The number of Russian military stations surrounding Ukraine has risen to 149,000, according to the Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov.

"We are watching the divisions of the Russian troops, which number 129,000. And put together with naval and air components, this figure reaches 149,000," Oleksiy Reznikov told parliament.

Meanwhile, the Russian military launched large-scale strategic force drills on Friday, a striking reminder of the country's nuclear power amid Western fears that Moscow is planning an invasion of Ukraine. 
 
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Russian President Vladimir Putin will personally observe Saturday's drill, which will include repeated mock launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. 
 
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The operations, according to the ministry, were planned a long time ago to test the military command and personnel's readiness, as well as the reliability of Russia's nuclear and conventional weapons.

The drills come after US Vice President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that Russia might attack Ukraine in a matter of days.&nbsp;

Western concerns centre on an estimated 150,000 Russian troops stationed near Ukraine's borders, accounting for around 60% of Russia's total field forces.

The Kremlin maintains that no invasion is planned. 
 
Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Shelling by Russia-backed separatists in Donbass hits nursery school

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Moscow, on the other hand, has requested that the United States and its allies keep Ukraine and other former Soviet republics out of NATO, refrain from deploying armaments in Ukraine, and withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe.

Moscow vowed to use unspecified "military-technical measures" if the West continued to stonewall. Washington and its allies flatly rejected the Russian demands.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

The number of Russian military stations surrounding Ukraine has risen to 149,000, according to the Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov. "We are watching the divisions of the Russian troops, which number 129,000.

The number of Russian military stations surrounding Ukraine has risen to 149,000, according to the Ukrainian Defence Minister, Oleksiy Reznikov. "We are watching the divisions of the Russian troops, which number 129,000. And put together with naval and air components, this figure reaches 149,000," Oleksiy Reznikov told parliament. Meanwhile, the Russian military launched large-scale strategic force drills on Friday, a striking reminder of the country's nuclear power amid Western fears that Moscow is planning an invasion of Ukraine. Also read | More tanks returning to permanent bases after drills, says Russia Russian President Vladimir Putin will personally observe Saturday's drill, which will include repeated mock launches of intercontinental ballistic missiles and cruise missiles, according to the Russian Defence Ministry. Also Read in Pics: How Putin built Russia's Army as a potent force The operations, according to the ministry, were planned a long time ago to test the military command and personnel's readiness, as well as the reliability of Russia's nuclear and conventional weapons. The drills come after US Vice President Joe Biden warned on Thursday that Russia might attack Ukraine in a matter of days. Western concerns centre on an estimated 150,000 Russian troops stationed near Ukraine's borders, accounting for around 60% of Russia's total field forces. The Kremlin maintains that no invasion is planned. Watch | Russia-Ukraine Conflict: Shelling by Russia-backed separatists in Donbass hits nursery school Moscow, on the other hand, has requested that the United States and its allies keep Ukraine and other former Soviet republics out of NATO, refrain from deploying armaments in Ukraine, and withdraw NATO forces from Eastern Europe. Moscow vowed to use unspecified "military-technical measures" if the West continued to stonewall. Washington and its allies flatly rejected the Russian demands. (With inputs from agencies)

Number of Russian troops around Ukraine reaches 149,000: Kyiv

Amid tensions with Ukraine, Russia said it was withdrawing more tanks and hardware from the border.

The move comes as European leaders are set to attend the Munich Security Conference with the Ukraine crisis set to dominate.

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Russia said a military train carrying personnel and equipment had returned to Nizhny Novgorod region after completing exercises. The defence forces added&nbsp;that ten warplanes were also pulled out&nbsp;of the Crimean region and were being redeployed in other regions for drills.

"Another military train carrying personnel and military equipment belonging to tank army units of the western military district returned to their permanent bases in the Nizhny Novgorod region after completing scheduled exercises," the Russian defence ministry said

Earlier this week Russia had announced it was pulling back some troops involved in drills in Belarus. Russian troops involved in military exercises in Crimea were also returning to their barracks, the military had claimed.

Watch:&nbsp;Our NATO bid process is stalled, says Ukraine president

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The US however said on Thursday that Russia had added 7,000 soldiers along Ukraine's border as President Biden warned that Putin's regime may resort to "false flag" operation to invade Ukraine.

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The US claims Russia has massed over 100,000 troops along the Ukraine border in an attempt to invade the country&nbsp;which could take place at any moment. However, Russian President Putin had dismissed reports however he has said Russian troops can move around anywhere within their own territory.

(With inputs from Agencies)&nbsp;

Amid tensions with Ukraine, Russia said it was withdrawing more tanks and hardware from the border. The move comes as European leaders are set to attend the Munich Security Conference with the Ukraine crisis set to dominate.

Amid tensions with Ukraine, Russia said it was withdrawing more tanks and hardware from the border. The move comes as European leaders are set to attend the Munich Security Conference with the Ukraine crisis set to dominate. Also Read in Pics: How Putin built Russia's Army as a potent force Russia said a military train carrying personnel and equipment had returned to Nizhny Novgorod region after completing exercises. The defence forces added that ten warplanes were also pulled out of the Crimean region and were being redeployed in other regions for drills. "Another military train carrying personnel and military equipment belonging to tank army units of the western military district returned to their permanent bases in the Nizhny Novgorod region after completing scheduled exercises," the Russian defence ministry said Earlier this week Russia had announced it was pulling back some troops involved in drills in Belarus. Russian troops involved in military exercises in Crimea were also returning to their barracks, the military had claimed. Watch: Our NATO bid process is stalled, says Ukraine president The US however said on Thursday that Russia had added 7,000 soldiers along Ukraine's border as President Biden warned that Putin's regime may resort to "false flag" operation to invade Ukraine. Also Read in Pics: Russia's race for hypersonic missiles revealed The US claims Russia has massed over 100,000 troops along the Ukraine border in an attempt to invade the country which could take place at any moment. However, Russian President Putin had dismissed reports however he has said Russian troops can move around anywhere within their own territory. (With inputs from Agencies)

More tanks returning to permanent bases after drills, says Russia

Amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the US accused&nbsp;Russia of creating a "false flag" scenario.

"They have pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a 'false flag operation'," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

What is a "False Flag"?

A "false flag" scenario occurs when a group deliberately misrepresents affiliation and hides its true identity. It is used widely during war and covert operations.

It is a deceptive move undertaken by a country or an organisation to set up an&nbsp;attack. Pirate ships often used "false flags" of nations to deceive merchant ships while undertaking an attack under a "false flag".

There are numerous examples throughout history of armymen stealing uniforms from their enemy to take part in covert operations in order to carry out a clandestine military campaign. The "false flag" tactic is also used to sometimes start a war.

In the latest "false flag" claim the US accused Russia of fabricating an attack on itself or on Russian-speaking Ukrainians by a group of operatives to make a false claim of an attack by Ukraine.&nbsp;

"False Flag" operations:

CIA had reportedly carried a false flag operation in 1953 against Iran's former PM Mohammad Mosaddeq in order to successfully launch operation TPAJAX as it conducted bombing campaigns which were blamed on communist sympathisers. A declassified report claimed Britain's MI6 and the CIA jointly undertook the operations.&nbsp;

“Operation Northwoods” is another example of a "false flag" operation proposed by US intelligence in 1962 to justify military action against Cuba.&nbsp;

The US Department of Defence planned to stage "terrorist" acts against American military and civilian installations and blame it on Fidel Castro's regime. The proposal was however rejected by former President Kennedy.

(With inputs from Agencies)

Amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the US accused Russia of creating a "false flag" scenario. "They have pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a 'false flag operation'," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said.

Amid tensions between Russia and Ukraine, the US accused Russia of creating a "false flag" scenario. "They have pre-positioned a group of operatives to conduct what we call a 'false flag operation'," Pentagon spokesman John Kirby said. What is a "False Flag"? A "false flag" scenario occurs when a group deliberately misrepresents affiliation and hides its true identity. It is used widely during war and covert operations. It is a deceptive move undertaken by a country or an organisation to set up an attack. Pirate ships often used "false flags" of nations to deceive merchant ships while undertaking an attack under a "false flag". There are numerous examples throughout history of armymen stealing uniforms from their enemy to take part in covert operations in order to carry out a clandestine military campaign. The "false flag" tactic is also used to sometimes start a war. In the latest "false flag" claim the US accused Russia of fabricating an attack on itself or on Russian-speaking Ukrainians by a group of operatives to make a false claim of an attack by Ukraine. "False Flag" operations: CIA had reportedly carried a false flag operation in 1953 against Iran's former PM Mohammad Mosaddeq in order to successfully launch operation TPAJAX as it conducted bombing campaigns which were blamed on communist sympathisers. A declassified report claimed Britain's MI6 and the CIA jointly undertook the operations. “Operation Northwoods” is another example of a "false flag" operation proposed by US intelligence in 1962 to justify military action against Cuba. The US Department of Defence planned to stage "terrorist" acts against American military and civilian installations and blame it on Fidel Castro's regime. The proposal was however rejected by former President Kennedy. (With inputs from Agencies)

Ukraine-Russia tensions: What is 'false flag'?

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