Russian Forces in Ukraine: Web Review: BBC News - How many Russians are fighting in Ukraine? The Kremlin has denied its forces are directly involved in combat, but the latest estimate by US Lt Gen Ben Hodges, commander of the US Army in Europe, says 12,000 Russian troops are operating inside the neighbouring country. As the conflict there has worn, on this intervention has become increasingly hard to hide, growing bigger, with more advanced weapons, and capturing more territory for the nominal "separatist army". "The Russian army determined a change in the way it would use force across the border, forming composite units of volunteers from a variety of garrisons and units so their identity would be harder to prove." The evidence of the Kremlin's direct military involvement can be gleaned from many different types of sources...
Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, U.S. Army Europe commander Lt. Gen. Ben Hodges, U.S. Army Europe commander , explained that the U.S. will start training Ukraine’s army so it can better defend itself from the Russian-backed insurgents. He explained that ultimately a diplomatic solution is necessary, but in the meantime, Ukraine is in need of military aid. Whether that assistance should include lethal weapons is still a fierce debate among politicians and military leaders. According to Reuters , General Hodges says the U.S. training mission will start in March, with one American battalion training three Ukrainian battalions, which are currently fighting despite the recent ceasefire. Hodges explained the particulars of the training. “We will train them in security tasks, medical (tasks), how to operate in an environment where the Russians are jamming (communications) and how to protect (themselves) from Russian and rebel artillery.” NBC News reports that Ben Hodges agreed Ukraine