Are Russian Military Forces Invading Ukraine?

A Ukrainian soldier stands at a checkpoint near the eastern Ukrainian town of Pervomaysk September 12, 2014. Credit: Reuters/Gleb Garanich

Has Russia Invaded Ukraine Again? -- Dashiell Bennett, The Atlantic

Reports say a convoy of tanks and trucks crossed the border into Luhansk, threatening a new escalation in the region.

Ukraine's government says a new convoy of Russian tanks and trucks—some 60 vehicles in all—crossed over the border between the two countries on Thursday, raising fears of a new wave of fighting in the eastern regions of the country.

The incursion, which has not been independently confirmed by journalists in the area, is just the latest sign that the September ceasefire deal between Kiev and the separatists is done. Not that it was that effective to begin with. Sporadic fighting never really stopped in the disputed regions of Donetsk and Luhansk, with hundreds of fighters and civilians being killed. On Wednesday, two teenagers were killed when a shell hit the playing field outside their school.

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Previous Post: BREAKING NEWS: Russian Tanks Followed By Artillery And Infantry Are Now Entering Ukraine

My Comment: It should be noted that the only source for this news has been the Ukraine military .... and they do not have a good history on reporting the news. Case in point .... earlier today they claimed that 200 pro-Russian rebels were killed in Donetsk yesterday .... Ukraine Says Up to 200 Rebels Killed in Donetsk Fighting (Bloomberg) .... but reporters and independent observers in Donetsk have not reported such casualties.

The reaction from Moscow has been mixed. From a spokesman saying that Russia is still biding by the Minsk ceasefire agreement, and RT quoting Russian officials who are denying outright these Ukrainian reports .... Moscow to Kiev: Stick to Minsk ceasefire, stop making false ‘invasion’ claims (RT).

From my vantage point I must confess that I am always skeptical of Ukrainian military reports .... but I would also not be surprised if Russian military forces are rotating into Ukraine. My advice is .... let us see what happens in the next 24 - 48 hours, and we will know the real truth then.