Number of Russian troops near Ukraine may grow to 175,000 - Reznikov

The number of Russian troops near the Ukrainian border may grow to 175,000, according to Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov.

He said this on Estonia's television channel ERR, Ukrinform reports.

"If this trend continues, there will soon be 175,000 of them. Today we estimate the number of these forces on our border at 94,000. The probability of such a build-up really exists, but we are prepared and there are no surprises for us," Reznikov said.

Read also: U.S. media release new data on Russia's probable attack on Ukraine

The Washington Post reported earlier that it had an unclassified U.S. intelligence document with satellite photos, which shows Russian troops amassing in three locations near Ukraine's border, as well as in Russia-occupied Crimea. Currently, 50 battlefield tactical groups are deployed, along with "newly arrived" tanks and artillery.

U.S. President Joe Biden said last Friday that his administration was preparing a set of initiatives to make it more difficult for Russian President Vladimir Putin to take military action in Ukraine.

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