Russia moves blood supplies near Ukraine amid invasion fears: US officials

Russia's military buildup near Ukraine has expanded to include supplies of blood along with other medical materials that would allow it to treat casualties, in yet another key indicator of Moscow's military readiness.

Three US officials, speaking on condition of anonymity on Saturday, declined to say specifically when the United States detected their movement to formations near Ukraine. 

However, two of them said it was within recent weeks.

Current and former US officials say concrete indicators — like blood supplies — are critical in determining whether Moscow would be prepared to carry out an invasion, if Russian President Vladimir Putin decided to do so.

A White House spokesperson did not immediately comment on any Russian movement of blood supplies but noted repeated public US warnings about Russian military readiness.

The Pentagon declined to discuss intelligence assessments.

The Russian Defence Ministry did not immediately respond to a written request for comment.

Ukraine's deputy defence minister Hanna Malyar denied the information.

"This information is not true. Such 'news' is an element of information and psychological war. The purpose of such information is to spread panic and fear in our society," she said on Facebook.

READ MORE: Pentagon warns of 'horrific' outcome if Russia invades Ukraine

Repeated US warnings

The disclosure of the blood supplies by US officials adds another piece of context to growing US warnings that Russia could be preparing for a new invasion of Ukraine as it masses more than 100,000 troops near its borders.

These warnings have included President Joe Biden's prediction that a Russian assault was likely and US Secretary of State Antony Blinken's remarks that Russia could launch a new attack on Ukraine at "very short notice".

The Pentagon has previously acknowledged the deployment of "medical support" as part of Russia's buildup. But the disclosure of blood supplies adds a level of detail that experts say is critical to determining Russian military readiness.

"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 US lieutenant general now with the Center for European Policy Analysis research institute.

Russian officials have repeatedly denied planning to invade. But Moscow says it feels menaced by Kiev's growing ties with the West. The United States and its allies have said Russia will face tough economic sanctions if it attacks Ukraine.

On Friday, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskiyy criticised a "feeling abroad" that a war had already started. "We don't need this panic," he told reporters in Kiev.

READ MORE: As tensions soar over Ukraine, who is responsible for disinformation?