CBS reports, citing intelligence authorities… “A detailed operational plan is being drawn up”
(AP Photo) Lugansk (AP) – A government military soldier points in the direction of a projectile next to a destroyed building with a mortar fired by pro-Russian rebels in Lugansk, eastern Ukraine, which borders Russia on the 19th (local time). The New York Times (NYT) reported on the same day that mortar shells were rife in eastern Ukraine as a clash between government forces and pro-Russian rebels broke out in eastern Ukraine. 2022.2.21 photo@yna.co.kr
(Washington = Yonhap News) Correspondent Ryu Ji-bok = US intelligence agencies have obtained information that Russian military commanders have been instructed to continue the invasion of Ukraine, CBS reported on the 20th (local time).
CBS reporter David Martin appeared on the company’s current affairs program ‘Face The Nation’ on the same day and said, “They (Russian commanders) are doing everything the same as American commanders do when they receive an order to proceed.”
“U.S. intelligence officials say the Russians have actually been ordered to continue the invasion,” Martin said.
“So not only are they moving closer and closer to the (Ukraine) border and attack positions, but commanders on the ground are making specific plans for how they will operate on their battlefields,” he said.
The report came amid a series of publicly available judgments from top U.S. officials that Russian President Vladimir Putin had decided to invade Ukraine.
“Everything we’re seeing tells us that Putin’s decision to invade is moving forward,” Secretary of State Tony Blincoln told CBS.
He cited recent provocations by separatists in eastern Ukraine or Russia, a disguised operation to make it look like a Ukrainian attack, and the announcement of extension of joint military exercises between Russia and Belarus.
US President Joe Biden said in a speech at the White House on 18th that he had relevant information to believe that Putin had decided to invade Ukraine.
WASHINGTON (AFP = Yonhap News) U.S. President Joe Biden speaks regarding the Ukraine crisis at the White House in Washington, DC, on the 18th (local time). President Biden cited his country’s intelligence capabilities as the basis for his judgment, saying he “has good reason to believe that Russia will attack Ukraine in a matter of days.” 2022.2.21 photo@yna.co.kr
Russia has accused the US of ‘hysteria’, saying that it has no intention of invading Ukraine and that troops deployed in the border area are withdrawing following training is complete.
However, the U.S. countered that Russia would continue to increase its troops in the border area, reaching a maximum of 190,000, rather than withdrawing, and it is in the mood to make Russia’s decision to invade as a fact.
jbryoo@yna.co.kr
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2022/02/21 03:56 Send