The Minister of Defense told MEPs about Russia's four possible intentions

Присяжнюк Владислава
·
18:23, 14 April
The Minister of Defense told MEPs about Russia's four possible intentions
Image source: УНІАН

The Minister of Defense of Ukraine Andriy Taran told the MEPs about the four possible goals of the Russian Federation, which are behind the ongoing concentration of forces near the Ukrainian borders and in the occupied Crimea.

Andriy Taran spoke about this during a meeting of the European Parliament's subcommittee on security and defence on 14 of April.

It is noted that the Minister provided a broad overview of the concentration of Russian forces in various areas and said that with the available data, there are grounds to assume four possible goals of the Russian Federation.

First, it can be a demonstration of strength to increase pressure on Ukraine, slow down the positive changes in it and, above all, Euro-Atlantic integration.

Secondly, it may indicate the preparation of an operation in the direction of Crimea to solve the problem of water supply of the occupied peninsula - despite the fact that this is the duty and problem of the occupying power.

Third, Andriy Taran said, the Defense Ministry will not rule out Russian provocation in eastern Ukraine, as happened in Georgia, after which Kyiv can be accused of violating the regime of silence and used as an excuse to expand the occupied territory in Luhansk and Donetsk. areas.

Fourth, the large-scale concentration of Russian forces may be Russia's response to the Defender Europe 2021 exercise, as well as preparation for the West 2021 Russian exercise.

"Taking into account all these assumptions, we cannot rule out that the Russian occupation forces in Crimea or near our borders may resort to significant provocations this year", - Andriy Taran stressed.

What is known

  • The deployment of full Russian troops on the border with Ukraine may be completed on 20 April. According to Ukrainian intelligence, the total number of troops should increase to 110,000.
  • On the territory of the occupied Crimea, Russian troops deployed additional S-400 anti-aircraft missile systems.
  • The Conflict Intelligence Team (CIT) has discovered a field camp in the Voronezh region, about 250 km from the Ukrainian border, where Russian troops are concentrated.
  • Soldiers of the 76th Guards Airborne Assault Division of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation - Pskov paratroopers - are transferring to the occupied Crimea.