Satellite images accessed by India Today show early indications of a possible aerial attack on Ukraine by Russian forces amid the escalating situation in the area that is being pegged as one of the worst flare-ups in the post-Cold War period by many.
Last evening, US President Joe Biden said that the US has reasons to believe that “the Russian forces are planning to and intend to attack Ukraine in the coming week, in the coming days.” Capital Kyiv will be a target, he added. For weeks, Biden stressed that he wasn’t sure if his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin had made the final decision to invade.
Images posted on Russian social media showed the movement of the Airborne Combat Carrier (APC) fitted with parachutes. The Soviet airborne infantry fighting vehicle BMD-2 APCs seen in the footage can be airlifted by Russian medium military transport aircraft and can be airdropped using parachutes in record time.
— IgorGirkin (@GirkinGirkin) February 19, 2022
New pictures released by US space firm Maxar technologies earlier today show additional deployment of transport and attack helicopters, air defence units, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) and fighter jets dangerously close to the Ukraine border. Several units of the Russian ground forces also remain in maneuver positions at both garrisons and training areas, a Maxar analyst noted.
Sukhoi jets, S-400 air defense system, UAV units in Belarus
In the satellite photos, Sukhoi-25 ground attack aircraft along with helicopters, S-400 air defense system, UAV units as well as ground force equipment can be seen in Belarus, just 50 km from the border with Ukraine.
Sukhoi-25 jets at Belarus’ Luninets airfield
The Sukhoi Su-25, also known as Frogfoot, remains the foundation of Russian ground-attack regiments. 32 of these Su-25 jets are clearly visible at the Luninets airfield in the satellite picture.
S-400 anti-aircraft missile system on stand-by at the strategic airfield
The strategic airfield is being guarded with the S-400 anti-aircraft missile system that can also be used against ground targets.
A new helicopter unit with over 20 helicopters near Valuyki approximately 27 km east of the border with Ukraine
A new helicopter unit with over 20 helicopters is seen deployed near Valuyki approximately 27 km east of the border with Ukraine. Local reports suggest that the unit might be supported by new ground camps being rapidly set up to the east of Valuyki.
New helicopter units arrive at the old airfield on Lake Donuzlav in Crimea
In another recent development, the old airfield on Lake Donuzlav in Crimea witnessed the arrival of new helicopter units. This is clearly evident in the satellite imagery collected on February 18. The place is already brimming with troops and equipment.
Deployment at Millerovo airfield
The satellite imagery indicates the deployment of a new helicopter unit along with a battle group consisting of tanks, armored personnel carriers and support equipment at the Millerovo airfield, approximately 16 km from the Ukraine border.
Massive helicopter deployment at the Lida airfield, in northwestern Belarus
A massive new helicopter deployment was seen at the Lida airfield, in northwestern Belarus. According to Maxar, at least 50 helicopters have recently arrived at this strategic location.
In another significant development, some accounts reported that Oksana Marchenko – the wife of pro-Russian leader Viktor Medvedchuk, has left Ukraine. Medvedchuk is considered to be a close ally of Russian President Vladimir Putin.
Just now, Oksana Marchenko who is the wife of Viktor Medvedchuk, leader of a Russian aligned party and a friend of President Putin has left Ukraine and entered Belarus. Her car was stopped by Ukrainian forces for inspections along the border. Looks like something is up tonight. pic.twitter.com/WUf70XU1xP
— CaucasusWarReport (@Caucasuswar) February 18, 2022
According to US estimates, the number of Russian troops on the borders has now increased up to a whopping 190,000. Russia is scheduled to hold another military drill today that will include the use of practice launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles.
