Russian forces likely to enter eastern Ukraine

The Obama administration officials claim that it is more likely than previously thought that Russian forces will enter eastern Ukraine, a new classified intelligence assessment shows.

The officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity, told CNN that there have been several signs of Moscow’s plan in the past three to four days.

“This has shifted our thinking that the likelihood of a further Russian incursion is more probable than it was previously thought to be,” one official said.

American military and intelligence officials have briefed Congress on the assessment.

Following the assessment, Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee sent a letter to the White House late Wednesday, expressing concern about unfolding developments.

Committee members feel “urgency and alarm, based on new information in the committee’s possession.”

The committee said there was “deep apprehension that Moscow may invade eastern and southern Ukraine.”

The US estimates Russia has deployed more than 30,000 forces along its border with eastern Ukraine.

The figure represents a significant increase from a figure of 20,000 Russian troops along the border that was reported last week.

Meanwhile, US President Barack Obama was non-committal when asked about the 30,000 troops estimate.

“With respect to the Russian troops that are along the border of Ukraine at the moment, right now they are on Russian soil. And if they stay on Russian soil, we oppose what appears to be an effort of intimidation, but Russia has a right, legally, to have its troops on its own soil. I don’t think it’s a done deal. And I think that Russia’s still making a series of calculations,” Obama told reporters in The Hague on Tuesday.