Commercial satellite images taken in the last three months published by Maxar show the scale of Russian military forces deployed in areas close to the Ukrainian border, amid escalating tensions between Moscow and the West.

Pictured is the base of a Russian motorized transport unit in the Crimean peninsula in early October and mid-December, showing a large concentration of equipment in just two months.

A series of combat units with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and long-range rocket artillery practiced live fire at the Pogonovo training ground in Voronezh province, western Russia, on December 21.

A series of combat units with tanks, armored vehicles, artillery and long-range rocket artillery practiced live fire at the Pogonovo training ground in Voronezh province, western Russia, on December 21.

Revealing the array of Russian tanks and missiles deployed close to Ukraine

Armored and artillery forces practice live fire at the Pogonovo training ground in Voronezh province, western Russia, on December 21.

A Russian mechanized unit gathered at the training ground in Crimea on December 22.

The US accused Russia of continuously increasing troops to guard Ukraine, warning that Moscow would `pay a heavy price` if it took military action against Kiev.

A Russian mechanized unit gathered at the training ground in Crimea on December 22.

The US accused Russia of continuously increasing troops to guard Ukraine, warning that Moscow would `pay a heavy price` if it took military action against Kiev.

The firing line area at the training ground in Crimea on December 22, with tracks of armored tanks on the ground.

Russia declared the West’s accusations baseless, asserting that all its military moves on the western border were purely for defensive purposes.

The firing line area at the training ground in Crimea on December 22, with tracks of armored tanks on the ground.

Russia declared the West’s accusations baseless, asserting that all its military moves on the western border were purely for defensive purposes.

Another training ground in Crimea in a satellite image taken at the end of November, with a series of fortifications for tanks, armored vehicles and self-propelled guns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 26 that NATO has forced Russia to the edge, leaving Moscow with no way back.

Another training ground in Crimea in a satellite image taken at the end of November, with a series of fortifications for tanks, armored vehicles and self-propelled guns.

Russian President Vladimir Putin said on December 26 that NATO has forced Russia to the edge, leaving Moscow with no way back.

The forces at the training ground include many units of tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and support equipment.

The forces at the training ground include many units of tanks, armored personnel carriers, artillery and support equipment.

Combat units with tanks, armor and artillery were deployed by Russia to the training ground in the western part of the Crimean peninsula in October.

Combat units with tanks, armor and artillery were deployed by Russia to the training ground in the western part of the Crimean peninsula in October.

Location of Pogonovo training ground in Voronezh province and Crimea peninsula.

Location of Pogonovo training ground in Voronezh province and Crimea peninsula.

Forces of the 41st Army Group of the Russian army gathered in a training area about 250 km from the border with Ukraine in November.

Forces of the 41st Army Group of the Russian army gathered in a training area about 250 km from the border with Ukraine in November.

In addition to hundreds of tanks, self-propelled guns and many other pieces of equipment, there is a unit of Iskander tactical ballistic missiles with a range of nearly 500 km.

In addition to hundreds of tanks, self-propelled guns and many other pieces of equipment, there is a unit of Iskander tactical ballistic missiles with a range of nearly 500 km.

The 41st Army of the Russian army belongs to the Central Military District of Russia, with a standing force of two divisions and a mechanized infantry brigade.

In the photo, the motor vehicles of this army are stationed in an open field, without a solid base.

The 41st Army of the Russian army belongs to the Central Military District of Russia, with a standing force of two divisions and a mechanized infantry brigade.

In the photo, the motor vehicles of this army are stationed in an open field, without a solid base.

Photo: Maxar