Ukraine Claims Russian Tanks Cross Into Rebel-Controlled Eastern Region

Ukraine’s military claimed on Friday that dozens of tanks and artillery systems had recently crossed from Russia into the country’s separatist-controlled eastern region as the brutal conflict continues.

Kiev said 32 tanks and 16 howitzer artillery systems in addition to ammunition trucks and fighters had entered its eastern territory, the Associated Press reports. “The deployment continues of military equipment and Russian mercenaries to the front lines,” said Andriy Lysenko, a Ukrainian national security and defense council spokesman.

There was no immediate statement from Russia’s defense ministry, which has denied previous allegations in the past. And Lynsenko did not detail how Ukraine learned of the apparent military movement. The report comes days after rebel territories held a ballot that Ukraine said violated a shaky truce agreed to in September.

[AP]