Russia Preparing for Possible Quick Strike on Ukraine

International concern is mounting about Russia's intentions for its persistent massing of troops and military equipment along the Ukrainian borders while criticising Ukrainian behaviour.According to Ukrainian military intelligence,there are now about 100,000 Russian troops assembled along Ukrainian territory.The Intelligence Community feels they are configured for a potential multi-pronged attack on Ukraine.A blitzkrieg,which is the German for "lightning war,"could begin with Russian artillery barrages and airstrikes,then be followed up by air assault,amphibious and infantry incursions.A blitzkrieg is a battle of annihilation by surprise attack including armoured or motorised infantry formations integrated with close air support.It dislocates and disorients the enemy with its constantly evolving fronts.* On 22 November 2021,Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff General Mark Milley,US Army,spoke by phone with his Ukrainian counterpart,Lieutenant General Valery Zaluzhny.CNN reported that the US may send military advisors to Ukraine,along with lethal aid such as Javelin anti-tank and anti-armour missiles;mortars;and Raytheon Stinger anti-aircraft missiles.It is even possible that the US will send Ukraine Mi-17 Russian-built helicopters that the Pentagon had originally purchased for the Afghan National Defence and Security Forces.* Russia has robustly denied it is planning an invasion of Ukraine.Still,the US is briefing NATO Allies and Partners about Russia's force posture,which is sometimes shifting by night to evade detection,with much alarm and specificity,Ukrainian sources say.Indeed,the Ukrainian Defence Ministry notes that Russia is increasing the combat readiness of Russian-backed occupation forces in the tempoarily occupied territory of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions in Eastern Ukraine.And Russia has been running large-scale command and staff exercises,including calling in reserves.The Russian Spetznaz special forces,GRU military intelligence and SVR foreign intelligence operatives have been activated along Ukraine's borders,US officials observed. An attack could come in late January or early February,Ukrainian military intelligence assesses.The US would likely not choose to defend Ukraine from Russia in a direct way,since Ukraine is not a NATO Ally.It is not believed that the Armed Forces of Ukraine could prevail;but they could do some damage to the invaders.* Raytheon Technologies Corp (RTX)