For weeks on end, the world has worried. Russian madman Vladimir Putin is still amassing troops and military assets on the border of Ukraine, despite his continued protestations over the west’s characterization of these movements.
But Putin hasn’t made too many statements of substance. Instead, it appears as though the Kremlin has simply suggested that those who oppose these military maneuvers “don’t understand” the situation.
As we look as the numbers, however, it has become rather obvious what sort of situation is unfolding in Europe.
With more than 100,000 Russian forces estimated to be in position along Ukraine’s borders, U.S. officials believe Putin has already amassed nearly three-quarters of the total amount of troops he would need for a full-scale attack. Russian forces continue to assemble around Ukraine, the officials said, including naval assault ships that could be used to invade Ukrainian ports.
The officials spoke on condition of anonymity to discuss the estimates.
And, worse still:
The U.S. estimates that an attack could result in the deaths of tens of thousands of soldiers and civilians alike, while millions of Ukrainian refugees would be left to flee, likely to nearby Poland.
Putin’s consistent downplaying of the situation with Ukraine has done little to assuage the fears of the international community, nearly all of whom have warned Russia that any invasion of their resource-rich neighbor would result in major blowback from NATO, the G-7, and the United States.
