Russia repeatedly denies plans to invade Ukraine.
The White House claims a Russian invasion is imminent.
The Ukrainians on their part are taking no chances, maintaining a strict vigil on the border with Russia.
Please click on the images for glimpses of Ukraine's military preparations on Wednesday, February 16, 2022.
IMAGE: Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy arrives at a military drill at a training centre for Ukrainian ground forces near Rivne.
Photograph: Antonio Bronic/Reuters
IMAGE: Ukrainian soldiers walk next to BMP vehicles during the military drill.
Photograph: Antonio Bronic/Reuters
IMAGE: Ukrainian troops participate in tactical military exercises during Zelenskyy's visit.
Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: An Ukrainian border guard checks a man's documents at the Hoptivka (Goptovka) crossing on the Ukrainian-Russian border in the Kharkiv region, Ukraine.
Photograph: Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters
IMAGE: Ukrainian border guards patrol the area along the Ukrainian-Russian border in the Kharkiv region.
Photograph: Vyacheslav Madiyevskyy/Reuters
IMAGE: An Ukrainian border guard speaks with a truck driver at the Senkivka checkpoint near the border with Belarus and Russia in the Chernihiv region, Ukraine.
Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
IMAGE: An Ukrainian border guard keeps watch at the Senkivka checkpoint near the border with Belarus and Russia in the Chernihiv region.
Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
IMAGE: An Ukrainian border guard maintains a vigil at the Kliusy checkpoint near the frontier with Russia in the Chernihiv region.
Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
IMAGE: President Zelenskyy examines weapons as he attends the tactical military exercises.
Photograph: Ukrainian Presidential Press Service/Handout via Reuters
IMAGE: Ukrainian border guards keep watch at the Kliusy checkpoint near the frontier with Russia in the Chernihiv region.
Photograph: Valentyn Ogirenko/Reuters
Photographs curated by Manisha Kotian/Rediff.com
Feature Presentation: Aslam Hunani/Rediff.com
