Russia is continuing to build its military capabilities on the Ukrainian border, contradicting Moscow’s claims of a drawdown of troops, according to Britain’s defence intelligence chief.

“We have not seen evidence that Russia has withdrawn forces from Ukraine’s borders,” Jim Hockenhull, the defence intelligence chief, said in a rare public statement.

“Contrary to their claims, Russia continues to build up military capabilities near Ukraine,” he said. “This includes sightings of additional armoured vehicles, helicopters and a field hospital moving towards Ukraine’s borders. Russia has the military mass in place to conduct an invasion of Ukraine.”