From March to April 2021, Russia commenced a major military build-up near the Russo-Ukrainian border. It was followed by a second build-up between October 2021 to February 2022 in both Russia and Belarus.[122] During these developments, the Russian government repeatedly denied it had plans to invade or attack Ukraine;[47][123] those who issued the denials included government spokesman Dmitry Peskov in 28 November 2021, Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov in 19 January 2022,[46] Russian ambassador to the US Anatoly Antonov on 20 February 2022,[47] and Russian ambassador to the Czech Republic Alexander Zmeevsky on 23 February 2022.[48]
In early December 2021, following Russian denials, the US released intelligence of Russian invasion plans, including satellite photographs showing Russian troops and equipment near the Russo-Ukrainian border.[124] The intelligence reported the existence of a Russian list of key sites and individuals to be killed or neutralised upon invasion.[125] The US continued to release reports that accurately predicted the invasion plans.[125]