DefenceTalkRussia in recent days has announced several drawdowns of troops from Ukraine’s borders, raising hopes that a devastating military escalation in Ukraine can be averted. The West however says there has been no meaningful reduction in the assembled Russian force that has been at the centre of escalating tensions between Moscow and the West for […]https://www.defencetalk.com/what-we-know-about-russias-troop-deployment-near-ukraine-77985/

DefenceTalkRussia announced a new drawdown of military forces from the Moscow-annexed Crimean peninsula on Thursday, despite Ukraine’s Western allies meeting similar announcements with skepticism. “Units of the southern military district that ended tactical exercises at training grounds on the Crimean peninsula are returning by rail to their permanent bases,” the defence ministry said in a […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-announces-new-military-withdrawal-from-crimea-77966/

DefenceTalkChina may take advantage of the Ukraine crisis and do something “provocative” in Asia while Western powers are focused on defusing tensions with Russia, a US general warned Wednesday. Russia’s deployment of more than 100,000 troops on Ukraine’s border has triggered fears in Washington and other Western capitals of a looming invasion. General Kenneth Wilsbach, […]https://www.defencetalk.com/china-may-take-advantage-of-ukraine-crisis-us-general-77963/

DefenceTalkNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg on Wednesday said Russia’s military build-up seemed to be continuing around Ukraine despite Moscow announcing the pullback of more forces. “We have heard the signs from Moscow about readiness to continue diplomatic efforts, but so far, we have not seen any de-escalation on the ground,” Stoltenberg said ahead of a meeting […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-says-russias-military-build-up-continuing-around-ukraine-77956/

DefenceTalkLithuanian troops left for Ukraine on Tuesday to train local forces in the use of US-made anti-aircraft missile systems, which the Baltic state provided amid fears of a Russian invasion. “We have fully supported, are supporting and will continue to support Ukraine,” Lithuania’s Chief of Defence Valdemaras Rupsys said in a statement. “Weapons and technology […]https://www.defencetalk.com/lithuanian-troops-in-ukraine-to-provide-missile-training-77953/

DefenceTalkCanada has decided to “temporarily relocate” some of its military personnel stationed in Ukraine elsewhere in Europe due to growing fears of a Russian invasion of the country, its Ministry of Defence announced Sunday. The temporary repositioning of “elements” of its contingent assigned to the training of the Ukrainian army “does not mean the end […]https://www.defencetalk.com/canada-pulls-some-military-out-of-ukraine-77944/

DefenceTalkThe United States said Friday it is sending 3,000 more troops to Poland to reassure NATO allies amid heightened fears of a Russian invasion of Ukraine. These 3,000 troops from the 82nd Airborne Division, the US military’s main rapid reaction force, were already placed on alert in late January at the request of President Joe […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-sending-3000-more-troops-to-poland-as-ukraine-tension-rises-senior-official-77925/

DefenceTalkNATO chief Jens Stoltenberg warned Friday of the “real risk for a new armed conflict in Europe” as both the alliance and Russia are increasing their troop presences around Ukraine. Moscow has around 100,000 troops stationed close to Ukraine’s frontier and Western leaders have scrambled to hold talks with Russia fearing an attack. A total […]https://www.defencetalk.com/nato-chief-warns-of-real-risk-of-war-amid-russia-tensions-77919/

DefenceTalkUS Secretary of State Antony Blinken on Friday said Russia is amassing yet more troops on Ukraine’s border, and warned an invasion could come “any time”, including during the Winter Olympics which end on February 20. “We’re in a window when an invasion could begin at any time, and to be clear that includes during […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-could-invade-ukraine-any-time-including-during-olympics-blinken-77910/

DefenceTalkIran’s Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps on Wednesday announced the development of a surface-to-surface missile whose stated range would put arch foe Israel within reach. The Guards’ Sepahnews website said the missile was named the Khaybarchekan after a victorious battle fought by the Prophet Mohammed in the seventh century. Armed forces chief of staff Mohammad Bagheri […]https://www.defencetalk.com/iran-unveil-missile-said-to-put-israel-in-reach-77883/