Buildup Makes Russia Battle-Ready for Ukraine Over 300 Ukrainian troops have crossed into Russia during heavy fighting with pro-Russian separatists. The border area is very tense amid Ukrainian allegations that Russian forces have been helping the separatists with rocket barrages.Russia has announced that it will hold an air force exercise this week near the border. A Russian defence ministry spokesman said 100 aircraft would take part in the operation. Recently near Ukraine border, Russia has nearly doubled the number of its battalions.Over the few past weeks, Russia has built up 17 battalions ,totaling around 21,000 troops, according to one estimate within a few miles of the border. In addition, it has vastly expanded its firepower.President of Russia could be seeking to pressurize ukraine and the United States to agree to a political settlement that would grant the eastern provinces of Ukraine.