Russia approves 'mass graves' plan with Putin 'to invade Ukraine in 2022'

RUSSIA has reportedly approved plans for “urgent mass graves” amid fears that World War Three could break out after an invasion of Ukraine.

The move comes amid deepening concerns that Vladimir Putin is plotting an invasion of his neighbour in 2022 with more than 175,000 Russian troops said to have been detected on the border.

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Russian outlet MK say that the burial sites were constructed as a priority after they allegedly appeared on leaked legal documents that are expected to come into force on February 1.

The burial sites would reportedly accommodate 100 corpses each and would be used in conjunction with facilities to cremate bodies of solders.

The grisly preparations came to light after Russia issued claims that the army was only set up to defend itself and would not actively be “choosing the path of confrontation”.

Speaking on Wednesday, the country's foreign minister Sergey Lavrov described their neighbours as “hot heads” adding that a potential future war was a "choice up to our partners”.

He told RT: "The fact that the US authorities have been quite expeditious with regards to organizing future contacts, I believe it is a positive sign, regardless of the substantial work ahead.

"Russia has all the capabilities in place to ensure a full military and technical response to any kind of provocations that might unfold around us."

Vladimir Putin previously ordered US officials to leave Russia immediately amid fears he plans to order an invasion of Ukraine before the end of January.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said in parliament that Crimea — which Moscow seized in 2014 — was Ukrainian territory and Kiev's goal was to "liberate" it, focusing on diplomatic solutions.

Speaking in parliament, Zelensky said that the return of Crimea should be the main goal and philosophy of Ukraine.

He said: "We see this as a direct threat to Russia.

"Such wording of course means that the Kiev regime intends to use all available means — including force — in order to encroach on a Russian region.

"This is how we are leaning towards perceiving it."

TENSIONS ESCALATE

But in recent week Moscow was forced to backtrack on their claims after a fighter jet intercepted a US spy plane that was flying over the Black Sea.

The rising tensions have prompted the G7 group of Western nations - meeting in Liverpool - to issue a warning to Russia.

“Russia should be in no doubt that further military aggression against Ukraine would have massive consequences and severe cost in response," the group said in statement.

"We reaffirm our unwavering commitment to Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, as well as the right of any sovereign state to determine its own future."

Britain's Defence Secretary Ben Wallace recently said the UK was ready to use force to help defend Ukraine.

But Russia has denied that it plans to attack their neighbours and condemned the G7 warning.

They have demanded Ukraine not join NATO and raged that the US must stop all military activity in the region.

A US senator has warned America could "rain destruction" on Russia with nuclear weapons if Putin invades Ukraine.

That promoted Sergei Ryabkov, Russia's deputy foreign minister, to say Joe Biden is pushing his nation to the brink of nuclear war.

What is happening between Russia and Ukraine?

RUSSIA and the Ukraine have remained technically at war since 2014

Ukraine was aligned with Russia as part of the Soviet Union until its collapse in 1991, following which it became an independent state.

Both nations remained closely tied - but Ukraine gradually began to distance itself, seeking deeper ties with the West.

The open conflict was triggered by the Ukrainian Revolution in 2014 - when an uprising overthrew the pro-Russian government of Viktor Yanukovych.

Vladimir Putin's forces reacted by annexing the region of Crimea from Ukraine - a move which was widely condemned by the West.

The conflict then spiralled when pro-Russian groups in Eastern Ukraine then took up arms against the state.

Russia gave their backing the separatist forces which formed breakaway republics in Donetsk and Luhansk.

Putin's forces then launched a military incursion into these regions as they gave their support to the rebels.

Russia continues to hold Crimea - and claims the region joined them willingly after they a referendum.

Seven years have now passed and the War in Donbass remains at a stalemate.

It is estimated some 14,000 have been killed in the conflict, including more than 3,0o0 civilians.

Ukraine and the rebels signed a new ceasefire in July 2020 - but clashes have been steadily increasing again throughout 2021.

Ryabkov's warning comes after Biden held a high-stakes call with Vladimir Putin as tensions between Washington and Moscow intensify over Ukraine.

The two-hour call between the leaders was held in a bid to de-escalate tensions - with the US President threatening sanctions over the situation at Russia's border.

According to US officials, Biden told Putin there would be “clear and decisive” consequences in case of an invasion.

Meanwhile one of Putin's general has warned Russia's nuke launchers and hypersonic missiles are "ready for action" - further fuelling fears of an invasion of Ukraine.

Last week saw multiples tests of the lethal Zicron weapons and series of live military drills.

Chief of General Staff of the Russian Armed Forces Valery Gerasimov said more than 95 per cent of Moscow's ground-based strategic nuclear forces are "kept in constant readiness for combat use".

He also warned that Russia “is ready to combat any provocations by Ukraine in Donbas” during a briefing on Thursday with military ambassadors of foreign states.