Russia makes massive deployments near the Ukraine border: Pentagon spokesman John Kirby

Washington/Sevastopol/Kyiv: – John Kirby, the spokesman of US defence headquarters, Pentagon, announced, ‘The Russian deployment at the Ukraine border is larger than the deployment made seven years ago, in 2014, for the action to acquire Crimea. This Russian deployment is a cause for concern.’ Moreover, the United States criticised the war exercises started by Russia, with 20 destroyers, in the Gulf of Black Sea. Meanwhile, Ukraine claimed that Russia has deployed 120,000 soldiers at the border.

Since the last few days, Russia is increasing its military deployment on the Ukraine border. Till the last week, Ukraine was claiming that there were 80,000 Russian soldiers and tanks near the Donbas border. But the Chief of the foreign policy of the European Union had said that these numbers were near 100,000. Ukraine clarified that Russia increased this deployment over the last few days to take it to 120,000.

The United States has reacted to the Russian deployment on the Ukraine border. Pentagon spokesman John Kirby appealed, ‘Russia should stop incitement through military movements and cooperate for the security and stability of the region. Also, Russia should maintain transparency regarding the huge deployment on the Ukraine border.’ Russia has already justified its military deployment. Russia had said that this deployment is for war exercises to be held in the regions and the perceived NATO threat.

Meanwhile, Russian destroyers started war exercises in the Black Sea region. Twenty destroyers from the Russian Navy along with Sukhoi-25SM3 fighter jets are participating in the activities. The United States has accused that Russia has tried to block the marine sector and airspace in the region with these exercises. Russia has dismissed these allegations.

Ukraine and the Czech Republic have appealed that NATO should adopt a tough stand against Russia. The member countries should expel Russian Ambassadors from their countries because of the Russian military aggression against Ukraine.