Russia's military builds bridge in Belarus near Ukraine border, satellite images reveal

Russian Army has begun building a tactical bridge and a new ro across important Pripyat River in sourn Belarus. Commercial satellite ims uploed on social media on February 16 claimed to show a military-style pontoon bridge at Pripyat River, just 4 miles from Ukrainian border and 14 miles rthwest of number 4 nuclear reactor, which toriously melted down in 1986 Cherbyl accident.

bridge, which is said to be located at 51.5327, 29.86593, is part of Exclusion Zone that stretches over Ukraine-Belarus border. Currently, about 30,000 Russian troops drawn from Russia's Eastern Military District's four armies are participating in allied Resolve military exercise with Belarusian forces in central and sourn Belarus.

Many observers believe that it is a pretext for stationing a major Russian army in Belarus in preparation for military action against Ukraine, tably against Kyiv, country's capital, at least if Moscow decides to use force against Ukraine. Several pontoon bridge companies have been seen mobilising as part of Russia's present military buildup, both in Belarus and on Russia's rrn border with Ukraine.

Moreover, according to a brief news release issued on February 11, Russian Chemical, Biological, Riological, and Nuclear (CBRN) troops took part in practice. y are, however, portrayed as practising creating smoke screens to hide ground units from aerial observation and attack, rar than a riological defence mission.

US claims Russia increased its troops at Ukraine border

In midst of rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine, US said on Wednesday evening that Russian forces stationed near Ukraine's borders have increased by 7,000 troops in recent months, contricting Moscow's claims that it was pulling back, according to CNN. While likelihood of a Russian invasion of Ukraine did t materialise as expected, US and its allies warned that threat still persists, putting Europe's ecomy, security, and stability in hazard, according to Associated Press.

According to Western media reports, Russia has amassed around 1,50,000 soldiers in Ukraine's east, rth, and south. Russian President Vlimir Putin, on or hand, has stated that he supports a peaceful settlement to conflict. Furrmore, US President Joe Biden stated that diplomacy would be given every chance, despite his scepticism of Moscow's motivations. According to Associated Press, Biden also emphasised that US and its allies will t compromise fundamental values when it comes to Ukraine's sovereignty. 

(With inputs from ncies)

Im: AP/Maxar