17:23
12.6.2014
Our news desk has some more details about claims that three Russian tanks crossed the border into Ukraine today:
Ukraine's interior minister says three Russian tanks and other military vehicles have crossed the border from Russia into separatist-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine.
Arsen Avakov said todfay that the tanks entered Ukraine along with several armored vehicles through a separatist-controlled checkpoint.
He said the tanks were in the border town of Snizhnye, in Donetsk region, early in the day, before heading to Horlivka where they were attacked by government forces.
He said part of the column was destroyed and that fighting was still under way, but gave no details.
Unverified video posted on the Internet showed a tank in what was said to be a street in Snizhnye.
Avakov said the tanks crossed into eastern Ukraine despite Moscow's promises to tighten controls at the borders.
Russia denies it is aiding the separatists.
Arsen Avakov said todfay that the tanks entered Ukraine along with several armored vehicles through a separatist-controlled checkpoint.
He said the tanks were in the border town of Snizhnye, in Donetsk region, early in the day, before heading to Horlivka where they were attacked by government forces.
He said part of the column was destroyed and that fighting was still under way, but gave no details.
Unverified video posted on the Internet showed a tank in what was said to be a street in Snizhnye.
Avakov said the tanks crossed into eastern Ukraine despite Moscow's promises to tighten controls at the borders.
Russia denies it is aiding the separatists.
17:08
12.6.2014
Our multimedia department has issued this footage of OSCE chief Lamberto Zannier rather tempestuous visit to refugees who have fled the unrest in eastern Ukraine, ending up at a camp in Rostov-na-Donu in Russia:
16:05
12.6.2014
Here are some more details on Lavrov's comments, as reported by our news desk:
Russia says it is getting "increasingly” concerned by the lack of "any progress whatsoever" in efforts to stop the violence in eastern Ukraine.
Russian news agencies quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as making the comments to reporters on June 12.
Lavrov called for an immediate investigation into the alleged use of "indiscriminatory weapons," such as incendiary bombs, by Ukrainian military forces.
The minister also said Moscow is not bringing up the issue of sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine for the time being, saying the situation has not gone "that far."
Lavrov added that Russia is presenting a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Ukraine that calls on the Ukrainian government to start implementing the OSCE road map for resolving the crisis.
Russian news agencies quoted Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov as making the comments to reporters on June 12.
Lavrov called for an immediate investigation into the alleged use of "indiscriminatory weapons," such as incendiary bombs, by Ukrainian military forces.
The minister also said Moscow is not bringing up the issue of sending peacekeeping forces to Ukraine for the time being, saying the situation has not gone "that far."
Lavrov added that Russia is presenting a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council on the situation in Ukraine that calls on the Ukrainian government to start implementing the OSCE road map for resolving the crisis.
15:17
12.6.2014
Lavrov says fighters in E. Ukraine are ready for ceasefire, but Kiev must stop first.
— Michael Birnbaum (@michaelbirnbaum) June 12, 2014
15:15
12.6.2014
#NATO will assess long-term & far-reaching implications of #Russia’s aggression against #Ukraine. All NATO Allies have taken immediate steps
— AndersFogh Rasmussen (@AndersFoghR) June 12, 2014
15:15
12.6.2014
This would be a pretty major development, if confirmed. It is being reported that three Russian tanks crossed the border today and went into the Donbas region, before being intercepted by Ukrainian forces.
15:09
12.6.2014
Ukrainian army is using firebombs, claims Russian TV (http://t.co/zIZunxZvSj) while using CNN-footage from 2004 (https://t.co/nD3bjd3P3K)
— Olaf Koens (@obk) June 12, 2014
14:55
12.6.2014
In response to Russians' media claims, #Ukraine's National Guard reminds it possesses no phosphorus weapons: http://t.co/45zbjZumWA
— Evgen Vorobiov (@vorobyov) June 12, 2014
14:45
12.6.2014
Here's an update from our news desk:
The secretary-general of the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has visited a camp in Russia for refugees from the conflict in eastern Ukraine.
Lamberto Zannier met with the refugees at a camp in Dmitriadovka, some 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, on June 12.
The Interfax news agency quoted him as saying the conflict in the east "is craziness which must be stopped."
He proposed that a roundtable conference be held between former Ukrainian Presidents Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma, the current Ukrainian authorities, and representatives of the pro-Russian separatists.
On June 10, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape the eastern regions where government forces are fighting the separatists.
Authorities in the Rostov region, where the refugee camp is located, say there are nearly 4,000 refugees in the region and that the number continues to grow.
Lamberto Zannier met with the refugees at a camp in Dmitriadovka, some 40 kilometers from the Ukrainian border, on June 12.
The Interfax news agency quoted him as saying the conflict in the east "is craziness which must be stopped."
He proposed that a roundtable conference be held between former Ukrainian Presidents Leonid Kravchuk and Leonid Kuchma, the current Ukrainian authorities, and representatives of the pro-Russian separatists.
On June 10, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians to escape the eastern regions where government forces are fighting the separatists.
Authorities in the Rostov region, where the refugee camp is located, say there are nearly 4,000 refugees in the region and that the number continues to grow.
14:42
12.6.2014
Putin, marking #Russia Day: "Crimea's accession occurred peacefully, upon the will of people and in accordance with the international law."
— Kirit Radia (@KiritRadia) June 12, 2014