International observers in eastern Ukraine have found what appears to be further evidence of Russian support for separatist fighters in the area, reporting that they spotted soldiers in Russian military garb in a car with Russian licence plates near a fenced-off camp area.
Russia continues to deny that it has sent troops to fight in eastern Ukraine, despite the Ukrainian government, Nato and media outlets reporting frequent evidence for the passage of Russian troops and equipment into Ukriane’s war-stricken Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
However a report from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) which monitors the ceasefire signed between the two sides last February has published its clearest evidence for Russian presence in Ukraine yet, as tension continues to rise in the region.
The observers had been directed there as locals had told them a local holiday camp was occupied by an unidentified armed group. The observers then spoke to “two women, both wearing military uniforms, with caps with Russian Federation Armed Forces insignia” also in the village. The women claimed to be from the Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk in Donetsk region, despite their attire.
The conversation was soon interrupted by “a vehicle with Russian Federation number plates” according to the report, as “two armed men, similarly dressed, exited the car and ordered the women to stop the conversation”.
When inspecting the occupied holiday camp from the outside, the observers spotted at least “one infantry vehicle”, however the camp itself was reportedly surrounded by a tall fence and they were not allowed inside.
The OSCE report from Marinka, published today, contradicts pro-Russian claims that they did not move any heavy weapons toward the frontline – a violation of the terms of the ceasefire agreed between Ukraine, Russia and the fighters in the east. The report cites the “movement of a large amount of heavy weapons in the Donetsk People’s Republic-controlled areas”, referring to the name fighters call their territory.
