NATO Report: Russian Military on Ukraine Border is in a High State of Readiness

Senior military officers from the North Atlantic Treaty Organization described Russian military forces deployed in more than 100 makeshift bases just across the Ukraine border as being in a state of high readiness—able to move swiftly within hours of a command from the highest level. 

In a rare briefing to reporters at the alliance's military headquarters in southern Belgium that officials said was aimed at countering "misperceptions" promoted by Russia, NATO officers showed for the first time commercial satellite images of fast aircraft, tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and temporary bases of troops it assessed to be airborne or special forces.

A senior military officer described Russia's military movements as "destabilizing" to the region, and said the images showed Russian forces in temporary bases, often near roads leading into Ukraine, some based on airfields that until recently hadn't been used. 

"I would assess that this is a force that is very capable, at high readiness and…is close to routes and lines of communications and has the resources to move into Ukraine if it was ordered to do so.…It's parked, it's stopped, but it can move very quickly," said Brig. Gary Deakin, a U.K. army officer who heads NATO's crisis-operations center.

"Threat is capability and intent.…Undoubtedly there is capability here," he said. "We are unsure of the Russian intent." 

Brig. Deakin said NATO assessments suggested Russia didn't pose a direct threat to the alliance at the moment, but that the Russian troops would be capable of moving within 12 hours of an order coming from the highest level.

In reacting to Russia's actions, NATO faces a conundrum. Officials say it wants to shore up confidence of nervous allies bordering Russia and Ukraine, but doesn't want its own actions to provide a pretext for Russia to further heighten tensions in the region. 

Officials said they expect announcements of movements of NATO land, air and naval forces in coming weeks, but say the steps will aim to strike a balance between assuring allies and not escalating the crisis.

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