US warns of Russian attack
Created: 02/23/2022, 22:12
A Ukrainian soldier at the dividing line between Ukraine-held and pro-Russian separatist-held territory near Svitlodarsk in eastern Ukraine.
© Evgeniy Maloletka/AP/dpa
"We think they're ready," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
Around 150,000 Russian soldiers are said to be on the border with Ukraine.
WASHINGTON - The US government has warned of an imminent Russian attack on Ukraine.
"What we are seeing is that Russian forces are continuing to rally closer to the border and are moving into an advanced state of readiness to mount military action in Ukraine at virtually any time," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.
"We think they're ready," Kirby warned.
Despite major international protests, Putin recognized the independence of the separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine on Monday and ordered the deployment of Russian soldiers.
The Kremlin chief is planning an invasion of Ukraine for the second time since 2014.
The West accuses Putin of violating international law.
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In Ukraine, a state of emergency applies across the country from midnight local time (11:00 p.m. CET) due to the aggression.
According to Western sources, Russia has gathered about 150,000 soldiers on the border with Ukraine.
dpa