Ukraine warned against southeast military buildup
Iran Press TV
Tue Apr 8, 2014 9:50AM GMT
Russia has warned Ukraine over the buildup of Ukrainian troops and US mercenaries in the southeastern part of Ukraine, saying the move could lead to a "civil war."
The Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Tuesday that Moscow is particularly concerned that "the operation involves some 150 American mercenaries from a private company Greystone Ltd., dressed in the uniform of the [Ukrainian] special task police unit Sokol."
"Organizers and participants of such incitement are assuming a huge responsibility for threatening upon the rights, freedoms and lives of Ukrainian citizens as well as the stability of Ukraine," it added.
The statement also called on Kiev authorities to immediately cease all military preparations in the region, saying the move could spark a "civil war" in Ukraine.
The statement came after Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov confirmed that more units of special forces have arrived in southern and eastern parts of the country.
"These special forces are ready to solve operational problems disregarding local nuances," Avakov said in his address to residents of eastern city of Kharkiv, where pro-Russian protests were held on Monday.
The interior ministry, however, said that the special forces are tasked with suppressing protests in southeastern regions.
On Monday, pro-Russia protesters in the eastern city of Donetsk declared independence from Kiev. People in Ukraine's southern city of Nikolayev, also raised the Russian flag atop the regional administration building.
The demonstrations gained momentum after Ukraine's Crimea declared independence from the former Soviet state and formally applied to become part of the Russian Federation following a referendum on March 16.
MOS/HSN
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