting to advance.
The leaked document is based on satellite images and intercepted intelligence.
It seems that Joe Biden has blinked first in the stand-off, after the US cancelled the deployment of two warships to the Black Sea, Turkish diplomatic sources said.
Last week, Ankara said Washington would send two warships to the Black Sea, in a decision Russia called an unfriendly provocation.
The US Embassy had notified Turkey’s foreign ministry of the move, the sources said, but did not provide a reason.
Yet, American officials said that Turkey may have misunderstood the initial notification and the deployment was never confirmed.
This comes as:
- Putin moves tens of thousands of troops and heavy military equipment to Ukraine border
- Russia sends 15 warships to Ukraine and stages live-fire-drills
- Ukraine's defence minister Andrii Taran claims Russia is preparing to store nukes in Crimea
- Joe Biden gives his 'unwavering support' to Ukraine
- Russian defence analyst says Russian-speaking cities in Ukraine will be occupied in a 'victorious and fleeting blitzkrieg'
10
10
TIMELINE OF TENSION
Russia's aggression in Ukraine has raised fears of all-out war in the region.
March 5 - Ukraine slams an upsurge of violence in east of the country and calls on western allies to intervene.
March 26 - four Ukrainian soldiers are killed 19 miles north of eastern city of Donetsk.
March 30 - Moscow and Kiev accuse each other of causing an escalation in violence.
March 31 - both Washington and Kiev report Russian troop movements in Crimea and at Russia's border with Ukraine - an area controlled by separatists.
April 1 - Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky accuses Moscow of massing thousands of soldiers on the border and in Crimea.
April 2 - US President Joe Biden gives his 'unwavering support' to Ukraine.
Russia says the build-up is a three-week snap military drill to test combat readiness in response to threats from NATO.
April 14 - Russia sends 15 warships to Ukraine and stages live-fire-drills
Leaked Ukrainian government report says Russia is set to deploy 30,000 more troops to border after amassing 80,000 soldiers in the region.
Ukrainian military estimates of the advancing force include 1,300 battle tanks, 3,700 drones, 1,300 artillery and mortar units and 380 multiple launch rocket systems.
The shocking numbers of troops alone represents at least 35,000 more Russian frontline troops more than the entire British Army following defence cuts, reported the Mirror.
Meanwhile, Ukraine has accused Moscow of preparing to store nuclear weapons in Crimea amid soaring tensions in the region.
Ukraine's defence minister Andrii Taran warned Moscow could attack to ensure water supplies for the annexed peninsula.
Speaking at the European Parliament’s sub-committee on defence, Taran said he could not rule out a possibility that Russian forces in Crimea could “undertake substantive military provocations” this year.
“Crimea's infrastructure is being prepared for potentially storing nuclear weapons,” Taran said.
“The very presence of nuclear munitions in the peninsula may spark a whole array of complex political, legal and moral problems.”
10
10
10
10
10
Taran’s comments, ahead of an emergency NATO meeting with allied defence and foreign ministers, came as the Russian navy held snap live-fire drills in the Black Sea.
Two missile ships - the Graivoron and Vyshny Volochek - are taking part in sea-level and aerial target practice alongside the missile hovercraft Samum while accompanied by frigate Admiral Makarov and mine-sweeping ship Ivan Golubets.
Russia has been flexing its military muscle ahead of a planned anniversary parade on May 9 to commemorate its victory over Nazi Germany in the Second World War.
Most read in World News
Fighter jets performed high-speed aerial acrobatic stunts as tanks and military troops put on a show of strength in preparation for the upcoming Victory Day parade in Moscow.
READ MORE SUN STORIES
Hordes of servicemen marched in formation at the Alabino training ground on Wednesday, wearing facemasks and carrying red flags as tanks and rocket launchers joined the training exercise.
The parade - now in its 76th year - is held in remembrance of the 20million Soviet lives lost during the Second World War.
Russia sends 15 WARSHIPS to Ukraine and stages live-fire drills after warning US destroyers to turn back ‘for own good’
Topics