Moscow is significantly increasing its forces in eastern Ukraine, according to a local official.
The growing troop numbers may indicate plans to launch a renewed offensive as the anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine approaches.
- Serhiy
Haidai, Ukraine's governor of the mainly Russian-occupied Luhansk
province, said that Russian forces are bringing significantly more
troops and equipment to the region.
- He told Ukrainian
television that Moscow may be preparing for "a full-scale offensive,"
and added that "after Feb. 15 we can expect (this offensive) at any
time."
- Britain's Ministry of Defense said on Tuesday that it is
unlikely that Russia could "build up the forces needed to substantially
affect the outcome of the war within the coming weeks."
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on
Monday that Kyiv is seeking to install people with military experience
as regional leaders, particularly in areas on the front line.
- Russian forces are seeking to regain momentum ahead of Feb. 24, which marks the one-year anniversary of the invasion.
- Moscow is beginning to use the hundreds of thousands of troops it recruited during its mobilization over the past few months.
