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| Caucasus/Russia/Central Asia |
| Western intelligence shows Russians amassing aircraft on Ukraine border |
| 2023-02-15 |
| [FT UK] Nato allies to prioritise rapid shipments of air defences and ammunition as conflict enters new phase Western intelligence shows Russia is amassing aircraft close to the border with Ukraine, an indication that Moscow is preparing to throw its jets and helicopters into the war to support a stuttering land offensive. The fear of a looming air war in Ukraine has prompted allies to prioritise rapid shipments of air defence assets and artillery ammunition to Kyiv, western officials said, to respond to the shift in approach by Moscow as the almost year-long war enters a new phase. Intelligence shared among Nato allies shows Russia is amassing fixed-wing and rotary aircraft close to the border with Ukraine, according to two officials briefed on its contents. In meetings with allied countries supporting Ukraine on Tuesday, US defence secretary Lloyd Austin highlighted the threat of Russia’s significant remaining air force. "He was very clear that we have a short window of time to help the Ukrainians to prepare for an offensive and that they had some pretty specific needs," a senior US administration official said. "The Russian land forces are pretty depleted so it’s the best indication that they will turn this into an air fight. If the Ukrainians are going to survive . . . they need to have as many air defence capabilities and as much ammunition . . . as possible," the official added. |
| Posted by:Thruter Gloluger6393 |
| #4 Why wait this long? |
| Posted by: ruprecht 2023-02-15 21:27 |
| #3 Russians amassing aircraft. Those magnificent men in their flying machines. |
| Posted by: M. Murcek 2023-02-15 12:39 |
| #2 Anticipating a sudden wave of balloons. |
| Posted by: Skidmark 2023-02-15 12:36 |