Armed Russian soldiers guard checkpoint near strategic choke point in Crimea.
During a press conference at the Pentagon today Rear Admiral Kirby was queried about Russian troops numbers in Crimea:
“Q: Admiral Kirby.
Two weeks ago, you mentioned that the size of the Russian forces in Crimea is around 20,000. Correct me if I’m wrong. Do you still believe — do you still believe that the number is the — still the same now?
REAR ADM. KIRBY: In Crimea? I have nothing to indicate that it’s different than that. But, again, I would — as I said last week, I’d point you to the Russian ministry of defense to speak to their troop composition in Crimea and on the borders of Ukraine.
Q: So, the number’s still around 20,000?
REAR ADM. KIRBY: To the best of my knowledge it is, but again, I don’t want to be speaking for the Russian ministry of defense. They’ve decided to deploy their troops in Crimea, they should speak for what they’ve got there and what they’re doing.
Yes?”
Later in the news conference Admiral Kirby was asked again about Russian troops:
“Q: Can you give us an update on the situation on the eastern Ukrainian border and the Russian military’s presence?
And, has anything happened since the secretary last spoke to his Russian counterpart that would call into question the commitment that Russia would not move into the Ukraine?
REAR ADM. KIRBY: Well, first point is, it’s — it’s to the — it’s for the Russian Ministry of Defense to speak to their – to their movement, their size and their composition. Not for us. Number two, they continue to have forces arrayed and amassed to the east and to the south of Ukraine.
Our last communication with the Russian minister of defense made it clear that — or they made it clear that, they — that they are there for exercises only, that they will not cross the border into Ukraine and they’re not gonna take any aggressive action. And, as I said last week, it’s the secretary’s expectation that they’re gonna live up to that word.
Q: The White House reiterated this morning its concerns about the possibility that Russian troops might go into Ukraine. So are there any signs that make you think of the possibility they are going to…
REAR ADM. KIRBY: There’s — let me — let me — thanks for the question. I mean, maybe I didn’t deal with this the way I should have.
There is nothing — I’ve seen nothing, there’s no indication that would alleviate our worries of what their intentions could be. But, it comes down to — from a purely military perspective — it comes down to capability and intent.
Through what we know, they certainly have the capability if they wanted to cross into Ukraine. They certainly have the force — sufficient force and size and composition to do that. It’s the intent. They — the Russian minister of defense made clear that their intent was to conduct Spring exercises, Spring exercises, that they wouldn’t cross the border and they wouldn’t take the aggressive action.
And that’s our expectation.”
Source: Pentagon http://www.defense.gov/Transcripts/Transcript.aspx?TranscriptID=5395