Russian Tanks Enter Ukraine
Russian tanks reportedly entered eastern Ukraine Thursday, in what may be the start of a full-scale conflict between the two countries.
Reports of radio chatter at 0700 GMT indicated Russian forces were mobilizing to launch into the Ukraine, reports Ukraine Reporter. Later eyewitness updates saw T-72 Russian tanks entering Snizhne. The town is located in the Donetsk region, a hotbed for pro-Russian separatists.
Locals of Snizhne who reported the incursion to police say the tank crews openly talked about their Russian origin and that they had come to “liberate the Ukraine.”Another report included APCs and other military vehicles took part in the invasion.
At 0900 GMT, three dozen protesters stormed the Border Guard Administration building in Kyiv, demanding that the head of Border Guard Service resign. The protesters were repelled with fire hoses.
Protesters outside the Ukrainian Border on Thursday.
Ukrainian parliamentarian Arsen Avakov confirmed at 1200 GMT that three T-72 Russian tanks had crossed the Ukrainian border. Two of the tanks were intercepted by Ukrainian Army (UA) troops; additional reporting said one of the Russian tanks was hit.
Video showing one of the Russian tanks driving through the streets of Snizhne was just published to the Internet.
Posted in Europe Today, The New Cold War.
– June 12, 2014