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Ukraine's Deputy Permanent Representative to International Organizations in Vienna Igor Lossovsky stated this at a meeting of the OSCE Forum for Security Cooperation in Vienna, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

"The purposeful and open movement of Russian armored groups towards the Ukrainian border is an obvious sign of psychological pressure on the Ukrainian leadership to force Ukraine to accept defeat agreements. The Russian hybrid occupation forces in Donbas have enough military equipment to escalate military operations. In this regard, we call on the international community to respond to Russia's aggressive actions and signals and, for the sake of deterrence, to increase political and economic pressure on the aggressor," he said.

During the meeting, the Ukrainian diplomat, in particular, cited information published by the reputable international magazine Jane's Defence Weekly, according to which the construction of a new permanent deployment center of the 150th motorized infantry division of the Russian Armed Forces near Rostov-on-Don in southern Russia should be completed before the end of 2019.

"This division is one of three military formations of the division level created since January 2016 on the eastern borders of Ukraine. According to reports, after the formation is completed by the end of the year, the 150th division will consist of two armored and two motorized rifle regiments, when it is fully established by the end of the year," Lossovsky said.

He added that the formation of this division, as well as of the 3rd and 144th Guards Motorized Rifle Divisions north of the Voronezh and Bryansk regions, lasted three years.

"The 150th division was created by combining the 33rd motorized rifle brigade from Maykop and the 205th motorized rifle brigade from Budyonnovsk to temporary bases north and west of Rostov-on-Don. These bases were previously occupied by troops involved in military operations in eastern Ukraine since the summer of 2014," the Ukrainian diplomat said.

According to satellite images, the construction of a permanent deployment point near the city of Novocherkassk began in mid-2016. The images taken in June 2019 have already recorded about 20 barracks, three large fleets of vehicles where hundreds of vehicles are located, as well as 17 large hangars for vehicles at various stages of construction.

"After the formation is completed, the 150th motorized rifle division will have six tank battalions and six motorized rifle battalions supported by artillery, intelligence, logistics and communications units, and will be ready for intervention in Donbas," Lossovsky said.

He cited the estimates of international analysts, according to which such a development of events may indicate that "the Russian troops are preparing for an offensive."

"At the same time, preparations are underway for the withdrawal of Ukrainian troops along the entire contact line in Donbas. The Ukrainian side is hoping for de-escalation and a 'mirror withdrawal.' However, we see opposite signals from the Russian side when Russian troops pull their armored groups closer to the border," the Ukrainian diplomat said, urging the international community to react.



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