The Biden administration is considering sending military experts and a large quantity of modern weapons to Ukraine, due to the growing Russian threat to Ukraine's eastern border, the US news network CNN reported today (Tuesday).
The publication, which comes from several sources in the US administration and defense establishment, reveals that the administration is considering a "lethal" aid package that will include a large amount of anti-tank missiles, as well as guided mortar shells, Stinger anti-helicopter missiles and a number of Russian-made helicopters purchased by the United States. For the Afghan army.
Other sources claim that the government fears that sending anti-aircraft missiles to Ukraine will be interpreted by Russia as a serious escalation and prefers to send military experts to other countries in the region such as Poland or the Baltic states. His ships fell to Russia during the 2014 invasion of the Crimea.
A former senior U.S. military official, Colonel Cedric Layton, told the American News Network: "Jabil missiles are quite effective against the type of tanks that could be used by Russia in a possible invasion of Ukraine. But the transfer of additional advanced weapons to Ukrainians could exacerbate tensions in the region."
Meanwhile, US media have reported that the administration is working with EU countries to formulate a series of heavy international sanctions against Russia in the event of a military operation in Ukrainian territory.
White House spokeswoman Jen Saki said the administration was very concerned about the situation and "there have been extensive talks with our European partners in recent weeks, including contacts with Ukraine".
On Tuesday, a senior Ukrainian military official claimed that Russia had assembled nearly 100,000 troops on the country's eastern border.
And it is preparing for a military operation in the country's territory as early as January.
The senior, General Kirilo Bodnov, is serving in the Kiev intelligence service in a conversation with the American newspaper Military Times.
According to the senior, the attack will include an initial phase of aerial bombardment, artillery fire and a large landing of special forces.
The source explained that Russia has practiced in the Crimean peninsula a landing of a force of 3,500 paratroopers in a rapid air operation and the purpose of the exercise is an attack on the airports and Ukrainian military bases in the east of the country.
The general warned that the Russian offensive would be more devastating than anything Ukraine has experienced in recent decades, in reference to the Russian invasion of the Crimean peninsula and Russian aid to the separatist uprising in eastern Ukraine.
In eastern Ukraine, there is a continuing uprising of pro-Russian separatists aided by mercenaries and volunteers from Russia.
The uprising began after the Maiden Revolution, which removed the pro-Russian parties from power in Ukraine and brought to power in Kiev a government that supports upgrading relations with the European Union.
The uprising led to an ongoing war in which thousands were killed and infrastructure in the eastern Luhansk and Donetsk counties collapsed.