Russian combat troops have entered Ukraine, NATO says

(Image credit: Sean Gallup/Getty Images)

last updated 8 January 2015

Russian tanks, artillery, and troops have been spotted entering separatist-controlled areas in eastern Ukraine, a NATO commander says.

"We have seen columns of Russian equipment, primarily Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defense systems, and Russian combat troops entering into Ukraine," U.S. General Philip Breedlove announced in Bulgaria. Russia has repeatedly denied sending troops to help rebels in Ukraine, in the face of mounting evidence to the contrary.

Despite a September ceasefire, rebels have been in engaged in fierce battles with Ukrainian forces in Donetsk and Luhansk. War is Boring reported Sunday that "The National Security Defense Council of Ukraine recently dismissed the idea the separatists are ready for a major offensive — because there's not enough separatists to overpower the Ukrainian defenders." Russia's move could change the calculus completely.