It might me time to reconsider what we see as an act of war.

https://www.cnn.com/2022/02/02/europe/russia-troops-ukraine-buildup-satellite-images-intl/index.html

It might me time to reconsider what we see as an act of war. Maybe we should learn from Germany’s troop buildup prior to WWII and Russia’s buildup prior to them invading Ukraine. Hopefully we can all find common ground that we should attempt to avoid all wars and all loss of human life. However, allowing a country to not only build up troops but also allowing them to have the element of surprise, by knowing the date and time they will initiate an attack, gives an unfair advantage to the unprovoked aggressor.

I don’t know what that exact moment looks like or what straw should breaks the camel’s back. However, allowing a large, militarily advanced country, to build up thousands of troops and military equipment over the course of 5 months might be considered an act of war. What about bringing blood and other medical supplies to the buildup, what about emptying their embassy in a country they might invade? UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss said that there was a “real threat of invasion” and even President Biden stated that an invasion of Ukraine in February is "a distinct possibility”. Should world leader’s perception play a factor?

In rare circumstances where an attack seems expected and a large percentage of a countries military force is built up in an attack position this might qualify as an act of war. Sometimes the best defense is a great offense.

Direct Quotes:

Zaporozhzia, Ukraine (CNN) — More evidence has emerged of a steady build-up of Russian military equipment and deployments around Ukraine, with new satellite images revealing a further expansion of the military presence at multiple locations in Belarus, Crimea and western Russia.

Russian forces have moved into Belarus in the last two weeks. The Russian and Belarus defense ministries say the deployments are ahead of a major training exercise this month.

Maxar compared images from September and late January of the same military camp at Novoozerne in Crimea. The images show a significant increase in activity, with an area of tents being erected.

Konrad Muzyka, a defense analyst focusing on Russia and Belarus at Rochan Consulting, an aerospace and defense consultancy, said he believes there are now between 74 and 76 Russian battalion tactical groups (BTGs) ranged around Ukraine. Battalion tactical groups typically comprise of about 1,000 soldiers, along with support units.

He also said that Russian Ground Forces have deployed units that include Iskander short-range ballistic missiles to Belarus and parts of Russia close to Ukraine. He calculates there are at least 48 launchers near Ukraine.

While Russian capabilities and movements can often be observed, the Kremlin's intentions are much more di cult to read. US President Joe Biden said last week that an invasion of Ukraine in February is "a distinct possibility."

UK Foreign Secretary Liz Truss has said that "it is highly likely that [President Putin] is likely to invade Ukraine."

"There is a real threat of invasion, but we don't know what's going to happen," she told the BBC on January 30.

The Kremlin has consistently denied that it has any plans to invade Ukraine.

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