KIEV — Ukraine's armed forces are on full military alert in case of a Russian invasion, the country's acting president said on Wednesday, reiterating concern over Russian troops massed on the border.
"I once again return to the real danger of the Russian Federation beginning a land war against Ukraine," Oleksandr Turchynov told a meeting of regional governors in Kiev, Interfax-Ukraine reported.
"Our armed forces have been put on full military readiness," he said.
Russia says it has no plan to invade eastern Ukraine following its annexation of the Crimean peninsula in March, but Turchynov's remark made clear the pro-Western government in Kiev saw no reason to reduce the readiness of its armed forces.
Kiev, however, accuses Moscow of orchestrating an armed uprising in the industrial east by Russian-speaking separatists who have seized government buildings in a string of towns and cities, largely unopposed by police.
See also:
A Message from The Moscow Times:
Dear readers,
We are facing unprecedented challenges. Russia's Prosecutor General's Office has designated The Moscow Times as an "undesirable" organization, criminalizing our work and putting our staff at risk of prosecution. This follows our earlier unjust labeling as a "foreign agent."
These actions are direct attempts to silence independent journalism in Russia. The authorities claim our work "discredits the decisions of the Russian leadership." We see things differently: we strive to provide accurate, unbiased reporting on Russia.
We, the journalists of The Moscow Times, refuse to be silenced. But to continue our work, we need your help.
Your support, no matter how small, makes a world of difference. If you can, please support us monthly starting from just $2. It's quick to set up, and every contribution makes a significant impact.
By supporting The Moscow Times, you're defending open, independent journalism in the face of repression. Thank you for standing with us.
Remind me later.