Russia is continuing military exercises in Belarus, in easy reach of Ukraine’s border, that intelligence officials fear could give the cover for an invasion. Two other U.S. officials and one European official independently confirmed they were familiar with the intelligence. AdvertisementStory continues below advertisementU.S. officials have yet to produce much of the evidence that underlies their assertions about troop movements or false-flag operations. A separatist leader told Russian state media that Ukrainian government forces had opened fire on several separatist positions, seeking to escalate conflict. AdvertisementIn the meantime, Russian forces continue to build and move toward Ukraine’s frontier, Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin told reporters in Brussels, despite the Kremlin’s promises that it was drawing down its troops.

Source: Washington Post February 18, 2022 07:38 UTC