National security adviser Sullivan describes what Russian invasion of Ukraine would 'likely' look like

National security adviser Jake Sullivan on Sunday said that he cannot know for sure what will happen in Ukraine, but described how a potential Russian invasion would play out if it were to happen. 

"If there is a military invasion of Ukraine by Russia, it's likely to begin with a significant barrage of missiles and bomb attacks," Sullivan said. "Those are never as precise as any army would like them to be, and we don't even know how precise the Russian army would like them to be, so innocent civilians could be killed regardless of their nationality."

PENTAGON SPOX SAYS THREAT OF RUSSIA SANCTIONS HAS 'DETERRENT EFFECT', BUT ADMITS INVASION MAY BE 'DAYS AWAY'

White House national security adviser Jake Sullivan speaks during the daily briefing at the White House in Washington, Monday, Aug. 23, 2021.
During an interview on CNN's "State of the Union," Sullivan continued by predicting there would be an "onslaught of a ground force moving across the Ukrainian frontier" following the bomb attacks if they occur, adding that civilians could get caught in the crossfire if this invasion takes place.

"We will defend NATO's territory," Sullivan said. "We will impose costs on Russia and we will ensure that we emerge from this as the West stronger, more determined, more purposeful than we have been in 30 years, and that Russia ultimately suffers a significant strategic cost for military action."

Sullivan said the Biden administration could not "perfectly predict" which day Russia would invade Ukraine, but said it could begin "any day now," stating that the way Russia has "built up their forces" and "the way they have maneuvered things in place makes it a distinct possibility that there will be major military action very soon."