Amid Escalated Tension Over Ukraine, Russia Deploys More Troops to Neighboring Belarus

Amid Escalated Tension Over Ukraine, , Russia Deploys More Troops , to Neighboring Belarus.<br />On January 18, Russian officials said <br />that additional troops would be deployed <br />to Belarus for major war games. .<br />ABC News reports that the deployment further <br />bolsters Russian military assets near Ukraine amid <br />concerns by the West of a possible invasion. .<br />According to Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, the war games are meant to simulate a joint response to external threats by the alliance of Russia and Belarus. .<br />According to Deputy Defense Minister Alexander Fomin, the war games are meant to simulate a joint response to external threats by the alliance of Russia and Belarus. .<br />A situation may arise when forces <br />and means of the regional group of forces <br />will be insufficient to ensure reliable <br />security of the union state, and <br />we must be ready to strengthen it, Alexander Fomin, Russia's Deputy <br />Defense Minister, via ABC .<br />A situation may arise when forces <br />and means of the regional group of forces <br />will be insufficient to ensure reliable <br />security of the union state, and <br />we must be ready to strengthen it, Alexander Fomin, Russia's Deputy <br />Defense Minister, via ABC .<br />ABC News reports that Russia and Belarus share <br />close political, economic and military ties. .<br />ABC News reports that Russia and Belarus share <br />close political, economic and military ties. .<br />Officials in Ukraine have warned that Russia <br />could launch an attack from multiple directions,<br />including from neighboring Belarus. .<br />Officials in Ukraine have warned that Russia <br />could launch an attack from multiple directions,<br />including from neighboring Belarus. .<br />ABC points out that the war games will <br />dramatically bolster the estimated 100,000 <br />troops already amassed near Ukraine. .<br />Russia has reportedly denied having any intention <br />of invading its former Soviet neighbor. .<br />However, Russia also demanded guarantees that NATO will not expand to Ukraine or other former Soviet nations or station troops and weapons there. .<br />Last week, the U.S., along with its allies, firmly rejected Moscow's demands at negotiations in Geneva and a follow-up meeting in Brussels.