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Satellite images taken in the last two days show the construction of new roads and a bridge being built on a river in Belarus, less than four miles from the Ukrainian border, amid what sources say is an ongoing build-up of Russian military forces surrounding three sides of Ukraine.
What U.S. media reports
Western intelligence and military officials are closely monitoring the construction as part of the support infrastructure Russia is putting in place ahead of a possible invasion, three sources familiar with the matter told CNN.
Both the new road construction and the bridge, which crosses the Pripyat River in southern Belarus, are less than four miles from the border and could be used by Russian forces currently in Belarus in a move toward Kiev, the Ukrainian capital. Satellite images, from Maxar and Planet Labs, show the bridge overnight Tuesday.
Russia is building "bridges, field hospitals, all kinds of support infrastructure," a source familiar with the matter said. "That's why we don't take their claims of de-escalation seriously."
It's not clear who built the bridge
It's unclear whether Russian forces or Belarus are building the bridge, CNN reported Wednesday. Belarus is Russia's closest international ally in the standoff and is currently hosting Russian troops and equipment as part of what Russia insists are "exercises." Western officials believe these forces could be used to invade Ukraine from the north, particularly if Russia chooses to advance on Kiev.
While no concentrations of armor have been seen near the bridge, Russian forces have been deployed in forward positions about 80 miles east - and a convoy was seen on a road leading into the area.
Western intelligence assessments
According to Western intelligence assessments, Russian President Vladimir Putin is in a position to launch a full-scale invasion of Ukraine at any time - although the US still does not believe he has made a decision yet.
Russia issued a series of contradictory messages yesterday, including announcing that some of its forces would withdraw from the Ukrainian border. However, officials have publicly said there is no sign of a de-escalation at the border, and multiple sources familiar with the new information told CNN that Russia was still actively moving forces closer to the border on Wednesday. Some long-range artillery has been placed in firing positions, according to a senior Western intelligence official and another source familiar with the matter.
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