Russia Reinforces Military Placements In Ukraine, Tensions Could Explode In 2 Days
Speculations are mounting that tensions in Ukraine will explode in the next two days, after reports came out that Russia has been reinforcing its military placements at Donetsk despite a prevailing ceasefire agreement.
Portal VOA News, citing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), said a convoy of heavy weapons and tanks was seen entering separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine on Saturday. This was later confirmed by an AP report, which said that it had seen over 80 unmarked military vehicles on the move the same day. Part of the convoy were 14 howitzer cannons, while AP said several of the trucks were carrying troops.
Ukraine Defense Ministry Spokesman Andry Lysenko disclosed on Monday the rebels now possess the Pantsir anti-aircraft missile system produced by Russia. NATO calls it the Greyhound SA-22. The system, found positioned just 500 metres from a rebel checkpoint outside of Novoazovsk, Lysenko claimed, is not in any way a "part of armament of the Armed Forces of Ukraine."
The entry of the Russian tanks in Donetsk has been captured in a video footage posted by the local Chas Pik Internet news site. This batch of military vehicles and mobile howitzer artillery arrived on Monday.
Sergei Markov, a Russian political scientist, journalist and social activist, told the Daily Beast that "Novorossia soldiers would not initiate the battle," but yes, tensions in eastern Ukraine could "explode in the coming two days." He said the rebels, along with Russian troops, plan to "gradually take control over Piski, Avdiivka, and Schastye." The latter has been described as a town with a central heating station. He added Sloviansk and Kramotorsk towns will likewise be targeted because these were the rebels' former strongholds, "symbolically and strategically important towns for them."
Based on figures from the United Nations, the conflict in eastern Ukraine has claimed 4000 people lives since April, and this could escalate with the looming war again in this coming winter season in Ukraine. Ukrainian and rebel troops engage on a regular basis despite a ceasefire agreement entered in September. Some of the heaviest fighting focused on Donetsk airport.
Bernadette Meehan, National Security Council spokeswoman, in a statement called on both parties of the conflict to strictly adhere to the ceasefire agreement. "Any attempt by separatist forces to seize additional territory in eastern Ukraine would be a blatant violation of the Minsk agreements." The truce, which stipulated the pullback of heavy weaponry, was signed in the Belarusian capital, Minsk by Russia, Ukraine and the separatists alike.