12:02
19.5.2014
11:34
19.5.2014
The battle for security ahead of Sunday's presidential vote continues in eastern Ukraine:
10:50
19.5.2014
The "Kyiv Post" reports that pro-Russian separatists went on the offensive in eastern Ukraine over the past couple days:
Over the weekend, one Kremlin-backed separatist was killed, one wounded and an unspecified number were taken prisoner, including two Russian journalists, in clashes near Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, and Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian authorities say.
Starting on May 17 and up to the morning of May 19, according to the interior and defense ministries, Moscow-backed separatists attacked five Ukraine-held checkpoints near Sloviansk. They also targeted the Kramatorsk airfield and an encampment near the counterterrorism headquarters in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast.
Starting on May 17 and up to the morning of May 19, according to the interior and defense ministries, Moscow-backed separatists attacked five Ukraine-held checkpoints near Sloviansk. They also targeted the Kramatorsk airfield and an encampment near the counterterrorism headquarters in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast.
10:45
19.5.2014
More from the latest Kremlin move from our news desk:
Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered military forces that took part in drills in three regions bordering Ukraine to return to their home bases.
In a statement released Monday, the Kremlin said that troops involved in "planned spring" exercises in the Rostov, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions have been ordered back to their barracks.
It was not immediately clear whether the order meant there would be fewer soldiers near the border with Ukraine, where NATO has said Russia has amassed some 40,000 troops.
At the same time, a Kremlin spokesperson urged Kyiv to end its operation in eastern Ukraine and withdraw its own troops from the region.
NATO and the United States said there were no signs of reductions after Putin said on May 7 that forces had been withdrawn from the border. (Interfax, Reuters, AP, and AFP)
In a statement released Monday, the Kremlin said that troops involved in "planned spring" exercises in the Rostov, Belgorod, and Bryansk regions have been ordered back to their barracks.
It was not immediately clear whether the order meant there would be fewer soldiers near the border with Ukraine, where NATO has said Russia has amassed some 40,000 troops.
At the same time, a Kremlin spokesperson urged Kyiv to end its operation in eastern Ukraine and withdraw its own troops from the region.
NATO and the United States said there were no signs of reductions after Putin said on May 7 that forces had been withdrawn from the border. (Interfax, Reuters, AP, and AFP)
10:16
19.5.2014
LATEST from our news desk:
Russian news agencies say President Vladimir Putin has ordered Russian forces to return to bases after military drills in regions bordering Ukraine.
10:10
19.5.2014
Continuing reports last week of the lawlessness gripping eastern Ukraine where armed pro-Russian separatists have siezed control:
10:09
19.5.2014
09:30
19.5.2014
09:29
19.5.2014
The "Kyiv Post" is reporting that Russia has transferred signal technicians to its border with Ukraine, close to an area where pro-Russian separatists have set up roadblocks and established their own border crossings. The specialists' main role is in reportedly in ground reconnaissance from the air using drones.
08:44
19.5.2014
Petro Poroshenko continues to lead in the polls a week ahead of the presidential vote, but does anyone really expect him to win?