(Washington) Washington is “closely monitoring” the situation on the Russian-Ukrainian border, where recent Russian troop movements have been reported by the American media, Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Monday.
According to Washington post, US officials are concerned about the troop movements documented in videos circulating on social media, which show Russian military trains and truck convoys carrying large quantities of military equipment, including tanks and missiles.
According to an American official who requested anonymity, these movements are real, but less important than those, in the same area, which had worried the international community in April. They are also further from the border, the official told AFP.
“We are aware of information on unusual Russian military activities near the border with Ukraine,” Kirby said during a press briefing, without explicitly confirming these movements.
“I cannot comment on Russian intentions, but it is certain that we are monitoring the region closely, as we always do,” he added. “And we will continue to consult with our allies and partners on this issue. ”
Mr. Kirby stressed that “any escalation or aggressive action would be of great concern to the United States.”
The Ukrainian military announced last week that it had used a Turkish-made attack drone for the first time to destroy a pro-Russian rebel Howitzer D-30 cannon in eastern Ukraine, drawing criticism from Paris and Berlin , mediators in the peace process.
“We continue to support a de-escalation in the region and a diplomatic solution to the conflict in eastern Ukraine,” concluded John Kirby.
The Donbass region, in the east of the country, has been in the grip of a war since 2014 that has left more than 13,000 dead between the forces of Kiev and pro-Russian separatists, of which the Kremlin is considered the military godfather despite its denials .