US says Russia preparing full-scale invasion of Ukraine, warns of heavy death toll

As many as 50,000 civilians could be killed in an all-out attack, US officials warned, with capital Kyiv captured by the invading force in a matter of 48 hours

They said Russia’s Putin would have the forces he needed for a full-scale invasion assembled by mid-February. Russia denies it is planning to invade Ukraine

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Members of Ukraine’s navy fire a gun during drills held in the Black Sea last month. Photo: Ukrainian Naval Forces Handout via Reuters

Published: 2:35pm, 6 Feb 2022

Russia has stepped up preparations for an all-out invasion of Ukraine, but it is not clear if Moscow has decided to take such a step, US officials have said citing intelligence assessments.

Russia has assembled 110,000 troops along its border with Ukraine but US intelligence had not determined if President Vladimir Putin has actually decided to invade, according to officials who in recent days held briefings with members of Congress and European allies.

The officials warned lawmakers that the assembled Russian force on the frontier with Ukraine is growing at a rate that would give Putin the force he needs for a full-scale invasion – some 150,000 soldiers – by mid-February.

A satellite image shows troops gathered at Bakhchysarai, Crimea, on February 1. Photo: Maxar Technologies via AP

They said Putin wants all possible options at his disposal: from a limited campaign in the pro-Russian Donbas region of Ukraine to a full-scale invasion. Russia denies that it is planning to invade Ukraine.

If Moscow does opt for a full-scale attack, the invading force could take the capital Kyiv and topple President Volodymyr Zelensky in a matter of 48 hours, the officials said.

They estimated such an attack would leave 25,000 to 50,000 civilians dead, along with 5,000 to 25,000 Ukrainian soldiers and 3,000 to 10,000 Russian ones.

It would also trigger a refugee flood of one to five million people, mainly into Poland, the officials added.