WASHINGTON: About 50 percent of the Russian troops deployed in Ukraine borders are ready for attack, said the United States (US). Russia has deployed 1,50,000 troops. The army will be positioned at key locations within 48 hours, warned the US.

Normally, 60 battalions are stationed in the Ukraine borders. However, Russia had increased it to 80 battalions by early February itself. Currently, 125 battalions are stationed in the Ukraine borders. The US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin has warned of a possibility of Russian invasion this week. All the preparations for the attack have been completed, he said.

The shell attack against the soldiers in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine continued for a second day. Ukraine has alleged that Russia is behind the attacks. Sounds of explosions were heard more than 700 times from the area, last day, informed some observers. This is the strongest shell attack since the 2015 ceasefire. The US and many other countries have criticized this as Russia’s indirect war prior to the real war. The US and NATO have also rejected Russia’s claim of the withdrawal of troops from the Ukraine border.

The US Defence Secretary Lloyd Austin visited Poland and evaluated the situation. The US has offered all possible assistance to Poland, which is ready to accept refugees in the event of a war.