The kremlin has accelerated the reinforcement of its military base in Gyumri, Armenia, aiming to increase military and political pressure on countries in the South Caucasus.

Troops for the buildup are being drawn from russian servicemen stationed in the rostov and volgograd regions and from temporarily occupied Crimea.

Additionally, russia is actively recruiting volunteers from oppressed ethnic minorities in the North Caucasus — including North Ossetia and Adygea.

"The deployment of russian troops in Armenia is part of a broader Kremlin strategy aimed at destabilizing global security," said Andrii Yusov, spokesperson for the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

"Alongside inflaming interethnic conflict, moscow is reinforcing its regional military posture. The deterioration of relations between Azerbaijan and russia may have been premeditated."

Defence Intelligence of Ukraine continues to closely monitor russian troop movements within russia and beyond its borders.