U.S. intelligence agencies have identified early indications that the Russians are “trying to resupply and intensify their efforts in Donbass,” spokesman John Kirby told reporters.
New images showing a convoy heading south to the city of Izyum are believed to be part of a Kremlin reinforcement effort, Kirby said, although it was unclear how many vehicles were in the convoy or what they were carrying.
“It seems to be a combination of vehicles carrying personnel as well as armored vehicles and maybe some artillery, maybe some skills,” he added.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky warned earlier Monday that thousands of Russian troops were preparing for a new military offensive in the eastern part of the country, where Ukrainian forces have been fighting Russian-backed separatists since 2014.
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The comments come after Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley warned on Thursday that there was a “significant battle ahead” around Donbass, where the Kremlin intends to “mobilize forces and continue its offensive” in the country, as it did not managed to take over the capital of Kiev.
In preparation for the attack, Kremlin forces withdrew completely from positions in northern Ukraine, around Kyiv and Chernihiv, advancing on Belarus and western Russia to equip themselves with weapons and supplies.
The U.S. is seeing early signs that these withdrawn battalions are now moving east, Kirby said.
