On the eve of war: This is the military power of Ukraine and Russia

Periskopi

22 February 2022, 10:14(4 years ago)

Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine has prompted penalties in relation to his state. Late Monday, Putin ordered troops from “to keep peace” in the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donnetsk in Ukraine. In response, the United States announced financial sanctions against territories [...]

Russian President Vladimir Putin's decision to recognise the independence of two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine has prompted penalties in relation to his state.

Late Monday, Putin ordered troops from “to keep peace” in the breakaway regions of Luhansk and Donnetsk in Ukraine.

In response, the United States announced financial sanctions against rebel territories and warned that they would extend sanctions in case of need.

Russia's movements come amid months of tension over its military deployment to the Ukrainian borders, which has raised fears of a sweeping war.

Russia and Ukraine are the two countries with the largest territory in Europe. Neighbors were part of the 15 Soviet republics that made up the USSR. After the collapse of the Soviet Union in 1991, Ukraine became an independent country and distanced itself from Russia.

In the spring of 2014, after months of antigovernmental protests in Ukraine resulting in the overthrow of the Kremlin-backed leader, Russia invaded and annexed the Crimean Peninsula. A month later, pro-Russian Seperatists began occupying territories from the Donnetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine. Of the fighting there, according to Kiev, more than 14,000 people have been killed, and millions more have moved.

Ukraine and Russia's military power

Russia has one of the most powerful armies in the world. It ranks in the first five countries to spend more on their army.

In 2020, Russia spent $61.7 billion on its army, making up 11.4 percent of government expenses. By comparison, Ukraine spent $5.9 billion on its army, or 8.8 per cent of government spending, according to the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute ( SIPRI ).

Moscow has already deployed weapons within Ukraine's striking distance, including short-range ballistic missile systems Iscarnder, missile launch systems, war tanks and artillery.

Meanwhile, a number of countries have sent military equipment to Ukraine, including antitank Yavelin missiles from Estonia and Stinger anti-aircraft missiles from Latvia and Lithuania. Kiev is also using fears to detect Turkish production Bayrakhtar.

Ukraine has received from the United States as part of a $200 million protection package.

Ukraine's Military Power

Active Soldiers: 209.000

Reserves - 900,000

Artillery: 2,040

Armed vehicles: 12,303

Tank: 2,596

Helicopter: 34

Military Airplane: 98

Military budget: 5.9 billion, 8.8 percent of the budget

Russia's military power

Active Soldiers - 900,000