Russia Lacking Troops For Full Invasion, Says Ukraine

The Kremlin says any move to sanction the Russian leader would prove politically destructive (Valentin Sprinchak/TASS)

- Rory Sullivan

Russia has not amassed enough troops by the Ukrainian border to start a “large-scale offensive”, Ukraine’s foreign minister has suggested.

Dmytro Kuleba’s comments yesterday come amid growing fears in the west that the Kremlin could use the 127,000 troops it has already positioned near the territory to launch an invasion, and as Russian troops carried out military exercises near the two countries’ shared border. Despite such concerns, Mr Kuleba said: “They are still missing some key military elements and systems to mount a big, full-scale offensive.”

The foreign minister added that Russia’s intention was to destabilise his country by “spreading panic, raising pressure on Ukraine‘s financial system and launching cyberattacks”. More western arms have reached Ukraine to support it in the event of a potential conflict, while diplomatic talks to deter Russia from making a military incursion continue.

Officials from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany met in Paris for talks yesterday, as American F-15 jets arrived in Estonia to bolster Nato defences in the Baltic. The US has also said it is prepared to send 8,500 troops to the area.