Russia Moves Blood Supplies Near Ukraine, Points to Invasion

Russia has moved medical supplies, including blood for transfusions, towards the border of Ukraine, indicating the country’s preparedness to go to war.

U.S. officials say that it is not just the fact that Russia has moved supplies closer to Ukraine, but rather that it is medical supplies, specifically blood, that clearly indicates Russia’s military readiness.

This development all but confirms President Joe Biden’s prediction that a Russian invasion of Ukraine was inevitable.

The Pentagon had remarked that “medical support” would be the clearest sign of Russia’s position. Officials explained that although it doesn’t necessarily mean an attack has begun, there is no way to launch one without having those supplies ready:

“It doesn’t guarantee that there’s going to be another attack, but you would not execute another attack unless you have that in hand,” said Ben Hodges, a retired U.S. lieutenant general who works with the Center for European Policy Analysis research institute.

Biden on Wednesday predicted Russia “will move in” to Ukraine, as NATO allies reinforce the country’s defenses by sending weapons and personnel.

“My guess is he will move in; he has to do something,” Biden told reporters at an East Room news conference. “Do I think he’ll test the West, test the United States and NATO? Yes. As significantly as he can? Yes, I think he will,” he added.

“But I think he’ll pay a serious and dear price for it that he doesn’t think now will cost him. And I think he will regret having done it.”

Biden distinguishes between Russia invasion and “incursion” in Ukraine

Pressed on whether sanctions will work to deter Russia from invading, the President offered a distinction between an invasion and an incursion, appearing to infer that a smaller incursion would not prompt massive sanctions.

“Russia will be held accountable if it invades. And it depends on what it does. It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and we end up having a fight about what to do and not do, etc., but if they actually do what they are capable of doing with the forces that are massed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia,” he said.

While Biden vowed withering economic consequences for Russia should Putin send his troops over the frontier, he suggested Western nations were not in sync on what to do should a lesser violation occur.

“It’s one thing if it’s a minor incursion and we end up having to fight about what to do and not do,” Biden said. “But if they actually do what they’re capable of doing with the forces amassed on the border, it is going to be a disaster for Russia if they further invade Ukraine.”