Here is an item from RFE/RL's news desk on reports that Ukraine claims that its army has been fighting Russian regular forces:
A military spokesman says Ukrainian soldiers on January 20 came under attack from Russian regular forces in the north of the conflict zone in eastern Ukraine.
Spokesman Andriy Lysenko said at a special news briefing in Kyiv, "Heavy fighting is continuing near the [Ukrainian army] checkpoints 29 and 31," referring to a part of Luhansk region near the border with Russia.
"Ukrainian forces have stopped the advance of Russian troops.... The situation in the conflict zone is serious but under our control," said Lysenko.
The Ukrainian statement came amid intensified fighting in recent days as Ukrainian government troops and pro-Russian separatist fighters have been battling for the control of the Donetsk airport.
Earlier, Germany's foreign minister says he and his counterparts from Ukraine, Russia, and France are set to meet January 21 in Berlin in a bid to de-escalate the Ukraine conflict.