Military buildup near Ukraine sows confusion over Russian intentions

Analysis: there are several reasons Russia would want to raise tensions, but an attack appears unlikely

Russia's fortnight-long military buildup to the east and south of Ukraine has helped it mass an estimated 80,000 troops in the border region in an attention-grabbing exercise that is increasingly occupying western thinking.

Tanks and other artillery units have also been arriving at Voronezh, east of Ukraine, according to Janes, a military intelligence firm, and a staging ground for about 3,000 troops been established to the south of the city.