Satellite images released on Tuesday show a new convoy of Russian vehicles traveling along Ukrainian highways, as well as the staging areas where Russian forces are preparing for the next phase of their invasion.
The images, captured by Maxar Technologies, show Russian forces moving into eastern Ukraine from Russia’s Belgorod region. The convoy contains more than 200 vehicles, including tanks, armored personnel carriers, towed artillery, and support equipment, according to Maxar.
“We believe that these are the early stages of a reinforcement effort by the Russians in the Donbas,” Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday. “It does seem to be a mix of personnel-carrying vehicles, as well as armored vehicles. There may be some artillery, maybe some enabling capabilities. Not exactly clear, but this does seem to be an early effort by them to reinforce their efforts in the Donbas.”
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The Russian towns of Soloti and Biriuch appear to be the staging grounds for the new troop deployments. Soloti is approximately 25 miles from the Ukrainian border, and Biriuch is only about 5 miles from the border.
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Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has warned that Russia will escalate combat operations in eastern Ukraine, pleading with Western nations to provide his army with more weapons.
