"We are repositioning armed forces to react to unexpected actions of armed groups located on territories that are not under our control," Poltorak told a government meeting Wednesday, adding that the rebels have received reinforcements. He said his main task is “to prepare for military action.”
"We observe and know about the reinforcement of terrorist groups, and from the side of the Russian Federation. But we tightly follow their movements. We know their locations," he said. "And we surely expect unexpected actions from them. How to react to their unexpected actions? I see it the main task to prepare for military actions.''
Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk called for international engagement to establish peace in Ukraine and in the world. Yatsenyuk said Ukraine is doing its utmost, but its "powers are limited," especially when facing a nuclear power.
"The country, Ukraine, needs peace. In order to establish this peace, the whole world must act as one united civilized democratic institution which is fighting for peace in Ukraine and in the whole world," he said. "We are doing everything within our power. Though our powers are not unlimited - especially when it comes to confrontation with a nuclear state which is armed to teeth.''
There has been recent sporadic violence in eastern Ukraine despite a September 5 cease-fire agreement between Kyiv and the separatists.
Russian military equipment, artillery
NATO says it has observed columns of Russian military equipment including tanks, artillery and combat troops entering eastern Ukraine in the past two days.
Russia's Defense Minister denies that Russian soldiers have entered Ukraine, Reuters reported.
On Tuesday, the NATO commander U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove said at least 250-300 Russian troops remain inside eastern Ukraine helping the separatists. He also said that eight Russian battalions remain on Russia's border with Ukraine, and that Moscow is moving forces capable of using nuclear weapons into Crimea, which it annexed from Ukraine in March.
Moscow has repeatedly denied any official military involvement in Ukraine, and has described Russian troops fighting alongside rebels as volunteers................http://www.voanews.com/content/ukraine-defense-minister-warns-of-possible-new-rebel-offensive/2517011.html
12/11/14
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Ukraine army prepares for possible rebel offensive: defense chief ...
ReplyDelete(Reuters) - Ukrainian government forces are redeploying in preparation for a possible new offensive by pro-Russian separatists in eastern regions, Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak said on Wednesday.
He told a government meeting the rebels had received reinforcements despite a ceasefire that was agreed on Sept. 5 but has been repeatedly violated.
"We are repositioning our armed forces to respond to the actions of the (rebel) fighters," Poltorak said. "I see my main task is to prepare for military action."
A military spokesman said on Tuesday the rebels were beefing up their forces, including around the port city of Mariupol in the southeast, control of which would open up roads to territory in southern Ukraine.........................http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/12/us-ukraine-crisis-military-idUSKCN0IW16T20141112?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews
12/11/14