On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin conducted strategic nuclear missile exercises, and the US said Russian troops massed near Ukraine’s border were “poised to strike.”
As Western countries fear the beginnings of one of the bloodiest battles since the Cold War, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin said Russian soldiers were beginning to “uncoil and move closer” to the former Soviet neighbor’s border.
“We hope he takes a step back from the verge of conflict,” he said at a news conference in Lithuania, adding that an invasion of Ukraine was not a foregone conclusion.
Russia ordered the military buildup while demanding that NATO prevent Ukraine from ever joining the alliance, but claims that reports that it is contemplating an invasion of Ukraine are false and hazardous. It claims to be pulling back now, despite the fact that Washington and allies claim the build-up is intensifying. Separatist commanders in eastern Ukraine, backed by Russia, had earlier proclaimed a full military mobilization, a day after urging women and children to flee to Russia, citing the fear of a Ukrainian onslaught.
The assertion was categorically denied by Kyiv, while Washington claimed it was part of Russia’s strategy to create a pretext for an invasion of Ukraine.
Multiple explosions were heard in the north of the separatist-controlled city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine on Saturday morning, according to a witness. The source was unclear at first. Ukraine had previously announced the death of one of its servicemen.
US President Joe Biden, who has repeatedly warned of a coming invasion, said on Friday that he now believes Russia would strike Kyiv, but that he does not believe Putin is considering deploying nuclear weapons.
“We have reason to believe Russian forces are planning and intending to invade Ukraine in the coming week, in the coming days,” Biden said at the White House addressing reporters.
“As of right now, I am confident he has made his decision.”
The exercises on Saturday by Russia’s nuclear forces include the launch of ballistic and cruise missiles, according to the defense ministry. The exercises, according to Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov, are part of a routine training process, and Putin is expected to participate from a “situation center.”
On Saturday, the Kremlin was quoted by Russia’s Ria news agency as announcing that the exercises had begun.
