The US has received intelligence that orders have already been sent to Russian commanders, instructing them to proceed with attacking Ukraine, as per CNN. The reports of such intelligence come from two US officials and one source familiar with US intelligence, the outlet reported. 

Joe Biden’s government is currently watching several indicators to get a sense if Russia is in its final stages of launching an invasion, CNN has reported. Among them, is the intelligence about the order to tactical commanders and other operatives. As per CNN, there are other parameters such as widespread cyberattacks and electronic jamming. However, these haven’t been observed so far.

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The sources have also cautioned that orders can be rescinded, and might have been given in the first place as misinformation to mislead and confuse the USA and its allies, CNN reported. 

However, this news of intelligence follows on the heels of statements made by President Joe Biden, VP Kamala Harris, and Secretary of State Antony Blinken, all expressing the strong belief that Russian President Vladimir Putin has made up his mind about invading Ukraine. 

Blinken told CNN, “We believe President Putin has made the decision. But until the tanks are actually rolling and the planes are flying, we will use every opportunity and every minute we have to see if diplomacy can still dissuade President Putin from carrying this forward.”

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While the US is keeping diplomatic doors open, both Biden and Harris have emphasized that Russia would be looking at serious sanctions if they proceed with the invasion. However, the Ukrainian president has sharply criticized this at the Munich security talks he recently attended. 

He urged the USA and its allies to not wait until the invasion to impose sanctions, because by then, it would be too late and Ukraine’s sovereignty would have already been compromised. For now, the US has decided to hold off, since imposing the sanctions might trigger a Russian invasion all the same.