24 Jan 2022 16:01

Kremlin sees Kyiv's military buildup near LPR, DPR border as preparations for offensive

MOSCOW. Jan 24 (Interfax) - Ukraine's military buildup along the border with the self-proclaimed Luhansk (LPR) and Donetsk (DPR) People's Republics indicates ongoing preparations for an offensive, and such threat really exists, the Kremlin said.

"Indeed, the Ukrainian authorities are massing enormous forces and hardware along the border with the self-proclaimed republics on the contact line. Indeed, the nature of this buildup points to ongoing preparations for an offensive, and such a threat does exist at the moment," Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov told reporters.

"And, indeed, each given piece of weaponry, whether it be a defensive weapon or an offensive one, once again prompts the hotheads in Kyiv to launch this operation. We can't help but be concerned about it. We've been talking about it for a long time," he said.

"And in this case we certainly would like NATO countries in their numerous statements to call on Kyiv every time to not even contemplate any possible military settlement in Ukraine," Peskov said.

Peskov also declined to comment on media reports that Russia could install a "puppet government" in Ukraine.

"No, I won't comment on it. It's part of this hysterical outburst decorated with fakes," he said.

UK media outlets reported early on Sunday morning that London suspects Moscow of seeking to install a pro-Russian leadership in Ukraine.