The Center for Strategic and International Studies CSIS has published satellite images of new Russian bases and equipment buildup. They are located 250 km from the Ukrainian border.
It is noted that the number of military facilities used to store and deploy troops near the Russian city of Yelnya has increased by 17%. The accumulation of military equipment and personnel of the 41st Combined Arms Army continues there, and its home base is in Novosibirsk.
CSIS believes that the Russian group near the borders of Ukraine includes:
- about 100,000 soldiers;
- tanks T-80U;
- self-propelled howitzers Gvozdika and Msta;
- multiple launch rocket systems BM-21;
- heavy flamethrower systems TOS-1 Solntsepek,
- missile systems Iskander
and etc.
CSIS analysts suggest that the Russian Federation is building up its grouping and is behaving more aggressively than in previous years, believing that the United States or Europe does not have the political will to intercede for Ukraine. Recent events in Afghanistan add confidence to the Kremlin.
The Center for Strategic and International Studies (CSIS) is located in Washington DC. It regularly tops the international ratings in the categories of defense and national security.
Yesterday, on November 19, Robert Menendez, the Head of the US Senate Committee on Foreign Relations, proposed introducing a clause in the defense budget providing for the imposition of sanctions against Russia in the case of an invasion of Ukraine. This is reported by the portal Axios.
In accordance with the Menendez amendment, immediately after the outbreak of hostilities, President Joe Biden will have to impose a list of restrictions.
The main sanctions will affect Russian banks, state-owned companies, oil and gas enterprises, and sovereign debt. In particular, any companies or individuals associated with the planning and implementation of the Nord Stream 2 pipeline will be subject to restrictions.
Context. On November 2, 
reported that Russia was taking the same actions as in April of this year—it was pulling in troops and equipment to the Ukrainian borders.
Washington has issued a warning to EU partners about Moscow's potential preparations for a new invasion of Ukraine.
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