470,000 Russian ground troops currently deployed in Ukraine, Kyiv says

Approximately 470,000 Russian military personnel are currently deployed on Ukrainian territory, Ukrainian Defense Intelligence deputy head Vadym Skibitsky said in an interview with Interfax-Ukraine news agency on Feb. 21.

He clarified that the figure does not include Russian Air Force or Navy service members

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According to Skibitsky, the scale of Russian military presence on Ukrainian territory has changed over the two years of the war. He noted that in occupied territories, the enemy has stationed a contingent of National Guard troops numbering nearly 33,000. These forces are responsible for supporting the occupation “authorities,” security of strategic assets, and occasionally for the defense of the occupied territories themselves.

Furthermore, there has been an increase in border defense forces in areas directly neighboring Ukraine, specifically in Russia’s Belgorod, Kursk, and Bryansk oblasts.

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"The Russians are afraid we will become more active and conduct operations on Russian territory; it might become necessary to bring the war into Russia [proper]," said Skibitsky.

He added that Russia has concentrated roughly 30,000 military personnel within its borders, recently reinforced with units from the 116th Brigade of the National Guard transferred from Ukraine, along with three battalions from Mariupol currently based in Belgorod Oblast.

Earlier, Defense Intelligence chief Kyrylo Budanov claimed that Russia could mobilize about 30,000 people into its military per month.

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Read the original article on The New Voice of Ukraine