Satellite Photos From Space Show Heartbreaking Russian Invasion of Ukraine [Look]

This week, new satellite footage appeared to reveal a catastrophic vision of Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

According to Reuters, the latest photographs show the country stockpiling weaponry and troops despite the escalating situation.

Satellite Images Showing Russia Invading Ukraine

Planet (previously Planet Labs), which manages a constellation of more than 200 Earth-observing satellites, also posted before and after photos of Chuhuiv Airbase. Cloud cover above Ukraine, however, is to blame for the lack of satellite footage in the recent 24 hours.

CNet said Chuhuiv was formerly a Soviet Air Force base and has long been strategic. It is located just outside Kharkiv, Ukraine's largest city, and a short distance south of the Russian-Ukrainian border.

Based on its examination of more photos Nikkei collected on Thursday, Maxar noted the damage to oil storage facilities and airport infrastructure." Black smoke can be seen rising from a damaged oil storage facility.

Shinji Hyodo, director of the policy studies section at Japan's National Institute for Defense Studies, told Nikkei that the strikes' precision was high and that the attacks appear to be aimed at military institutions, 

He stated that the runway was not demolished for soldiers and weapons to be transported in." According to Hyodo, the military facilities were nearly destroyed on Thursday, allowing the Russian army to secure air control.

Maxar Technologies, a private company, has also followed Russia's buildup for several weeks. More damage was visible in the photographs.

(Photo : DIMITAR DILKOFF/AFP via Getty Images)
TOPSHOT - Russian police officers patrol on March 30, 2020 on the deserted Red square in front of Saint Basil's Cathedral in Moscow as the city and its surrounding regions imposed lockdowns today, that were being followed by other Russian regions in a bid to slow the spread of the COVID-19 infection caused by the novel coronavirus. - The enforcement of the strict new rules, which Moscow Mayor suddenly announced for the capital late Sunday, coincide with the beginning of a "non-working" week declared by Russian President the week before.

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In a release obtained by WIONews, Maxar said: "This new activity represents a change in the pattern of the previously observed deployments of battle groups (tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and support equipment)." 

As of Feb. 13, satellite photographs revealed numerous significant battle group deployments surrounding the military post in Soloti, Russia, according to Maxar.

According to photographs provided on Sunday (per Al Jazeera), most fighting forces and support equipment at Soloti had left that have not been independently authenticated. 

However, the business reported seeing extensive vehicle tracks and perhaps armored equipment convoys throughout the area.

A new field hospital appears to have been built in Belgorod, Russia, not far from the Ukraine border. The New York Post said troops and equipment had already been displayed on the spot.

Military vehicles were seen being transported in recent videos uploaded on social media. A Russian military deployment was seen in a video shared on TikTok, fewer than five miles from the Ukrainian border.

Experts who have been following Russia's latest military moves have been particularly interested in the Belgorod region. 

Rochan Consulting, which follows Russian deployments, said in a Feb. 19 newsletter obtained by The New York Times that if Russia decides to attack, the Belgorod-Valuyki line will be one of the primary staging grounds for operations against Ukraine.

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