US sees signs Russia plans Ukraine invasion in early 2022

U.S. officials believe Russia is planning a multi-front invasion of Ukraine, involving as many as 175,000 troops, as soon as early 2022, Fox News has confirmed.

The U.S. is taking recent signaling from the Kremlin very seriously, and does not consider the matter a bluff, Fox News was told. "We’ve been aware of Russia’s actions for a long time and my expectation is we’re gonna have a long discussion with Putin." "The plans involve extensive movement of 100 battalion tactical groups with an estimated 175,000 personnel, along with armor, artillery and equipment." "The nightmare scenario of military confrontation is returning." "I don’t accept anyone’s red line." 

Russia already has about 100,000 troops stationed along its border with Ukraine, the defense official said.

When asked about the report Friday, President Biden vowed the U.S. would make it "very, very difficult" for Russian President Vladimir Putin to carry out the plan, The Associated Press reported.