From our newsroom:
Ukrainian officials say Russian-backed separatists have violated a cease-fire by shelling government positions in eastern Ukraine, including near the southeastern port of Mariupol.
Army spokesman Vladyslav Seleznyov said in Kyiv on March 10 that in the past day separatists had fired upon the Donetsk region towns of Pisky, Vodyane, Tonenke, Opytne, Avdiivka, Troitsk, Luhanske, and near the Dutivska mine.
In the Luhansk region, he said rebels attacked army positions in Sokolnyky and Krymske.
Ukrainian officials said mortars and tanks attacked the village of Shyrokyne, near Mariupol, for several hours late on March 9, but were repelled.
A self-declared rebel defense official, Eduard Basurin, said Ukrainian forces had also violated the cease-fire with attacks.
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said 64 soldiers had died since the Minsk cease-fire agreement went into effect on February 15.
The conflict has killed more than 6,000 people since April.
Based on reporting by UNIAN and pravda.com.ru
International news agencies have quoted British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond as saying that Russia could once again pose the greatest threat to Britain's security.
In a speech to the Royal United Studies Institute (RUSI) think tank in London, Hammond said, "We are in familiar territory for anyone over the age of about 50 with Russia's aggressive behavior a stark reminder it has the potential to pose the single greatest threat to our security."
Hammond said the country's spy agencies were stepping up efforts to counter the threat.
"Hence continuing to gather intelligence on Russia capabilities and intentions will remain a vital part of our intelligence effort for the foreseeable future. It is no coincidence that all of our agencies are recruiting Russian speakers again," Hammond said.
Hammond's comments follow a report by RUSI that said Britain's defense spending would inevitably drop below the 2 percent target due to austerity measures.
The report predicted that the military's strength could be reduced by 30,000 personnel, leaving just 115,000 in the combined armed forces by the end of the decade.
Based on reporting by Reuters and AFP
From our newsroom, more on Putin disclosures concerning the premeditated land grab of Crimea from Ukraine:
Putin Says Crimeans Were Surveyed Before Annexation Vote
British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond speaking at the Royal United Services Institute in London today:
"We are in familiar territory for anyone over the age of about 50 with Russia's aggressive behavior a stark reminder that it has the potential to pose the single greatest threat to our security."
"Continuing to gather intelligence on Russia capabilities and intentions will remain a vital part of our intelligence effort for the foreseeable future. It is no coincidence that all of our agencies are recruiting Russian speakers again."
