The Pentagon has been studying satellite images that they believe show that Russia is plotting to attack Ukraine. The images reveal that Moscow is continuing the military build-up on Ukraine’s border.

Russian missiles and large-scale artillery are stationed at strategic locations surrounding the Russian-Ukraine’s border. And they are adding more troops which the US may be satellite-tracking through Russia.

 Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said on Wednesday that Russia also has a deployment of “north of 100,000” troops.”

Satellite images show build-up

“We have continued to see even over the last 24 hours additional capabilities flow from elsewhere in Russia to that border with Ukraine and Belarus. We’re not going to get into providing specific numbers, but the numbers continue to grow,” he said.

Kirby says that Russian leader Vladimir Putin, Kirby appears to be planning a full-scale attack,

“And he continues to add to that capability. We also see indications that additional battalion tactical groups are on their way.”

“And so, every day he adds to his options. Every day he adds to his capabilities. Every day he continues to destabilize what is already a very tense situation. And he could easily re-stabilize by moving these forces back home, and by committing to a diplomatic path forward.”

French President Emmanuel Macron tries to broker peace

Kirby made his comments after the White House said President Joe Biden got a debriefing from his French President Emmanuel Macron. Macron met this week with Russia and the Ukraine.

Macron’s meeting with Putin and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky earlier this week was an effort to find a diplomatic path forward. 

The crisis was sparked by Russia’s positioning of a large military force on Ukraine’s border. Then they demanded that the ex-Soviet republic never be allowed in the Western NATO alliance.

Macron and Putin have made cautiously optimistic statements since the meeting. But the Kremlin is not backing down. And it continues to build-up forces on Ukraine’s sea and land borders.