BRUSSELS, Feb 15 (Aljazeera) - Russia may be planning to launch attacks on Ukraine with heavy air power to break a battlefield deadlock as NATO intelligence indicates Moscow is assembling fighter jets and helicopters near the border.

The deployment of aircraft would mean it is crucial to get air-defence systems into Ukraine as fast as possible as Russia has intensified its offensive with the anniversary of its invasion upcoming, NATO officials said on Tuesday.

US defence chief Lloyd Austin, speaking at NATO’s headquarters in Brussels where officials were meeting, noted Ukraine’s air defences at the moment were “not enough and we’re going to keep pushing until we get more because that threat is out there”.

“We do know Russia has substantial aircraft … and a lot of capability left,” said Austin. “We want to make sure they have the ability to protect themselves in the event Russia decides to introduce its air force into the fight.”

NATO intelligence reports say Russia is “amassing fixed-wing and rotary aircraft close to the border with Ukraine”, the Financial Times quoted two defence officials as saying.

“The Russian land forces are pretty depleted so it’s the best indication that they will turn this into an air fight,” one told the Times. “If the Ukrainians are going to survive they need to have as many air defence capabilities and as much ammunition … as possible.”

Asked whether Ukraine’s allies discussed the issue of sending fighter jets to help the country in its war effort, Austin said, “I don’t have any announcement to make today.”