Putin planned to use fake video accusing Ukraine of genocide as an excuse to invade: First of 2,000 US troops leave Fort Bragg for Eastern Europe after US intelligence unearthed evidence of another Russian false flag operation

 The Kremlin was planning to release a fake video showing Ukraine attacking Russians, which the U.S. is hoping to foil by making public, a new report reveals as troops start deploying from Fort Bragg to Europe amid rising tensions.

A senior administration official shared with The New York Times details of acquired U.S. intelligence revealing plans for a fabricated video showing Ukraine involved in a 'genocide' against Russian-speaking people in Moscow's territories or in eastern Ukraine.

The individual did not want to share direct evidence of the plan in order to protect sources and methods.

The intelligence is given further legitimacy after a separate Russian disinformation campaign related to false accusations of genocide and recent Russian parliament actions to recognize breakaway governments in Ukraine.

Russia would likely use the video to justify an attack in Ukraine or, alternatively, to prompt separatist leaders in the Donbas region of Ukraine to invite Russian intervention, the intelligence suggests.

News of the planned disinformation campaign comes after President Joe Biden approved this week the deployment and movement of 3,000 troops in Europe to help quell tensions and avert war.

Defense Department spokesman John Kirby detailed on Wednesday that 2,000 troops stationed in Fort Bragg, North Carolina will deploy to Poland and Germany this week. Images emerged Thursday of paratroopers with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division boarding a plane for deployment to Eastern Europe.

Paratroopers with the U.S. Army's 82nd Airborne Division prepare for deployment to Eastern Europe from Fort Bragg, North Carolina on February 3, 2022

Paratroopers load up and board planes bound for Eastern Europe on February 3, 2022 amid rising tensions between Ukraine and Russia

Comes after U.S. officials revealed to the New York Times a Russian disinformation campaign with fake video showing fabricated genocide by Ukraine on Russian-speakers. Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with his Argentine counterpart Alberto Fernandez in Moscow on Thursday

The deployment of the 82nd to Europe comes after the Biden administration announced on Wednesday that 3,000 U.S. troops are being sent to the region 

Around 1,700 of the 2,000 being deployed from Fort Bragg are with the 82nd and will be stationed in Poland.

Just a few hundred – the remaining approximately 300 – will deploy from the 18th Airborne Corps to create a joint task force capable headquarters to provide mission command in Germany.

Another 1,000 troops part of a Germany-based infantry Stryker squadron will reposition to Romania at the North Atlantic Treaty Organization's (NATO) closest flank to Russia. They will add to the 900 U.S. forces already in Romania.

Kirby says they are only repositioning and deploying upon invitation and consultation of host nations and claims forces from France will also deploy to Romania to bulk up security there.

Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Alexander Grushko told Russian news agency Interfax that the U.S. moves are 'not substantiated by anyone' and are 'destructive steps which increase military tension and reduce scope for political decisions.' 

U.S. troops with the Army's 82nd prepare for deployment to Europe on Thursday as NATO warns Russia is massing nuclear-capable missiles along with 30,000 troops in Belarus

The rapid response team will seek to bolster allies in Eastern Europe as the world waits to see if Putin will invade Ukraine

But Biden says he has always informed Russian President Vladimir Putin that he would make these moves should Moscow continue its 'aggression' toward Ukraine.

'As long as he's acting aggressively, we are going to make sure we reassure our NATO allies in Eastern Europe that we're there and Article 5 is a sacred obligation,' Biden told reporters at the White House on Wednesday.

As troops deploy from the U.S. to Eastern Europe and Germany, Russia is massing nuclear-capable missiles along with 30,000 troops in Belarus , NATO has warned.

Belarus is faced with fears of a huge refugee crisis if Ukraine is ultimately invaded.

Jens Stoltenberg, NATO general secretary, said Thursday that Russia has already deployed thousands of troops, including Spetsnaz special forces, along with Iskander missiles that can be tipped with nukes, fighter jets, and S-400 anti-aircraft systems.

Intelligence suggests that Putin will grow that force to 30,000 troops within the coming days, Stoltenberg added, saying it represents the largest Russian deployment in Belarus since the Cold War.

Observers are particularly fearful of troops stationed in Belarus because it gives them the shortest route to attack Kiev, Ukraine's capital - with some predicting that military drills taking place in the coming days could be used as cover for an attack.

Russian tanks take part in combat drills in Belarus on Wednesday, ahead of much larger drills set to take place next week

Paratroopers jump with parachutes during the joint exercises of the armed forces of Russia and Belarus at a firing range in the Brest Region, Belarus on Thursday, February 3, 2022

Stoltenberg issued his warning as the Norwegian Refugee Council predicted a huge humanitarian crisis if violence breaks out across the region.

'The lives and safety of millions of people in eastern Ukraine hang in the balance as we wait for a political breakthrough to the current impasse,' Egeland said in a statement.

'We must not underestimate the human suffering of renewed conflict - it would result in increased civilian casualties, massive displacement and humanitarian needs,

Egeland said fighting in the eastern Donbass region has already left 3 million people reliant on humanitarian aid.