A grouping of 21 APCs are visible at the time of observation (center). It shows the northern outskirts of Slavyansk where an animal feed stuff factory is located (lower center). Source: Russian Ministry of Defense satellite photo.
Satellite image dated April 25, 2014 shows Ukrainian armored vehicles positioned near the city of Slavyansk, eastern Ukraine. Source: Russian Ministry of Defense.
According to credible Russian based news reports, “Ukrainian tanks and armored vehicles have been stationed en masse around the Donetsk region city of Slavyansk.”
A Russian defense source (who refused to be identified in this report) says that “artillery and rocket systems have also been deployed to the area.”
RIA Novosti (Russia’s most respectable news source) on Saturday published leaked satellite photos showing the buildup of troops near the eastern Ukrainian anti-government stronghold of Slavyansk.
The photos, which are said to have been taken during the latest stage of the so-called “anti-terrorist operation” ordered by Kiev, are dated April 25. 2014.
The images show what appears to be a partial buildup of military forces in support of Ukrainian troops’ objective of “isolating” Slavyansk.
Sloviansk (Ukrainian: Слов’янськ, translit. Slov”yans’k[1]; Russian: Славянск, translit. Slavyansk) is a city in eastern Ukraine, an administrative center of the Sloviansk Raion (district) within the Donetsk Oblast. It was founded in 1676, and has a population of 129,600 – including many ethnic Russian citizens.
According to one source, 160 tanks, 230 APCs and BMDs, and at least 150 artillery and rocket systems, including “Grad” and “Smerch” multiple rocket launchers, have been deployed to the area. A total of 15,000 troops are positioned near Slavyansk.
The size of the force is “incommensurable” to that of the city’s self-defense, the source said, adding that it would be enough “to raze the city to the ground with all its residents.”
Russian Defense Minister Sergey Shoigu on Thursday said the large buildup of Ukraine troops, as well as war games and additional deployments of armed forces to the NATO states in the region have “forced” Russia to respond with military preparations and drills of its own.
One source near the Russian boarder, who asked not to be identified said that he has seen reports of ts airspace.
Ukrainian leaders have warned that border crossings by any soldiers would be considered an invasion.