This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26968312

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
In pictures: Russian military build-up near Ukraine In pictures: Russian military build-up near Ukraine
(about 7 hours later)
Nato's decision to release over 20 satellite images and associated maps of the Russian military build-up on Ukraine's eastern frontier is a signal of the concern among the alliance's commanders that a Russian military option against Ukraine is very much on the table, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus reports.Nato's decision to release over 20 satellite images and associated maps of the Russian military build-up on Ukraine's eastern frontier is a signal of the concern among the alliance's commanders that a Russian military option against Ukraine is very much on the table, the BBC's diplomatic correspondent Jonathan Marcus reports.
The imagery issued by Nato's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (Shape) reportedly dates from late March and early April. It encompasses six locations in an arc around Ukraine's frontier. The imagery issued by Nato's Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe (Shape) reportedly dates from late March and early April. It encompasses five locations in an arc around Ukraine's frontier. Imagery from a sixth site was provided by Airbus Defence and Space.
The images show The images show:
Buturlinovka Air Base 1. Belgorod
Yeysk 2. Buturlinovka Air Base
3. Kuzminka
4. Novocherkassk
5. Yeysk
Among the most interesting of these is what is thought to be an airborne or Spetznaz (Special Forces) brigade at the Yeysk air base on the Sea of Azov some 20km (12 miles) from Ukrainian air space.Among the most interesting of these is what is thought to be an airborne or Spetznaz (Special Forces) brigade at the Yeysk air base on the Sea of Azov some 20km (12 miles) from Ukrainian air space.
At a number of other locations the massed vehicles of mechanised infantry or motor rifle brigades can be seen - not just tanks and infantry combat vehicles but artillery and the large number of supply trucks needed to keep a mechanised force on the move.At a number of other locations the massed vehicles of mechanised infantry or motor rifle brigades can be seen - not just tanks and infantry combat vehicles but artillery and the large number of supply trucks needed to keep a mechanised force on the move.
Belgorod
Novocherkassk
Kuzminka
Before and afterBefore and after
Russia has responded to the release of the images by saying that the satellite photos were actually taken in 2013. An unnamed Russian military official responded to the release of the images by saying that the satellite photos were actually taken in 2013.
Nato, however, rejects the Russian allegations out of hand.Nato, however, rejects the Russian allegations out of hand.
It says: "The dates of the images released by Shape were collected by the Digital Globe satellite 'Constellation' between late March and early April 2014. The images are unclassified and are commercially available in Digital Globe's public archive. Shape did not alter or edit the images in any way prior to release."It says: "The dates of the images released by Shape were collected by the Digital Globe satellite 'Constellation' between late March and early April 2014. The images are unclassified and are commercially available in Digital Globe's public archive. Shape did not alter or edit the images in any way prior to release."
On Thursday Nato released additional images obtained from Digital Globe which show the same locations in 2013 and early 2014 when, Nato says, there was "no evidence of any military activity at all".On Thursday Nato released additional images obtained from Digital Globe which show the same locations in 2013 and early 2014 when, Nato says, there was "no evidence of any military activity at all".
A senior Nato spokesman says that when reviewed alongside images released by Shape earlier on Thursday, "it is clear that the military build-up of forces occurred in early March 2014".A senior Nato spokesman says that when reviewed alongside images released by Shape earlier on Thursday, "it is clear that the military build-up of forces occurred in early March 2014".
He says that Nato "stands firm in its assessment that Russian forces in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine number in the range of 35,000 to 40,000 troops and are equipped with infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, combat aircraft, logistics, and artillery".He says that Nato "stands firm in its assessment that Russian forces in the vicinity of the border with Ukraine number in the range of 35,000 to 40,000 troops and are equipped with infantry fighting vehicles, tanks, combat aircraft, logistics, and artillery".
6. Primorsko-Akhtarsk