Russia continues military buildup near Ukraine's border – Pentagon

The U.S. Department of Defense confirms that Russia continues a military buildup near Ukraine's border and in occupied Crimea.
Pentagon Spokesperson John Kirby said this at a press briefing on April 19, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

“Over the last couple of weeks, we have continued to see an increase in the forces along the border with Ukraine and in occupied Crimea,” he said.

He did not disclose intelligence information about the number of Russian troops, but noted that the U.S. side had called on the Russians to clarify their intentions.

According to the spokesperson, Washington does not believe that this buildup is conducive to security and stability in the region. “We call on the Russians to cease their provocations and to contribute to better security and stability there. And they can start by being more transparent about what their intentions are and what they're doing,” Kirby added.

As Ukrinform reported, during an online meeting of the European Parliament's Subcommittee on Security and Defense on April 14, Ukrainian Defense Minister Andrii Taran said that Russia concentrated 56 battalion tactical groups with 110,000 troops along the Ukrainian border.

According to the minister, the real goal of the Russian military buildup at the Ukrainian border may be attempts to force the Ukrainian government to make concessions in the negotiation process and to demonstrate readiness to use armed force.