The British “Sky News” network quoted unnamed officials as saying that the Russian forces moved to the offensive position, while combat units approached the border with Ukraine, in an indication of the increased escalation and the possibility of a “large-scale invasion”.
According to the source, the increase in Russian military action in the region during the past 72 hours included air defense systems, attack aircraft and armored vehicles.
Officials added that Russia has amassed 110 tactical battalion groups in areas near Ukraine, and some on the territory of neighboring Belarus as well.
Almost two-thirds of these units are now within a range of fifty kilometers from Ukraine, which is twice as much as it was just a few days ago.
Officials added that half of the units were moved tactically, in order to move from “staging areas” to “tactical formations.”
A Western official explained this development by saying, “I can describe this matter as a transition from a state of mobilization that prepares for military operations to a state of readiness to carry out them.”
He continued, “All the indicators that we see suggest a widespread invasion, through multiple axes and a series of goals.”
Another source, without giving his name, stated, “The general picture is very bleak,” then likened what is happening to clouds overcasting the border between Russia and Ukraine.
These Western officials accused Russia of searching for pretexts to find a justification for invading Ukraine, in order to give a “false impression” that the Ukrainian army posed an imminent threat to its territory, in the regions of eastern Ukraine controlled by pro-Moscow separatists.
Meanwhile, a witness confirmed to “Reuters” that several explosions were heard at about 16:15 GMT, on Monday, in the city center of Donetsk.
The nature of the blasts was not yet clear, and Russian President Vladimir Putin told his Security Council on Monday that Russia should consider recognizing the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine, a move that would escalate.