WASHINGTON – The number of Russian troops deployed in occupied Crimea near Ukraine’s border has risen steadily over the past two weeks and exceeded the size of the force that annexed the peninsula in 2014, the Pentagon said Monday.
Press Secretary John Kirby declined to provide specific figures on the growing presence of Russian troops. A spokesman for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said last week that about 80,000 soldiers were now stationed along the country’s border with Russia, including 40,000 in Crimea. On Monday, the European Union said there were now more than 100,000 in the border regions.
“What I can tell you is that, in general, we have continued to see this growth. And again, that’s what we’re talking about, “Kirby told reporters.
“Overall, over the past two weeks, we have continued to see an increase in forces along the border with Ukraine in occupied Crimea,” he said.
Russia annexed the Crimean peninsula of Ukraine in 2014 using troops in unmarked uniforms and also began supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine. The conflict between Russia and Ukraine has erupted since then, costing about 14,000 lives, despite a series of ceasefires.
Experts say it is unclear whether Russia is just flexing its muscles or trying to provoke Kiev into a major clash.
Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said earlier this month that the build-up of troops was part of training exercises in response to what he called threatening activities by the United States and NATO allies.
The deployment of Russian troops “is certainly greater” than the accumulation that accompanied the annexation of the peninsula in 2014, Kirby said.
“We call on Russia to clarify their intentions. We do not believe that this accumulation is conducive to security and stability along the border with Ukraine and certainly not in occupied Crimea,” Kirby said.
“I have certainly heard the Russians proclaim that this is about training. It is not completely clear to us that this is exactly the purpose “, he added.
A U.S. defense official, who was not allowed to speak, told NBC News that tens of thousands of Russian troops had gathered on the border with Ukraine in Crimea and other regions, including tanks, artillery and planes.
The head of the European Union’s foreign policy, Josep Borrell, expressed serious concerns on Monday about the presence of Russian troops.
“It is the largest military deployment of the Russian army on the Ukrainian borders ever. It’s clear it’s a matter of concern when you’re deploying a lot of troops, “Borrell said. “Well, a spark can jump here or there.”
Borrell initially told reporters that more than 150,000 Russian soldiers were gathering at Ukrainian borders. But later, EU staff changed the number in the transcript of the briefing, saying the actual figure was over 100,000.
Mosheh wins contributed.