<p>The image at left shows an excavator sitting near the Russian/Ukrainian border. That photo, along with several others taken this Monday, shows the beginnings of a massive military base scheduled for completion next April. ;</p>
<p>Documents related to the Russian base refer to the United States Army as a &ldquo;likely enemy&rdquo; and describe areas of the complex that will be used to study American tactics. Still, President Obama has done nothing in response to this very apparent threat.  ;</p>
<p>The base is being constructed near Soloti, a village located southeast of Belgorod, Russia. According to documents seen by <em>Reuters</em>, the first phase will be finished by April 2016. The site will include ammunition depots, barracks, a gigantic mess hall, a communications node, one thousand residential apartments, and even a skating rink and swimming pool. ;</p>
<p>&ldquo;They are building a military town,&rdquo; said Alexander Panchenko, a local farmer who lives nearby. <em>Reuters</em> reported that the base will be used as a training facility and will be able to accommodate several thousand soldiers. ;</p>
<p>Russia annexed Crimea (a Ukrainian territory) last year and many believe the secret base signals Russian support for pro-Russian separatists fighting against Kiev. ;Russia denies sending arms and/or troops to the rebels despite accusations from NATO. Many fear this action will cause infighting and that Putin will use this conflict as reason to invade. ;</p>
<p>The ;<em>Reuters</em> reporter sent to investigate the secret base was detained and suspected of being a spy. Russian officials refused to answer when asked if the base was connected to the fight for Ukraine. ;A representative in Soloti said only that a &ldquo;secret facility&rdquo; was under construction.</p>
<p>The future base is located near a railroad that connects Soloti to Moscow and Luhansk, a Ukrainian region controlled by pro-Russian separatists. ;Fighting in that area has resulted in the deaths of nearly 8,000 people since last April. ;</p>
<p>The Ukrainian parliament forged a truce with ;pro-Russian separatists earlier this month, but since neither side agreed to withdraw weapons from areas of conflict, many fear peace will be short-lived. ;</p>