Update from our news desk on alleged Russian troop movements in eastern Ukraine
Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko says Russia has launched an “intensive deployment of military equipment and personnel” from Russia territory into parts of eastern Ukraine that are controlled by pro-Russian separatists.
Lysenko’s announcement came as residents of separatist-controlled areas were voting in controversial elections on November 2.
AFP reporters near Donetsk say they saw a military column of about 20 trucks, some carrying anti-aircraft guns, heading toward the government-held airport -- although it was not clear whether they were new forces.
Several other Western media outlets also reported witnessing heavy movement of troops near Donetsk.
Among them, reporters for the news sites buzzfeed.com and mashable.com tweeted that they had seen a large military column.
Buzzfeed's Max Seddon wrote: "31 unmarked Kamazes (military trucks) just drove past towards Donetsk. Anti-aircraft weapons, ammunition boxes, radar systems, a bus of gunmen."
Video from earlier today of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the self-styled "DNR" prime minister and the expected victor in today's vote, casting his ballot.
Usually dressed in military fatigues, Zakharchenko came today in a suit -- along with his wife and several armed men.
Earlier we reported on a rally against upcoming Russian health reforms. Dozhd TV reports that nearly 4,000 people turned out.
Several journalists on the scene have made this observation, but obviously hard to tell.
Moscow responds to reports of high turnout
Interfax Russian news agency, quoting Frants Klintsevich, deputy leader of the ruling United Russia's parliamentary faction.
"The propaganda machine had been running idle, failing to intimidate the people. Voter turnout is very high. The Donbas elections will become a historical fact in just a few hours,"
A marvelous collection of photos by Evgeny Feldman. They may be self-declared republics, but their people still vote with Ukrainian passports.
Separatists confirm video of man sentenced to death by "People's Court"
BBC's Russian Service reports that Ukraine separatists have confirmed the authenticity of a video released on October 29 that shows a crowd sentencing two men to death by a show of hands in a "people's court."
One of the two -- who were both apparently accused of rape -- decided to go to the front lines in the battle against Ukrainian troops so he could "die with honor," according to the BBC.