Moscow has recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics in eastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced Monday.
Russia’s army says its troops have opened fire on a “Ukrainian sabotage and reconnaissance group” that attempted to cross into the country, killing five servicemen and destroying their vehicles.
The US has intelligence indicating orders have been sent to Russian commanders to proceed with an attack on Ukraine, according to two US officials and another source familiar with the US intelligence. Moscow denies any such plan.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitri Peskov says Russia has no plan to invade anyone, and given its history is the last country in Europe which wants to even speak the word "war”.
The units of the tank army of Russia’s Western Military District (WMD) are returning to the site of permanent deployment after conducting planned exercises, according to the Ministry of Defense.
Russia has announced military drills in Crimea have ended and that soldiers are returning to their garrisons. It comes a day after Moscow announced a first troop pullback from Ukraine’s borders.
Moscow does not want any war and this is why it proposed holding negotiations on equal security in Europe, Russian President Vladimir Putin said at a press conference after talks with German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Tuesday. Putting was referring to the Russia-Ukraine tensions.
Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov stated that UK's plans to target Russia with sanctions are not legitimate. He noted any such aggression will bring about countermeasures from Moscow.
