Our Brussels correspondent has quoted a NATO military officer as saying the alliance believes "more than 1,000 Russian troops" are operating inside Ukraine.
"They are supporting separatists [and] fighting with them," the officer, who wished to remain anonymous, told reporters in Mons, Belgium.
He said it is conceivable that Moscow could create a land bridge to the Crimea Peninsula, which it annexed in March, via the southern Ukrainian city of Mariupol.
Here is today's situation map of eastern Ukraine from the National Security and Defense Council:
The Soldier's Mothers Committe makes its presence felt:
“According to our expert analyses,” said Melnikova – and few organizations have better information than hers – “ there are over 10,000 Russian soldiers fighting in Ukraine today."
One-person demos are the only kind that don't need prior authorization in Russia:
Despite the fact that #RussiainvadedUkraine, the situation in a combat zone is taken by control of Ukrainian Army
— NSDC of Ukraine (@NSDC_ua) August 28, 2014
Meanwhile, in Kyiv, protesters gathered today outside the Defense Ministry in Kyiv for a second day, demanding the rescue of Ukrainian forces encircled by pro-Russian separatists in the country's east. The protesters said the troops have not received adequate support, and demanded the resignation of Defense Minister Valeriy Heletey. (Video from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
