Report: Russia now has 265,000 troops near Ukraine border

AMN ^ | 12/22/21 | Ryan Morgan

[Roman_War_Criminal]

Russia now has about 265,000 troops stationed within 250 miles of its border with Ukraine, according to a new assessment of troop movements by Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Oleksiy Danilov.

Danilov revealed the assessment of Russian military activity during a visit to the Ivano-Frankivsk region, the Ukrainian state-run National News Agency of Ukraine (also known as Ukrinform) reported on Wednesday.

Danilov said of the 265,000 Russian troops, 122,000 are located within 200 km (125 miles) of the Russian border with Ukraine. Another 143,500 troops are located between 200 and 400 km (250 miles) of the Ukrainian border.

Danilov’s assessment represents an increase in Russia’s troop presence in recent days. For weeks, Russian troops have been massing near the Ukraine border. Until now, assessments have put the number of Russian troops near Ukraine’s border at between 80,000 and 110,000.

[Drew68]

The Ukraine didn't leave Russia, did it? It gained its independence when the Soviet Empire collapsed, yes?

Ukraine is really two countries, split right down the center by the Don River with predominately Ukrainian-speaking ethnic Ukrainians on the west side and predominately Russian-speaking ethnic Russians on the east. They've generally gotten along with each other, but not always and not so much lately.

[McGruff]

Looks like Siberia in summer.

[jimwatx]

Not surprising Putin has set his red line here, he can’t accept NATO forces just across the border from Moscow any more than we would accept a Russian base just across the border in Mexico. The Ukrainians are idiots for allowing themselves to be played in this way, and will suffer the consequences.

[McGruff]

A graphic to accompany your post.

[x]

Ukraine is really two countries, split right down the center by the Don River with predominately Ukrainian-speaking ethnic Ukrainians on the west side and predominately Russian-speaking ethnic Russians on the east.

Or even three countries. Kiev in the middle isn't that crazy about the Russian-speakers to the east.

[Drew68]

Ukraine is going to need a ton of Javelins.

Equipping Ukraine will only postpone the inevitable with a lot more dead defeated Ukrainians and dead victorious Russians.

I'll pause to remind everyone that Russia is the last western country that actually defends western heritage and hasn't fallen victim to wokeism and much of the animosity against Russia was ginned up by the media who tried to blame them for Trump.

Russia should be our natural allies.

[saintgermaine]

Don’t worry, Russians are used to cold weather, they know what to do. And Stalingrad was the Waterloo for Hitlers Paulu’s troops where one of my relations got killed.

[freedomlver]

Joe will probably send Hunter over there to negotiate his 10%. Russia is probably hoping for a windfall like the Taliban got when we left Afghanistan. 85 billion in weapons is probably what the Russians spend in a year on their entire military.

[alternatives?]

The sections of Ukraine that Putin would want to annex probably prefer to be part of Russia anyway due to many being Russian. However, you wander how many Russians in those sections immigrated there after the Soviet Union annexed Ukraine.

For example, there was a sizable German population in Czechoslovakia in the early 30’s many more moved in in the late 30’s and early 40’s but they were all booted out after WWII.

Think of all the Mexicans in California. Where are their loyalties?

[Vermont Lt]

That must be costing them a fortune.

You cannot amass that many people in the field, in winter, without some issues.

[colorado tanker]

Western Ukraine historically was part of the Polish/Lithuanian monarchy and more oriented to Western Europe. It was only absorbed into Russia during the Partitions of Poland during the Napoleonic Era.

Eastern Ukraine was part of the Mongol Empire and later the Ottoman Empire and was conquered by the Russians. It is much more Russian ethnically and in attitude.

An important piece of this puzzle is that the most valuable resources and industry in Ukraine are in the Eastern, most Russian, part of the country.

[PIF]

The new border will look something like the old Kivian Rus :

[kabar]

The Russian Ground Forces have 280,000 active duty personnel. I call BS on 265,000 troops at the Ukraine border.

[faithhopecharity]

This one Putin wins.
Probably no fight needed, too.
But if he decides it’s necessary, he can win in a day. And everybody knows it
The Soviet Union lost over 20 million people overcoming the German invasion of WW2. The very last thing Russia wants are German (nato) troops and weapons in Ukraine (“Russia’s breadbasket”) again.

He will do as he thinks he must to prevent the natoization of his southern flank
Right or wrong no matter. He’ll do it by any means necessary

[Alas Babylon!]

When the Germans went ahead with the Russian gas pipeline over our strong objections, we should have told them not to call on us if Russia/Ukraine went hot.

Still, if you didn't know, the Ukraine have been quietly building up their military, too. Now Poland has joined the fray. They're doubling the size of their military.

So who knows? Maybe a Russian victory is NOT inevitable.

There used to be a huge empire called Poland-Lithuania, that included most of the Ukraine. Maybe THAT historical entity will rise again and prevail?

[PIF]

Here's some additional information on Russian strength along the border as well as how they function :
Interactive map of forces
Intelligence data on 1st and 2nd Army Corps of Russian Federation in occupied Donbas

[Basket_of_Deplorables]

I
Don’t
Care
About
Ukraine
Or
NATO

Let’s get out of Europe, period.

[353FMG]

Isn’t the Ukraine not the country through which the gas pipeline to the EU runs?
Greta, crank up your windmills and don’t let them hit you in the head.

[353FMG]

ALL our adversaries share Putin’s delight.

[antidemoncrat]

Hey, I’m sure Putin just put them there in case Ukraine decides to invade Russia.