Moscow is building up its military on the Ukrainian border, Foreign Policy cites a new classified intelligence report.

      The media outlet also reports on the letter sent by Republican members of the House Armed Services Committee to President Obama expressing concern about a possible Russian invasion of eastern Ukraine.

      FP quotes administration officials who assess the number of troops “massed on the eastern border of Ukraine at between 25,000 and 35,000.”

      The West has condemned Russia’s decision to absorb Crimea and imposed a raft of sanctions on senior officials and individuals with close ties to the Kremlin.

      There’ve been many concerns about the economic impact of Russia’s move to incorporate Crimea.

      The Russian economy is unlikely to rise above 2 percent in 2014 amid investor uncertainty over the possible impact of sanctions, says the Economic Development Minister.

      According to Alexey Ulyukayev, GDP is expected to grow 1.8-1.9 percent undermined by capital flight worth $100 billion.

      A military invasion of Crimea would cost the Russian economy some three percent of GDP, says Vedomosti.

      Earlier, Russia-IC reported on the possible repercussions of sanctions and investors’ fears on the pace of economic development.

      For example, Bank of America Merrill Lynch forecast that Russia’s GDP would shrink some three percent. The transit of natural gas to European consumers worth $30 billion may be disrupted, too.

      The EU may eventually block the construction of the South Stream pipeline and switch to other energy sources in a move towards an economic boycott.

      Public spending is bound to go up to pay for Crimea’s absorption. The Russian authorities have pledged financial aid to the residents of the autonomy whose budget is facing a $1 billion deficit.