Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine today accused Kiev forces of shelling their territory with mortars. The Ukrainian government has accused the rebels of using artillery.
In the beginning The ReutersCiting a diplomatic source, the audience advanced Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Had recorded several “bombings” between rebels and government forces in eastern Ukraine.
The separatists claim that government forces opened fire “Four times in the last 24 hours” And those trying to find out if they are dead or injured.
The Ukrainian military has denied the separatists’ allegations, saying the insurgents bombed the Ukrainian army.
The incidents have occurred several times over the past eight years, but the conflict has escalated since Russia sent 100,000 troops to the Ukrainian border.
The United States has accused Russia of increasing its military presence by 7,000 troops along the Ukrainian border, despite Moscow announcing a partial withdrawal of troops stationed there.
The new estimates put the number of Russian troops at close to 150,000.
Russia denies wanting war and guarantees withdrawal
Russia has always denied its willingness to go to war, but has demanded guarantees for its security, including a promise that Ukraine will never become a member of NATO.
The request was rejected by the West, which instead proposed negotiations on other security issues, such as arms control or reciprocal visits to critical infrastructure.
On Tuesday, Moscow announced its withdrawal “Area” of your players Posted weekly on the border with Ukraine. On Wednesday, he was arrested in connection with military maneuvers and The The withdrawal of some of its forces from the Crimean peninsula Annexed from Ukraine.
Today, he reaffirmed that the military withdrawal in Crimea continues.
The Russian Defense Ministry told Russian news agencies that “units of the southern federal district have returned to their bases by train after completing their tactical maneuvers at bases on the Crimean peninsula.”
NATO and Kiev suspect Russia’s withdrawal
Kiev doubts Russian motives And hopes to withdraw only when solid evidence is found.
“We do not believe it when we hear it, we believe it when we see it. When we see the departure of troops, we believe the rise and fall,” said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmitry Kuleba.
NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg renewed the request to Moscow this Wednesday Prove that you are withdrawing troops from the Ukrainian border.
“It remains to be seen whether Russia will withdraw … what we are seeing is that they have increased the number of troops and more troops are coming to the Ukrainian border,” Stoltenberg said at the start of the two-day meeting. Coalition of NATO defense ministers in Brussels at NATO headquarters.
Learn more:
“Hardcore explorer. Extreme communicator. Professional writer. General music practitioner. Prone to fits of apathy.”