This article was originally published by Tyler Durden at ZeroHedge.
The Kremlin’s latest statements out Friday amid the potential new Ukraine crisis which has seen a serious flare-up in fighting in the Donbass region, along with what appears to be far bigger-than-usual troop movements on Russia’s side of the border, has raised the stakes further.
Russia has vowed it will take “extra measures to ensure its own security” should it observe any deployment of NATO troops inside Ukraine, the Kremlin statement said Friday according to Reuters.
It firmly warned against any potential looming NATO troop movements following Brussels voicing concern the day prior over the widespread reports and videos purporting to show a significant Russian build-up of forces along Ukraine’s eastern border.
Reuters reports Russia’s Friday statement and “warning” as follows:
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told reporters on Friday that the situation at the contact line in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatist forces was quite frightening and that multiple “provocations” were taking place there.
U.S. Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin on Thursday spoke with his Ukrainian counterpart, Andrii Taran, and “condemned recent escalations of Russian aggressive and provocative actions in eastern Ukraine,” the Pentagon said.
“Our rhetoric [over Donbass] is absolutely constructive,” Peskov said in response to journalists’ questions. “We do not indulge in wishful thinking. Regrettably, the realities along the engagement line are rather frightening. Provocations by the Ukrainian armed forces do take place. They are not casual. There have been many of them.”
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky condemned the Russian troop movements across the border, calling the situation “muscle-flexing” likely to lead to “provocations” for which Ukraine’s army is “ready”…
Muscle-flexing in the form of military exercises on the border with #Ukraine is an attempt to put pressure in the negotiations on ceasefire and peace as our value. We are always ready for provocations. ?? army is not only strength and power, but also wisdom and balance.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) April 1, 2021
It was exactly a week ago that fighting in Donetsk grabbed international headlines once again when four Ukrainian national troops were killed, which Kiev promptly blamed on Russia-backed separatists. However, the Donetsk People’s Republic claimed it wasn’t the result of a direct exchange of fire, but due to inspecting a minefield.
Ukraine’s parliament followed by announcing a sharp “escalation” in the east – a contested region which has seen 14,000 deaths going back to 2014, and the country’s military leadership put the armed forces on high alert.
Another video suggesting Russian #military buildup next to borders of #Ukraine. This was filmed in #Voronezh region, south #Russia, on 31 March:
— Alex Kokcharov (@AlexKokcharov) April 1, 2021
This also as Russian troops and armor were spotted headed into the Crimea and Ukraine’s eastern
border region, however, Moscow brushed off the concerns while saying it’s routine to transfer forces within one’s own borders and sovereign territory.
MORE RUSSIAN VEHICLES EN ROUTE TO UKRAINEpic.twitter.com/ivdr910y2v
— The_Real_Fly (@The_Real_Fly) April 2, 2021
Days later on Wednesday, the US European Command (EUCOM) issued a notification of a raised ‘threat level’ in Europe. The designation is currently officially raised to one of “potential imminent crisis” due to concerns over Eastern Ukraine.
Meanwhile, intense shelling on the ground in Donetsk has continued this week, with all signs pointing to further escalation and intensity in fighting…
#Ukraine: Russian-backed separatist of the Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) have announced military conscription for citizens born 1994 – 2003. This comes at a time of drastically increased fighting on the frontlines in the Donbas. Not looking good. pic.twitter.com/pwn03I0Cc6
— Jake Hanrahan (@Jake_Hanrahan) April 2, 2021
And on Thursday an unnamed EU diplomat was cited in Reuters as speculating the perceived build-up in Russian forces is ultimately about Russia’s posturing to gain leverage with the new Biden administration – which so far hasn’t had much of a big geopolitical challenge.
“Partly, it is the usual tactics, turning up and down the conflict to create instability, to show that Russia is a key player,” the EU diplomat said. “We cannot exclude that Biden’s presidency is part of the Russian calculus, that it’s time for Moscow to show a bit of muscle.”
Wow. Military build up ongoing in full force on #Russia – #Ukraine border.
Video of Ukrainian tanks reportedly rolling today into the Luhansk & Donetsk region: https://t.co/Nkh4yZMb3M
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) April 1, 2021
Day 3: #Russia Military build up continues near Ukraine border.
Video of military vehicles, tanks today reportedly from city of Karsnodar: pic.twitter.com/ItgkKyI1jo
— Joyce Karam (@Joyce_Karam) April 2, 2021
But Russia has pointed out that in no way is it in its interest to see a ‘hot conflict’ in Donbass:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that most of Ukraine’s military appeared to understand the danger of a “hot conflict” in Donbass.
“I very much hope that they will not be ‘incited’ by politicians, who in turn will be ‘incited’ by the West, led by the United States,” said Lavrov.
Lavrov further issued an ominous warning: “Russian President Putin said (this) not long ago, but this statement is still relevant today, that those who would try to start a new war in Donbass – will destroy Ukraine.”
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If I was Putin or Xi I would make my power moves now. The West is falling apart, a cabal of paedos staged a coup and took over the US, and the US and is allies could not mount a military response these days because, to be frank, the military would be plagued by BLM rebellions and sabotage just as it was in Vietnam.
Putin has created the model for reclaiming land: inch forward, quietly enter, activate local allies, and when it gets hot, use Katosha rockets to clean out opposing forces. Accurate, devastating and lightning fast, the rockets make mincemeat of any conventional forces.
I sincerely hope a war isn’t started in Donbass by our very own Dumb ass (Biden).
Let them have their little war.
We have more important things to worry about at the moment such as the worst plague in the history of our species known as covid 19.
I certainly hope they wiped down those tanks with Lysol and bleach to contain covid.
I’m completely baffled how anyone even has any soldiers
left to go to war with in the first place since covid has killed everyone on Earth?
Religion in China –
China officially recognizes several world religions.
Judas-ism isn’t one of them.
That’s because it’s not a religion.
It’s a satanic, criminal conspiracy/cult.
It’s obvious to all who care to look.
Just do a quick study of their “holiest” book, the talmud.
EXPOSE THIS GODDAMN FILTH!
Must read:
https://web.archive.org/web/20130605010616/https://stopcg.wordpress.com/the-talmud-and-the-jew-world-order/
This is as much Russia’s fault as anyone’s. They should have invaded and crushed the US installed government in 2014 and taken over Ukraine. Instead they acted like crybabies for 7 years while the US armed Kiev, complaining to the UN and trying to resolve it diplomatically. They let the problem fester and now it looks like it’s coming to a head. This is another in the long list of boneheaded moves by the Russian government over the last decade.
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