• Russia moved nuclear-capable Iskander missiles to Belarus and is massing 30,000 troops there, NATO says
• Troops include Spetsnaz commandos backed by fighter jets, anti-aircraft systems and tanks, alliance warned 
• NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg said it marks the largest Russian deployment in Belarus since the Cold War
• Comes as Norway warns of 2million refugees sparking a humanitarian disaster if Russia invades Ukraine

Chris Pleasance – Daily Mail Feb 3, 2022

Russia is massing nuclear-capable missiles along with 30,000 troops in Belarus, NATO has warned, amid fears of a huge refugee crisis if Ukraine is invaded.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO general secretary, said today that Russia has already deployed thousands of troops including Spetsnaz special forces, along with missiles that can be tipped with nukes, fighter jets, and S-400 anti-aircraft systems.

Russian armoured vehicles in Belarus. Click to enlarge

Intelligence suggests that Putin will grow that force to 30,000 troops within the coming days, Stoltenberg added, saying it represents the largest Russian deployment in Belarus since the Cold War.

Observers are particularly fearful of troops stationed in Belarus because it gives them the shortest route to attack Kiev, Ukraine’s capital – with some predicting that military drills taking place in the coming days could be used as cover for an attack.

Stoltenberg issued his warning as the Norwegian Refugee Council predicted a huge humanitarian crisis if violence breaks out across the region.

‘The lives and safety of millions of people in eastern Ukraine hang in the balance as we wait for a political breakthrough to the current impasse,’ Jan Egeland, head of the council, said in a statement after visiting Ukraine.

‘We must not underestimate the human suffering of renewed conflict – it would result in increased civilian casualties, massive displacement and humanitarian needs.’

Egeland said fighting in the eastern Donbass region has already displaced some 850,000 and left 3million reliant on humanitarian aid.

And he predicted another 2million people would be made homeless if Russia were to attack other eastern regions – not including the possibility of an attack from Belarus.

Amid the East-West standoff, Britain on Thursday launched fighter jets against aircraft approaching its area of interest, a day after the Royal Air Force intercepted and escorted away four Russian bomber in a similar operation.

‘Quick Reaction Alert Typhoon fighters from RAF Lossiemouth, supported by a Voyager Tanker from RAF Brize Norton, have been launched against aircraft approaching the UK area of interest,’ an RAF spokesman said.

While the identity of the approaching aircraft was not immediately confirmed, it comes just a day after RAF jets were sent to escort two Russian Cold War-era Tu-95 Bear H and two Tu-142 Bear Fs.

The Quick Reaction Force ‘intercepted and escorted’ the four Russian aircraft and escorted them away from UK airspace, the RAF said. The Russian bombers did not enter UK sovereign airspace.

Continues …

Current Russian military deployments around the Ukraine. Click to enlarge