President Joe Biden’s administration has informed Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy of intelligence assessing that Russia is preparing to conduct a full-scale invasion of the neighboring country within the next 48 hours, U.S. intelligence officials have revealed to Newsweek.
“The President of Ukraine has been warned Russia will highly likely begin an invasion within 48 hours based on U.S. intelligence,” a U.S. official with direct knowledge said.
“Additionally,” the U.S. official added, “reporting from aircraft observers indicates Russia violated Ukrainian airspace earlier today, flying possible reconnaissance aircraft for a short period over Ukraine.”
A source close to Zelenskyy’s government also confirmed that such a warning was received, but noted that this was the third time in a month Kyiv was told to prepare for imminent large-scale military action order by Russian President Vladimir Putin.
“It’s possible for sure,” the source said. “Putin can’t keep so many troops in the field much longer.”
The Pentagon’s assessment includes Russian airstrikes, cruise missiles, and ground invasion, according to the U.S. intelligence official.
The information was confirmed by a second U.S. intelligence official, who emphasized the comprehensive nature of the military operation the Pentagon anticipated from Russia.
The official told Newsweek that the invasion will include not only a push from the pro-Moscow rebel-held Donbas region in the east, where additional Russian units termed “peacekeepers” by Moscow were sent Monday but also a major thrust toward the capital Kyiv from the northern border with Belarus, where Russian troops recently extended joint exercises with their ally.
The official said the invasion will include not only a push from the pro-Moscow rebel-held Donbas region in the east, where additional Russian units termed “peacekeepers” by Moscow were sent Monday but also a major thrust toward the capital Kyiv from the northern border with Belarus, where Russian troops recently extended joint exercises with their ally.
