Increased Tensions Over Conflict in Eastern Ukraine – NRK Urix – Foreign News and Documentaries

The leaders of Russia and Ukraine agree on one thing regarding the conflict in eastern Ukraine, namely that tensions in the region are rising.

Both sides report that more and more shots are being fired on the front line. It separates the soldiers of the Ukrainian government from the Russian-backed rebels.

Ukrainian authorities say 20 Ukrainian military personnel have died so far this year.

Moving the Russian military forces

The Ukrainian military leadership fears that Russia is preparing a military attack against Ukraine. The background is that the Russians are moving their military forces to the border area with Ukraine.

According to the BBC, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry says the Russians are increasing their forces along the border in the north and east. The same will happen in the Crimean peninsula that Russia annexed in 2014.

The Russian side says that Russia does not threaten anyone and that the Ukrainians can take it easy. It is emphasized that the Russians have every right to move their forces on their own territory whenever they wish.

“Russia is not interested in any conflict with Ukraine, especially non-military,” Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Andrei Rudenko told RIA Novosti news agency.

But a Russian military exercise will be held near the Ukrainian border, where forces will practice defending themselves against drone attacks.

Western countries promise support

US President Joe Biden promises to give Ukraine “unwavering support” for “Russia’s ongoing aggression,” writes the AFP news agency.

British Foreign Secretary Dominic Raab says the following:

– We are deeply concerned about the Russian military activity that threatens Ukraine.

It is not said what this Western support really consists of. But the Russian authorities interpret it as a promise of military assistance to Ukraine.

Russian presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov says Russia will take countermeasures if Western troops are sent to Ukraine.

– There is no doubt that such a scenario will lead to increased tension. Russia, of course, will take more steps to strengthen its security, says Peskov.

The president’s spokesman also did not say what measures might be in question.

The US Defense Command claims that US forces in Europe have increased their readiness. This is due to the more tense situation in eastern Ukraine.

Conflicting interests

Ukrainian authorities say Russia now has more than 2,000 military advisers and instructors within the rebels in eastern Ukraine.

From the western side, the Russians are also said to send weapons, soldiers and other aid to the rebels.

Russian authorities have also issued passports to many of the residents of the disputed areas. Therefore, they can more easily cross the Russian border.

From the Russian side, the claims of the Ukrainian and Western sides for military aid to the rebels are completely rejected. It is said that only political and humanitarian support is provided.

It is emphasized that those Russians who can fight on the side of the rebels do so voluntarily.

Huge loss

For the Russian authorities, it is important to show that they continue to support the predominantly Russian-speaking population of eastern Ukraine.

Leaders in Moscow also see a very serious military threat if NATO forces were stationed in Ukraine.

For the Ukrainian authorities, it is very important to regain control of the entire territory of the country. In the long term, they want to become members of both the EU and NATO. But it will be difficult as long as the conflict in eastern Ukraine continues.

Western countries want to show their support for Ukraine. This is the only one of the three Slavic countries where the leadership in recent years has been replaced by democratic elections.

More than 13,000 people have lost their lives in the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014.