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Maxar high-resolution closeup satellite imagery showing the presence of ground forces on the northern edge of of Yelnya in western Russia. But the Kremlin says Russia has no intentions of invading Ukraine and that its troop movements are defensive in nature. Putin also argues that assistance from the West to Ukraine poses threats to Russia's border. Ukraine was part of the Soviet Union before declaring its independence in 1991. Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks often of the ethnic ties between Russia and Ukraine and warns against NATO expanding eastward into what he considers his sphere of influence. More than 14,000 people have been killed in the conflict, according to the Ukrainian government.
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A peace deal in 2015 largely ended the major battles, but the fighting continues. Since the 2014 annexation, there has been a proxy war in the Donbas region of Ukraine between Russian-backed forces and the Ukrainian government. The annexation is not recognized by the international community. In the freezing months of February and March, Russia annexed Crimea, a part of Ukraine that formerly belonged to the Soviet Union. The international community is concerned because of Russia's invasion of Ukraine in 2014. Biden has made clear the repercussions if he does. National security adviser Jake Sullivan said Tuesday the administration does not believe Russian President Vladimir Putin has made a decision on whether to invade Ukraine, but said Mr. An unclassified intelligence document obtained by CBS News and first reported by The Washington Post. officials have also accused Moscow of mounting an aggressive information operation to destabilize Ukraine politically, undermine its social cohesion and pin blame for any escalation on Kyiv and NATO. official told CBS News that Russia has embarked on a sudden and rapid program to establish a ready reserve of the support it would need.
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Those forces currently lack the support units needed to sustain an invasion, but a U.S. There are an estimated 100,000 Russian forces massing near the Ukrainian border.