Ukraine crisis: Russia ratchets up tensions with massive troop build-up

Russia sent 30,000 troops, weapons to Belarus: NATO

NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg expressed concern on Thursday that Russia is continuing its military buildup around Ukraine, and that it has now deployed more troops and military equipment to Belarus than at any time in 30 years.

Pictures taken from Maxar satellite showed heavy deployment of not just troops but a heavy cache of arms, armour, and artillery, many of which were transported by train from faraway bases, according to media reports.

Meanwhile, more high-level diplomacy unfolded in Moscow and Kyiv amid deep uncertainty about Russia’s intentions. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy hosted Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan for talks in the Ukrainian