Ukraine crisis: Putin moves fighter jets to Poland's border - concerns about invasion through Chernobyl area

Created: 02/05/2022, 11:35 am

By: Astrid Theil

In Chernobyl, Ukrainian soldiers practice urban warfare.

© Mykola Tymchenko/dpa

Germany continues to be criticized for its reserved position in the Ukraine conflict.

Meanwhile, Putin is moving more troops to Belarus.

The news ticker.

• Germany's attitude in the Ukraine crisis * is criticized internationally and nationally.

  (see first report February 5, 10 a.m.)

• Before Olaf Scholz's inaugural visit to Washington DC, a US senator again warned the federal government to reconsider its position.

  (see first report February 5, 10 a.m.)

• Meanwhile, Putin is relocating fighter jets to the Polish border and preparing for the announced military maneuvers with Belarus.

  (see update of February 5, 11:00 a.m.)

• This ticker is continuously updated.

Update from February 5, 11 a.m.:

Just a few days before the controversial military maneuvers * by Russian troops in Belarus, Russia has now relocated Sukhoi Su-25SM combat aircraft to Belarus.

The fighter jets are near the Polish border, the Ministry of Defense announced in Moscow on Saturday (February 5).

The military leaders of Russia and Belarus have repeatedly emphasized that the troop deployment is just an exercise, does not pose a threat to anyone and is in accordance with international law.

Both Moscow and Minsk have dismissed accusations that this was a preparation for an invasion of Ukraine.

The military maneuvers between Russia and Belarus are scheduled to take place on February 10-20.

Putin moves fighter jets to the Polish border: military maneuvers with Belarus

In view of the massive Russian troop deployment in the border regions with Ukraine, many fear a Russian invasion of Ukraine.

But there is also the suspicion that Russia wants to stir up fears in order to persuade NATO to make concessions on its demands for new security guarantees.

NATO recently accused Russia of moving around 30,000 thousand soldiers to Belarus.

The combat troops would also come with aircraft, nuclear-capable Iskander missiles, S-400 air defense systems and special units of the GRU military intelligence service.

Criticism of Germany: US Senator calls on federal government to reconsider position

First report from February 5, 10:00 a.m.:

Kiev/Washington DC/Berlin – The federal government has been criticized internationally and sometimes also nationally for its position in the Ukraine conflict.

Germany has categorically refused arms deliveries to Ukraine, causing the federal government to deviate from the behavior of many other NATO member states.

While the USA, Great Britain and France are showing a stronger military presence in Eastern Europe and supporting Ukraine, Germany is exercising restraint.

The federal government received incomprehension* and sometimes even ridicule, especially from the USA.

On Monday (January 7th), Chancellor Olaf Scholz (SPD) will make his inaugural visit to Washington.

In advance, US Senator Jim Risch has again called on the federal government to reconsider its course in the Ukraine conflict.

Federal government: Still no weapons for Ukraine - Scholz soon in Washington

"A large-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine will have dramatic effects on the whole of Europe - including Germany," said the highest-ranking Republican in the Senate's Foreign Affairs Committee of the

.

"While I'm aware of Germany's longstanding policy on arms sales, the situation in Ukraine, and NATO allies agree on this, is so unique that Germany should reconsider its stance," the US Senator said Washington.

Risch also commented on Nord Stream 2.

"We certainly heard from the German government that Nord Stream 2* could be a target of sanctions," said Risch.

"If that's true, that's all well and good.

But that's not enough for me.

When Russia invaded Crimea in 2014, we heard similar assurances, but a few months later Germany pushed the project forward again.” In the US media, Germany's reliability as an ally was already being massively questioned.

Risch emphasized that the bilateral relationship between Germany and the USA goes beyond the Ukraine conflict, but that it could improve.

CDU foreign politician Kiesewetter criticizes Scholz: A “credible reaction” is needed

In German politics, too, there are critical dissenting voices about the position of the federal government in the Ukraine conflict.

In view of the conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the CDU foreign policy expert Roderich Kiesewetter spoke out in favor of German arms deliveries to Kiev.

"Selective arms deliveries to Ukraine would help to increase the deterrent effect in order to change Putin's calculations and Russia's escalation dominance," Kiesewetter told the

and the

. 

According to Kiesewetter, Germany needs a “credible response to the threat to Ukraine from Russia”.

The CDU politician specifically proposed "defensive weapons" such as supplies for telecommunications reconnaissance, jammers against Russian communications, night vision devices, anti-tank technology or anti-aircraft missiles.

Kiesewetter: Nord Stream 2 and SWIFT must be considered as sanctions

Meanwhile, the federal government is sticking to its cancellation.

Only on Wednesday evening (February 2) did Scholz repeat in the

(SPD) that arms deliveries to Ukraine were excluded.

Referring to Scholz's visit to the USA, Kiesewetter said: "Chancellor Scholz must make a clear commitment to Putin for the European security order, for Ukraine and for NATO's position."

For Kiesewetter, this also includes making the announcement to Putin that Germany is not prepared to rule out any sanctions and to accept disadvantages and costs.

Therefore, Nord Stream 2 and the exclusion of Russia from the Swift payment system should also be actively considered as sanctions*.

Chancellor Scholz will meet Putin on February 15.

Ukraine in concern: house-to-house combat exercises in the contaminated Chernobyl area

Ukraine continues to see itself as a massive threat from the Russian troop deployment in the border regions.

An invasion of Russia is still feared, especially by the West.

In view of this concern, the Ukrainian military is now practicing house-to-house combat in the radioactive zone around the former Chernobyl nuclear power plant.

Interior Minister Denys Monastyrskyj emphasized on Friday evening that this was the first such large-scale exercise in the exclusion zone.

An invasion of Russian troops across the Belarusian border into the radioactive area is feared.

The Ukrainian capital of Kiev is only 70 kilometers away.

(at/dpa)