Ukraine: Russia accused of new military incursion
Analysts say Russia may be trying to establish a land corridor through Ukraine to Crimea
German Chancellor Angela Merkel has demanded an explanation from President Putin over reports that Russia has sent soldiers to fight in the southeast of Ukraine.
"The latest reports of the presence of Russian soldiers on Ukrainian territory must be explained," said Merkel's spokesman Steffen Seibert. "She emphasised Russia's major responsibility for de-escalation and watching over its own frontiers."
The Ukrainian government has accused Moscow of supporting pro-Russian rebels who have opened a new front near the port of Mariupol, Reuters reports.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.
Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
The BBC's Barbara Plett Usher said that the suspicion in Washington was that Russia is leading an assault on the southeast of the country to divert Ukrainian forces from the besieged cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Denis Pushilin, a rebel leader in Donetsk, insisted that Russia was not involved in the fighting. "If Russia entered into the war, the counter-offensive would already be in Kiev," he said. "For now, we do without outside help."
The separatist resurgence "dimmed the glimmer of optimism" that had begun to emerge from talks held in Minsk between Putin and President Poroshenko, The Times says. The two leaders had previously been "cautiously positive" about their discussions and Poroshenko had promised to deliver a "road map" to peace.
Some analysts say that the latest fighting could be an attempt to establish a land corridor from Russia to Crimea, which would also offer control over the entire Sea of Azov.
Such a corridor would "transform the geography of Europe", The Times says.
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on Wednesday that a column of five armoured personnel carriers had been seen crossing the Ukrainian border.
"Five armoured infantry carriers and one Kamaz truck entered Amvrosiyivka with men in them," Lysenko told journalists in Kiev. "If this tactical group got lost and accidentally came into Ukraine like the paratroops of the 98th paratroop division, then it remains for us to remind them that they can return to Russia, taking an easterly direction," said Lysenko.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
-
Has the Taliban banned women from speaking?
Today's Big Question 'Rambling' message about 'bizarre' restriction joins series of recent decrees that amount to silencing of Afghanistan's women
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Cuba's energy crisis
The Explainer Already beset by a host of issues, the island nation is struggling with nationwide blackouts
By Rebekah Evans, The Week UK Published
-
Putin's fixation with shamans
Under the Radar Secretive Russian leader, said to be fascinated with occult and pagan rituals, allegedly asked for blessing over nuclear weapons
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Chimpanzees are dying of human diseases
Under the radar Great apes are vulnerable to human pathogens thanks to genetic similarity, increased contact and no immunity
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK Published
-
Deaths of Jesse Baird and Luke Davies hang over Sydney's Mardi Gras
The Explainer Police officer, the former partner of TV presenter victim, charged with two counts of murder after turning himself in
By Austin Chen, The Week UK Published
-
Quiz of The Week: 24 February - 1 March
Puzzles and Quizzes Have you been paying attention to The Week's news?
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Will mounting discontent affect Iran election?
Today's Big Question Low turnout is expected in poll seen as crucial test for Tehran's leadership
By Sorcha Bradley, The Week UK Published
-
Sweden clears final NATO hurdle with Hungary vote
Speed Read Hungary's parliament overwhelmingly approved Sweden's accession to NATO
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published