A U. S. spy plane sighted over Ukraine “for the first time” as fears mounted that Russia could take advantage of the holiday season to invade the neighboring country.
The Sun reports that the E-8C Joint Surveillance Target Attack Radar System aircraft noticed in the skies over Eastern Europe on December 27 as the crisis in Ukraine continues to escalate.
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This comes amid developing considerations that Vladimir Putin plans to invade the adjacent country in early 2022, when more than 175,000 Russian soldiers have reportedly been spotted on the border.
But the United States has opposed the force of intimidation and insisted it could “rain destruction” on Russia with nuclear weapons if Putin took action.
Tensions have now cast a shadow over the sky as conflicting countries monitor each other with equipment.
The US E-8C JStar, photographed Monday in Ukrainian airspace, has the ability to collect and demonstrate detailed data from the floor below.
Updates are in real time for Army and Marine Corps stations, as well as other intelligence officials.
The antenna of the state-of-the-art E-8C tilts to either side of the aircraft, getting a box view of 120 degrees.
You can stumble upon goals over 820,000 feet in the air and has a view that covers approximately 20,000 square miles.
Helicopters, rotating antennas and low and slow fixed wing aircraft can also be detected through high-tech radar.
The aircraft has proven to be an effective surveillance approach for the U. S. USA Over the years and may mean that its volatile relationship with Russia in relation to the crisis in Ukraine is reaching a tipping point.
Many question Vladimir Putin’s imaginable motivations and whether he intends to attack as the world celebrates Christmas.
In the past it had threatened to administer a “military-technical” reaction if the West did not avoid being “aggressive”.
NOL CONFLICT?
Isabel Sawkins, a researcher at the Henry Jackson Society, told The Sun that it was conceivable that Putin would accentuate war games and rhetoric while the West is “distracted” during the holidays.
She said: “Russia does not celebrate Christmas at the same time as the West because it operates according to another schedule.
“So, over the next few weeks, Moscow will behave normally.
“All we can do is hope Putin doesn’t sneak in and cause more damage at a time when Westerners celebrate Christmas with their families and enjoy. “
But Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said talks between Washington and Moscow will resume after the Russian holiday ends.
He also revealed that the country sought to get army officers concerned in NATO negotiations after criticizing the Western security alliance.
Sawkins added that the existing political climate in Europe has created an “opportune” time for Putin to accentuate the rhetoric.
She warned that the US got involved about Covid, events in the Pacific region and the consequences of the withdrawal of troops from Afghanistan, which allowed Russia to “enter through the network”.
Moscow lashed out at the United States for interfering in the mess at Russia’s doorstep and said it would not go unnoticed.
RISING TENSIONS
In early December, Russia claimed that its fighter jets had intercepted U. S. spy planes over the Black Sea.
Washington is believed to have sent the plane to monitor Russian troops concentrating along the border, as fears of a possible clash peak.
EU leaders joined forces with those of the US. USA And they would impose sanctions if Russian troops invaded Ukraine.
U. S. intelligence fears that Russia is in favor of a “massive offensive” opposed to Ukraine, which would curb the West’s resolve.
Kiev’s allies have vowed to help them, but intervening in opposition to Russia may threaten to turn into a confrontation that could erupt in World War III.
Chilling reports that Russia has approved plans for “urgent mass graves” amid fears of a colossal conflict.
Russian MK media said the burial sites were built as a precedent after they gave the impression of leaked legal documents that are expected to take effect on Feb. 1.
The burial sites would have room for a hundred corpses and would be used in conjunction with amenities to cremate the bodies of soldiers.
This article was originally published on The Sun and is republished here with permission.