By Phil Stewart

WASHINGTON (Reuters] – Russia has increased its military presence near Ukraine to include blood and medical supplies. In yet another sign of Moscow’s military readiness three U.S. officers tell Reuters.

Former and current U.S. officials agree that concrete indicators, such as blood supply, are essential in determining if Moscow is prepared to launch an invasion if Vladimir Putin were to act.

U.S. officials spoke on condition of anonymity to reveal the blood supplies. It adds an additional context to U.S. warnings of Russia potentially preparing for an attack on Ukraine. Russia is currently assembling more than 100,000 troops close by its borders.

These warnings included the prediction by President Joe Biden that Russia would attack Ukraine and comments made by U.S. Secretary Antony Blinken that Russia may launch an additional attack at “very quick notice”.

“Medical support” was previously mentioned by the Pentagon as part of Russia’s buildup. However, the revelation of blood supplies is a crucial step in determining Russian military readiness experts claim.

Ben Hodges is a former lieutenant-general of the U.S. and currently works with the Center for European Policy Analysis.

A written inquiry to the Russian Defence Ministry for comments was not answered immediately.

Although a spokesperson for the White House did not comment immediately on Russian blood supply movements, he noted that repeated U.S. warnings regarding Russian military readiness were made public.

The Pentagon refused to talk about intelligence assessments.

Three U.S. officials spoke out about blood supply but declined to give specific details on when they detected the movement of the Americans to the formations close to Ukraine. Two of the three officials said that it had been within recent weeks.

Russian officials deny any plans to invade. Moscow denies that it plans to invade. However, Moscow feels threatened by Kyiv’s ties growing with the West.

It seized Crimea eight years ago and supported separatist forces that seized large parts of the eastern Ukraine.

Russia has presented security needs to Russia in December. These include stopping NATO enlargement and preventing Ukraine from ever joining. Also, pulling back NATO forces and weapons from the eastern European countries which joined following the Cold War.

Putin stated that the United States and NATO have not responded to Russia’s security needs in relation to their conflict over Ukraine, but that Moscow is ready for further talks.

Biden stated that he won’t send U.S. and allied troops in Ukraine, but said to Volodymyr Zeleskiy, Ukrainian president, in a telephone call on Thursday. The White House indicated that Washington is ready to respond decisively to Russia’s invasion.

Russia is likely to face economic sanctions from the United States and its allies if it invades Ukraine, according to statements made by Washington and other Allies.

After Russian troops annexed Ukraine’s Crimea peninsula and seized it in 2014, Western countries have imposed numerous rounds of economic sanctions.

However, such actions have not had an impact on Russian foreign policy. Moscow is Europe’s largest energy supplier and calculated that the West wouldn’t take any serious steps to stop gas exports from being exported.