We have information that Russia has already deployed some agents in the region to conduct deceptive operations in eastern Ukraine.

Axar.az reports that the statement came from White House spokesman Jen Psaki.

Psaki claimed that Russia planned these operations to prepare the ground for the occupation of Ukraine:

"We have seen this before 2014. These include acts of provocation and accusations that Ukraine is preparing to attack Russian forces" she stated.

A White House spokesman also claimed that the Russian military could intervene in Ukraine between mid-January and mid-February.