Russia still building forces on Ukraine border, says UK defence intelligence chief
A member of the Ukrainian State Border Guard Service keeps watch at the Kliusy checkpoint near the frontier with Russia in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine February 16, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
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LONDON, Feb 16 (Reuters) - Russia is continuing to build its military capabilities on the Ukrainian border, contradicting Moscow's claims of a drawdown of troops, according to Britain's defence intelligence chief.
"We have not seen evidence that Russia has withdrawn forces from Ukraine’s borders," Jim Hockenhull, the defence intelligence chief, said in a rare public statement.
"Contrary to their claims, Russia continues to build up military capabilities near Ukraine," he said. "This includes sightings of additional armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital moving towards Ukraine’s borders. Russia has the military mass in place to conduct an invasion of Ukraine."
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