Dec 3, 2021.
According to CNN, Russian forces along the Ukraine border have set up medical units and supply lines that could allow for an immediate invasion of Ukraine and provide ongoing support for troops during the conflict.
The Japan-Russia Business Forum was held at a hotel in Tokyo. Junko Kimura is a photographer.
The images are from the same company.
According to CNN, Russians have moved infrastructure in place that will allow them to supply troops on the front lines for seven to 10 days and can sustain reinforcements for a month.
Top U.S. diplomats and other international officials have warned that Russia's bolstering of forces along the country's border with Ukraine could mean an invasion is imminent, but it's unclear what Russian President Vladimir Putin plans to do with the troops.
Russia has denied plans to attack Ukraine, but has demanded that it not be allowed to join NATO, with Putin saying he'd be worried about weapons systems being deployed near Russia if Ukraine is allowed to join the organization.
Russia is trying to blame the country for the conflict through a propaganda campaign, which it denies, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Ukrainian military is planning to add new Black Sea military patrol boats and anti-tank missiles from the U.S., according to reports.
"We don't know if President Putin made the decision to invade," said Antony Blinken, Secretary of State. Should he decide, we know that he is putting in place the capacity to do so on short notice.
If Russia invaded Ukraine, it would be hit with unprecedented economic sanctions from the US and other western countries.
The key background.
A full-scale Russian invasion of Ukraine would represent a major escalation in the conflict between Russia and the Ukrainians. The most intense of the tensions at this point are centered around the Donbass region in eastern Ukraine, which is located along the Russian border. Russian speakers and ethnic Russians moved to declare independence from Ukraine after Russia annexed the peninsula. Skirmishes have been going on in the region since the Russian-backed rebels sought independence from Ukraine.
Russia is increasing its forces and supply lines as it fears a potential invasion of Ukraine.
The U.S. told Russia to pull back from Ukraine or face sanctions.
