In Artemivsk, work on defenses against an expected attack from Russian-backed separatists has been delayed by months -- and volunteers digging trenches say the mayor is trying to sabotage the work. The mayor denies the claims, but admits the work started late. The city, which lies just 16 kilometers from separatist positions, was captured by separatists in April 2014 but retaken by Ukrainian forces in July. (Levko Stek, RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
Russia, Ukraine rebels have new ability to launch short-notice attacks: NATO
Brussels, May 11, 2015 (AFP) -- Russia and pro-Moscow rebels in eastern Ukraine now have the capacity to launch new attacks "with very little warning" after a sustained military build-up, NATO head Jens Stoltenberg said Monday.
"In eastern Ukraine, Russia and the separatists (now) have capabilities which enable them to launch new attacks with very little warning time" in violation of a ceasefire agreed in February, Stoltenberg said.