NATO Chief Says Russia Regrouping for Renewed Offensive on Eastern Ukraine

Meanwhile, UK intel has claimed that Russia is bringing in 1,200 to 2,000 troops from Georgia as reinforcements.

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg. 

(Photo Courtesy: NATO)

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg claimed on Thursday, 31 March, that Russian forces in Ukraine are regrouping in order to launch a renewed attack on the eastern part of the country.

"We see continued shelling of cities and we see that Russia is re-positioning some of the troops, moving some of them around, most likely to reinforce their efforts in the Donbas region. At the same time, Russia maintains pressure on Kyiv and other cities. So we can expect additional offensive actions, bringing even more suffering," he asserted, as quoted by Reuters.

"Russia is trying to regroup, resupply and reinforce," Stoltenberg added, further claiming that Russia still wants a military outcome and not a diplomatic one.

Intelligence provided by UK government also made certain revelations about Russia bringing in 1,200 to 2,000 troops from Georgia as reinforcements.

All this comes in the backdrop of Moscow stating earlier this week that it would reduce military activity in the northern part of the country, and shift all their focus to "liberating" the Donbas region.

Additionally, the White House stated two days ago that Russian President Vladimir Putin was being misled by his advisers in the Kremlin as they were too scared to tell him how poorly the Russian troops were faring in Ukraine and about the extent of the impact of sanctions on the Russian economy.

(With inputs from Reuters and BBC)