Satellite images show huge Russian forces build-up near Ukraine

Satellite imagery of Russian deployments in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia show massive build-up of forces as tensions rise over a possible Russian invasion of Ukraine. The new imagery, released by a Colorado-based space technology company, Maxar Technologies, shows new or additional deployments in three locations in Crimea, the Black Sea peninsula that Russia seized from Ukraine in 2014. Those deployments include troops, vehicles and other equipment in Novoozernoye and Slavne near the western coast, and more than 550 new tents for troops and hundreds of vehicles at a disused airfield in Oktyabrskoe, near the center of the peninsula.

The images suggest that Russia has increased its military readiness in the region. That would allow Russia to mount an offensive on short notice.Russian military units have been seen moving about the cities of Kursk, Rostov-on-Don, and Bryansk in recent days.

U.S. and NATO officials have said that Putin appears to be preparing for a full-fledged invasion. Russia continues to dismiss that suggestion, insisting that all troop and equipment movements are for ordinary exercises.