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Russia Begins Drills Near Ukrainian Border

April 24, 2014
by RFE/RL

Russia says it has launched new military drills near the Ukrainian border in response to Ukrainian action against pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

The announcement by the Russian defense minister came shortly after President Vladimir Putin decried what he described as Kyiv's 'punitive operation,' and warned of unspecified consequences.

Ukraine's military earlier on April 24 launched an assault on a rebel-held town in eastern Ukraine.

The Interior Ministry said 'up to five terrorists' were killed in clashes near the town of Slovyansk.

In Moscow, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said Russia was forced launch military drills in response to mounting unrest in Ukraine, as well as NATO exercises in Poland and the Baltic states.

Shoigu alleged more than 11,000 Ukrainian troops, as well as tanks, armored vehicles, and aircraft, were taking part in a military operation against civilians in Ukraine's mostly Russian-speaking southeast.

Border Build-Up

Since February, when pro-Russian Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych was forced out of office, Russia has had thousands of troops stationed close to its border with Ukraine. Western officials have said as many as 40,000 Russian troops are deployed near the border.

Russia denies Ukrainian and Western allegations that it has sent agents into Ukraine to stir up separatist unrest. But Putin has said Russia has the 'right' to intervene in Ukraine to protect ethnic Russians there.

Putin said April 24 that the offensive launched by Kyiv's authorities in the east constitutes a 'serious crime against their own people.'

Russia has called on the United States to use its influence to restrain Ukraine's security forces and pressure Kyiv to implement an international agreement on de-escalation in Ukraine.

Washington has warned that further sanctions could be imposed on Russia if Moscow does not soon start forcing pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine to disarm and evacuate public buildings, as called for in the Geneva agreement.

U.S. President Barack Obama -- speaking on a visit to Japan on April 24 -- accused Moscow of failing to live up to 'the spirit or the letter' of the agreement.

The deal was signed April 17 by Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.

NATO last week announced it was boosting its ground, sea, and air forces in eastern members of the alliance to respond to what Western officials describe as Russia's interference in Ukraine.

The United States, which has already sent fighter jets to Poland, has announced it is sending 600 troops to Poland and the Baltic states to participate in military exercise. On April 23, 150 U.S. paratroopers arrived in Poland.

With reporting by Reuters, AFP, and Interfax

Source: http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-putin- ukraine-warning-slovyansk/25361121.html

Copyright (c) 2014. RFE/RL, Inc. Reprinted with the permission of Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty, 1201 Connecticut Ave., N.W. Washington DC 20036.