Before Today's Ukraine Ceasefire Announcement, The Pentagon Reported That Russia Had Just Deployed It's Best Troops On The Border

Pentagon: Russia Has More Capable Troops On Ukraine Border -- Wall Street Journal

Current Deployment Is Called Smaller But More Dangerous Than Previous Forces

The Pentagon said Thursday that the Russian troops along Ukraine's border represent the most capable force Moscow has deployed to the area since the current crisis began.

The potent border deployment, which is smaller but more dangerous than previous ones, highlighted the degree to which the two sides remain at odds and the difficulty of achieving a cease-fire.

In March, Russia had a far larger force, of more than 50,000, near the Ukrainian border and in Crimea, after the annexation of the peninsula. But the current force, upward of 10,000, contains more artillery, air defense units and rocket units than previous troop buildups, said Col. Steve Warren, a Pentagon spokesman.

In addition, Russia has attached engineering and other combat support units to its border forces, he said.

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Update: Pentagon Notes ‘Exceptionally Capable’ Russian Force -- US Department of Defense

My Comment: It would not surprise me if the U.S. shared this intelligence with Ukrainian President Poroshenko, and he then made the decision that since Russian President Putin was about to escalate the conflict, it would be in Ukraine's best interest to quickly agree to a ceasefire.