Russia completing formation of two armies near border with Ukraine - intelligence

“The Russian Federation continues to build up troops near the border with Ukraine. The formation of two new armies in the western and southern military districts (the 20th Army headquartered in Voronezh and the 8th Army headquartered in Novocherkassk), as well as the 22nd army corps (Simferopol) on the temporarily occupied Crimean peninsula, is currently being completed. The main battle units have already been practically formed and the support units are being formed now. The armies are expected to gain operational capabilities by the end of 2021,” Vadym Skibitsky, a representative of the Main Directorate of Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, said in an interview with the Obozrevatel media outlet.

According to him, the forces and units of the southern and western military districts of the Russian Federation receive modern and modernized samples of weapons and military equipment on a priority basis. Particular attention is given to the re-equipment of aviation units with strike aircraft and helicopters, as well as the supply of state-of-the-art land-launched and sea-launched missiles to the troops.

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