Despite Russian claims of withdrawals, Joe Biden says Ukraine invasion is still ‘distinctly possible’
- American analysts have not verified Moscow’s reports that some Russian forces were returning to their home bases, according to US president
- Nato leader Jens Stoltenberg also says he has not seen ‘any sign of de-escalation on the ground’
Russian officials said earlier on Tuesday that some forces were returning to their home bases after completing military drills, releasing video footage purporting to show tanks being loaded onto railway cars.
“That would be good, but we have not yet verified that,” Biden said during a televised address to the nation. “Indeed, our analysts indicate that they remain very much in a threatening position.”
More than 150,000 troops were still stationed near Ukraine and Belarus, said Biden, an increase of previous US intelligence estimates of around 130,000.
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‘We’re scared’: fear and uncertainty on Ukraine’s front lines
His comments followed the release of commercial satellite imagery by US-based Maxar Technologies that appeared to indicate new deployments of Russian attack helicopters and fighter-bomber jets to positions near the Ukrainian border.