Intelligence data shared by NATO countries indicates that Russia is concentrating warplanes and helicopters near the Ukrainian border, the British newspaper “Financial Times” (FT) reported.
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“Intelligence indicates that Moscow is preparing to bring its planes and helicopters into the war in support [jaunu] ground attack,” the FT wrote, citing two Western officials.
Fears of an air war in Ukraine have prompted allies to prioritize the rapid delivery of air defense systems and artillery munitions to Kyiv in response to Russia’s shift in approach, these officials said.
Intelligence data provided by NATO countries shows that Russia is concentrating planes and helicopters near the Ukrainian border, officials briefed on the data said.
During a meeting with representatives of countries supporting Ukraine on Tuesday, US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin emphasized the threat posed by the still significant Russian air force.
“He made it very clear that we have little time to help the Ukrainians prepare for an attack and that they have quite specific needs,” one of the officials told the FT.
He said that Russian ground forces are quite weakened, so Russia could turn the attack into an air battle.
