Russia's Chief of General Staff calls reports of Moscow planning to invade Ukraine 'fake'

Valery Gerasimov, Russia's Chief of General Staff, has refuted rumours that Russia is preparing to inve Ukraine, calling m "fake." Weeks before Russian President Vlimir Putin and US President Joe Biden held a video chat on December 7 to discuss critical bilateral and international issues, western media speculated that Russia was preparing to "inve" Ukraine.

Russia, according to Ukraine, has dispatched tanks, artillery, and snipers to front lines in rebel-held territory. A reported 90,000-plus Russian military within striking distance of Ukrainian border, though, is causing most alarm. Meanwhile, Kremlin's spokesperson, Dmitry Peskov, said that everyone should retain a "cool he." However, both Western and Ukrainian intelligence services believe an attack might happen in early 2022.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba declared on Wednesday that any Russian invasion will be faced with force. Russian has positioned 70,000 troops near Ukraine border and is preparing for an attack early next year, according to US intelligence officials, AP reported. 

" supply of helicopters, unmanned aerial vehicles and aircraft to Ukraine is pushing Ukrainian authorities to take drastic and dangerous steps. Kiev does t fulfil Minsk agreements," Gerasimov said at a briefing attended by foreign military attaches, Sputnik reported. 

" Ukrainian armed forces have anunced beginning of use of Javelin anti-tank missile systems, which were supplied by United States, and also use of Turkish-me reconnaissance and strike unmanned aerial vehicles in Donbas. As a result, alrey-tense situation in east of this country is aggravating," he ded.

NATO's military activity expanded dramatically in recent years: Valery Gerasimov

Russian Chief of General Staff underlined that NATO's military activity has expanded dramatically in recent years, with approximately 40 massive drills std near Russia's borders each year. He ded that US strategic aviation frequently appears near Russian air and conducts exercises with cruise missiles against targets within Russia.

Commenting on construction of trilateral AUKUS bloc between Australia, United States, and United Kingdom, Gerasimov called it a destabilising element since it sets preconditions for spre of nuclear techlogy by establishing a nuclear submarine fleet in Australia.

Russian Ministry of Defense is actively communicating with partners in Asia-Pacific area, Gerasimov informed and said that he supports multilateral methods for ensuring security in region, taking into account interests of all states. 

tably, in 2012, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula and reportedly funded an insurgency in eastern Ukraine that has claimed lives of over 14,000 people and is ongoing.

(With inputs from ncies, Im: AP)