Russia-Ukraine Tensions: US Defence Chief Says Russian Troops 'Poised To Strike' — See Latest Images Of Military Build-Up

This Maxar satellite image taken and released on February 18, 2022 shows troop tents and a field hospital which have remained in place in Novoozernoye, Crimea. US President Joe Biden said on Friday that he believes Russian leader Vladimir Putin has decided to invade Ukraine and that the attack could begin in the coming days. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

This Maxar satellite image taken and released on February 18, 2022 shows a close-up of helicopters deployed at Lake Donuzlav, Crimea, near Novoozerne. Notably, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin on Saturday said that Russian troops are 'poised to strike' Ukraine, AFP reported. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

As per AFP, US Secretary of Defense Lloyd Austin said: They are uncoiling and are now poised to strike, adding that troops were moving into the right kinds of positions to be able to conduct an attack. The satellite image taken and released on February 18, 2022 shows an overview of helicopters deployed at Lake Donuzlav, Crimea, near Novoozerne. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

The US Secretary of Defense said conflict was not inevitable, stressing that Russian President Vladimir Putin can choose a different path. This satellite image taken and released on February 18, 2022 shows tanks, armored personnel carriers (APC), infantry fighting vehicles (IFVs) and support equipment which remain parked in maneuver/convoy position in Novoozernoye, Crimea. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

This Maxar satellite image taken on February 15, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows a close-up of a new helicopter deployment at Valuyki, Russia, approximately 27kms east of the border with Ukraine. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

Meanwhile, according to Kremlin, Ballistic and cruise missiles were launched in Russian exercises, AFP reported. This image taken on February 15, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows battle group deployment and troop tents at Valuyki, Russia, approximately 27kms east of the border with Ukraine. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

The current security tensions in the region have rattled the formerly Soviet-ruled Baltic states, which all have borders with Russia. This Maxar satellite image taken on February 15, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows new helicopter unit and Su-25 aircraft deployments at Millerovo airfield in Russia, approximately 16kms from the Ukrainian border. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

This image taken on February 15, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows an overview of a new helicopter deployment and troops at Valuyki, Russia, approximately 27kms east of the border with Ukraine. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

According to AFP, Lithuanian Foreign Minister Gabrielius Landsbergis said the Russian troop build-up around Ukraine was a direct military threat to Ukraine but it also poses a threat to the entire region. This image taken on February 15, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows a new battle group deployment along Millerovo airfield in Russia, approximately 16kms from the Ukrainian border. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

This satellite image taken on February 16, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows an overview of a new helicopter deployment at Lida Air Base in norhtwestern Belarus. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)

This satellite image taken on February 14, 2022 and released on February 18, 2022 shows a view of Su-25 ground attack aircraft at Luninets Air Base in Belarus, about 50kms north of the Ukrainian border. (Satellite Image: Maxar Technologies / AFP)