New satellite images show increased activity among Russian units near Ukraine’s northeastern border, with units stationed ostensibly to take up field positions.
The satellite images were collected by Maxar on Sunday.
Maxar assessed that “several new deployments of armored equipment and troops have been observed northwest of Belgorod and near Soloti and Valuyki, Russia.”
These towns are within 35 kilometers (about 21 miles) of Russia’s border with Ukraine.
Maxar commented, “This new operation represents a change in the pattern of deployment of combat groups previously observed (tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and support equipment). Recently, most deployments have been mainly located near or near current bases and training grounds.”
“Today (Sunday) most of the combat units and support equipment at Soloti departed and extensive vehicle tracks and several armored convoys were seen throughout the area.”
The images show that the plantations or staging areas that housed significant forces last Sunday, February 13, are now relatively empty.
“Some equipment has also been deployed east of Valuyki, Russia, nearby in a field about 15 kilometers north of the Ukrainian border,” noted Maxar.
Separately, CNN geolocated several videos from the area over the weekend showing long columns of tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, and artillery vehicles moving through rural areas in Belgorod oblast (district) .
“Several new field deployments were also seen northwest of Belgorod (deployments about 30 km from the border with Ukraine) with most equipment and troops stationed in or near areas of the border with Ukraine. forested areas,” commented Maxar.
The images show extensive tracks where armor has moved throughout the countryside.
“Other company-sized units are deployed in farm and/or industrial areas.”
CNN observed several tanks and other vehicles in the area that appeared to be marked with a large “Z” – indicating they were being formed into a combat unit.
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