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'{{about|Russian military intervention in post-[[Euromaidan]] Ukraine|the secession crisis in Crimea and subsequent Russian annexation|2014 Crimean crisis|the secession crisis in eastern Ukraine|2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2014}} {{Infobox military conflict | partof = the [[2013–14 Ukrainian Crisis]] | image = [[File:2014 Russo-ukrainean-conflict map.svg|300px]] | caption =Pink in the Donbass area represents areas currently held by the DPR/LPR insurgents (cities in red). Crimea, which is under Russian control, is also shown in pink. Yellow represents areas under the control of Ukrainian government (cities in blue). | date = 26 February ''(de facto)'',<ref name="guardian">{{cite news| url = http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/27/armed-men-seize-crimea-parliament-reports | newspaper = The Guardian| title= Armed men seize Crimea parliament|date= 27 February 2014 | accessdate = 1 March 2014}}</ref> 1 March ''(authorised)''<ref name="bbc">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26400035|title=BBC News - Russian parliament approves troop deployment in Ukraine|publisher=bbc.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> 2014 – ''ongoing''<br />({{Age in years, months, weeks and days|month1=2|day1=26|year1=2014}}) | place =<br /> * [[Ukraine]] ''([[Crimean Peninsula]], [[Donetsk Oblast]],<ref name="StateDept" /> [[Luhansk Oblast]],<ref name="StateDept" /> [[Kherson Oblast]]<ref name="kherson_invaded">[http://un.ua/eng/article/497094.html Russian Military Forces Come Into Chonhar Village, Kherson Region]. Ukrainian News, 8 March 2014</ref>)''; * [[Black Sea]] ''([[Sea of Azov]])<ref name="Shelling in sea of azov">[http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/eight-border-guards-rescued-two-missing-after-shelling-in-sea-of-azov-362948]</ref>''; * [[Russian Federation]] ''([[Rostov Oblast]]).<ref name=nytj9/><ref name="Shelling from inside Russia">{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/videos/us-photos-show-russia-fired-into-ukraine/|title=US: Photos show Russia fired into Ukraine - Videos - CBS News|publisher=cbsnews.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref>'' | coordinates = | map_type = | map_relief = | latitude = | longitude = | map_size = | map_marksize = | map_caption = | map_label = | territory =<br /> *[[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]] *Pro-Russian insurgents control strip along border from [[Novoazovsk]] to [[Luhansk]] | result = | status = <br /> * Unmarked Russian troops take over Crimea, seize military units,<ref name="uk.reuters.com">{{Citation | url = http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/04/17/russia-putin-crimea-idUKL6N0N921H20140417 | title = Putin admits Russian forces were deployed to Crimea | newspaper = [[Reuters]] | date = 17 April 2014 | quote = "We had to take unavoidable steps so that events did not develop as they are currently developing in southeast Ukraine. ... Of course our troops stood behind Crimea's self-defence forces."}}</ref><ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/03/world/europe/ukraine.html | title = Ukraine Puts Troops on High Alert, Threatening War | newspaper = [[The New York Times]] | date = 2 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Putin admits unmarked soldiers in Ukraine were Russian; optimistic about Geneva talks|url=http://www.pbs.org/newshour/rundown/putin-admits-unmarked-soldiers-ukraine-russian-optimistic-geneva-talks/|website=Public Broadcasting Service}}</ref> fortify near [[Chongar]], [[Kherson Oblast]].<ref name="feb27">{{cite web|url=http://gazeta.ua/ru/articles/np/_dorogi-v-krym-perekryli-blokpostami-kotorye-ohranyaet-berkut-i-vooruzhennye-lyudi-v-kamuflyazhe/544741|title=Дороги в Крым перекрыли блокпостами, которые охраняет Беркут и вооруженные люди в камуфляже|work=Gazeta.ua|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="wsj-feb28">{{cite web |url= http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304071004579410931310849454 |title= Crimea Checkpoints Raise Secession Fears |date= 28 February 2014 |website= |publisher= The Wall Street Journal |accessdate= 17 April 2014 }}</ref><ref name="armyansk"/> * Russian military buildup on Russian-Ukrainian border<ref name="pcoup">[http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-revolt-was-anti-constitutional-coup-putin-says-1.2558841 Ukraine revolt was anti-constitutional coup, Putin says] [[Canadian Broadcasting Corporation|CBC]]. Retrieved 4 March 2014</ref><ref name="mass_at_border">{{cite news|title=Russian Troops Mass at Border With Ukraine|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/14/world/europe/ukraine.html|accessdate=14 March 2014|newspaper=The New York Times|date=13 March 2014|author=Steven Lee Myers|author2=Alison Smale}}</ref> * NATO condemns Russian involvement, plans Rapid Trident military exercises in Ukraine,<ref>{{cite web|last=Shipman |first=Tim |url=http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2584693/Ukraine-hold-joint-military-exercises-U-S-Britain-announcing-troop-withdrawal-Crimea.html |title=Ukraine to hold joint military exercises with U.S. and Britain after announcing troop withdrawal from Crimea &#124; Mail Online |publisher=Dailymail.co.uk |date= |accessdate=20 April 2014}}</ref> reinforces members west of Ukraine.<ref name=Baetz>{{cite news|title=NATO increases military moves to counter Russia|url=http://www.thestar.com/news/world/2014/04/16/nato_increases_military_moves_to_counter_russia.html|accessdate=19 April 2014|newspaper=The Star (Canada)|date=16 April 2014|author=Juergen Baetz|author2=John-Thor Dahlburg|agency=Associated Press|location=Brussels}}</ref> * US,<ref name="StateDept">{{cite web|title=Evidence of Russian Support for Destabilization of Ukraine|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/ps/2014/04/224762.htm|publisher=U.S. Department of State|accessdate=14 April 2014|author=Office of the Spokesperson|location=Washington, D.C.|date=13 April 2014}}</ref> Ukraine<ref name="GRU">{{cite news|title=Ukraine pushes tanks toward flashpoint separatist city|url=http://www.dailystar.com.lb/News/International/2014/Apr-15/253403-armored-column-on-road-leading-to-ukraines-slavyansk.ashx#axzz2yy6vqsp6|accessdate=15 April 2014|newspaper=The Daily Star (Lebanon)|date=15 April 2014|author=Nicolas Miletitch|author2=Dmitry Zaks|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> accuse Russia of orchestrating [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|unrest in eastern and southern Ukraine]] * Russian intervention in [[war in Donbass]]<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: 'Russia has launched a great war'|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29017736|newspaper=BBC)|date=2 September 2014|location=London}}</ref> | combatants_header = | combatant1 = {{flag|Russia}} * {{flag|Republic of Crimea}} * {{flag|Sevastopol}} {{flag|Novorossiya}} * {{flag|Donetsk People's Republic}} * {{flag|Lugansk People's Republic}} | combatant2 = {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ukraine]]<ref name="disaster">{{cite web|author=Network writers, agencies |url=http://www.news.com.au/world/russian-troop-invasion-encircles-crimeas-capital-as-ukraine-pm-declares-the-nation-to-be-on-brink-of-disaster/story-fndir2ev-1226843109609 |title=Russian troop invasion encircles Crimea's capital as Ukraine PM declares the nation to be on 'brink of disaster' |publisher=News.com.au |date=27 February 2014 |accessdate=3 March 2014}}</ref> | commander1 = {{flagicon|Russia}} [[Vladimir Putin]]<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Sergey Shoygu]]<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Valery Gerasimov]]<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Igor Sergun]]<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Aleksandr Vitko]]<br>{{flagicon|Republic of Crimea}} [[Sergey Aksyonov]]<br>{{flagicon|Russia}} [[Denis Berezovsky]]<br>In the view of Russia:<br>{{flagicon|Donetsk People's Republic}} [[Alexander Zakharchenko]]<br>{{flagicon|Lugansk People's Republic}} [[Igor Plotnitsky]] | commander2 = {{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Petro Poroshenko]]<br>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Ihor Tenyukh]]<br>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Mykhailo Kutsyn]]<br>{{flagicon|Ukraine}} [[Serhiy Hayduk]] <small>([[Prisoner of war|POW]])</small> | units1 ={{flagicon image|Banner of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation (obverse).svg}} [[Russian Armed Forces]]:<ref name="zsu_henshtab">[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/5/7017615/ General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: in Crimea – not just soldiers from units of Black Sea Fleet]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. 4 March 2014</ref><ref name="zsu_interfax">[http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/194412.html In Crimea, Russian soldiers are not only part of the Black Sea Fleet, says the General Staff of AF of Ukraine]. [[Interfax-Ukraine]]. 4 March 2014</ref> *{{flagicon image|Flag of the Russian ground forces.svg}} [[Russian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] ** [[File:Russian 76th Airborne Division patch.svg|18px]] [[76th Guards Air Assault Division|76th Airborne Division]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://pln-pskov.ru/society/162318.html|title=Депутат: Псковские десантники переброшены на Украину (Deputy: Pskov paratroopers deployed to Ukraine)|publisher=PLN-Pskov|language=Russian|date=28 February 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/219345.html|title=В СНБО подтвердили захват силами АТО 2 БМД Псковской дивизии (Capture by ATO of 2 BMD from Pskov division confirmed in the National Security Council)|publisher=Interfax-Ukraine|language=Russian|date=21 August 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> ** [[File:Russian 31st Airborne Brigade patch.svg|20px]] [[31st Guards Airborne Brigade|31st Airborne Brigade]]<ref name="В Джанкое находятся войска Чеченской Республики">{{cite web|url=http://ipc-dzhankoy.org/center_news/13738.html|title=В Джанкое находятся войска Чеченской Республики (In Jankoi there are armies of the Chechen Republic)|publisher=IPC-Dzhankoy|language=Russian|date=5 March 2014}}</ref> ** 18th Mechanized Brigade<ref name="В Джанкое находятся войска Чеченской Республики"/> *{{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of Russia.svg}} [[Russian Navy|Navy]] **[[File:Sleeve Insignia of the Russian Baltic Fleet.svg|18px]] [[Baltic Fleet]]<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/russia_redeploys_ships_of_baltic_and_northern_fleets_to_sevastopol_violates_agreement_with_ukraine_317983|title=Russia redeploys ships of Baltic and Northern fleets to Sevastopol, violates agreement with Ukraine|agency=Ukrinform|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> **[[File:Sleeve Insignia of the Russian Northern Fleet.svg|18px]] [[Northern Fleet]] **[[File:Sleeve Insignia of the Russian Black Sea Fleet.svg|18px]] [[Black Sea Fleet]] **[[File:Morskaja pehota Rossii.gif|20px]] [[Russian Naval Infantry|Marines]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/ukr/news/zrobleno_v_kremli_falshivka_pro_te_shcho_ubitiy_ukraiinskiy_ofitser_pyanim_napav_na_rosiyan_1926303|title= Зроблено в Кремлі: фальшивка про те, що убитий український офіцер п'яним напав на росіян (Made in the Kremlin: fake that killed Ukrainian officer attacked by drunken Russians)|publisher=Ukrinform|language=Ukrainian|date=7 April 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> [[File:Generalstaff central dep.svg|22px]] [[Main Intelligence Directorate (Russia)|GRU]] *[[Main Intelligence Directorate (Russia)#Activities|22nd Spetsnaz Brigade]]<ref name="В Джанкое находятся войска Чеченской Республики"/><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.postimees.ee/2718018/ukraina-krimmis-on-tsetseeniast-ja-uljanovskist-parit-vene-sodurid|title=Ukraina: Krimmis on Tšetšeeniast ja Uljanovskist pärit Vene sõdurid (Ukraine:In Crimea there are Russian troops from Chechnya and Ulyanovsk)|publisher=Postimees|language=Estonian|date=5 March 2014|accessdate=16 September 2014}}</ref> *[[45th Detached Reconnaissance Regiment|45th Guards Spetsnaz Regiment]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/russia/45-abn.htm|title=45th Special Purpose Regiment|author=John Pike|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> | units2 ={{Flagicon image|Ensign of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.svg}} [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]] *{{flagicon image|Ensign of the Ukrainian Ground Forces.svg}} [[Ukrainian Ground Forces|Ground Forces]] **{{flagicon image|Ukrainian Airmobile Forces flag.png}} [[Ukrainian Airmobile Forces|Airmobile Forces]] *{{flagicon image|Ensign of the Ukrainian Air Force.svg}} [[Ukrainian Air Force|Air Force]] *{{flagicon image|Naval Ensign of Ukraine.svg}} [[Ukrainian Navy]] [[File:Эмблема МВД Украины.svg|22px]] [[Ministry of Internal Affairs (Ukraine)|Internal Affairs Ministry]]: *{{flagicon image|Flag_of_the_National_Guard_of_Ukraine.svg}} [[National Guard of Ukraine|National Guard]] [[File:Gerb of State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.gif|20px]] [[State Border Guard Service of Ukraine|State Border Guard]]<br> [[File:Security Service of Ukraine.gif|18px]] [[Security Service of Ukraine|Security Service]] | strength1 = '''Crimean Force''': 25,000–30,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia-tensions/ |title=Ukraine looks for 'sign of hope' from Russia over Crimea |publisher=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/7/7018027/ |title=In Crimea are already 30 thousand of Russian military – part of Sevastopol fleet base which was agreed by the legitimate government of Ukraine and Russian which states that Russia is allowed to keep the military base till 2045. |work=[[Ukrayinska Pravda]] |date=7 March 2014}}</ref> *Black Sea Fleet: 11,000 (including [[Russian Naval Infantry|Marines]]) **30 + Warships <br> (incl. [[Soviet submarine B-871|submarine]]) * 4 Squadrons of fighter aircraft (18 planes each) '''Reinforcements''': 16,000<ref name="Beast">{{cite web|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/03/01/so-russia-invaded-crimea.html|title=Russia Stages a Coup in Crimea | work=The Daily Beast |date=3 January 2014|author=Michael Weiss}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/03/04/world/europe/ukraine-mood-on-the-ground/index.html?hpt=bosread |title=An eerie mood on the ground in Crimea |publisher=CNN }}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Dearden|first=Lizzie|title=Ukraine crisis: Putin asks Russian parliament's permission for military intervention in Crimea|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-putin-asks-russian-parliaments-permission-for-military-intervention-in-crimea-9162253.html|newspaper=The Independent|date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/194157.html |title=Россия незаконно увеличила численность своих войск в Украине до 16 тыс. – и.о. министра обороны |language=ru |trans_title=Russia illegally increased the number of its troops in Ukraine up to 16 thousand – acting Defense Minister}}</ref>–42,000<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/insider-view-moscow-control-ukraine-crimea-article-1.1708580 |title=Insider's view: Moscow is in control of Crimea in Ukraine |last1=Anonymous |date=3 March 2014 |work=Daily News|location=New York |accessdate=6 March 2014}}</ref> troops | strength2 = '''Crimean garrison''':<br>~ 14,500<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine must focus on where its assets are stationed, experts say|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/ukraine-assets-forces-military-crimea|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> - 18,800<ref name=Carbonnel>{{cite news|last=de Carbonnel|first=Alissa|title=With Russia controlling Crimea, Ukrainian army allegiances waver|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/08/us-ukraine-crisis-military-idUSBREA3710L20140408|accessdate=12 April 2014|date=8 April 2014|agency=Reuters|location=Sevastopol|quote=overwhelming majority of some 18,800 service personnel [...] ignoring orders [...]. Only about 4,300 will continue their service [...]}}</ref> troops<br>10 warships | casualties1 = 200<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140901/15000-russian-soldiers-sent-ukraine-say-rights-groups|title='Up to 15,000 Russian soldiers' sent to Ukraine, say rights groups|work=GlobalPost}}</ref>–2,000<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/05/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-casualties-idUKKBN0H00VY20140905|title=Ukraine says 2,000 Russian servicemen killed in Ukraine conflict|publisher=}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11128255/Ukraine-crisis-ceasefire-in-danger-of-collapse-as-13-killed.html|title=Ukraine crisis: ceasefire in danger of collapse as 13 killed|date=29 September 2014|work=Telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Russian soldiers killed (17 confirmed;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/09/12/uk-ukraine-crisis-russians-special-repor-idUKKBN0H70QF20140912|title=Special Report - Moscow stifles dissent as soldiers return in coffins|accessdate=25 September 2014}}</ref> acc. [[Human rights activists|HR activists]]) and 10 captured<ref name=CNN01xaa>{{cite news|title=Russian soldiers detained in Ukraine; leaders meet in Minsk|url=http://edition.cnn.com/2014/08/26/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html|accessdate=26 September 2014|publisher=CNN}}</ref><br>1 Crimean SDF trooper killed<ref>[http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-prorussian-troops-storm-naval-base-as-clinton-warns-of-aggression-from-putin-9201317.html Ukraine crisis: Pro-Russian troops storm naval base as Clinton warns of 'aggression' from Putin] [[The Independent]], 19 March 2014</ref> | casualties2 = 361–1,406 soldiers killed (Donbass)*<ref>594 killed by 13 August, [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/at-least-594-soldiers-killed-in-russias-war-against-ukraine-360637.html] and 955–2,000 killed by 25 September,[https://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/at-least-955-ukrainian-soldiers-killed-in-russias-war-against-ukraine-365976.html] making a total of 361–1,406 dead since the first reported Russian deaths in the area</ref><br>2 soldiers killed<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-ukraine-crisis-military-idUSBREA360GB20140407|title=Russian marine kills Ukraine navy officer in Crimea, says ministry|work=Reuters|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> and 60–80 captured<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine military to pull out from Crimea|url=http://www.thesudburystar.com/2014/03/24/russian-troops-seize-ukraine-marine-base-in-crimea|accessdate=24 March 2014|newspaper=The Sudbury Star|date=24 March 2014|author=Aleksander Vasovic|author2=Gabriela Baczynska|agency=Reuters}}</ref> (Crimea)<br>[[List of ships of the Ukrainian Navy#Vessels captured during the 2014 Crimean crisis|12 ships captured (3 damaged)]] | notes = *The number of Ukrainian soldiers killed in the Donbass area is since 13 August 2014, which is when the first Russian military deaths were reported in the area | casualties3 = 3 protesters killed (2 pro-Russian and 1 pro-Ukrainian)<ref name = RallyDeaths>{{cite news| url = http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/two-die-in-rallies-outside-crimean-parliament-says-ex-head-of-mejlis-337708.html |title= Two die in rallies outside Crimean parliament, says ex-head of Mejlis|work= [[Kyiv Post]]| accessdate= 27 February 2014 | date = 26 February 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Unrest in Crimea leaves 2 dead; government buildings seized|url=http://www.upi.com/Top_News/World-News/2014/02/27/Unrest-in-Crimea-leaves-2-dead-government-buildings-seized/6371393516263/|author=JC Finley|publisher=[[United Press International]]|date=27 February 2014|accessdate=9 March 2014}}</ref><ref>[http://society.lb.ua/life/2014/03/17/259752_pogibshiy_krimskiy_tatarin_shel.html Perished Crimean Tatar on the way to military enlistment office was captured "vigilantes"]. LB. 17 March 2014</ref><ref name="censor">{{cite web|url=http://censor.net.ua/news/276351/zverski_ubitogo_krymskogo_tatarina_zvali_reshat_ametov_troe_maloletnih_deteyi_osiroteli_foto|title=Зверски убитого крымского татарина звали Решат Аметов. Трое малолетних детей осиротели. ФОТО - Крым, Россия, татары, Украина, Агрессия России против Украины (18.03.14 01:57) " Политика Украины " Новости &#124; Цензор.НЕТ|publisher=censor.net.ua|accessdate=3 April 2014}}</ref> }} {{Campaignbox 2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine}} {{Campaignbox Post-Soviet conflicts}} {{2013–2014 unrest in Ukraine}} <!-- Please don't run the markup together in a large block thank you --> <!-- No bolding per WP:BOLDTITLE -->[[Russia]] sent troops and military equipment into [[Ukraine]] in what has been termed a stealth invasion<ref name = "CNBCx1"/> following the [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|February 2014 Ukrainian revolution]] and [[Euromaidan]] movement, and the contentious ouster of President [[Viktor Yanukovych]].<ref name=RadioFreeEurope/><ref name ="Aljz01"/><ref name ="WIRDIU"/> During the [[2014 Crimean crisis]], soldiers with ambiguous affiliation gradually took control of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea, which Russia then [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexed]].<ref name="Wpostx01"/> London-based military experts and the [[US State Department]] said the soldiers were likely Russian special forces (possibly including [[Spetsnaz]] commandos) and airborne units,<ref name="GNews">{{cite news |url=http://gulfnews.com/news/world/other-world/russian-special-forces-on-crimea-frontline-experts-1.1299168 |title=Russian special forces on Crimea frontline: experts |date=4 March 2014 |accessdate=4 March 2014 |work=Gulf News }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/22/-sp-does-us-evidence-prove-russian-special-forces-are-in-eastern-ukraine|title=Does US evidence prove Russian special forces are in eastern Ukraine?|quote=The US state department has claimed Russian special forces are engaged in covert actions in the Ukraine, citing as evidence controversial photographs that purportedly identify known personnel and show bullet-proof jackets and “Russian-designed weapons like AK-47s”|date=22 April 2014|accessdate=5 November 2014||author=Ewen MacAskill|work=the Guardian}}</ref> and although Russia initially insisted that [[2010 Kharkiv Pact|Russian forces stationed in the area]]<ref name="Below25000">Dilanian, Ken. [http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-us-intelligence-russia-ukraine-20140303,0,4657644.story "CIA reportedly says Russia sees treaty as justifying Ukraine moves"], ''[[Los Angeles Times]]'' (3 March 2014): "CIA director John Brennan told a senior lawmaker Monday that a 1997 treaty between Russia and Ukraine allows up to 25,000 Russia troops in the vital Crimea region, so Russia may not consider its recent troop movements to be an invasion, U.S. officials said. The number of Russian troops that have surged into Ukraine in recent days remains well below that threshold, Brennan said, according to U.S. officials who declined to be named in describing private discussions and declined to name the legislator."</ref> were not involved, Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] admitted in April that Russian troops had been active in Crimea and said this had laid the ground for the referendum.<ref name="uk.reuters.com"/><ref name="washingtonpost">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/putin-changes-course-admits-russian-troops-were-in-crimea-before-vote/2014/04/17/b3300a54-c617-11e3-bf7a-be01a9b69cf1_story.html|title=Putin's remarks raise fears of future moves against Ukraine - The Washington Post|publisher=washingtonpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="KremlinRU01">{{cite web|url=http://eng.kremlin.ru/news/7034 |title=President of Russia |publisher=Eng.kremlin.ru |date=1 June 2010 |accessdate=20 April 2014}}</ref> In August, unmarked troops and military vehicles from Russia also crossed into the Donbass region, escalating the Russian-backed [[War in Donbass|war against Ukrainian forces]] there.<ref name="volkskrant">{{cite web|url=http://www.volkskrant.nl/vk/nl/30323/Onrust-in-Oekraine/article/detail/3663685/2014/05/30/Kerry-wil-opheldering-over-Tsjetsjenen-in-Oekraine.dhtml|title=Kerry wil opheldering over Tsjetsjenen in Oekraïne - Onrust in Oekraïne - VK|publisher=volkskrant.nl|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="Time0x01">{{cite news|url=http://time.com/3142580/ukrain-russia-luhansk-donetsk-rebels-reinforcements/|agency=TIME|title=Rebels in Besieged Ukrainian City Reportedly Being Reinforced|date=19 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> Russia has distanced itself from allegations of military involvement in the Donbass,<ref name="imagery">{{cite news|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1531225/ukraine-crisis-11-reported-killed-in-donetsk-shelling/|agency=Globalnews.ca|title=Ukraine says 2 columns of tanks from Russia have entered strategic town|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> though the [[United States]]<ref name="StateDept" /> has accused it of being behind the [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|unrest]] and [[War in Donbass|war there]],<ref name="itartass0x1">{{cite news|title=Russia blasts US assessment of events in Ukraine's southeast|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/russia/728304|accessdate=17 April 2014|newspaper=ITAR-TASS|date=16 April 2014|location=Russia}}</ref> and videos of Russian soldiers captured in Ukraine, comments by rebel leaders such as [[Alexander Zakharchenko|Zakharchenko]]<ref name=washpo28>{{cite news|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/28/russians-troops-fighting-in-ukraine-naw-just-on-vacation/|agency=The Washington Post|title=Russians troops fighting in Ukraine? Naw. They're just on 'vacation.'|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014|quote="Among us are fighting serving [Russian] soldiers, who would rather take their vacation not on a beach but with us, among brothers, who are fighting for their freedom," Alexander Zakharchenko said in a reported interview with a Russian state television station.}}</ref><ref name="tnyt0x02"/> and statements such as that of the head of the Russian Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers, Valentina Melnikova<ref name="npr.org">[http://www.npr.org/blogs/parallels/2014/09/08/346735504/some-in-russia-admit-their-troops-volunteer-in-ukraine] ''NPR'', "Russia Reports Troop Deaths in Ukraine, But Calls Them 'Volunteers'"</ref> (reported by [[Corey Flintoff]] of [[National Public Radio|NPR]]) have established that Russian service personnel are fighting in Ukraine. At the beginning of the insurgency, the prime ministers of Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk were Russian citizens; they were succeeded by Ukrainian citizens by August.<ref name="nytimes0x01">[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/20/world/europe/plenty-of-room-at-the-top-of-ukraines-fading-rebellion.html New York Times, 20 August 2014]</ref> Many of the separatist fighters are Russian citizens, with many claimed to be former military personnel.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} The [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] claims key commanders of the rebel movement during this time, including [[Igor Girkin|Igor Strelkov]] and [[Igor Bezler]], are Russian agents.<ref name="tg0x01"/><ref name="tgox02"/> American and Ukrainian officials said they had evidence of Russian interference in Ukraine, including [[Signals intelligence|intercepted]] communications between Russian officials and Donbass insurgents.<ref name="tdb0x01">{{cite news|title=Kerry: U.S. Taped Moscow’s Calls to Its Ukraine Spies|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/04/29/kerry-u-s-taped-moscow-s-calls-to-its-ukraine-spies.html|accessdate=1 May 2014|newspaper=The Daily Beast|date=29 April 2014|author=Josh Rogin|author2=Eli Lake}}</ref> Separatist leaders like Alexei Moskovoy visited Moscow and were evasive about who was supplying their weapons.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=plclJv-V2Z0|title=bbc news report|work=YouTube|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> There is also evidence that indicates the Buk missile system, widely believed to have been used to shoot down [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]] on 17 July, came from Russia.<ref name="tg0x03">The Guardian, 17 July 2014 [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/17/malaysian-airlines-plane-buk-missile], [https://bellingcat.com/news/uk-and-europe/2014/09/08/images-show-the-buk-that-downed-flight-mh17-inside-russia-controlled-by-russian-troops/ the buk that downed flight mh17 inside Russia controlled by Russian troops]</ref> In late August, NATO released satellite images which it said showed evidence of Russian operations inside Ukraine with sophisticated weaponry,<ref name="ch0x0401">{{cite web|url=http://www.channel4.com/news/ukraine-russia-nato-satellite-image-soldiers-territory|title=Channel 4 news 28 August 2014|work=Channel 4 News|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> and after the setbacks<ref name="ch40x02">Channel 4 News, 2 September 2014 [http://www.channel4.com/news/tensions-still-high-in-ukraine-video tensions still high in Ukraine]</ref> of Ukrainian forces by early September, it was evident Russia had sent soldiers and armour across the border and locals acknowledged the role of Putin and Russian soldiers in effecting a reversal of fortunes.<ref>New York Review of Books, October 2014 [http://www.nybooks.com/articles/archives/2014/oct/09/ukraine-what-putin-has-won/ what putin has won]</ref><ref>Kyiv post 25 September 2014 [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/how-the-war-zone-transformed-between-june-16-and-sept-19-infographic-365795.html how the war transformed]</ref><ref>the guardian.com 3 September 2014, [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/03/ukraine-soldier-youre-better-clueless-because-truth-horrible-moscow-ilovaysk?CMP=twt_gu truth horrible moscow]</ref><ref>reuters, 23 October 2014 [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/23/us-ukraine-crisis-tanks-exclusive-idUSKCN0IC1GE20141023 tanks white circles]</ref> <ref> newsweek November 2014[http://www.newsweek.com/2014/11/14/battle-ilovaisk-details-massacre-inside-rebel-held-eastern-ukraine-282003.html]</ref> On 5 September, representatives of Ukraine, Russia, the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and the [[Lugansk People's Republic]] signed the [[Minsk Protocol]], a twelve-point agreement that implemented a ceasefire.<ref name=":29082574">{{Cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29082574 |title=Ukraine and pro-Russia rebels 'sign ceasefire deal' |publisher=[[BBC News Online]] |accessdate=5 September 2014 |date=5 September 2014}}</ref> On 10 September, Ukraine President [[Petro Poroshenko]] said most of the Russian forces had withdrawn from Ukrainian territory, and that this heightened the chances for a lasting cease-fire in the southeast.<ref name="tnyt0x03">[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/11/world/europe/petro-poreshenko-voices-hope-on-cease-fire.html?_r=0 New York Times, 11 September 2014]</ref> On 13 September, it was reported Russia had sent a convoy of aid into eastern Ukraine without inspection by Ukraine, claiming this convoy was part of the ceasefire agreement.<ref name="tg0x04">{{cite web|url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/ukraine-pm-says-country-still-state-war|title=AP, 13 September 2014|work=The Big Story|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> NATO said Russian forces were still operating in Ukraine in unknown numbers, and the ceasefire was not working. NATO said Russian forces were repositioning to bring great pressure on [[Mariupol]].<ref name="tnyahoo0x01">{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/nato-says-russian-forces-still-inside-ukraine-162220793.html;_ylt=AwrBEiTaqx1UrHsA5srQtDMD|title=AFP 20 September 2014|date=20 September 2014|work=Yahoo News|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> In November 2014 the Ukrainian military reported "intensive" movement of troops and equipment from Russia into the separatist controlled parts of eastern Ukraine.<ref> AFP, 2 November 2104[https://en-maktoob.news.yahoo.com/kiev-claims-intensive-movements-troops-crossing-russia-123248755.html intensive movement Russian troops]</ref> Associated Press reported 80 unmarked military vehicles on the move in rebel-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine. Three separate columns were seen, one near the main separatist stronghold of Donetsk and two outside the town of [[Snizhne]]. Several of the trucks were seen to be carrying troops. "Separatists have always insisted they are armed with equipment captured from Ukrainian forces, but the sheer scale and quality of their armaments have strained the credibility of that claim."<ref name="AP Associated Press 8 November 2014">{{cite news | url=http://m.apnews.com/ap/db_306481/contentdetail.htm?contentguid=RuTah0ue | title=Ukraine rebels seen moving large military convoys | date=8 November 2014 | agency=Associated Press | accessdate=9 November 2014 | author=Nataliya Vasilyeva}}</ref><ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/09/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSKBN0IT0AF20141109| title=worst east Ukraine shelling for month | date=9 November 2014 | agency=Reuters | accessdate=10 November 2014 | author=various reuters}}</ref> [[OSCE]] Special Monitoring Mission observed convoys of heavy weapons and tanks<ref name="osce.org">{{cite web | url=http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/126483 | title=Spot report by the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), 8 November 2014 | publisher=osce.org | date=8 November 2014 | accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> without insignia. According to an independent assessment provided to [[The Daily Beast]] there were as many as 7,000 Russian troops inside Ukraine in early November 2014 with between 40,000 and 50,000 at the country’s eastern border.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/11/11/thousands-of-putin-s-troops-now-in-ukraine-analysts-say.html | title=thousands of putins troops now in Ukraine analysts say | date=11 November 2014 | accessdate=11 November 2014 | author=shane harris}}</ref> Ukraine's currency lost value amid signs that Moscow had dispatched troops and tanks to reinforce separatists.<ref> Reuters 10 November 2014 [http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/11/10/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSKCN0IU20S20141110]</ref>OSCE monitors further observed vehicles apparently used to transport soldiers' bodies crossing the Russian-Ukrainian border - in one case a vehicle marked "[[Cargo 200 (code name)|Cargo 200]]" - Russia's military code for soldiers killed in action - crossed from Russia into Ukraine on November 11 2014 and later returned.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30039004|title= Ukraine crisis: Russian 'Cargo 200' crossed border - OSCE | publisher = [[BBC]] | date=13 November 2014 | accessdate = 13 November 2014}}</ref> Several members of the international community and organizations such as [[Amnesty International]] have criticized Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, and condemned Russia, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty. Many countries implemented [[International sanctions during the 2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|economic sanctions against Russia or Russian individuals or companies]], to which Russia responded in kind. [[The Kremlin]] has tried to systematically intimidate and silence human rights workers who have raised questions about Russian soldiers' deaths in the conflict.<ref name="Moscow Times">{{cite news | url=http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/moscow-stifles-dissent-as-russian-soldiers-return-from-ukraine-in-coffins/506979.html | title=Moscow Stifles Dissent as Soldiers Return From Ukraine in Coffins | work=The Moscow Times | date=12 September 2014 | agency=Reuters | accessdate=9 November 2014}}</ref> {{TOC limit|3}} ==Background== {{main|2014 Crimean crisis}} {{see also|Euromaidan|2014 Ukrainian revolution|History of Crimea|1954 transfer of Crimea}} Ukraine has been historically seen as a quintessential area of interest for Russia. {{Citation needed|date=November 2014}} After the collapse of the Soviet Union both nations retained very close ties, however conflict began almost immediately. There were several sticking points, most importantly Ukraine's significant [[Nuclear weapons and Ukraine|nuclear arsenal]], which Ukraine in the [[Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] agreed to hand over to Russia on the condition that Russia (and the other signatories) would issue an assurance against threats or use of force against the territorial integrity or political independence of Ukraine. A second point was the division of the [[Black Sea Fleet]], Ukraine agreed to lease the [[Sevastopol]] port so that the Russian Black Sea fleet could continue to occupy it together with Ukraine. Later through the 1990s and 2000s Ukraine and Russia engaged in several gas disputes, which stated as early as 1993. In 2001 Ukraine along with Georgia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova formed a group titled [[GUAM Organization for Democracy and Economic Development]], which by Moscow was seen as a direct challenge to the CIS and the Russian dominated trade group established after the collapse of the Soviet Union.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kommersant.com/page.asp?id=-5141|title=Axis of Evil Shaping Against Moscow - Kommersant Moscow|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Moscow was further irritated by the [[Orange Revolution]] of 2004 which saw the Ukrainian populist [[Viktor Yushchenko]] installed as president instead of the pro Russian Viktor Yanukovich. Moreover Ukraine also continued to increase its cooperation with [[NATO]], deploying the third largest contingent of troops to Iraq in 2004, as well as dedicating troops to NATO missions such as the [[ISAF]] force in Afghanistan and KFOR in Kosovo. Russian peacekeepers participated in Kosovo as well, however Ukraine chose to form the [[Polish-Ukrainian Peace Force Battalion]] further spurring Russia. Moreover Ukraine has also voiced its support of Georgia during the 2008 [[Russo-Georgian War]]. Ukraine also continued to supply Georgia with military equipment prior to, through, and after the conflict, stating they would only stop if there was an international arms embargo imposed on Georgia.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://rt.com/politics/georgia-still-receiving-nato/|title=Ukraine didn’t stop weapon supply to Georgia|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> A pro Russian president, Viktor Yanukovich, was elected in 2010 and Moscow felt that many ties with Ukraine could be repaired. Prior to this Ukraine did not renew the lease of Sevastopol meaning Russian troops would have to leave Crimea by 2017, however Yanukovich signed a new lease and even expanded allowable troop presence as well as allowing troops to train in the Krech peninsula.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2010/apr/21/ukraine-black-sea-fleet-russia|title=Ukraine extends lease for Russia's Black Sea fleet - World news - The Guardian|author=Luke Harding|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Many in Ukraine viewed the extension as unconstitutional as Ukraine's constitution states that no permanent foreign troops shall be stationed in Ukraine after the Sevastopol treaty expired. Yulia Timoshenko, the main opposition figure of Yanukovich was also jailed on what many considered made up charges, leading to further dissatisfaction with the regime. Finally in 2013 Viktor Yanukovich declined to sign an association agreement with the European Union, a treaty that has been in development for several years and Yanukovich approved of earlier.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/yanukoych-flexes-but-will-resist-eu-over-jailed-rival-322990.html|title=Yanukovych flexes but will resist EU over jailed rival|work=KyivPost|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Yanukovich instead favored closer ties with the [[Russian Federation]]. ===Autumn 2013=== In the autumn of 2013 the Kremlin warned Ukraine that if the country went ahead with a planned agreement on free trade with the EU, it would face financial catastrophe and possibly the collapse of the state. Sergei Glazyev, adviser to President Vladimir Putin, said that "Ukrainian authorities make a huge mistake if they think that the Russian reaction will become neutral in a few years from now. This will not happen." Russia had already imposed import restrictions on certain Ukrainian products and Glazyev did not rule out further sanctions if the agreement was signed. Glazyev allowed for the possibility of separatist movements springing up in the Russian-speaking east and south of Ukraine. He suggested that if Ukraine signed the agreement, Russia would consider the bilateral treaty that delineates the countries' borders to be void. Russia could no longer guarantee Ukraine's status as a state and could possibly intervene if pro-Russian regions of the country appealed directly to Moscow.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2013/sep/22/ukraine-european-union-trade-russia|title=The Guardian, September 22, 2013|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> ===2014=== Following months of protests as part of the [[Euromaidan]] movement, on 22 February 2014, protesters [[2014 Ukrainian revolution|ousted]] the government of Ukrainian president [[Viktor Yanukovych]] who was elected with 48.95% votes in 2010.<ref name="huffingtonpost1"/> The protesters took control of government buildings in the capital city of [[Kiev]], along with the city itself. As Police abandoned their posts across the capital Kiev and the opposition established control over key intersections and the parliament, President Yanukovych fled Kiev for the eastern city of [[Kharkiv]] where he has traditionally had more support.<ref name ="worldtime">{{cite news|url=http://world.time.com/2014/02/22/ukraines-president-flees-protestors-capture-kiev/|work=Time|title=Ukraine Protestors Seize Kiev As President Flees|date=22 February 2014|accessdate=1 March 2014}}</ref> After this incident, the [[Verkhovna Rada|Ukrainian parliament]] voted to restore the 2004 [[Constitution of Ukraine]]{{citation needed|date=March 2014}} and remove Yanukovych from power.<ref name="RadioFreeEurope"/><ref name ="Aljz01">{{cite web|title=Ukraine President Yanukovich impeached|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/news/europe/2014/02/ukraine-parliament-ousts-president-yanukovich-2014222152035601620.html|website=Al Jazeera}}</ref> A vote on the resolution which stated that Yanukovych "is removing himself [from power] because he is not fulfilling his obligations"<ref name ="worldtime"/> emerged 328-0 in support. The vote was 10 short of three-quarters of the Parliament members, the requirement of the [[Constitution of Ukraine]] for impeachment. Yanukovych claimed that the vote was unconstitutional because of this issue,{{efn|Feffer (2014) "Article 11 maintains that a vote on impeachment must pass by two-thirds of the members, and the impeachment itself requires a vote by three-quarters of the members. In this case, the 328 out of 447 votes were about 10 votes short of three-quarters,"<ref name="huffingtonpost1">{{cite web|author=John Feffer |url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/john-feffer/who-are-these-people-anyw_b_4964526.html |title=Who Are These 'People,' Anyway? &#124; John Feffer |publisher=Huffingtonpost.com |date= |accessdate=17 March 2014}}</ref>}}<ref name=RadioFreeEurope>{{cite web|last=Sindelar |first=Daisy |url=http://www.rferl.org/content/was-yanukovychs-ouster-constitutional/25274346.html |title=Was Yanukovych's Ouster Constitutional? |publisher=Radio Free Europe, Radio Liberty (Rferl.org) |date=23 February 2014 |accessdate=25 February 2014}}</ref><ref name="interfax1">[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/192030.html "Rada removes Yanukovych from office, schedules new elections for May 25"], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (24 February 2014)</ref><ref name="bbc2">{{cite web|author=David Stern |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-26304842 |title=BBC News - Ukrainian MPs vote to oust President Yanukovych |publisher=Bbc.co.uk |date=22 February 2014 |accessdate=17 March 2014}}</ref> and refused to resign. Politicians from [[eastern Ukraine|eastern]] and [[southern Ukraine|southern]] regions of Ukraine, including Crimea, declared continuing loyalty to Yanukovych.<ref name ="Aljz01"/> The next day, the Ukrainian parliament adopted a [[bill (law)|bill]] to repeal the [[Legislation on languages in Ukraine|law on minority languages]], which protected the status of languages other than Ukrainian, such as the [[Russian language]].<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/feb/23/ukraine-crisis-western-nations-eu-russia |title=Western nations scramble to contain fallout from Ukraine crisis |date=24 February 2014 | work=The Guardian |first=Ian |last=Traynor}}</ref> This attempt to make Ukrainian the sole state language at all levels, seemingly in an expression of [[Ukrainian nationalism]], alienated many in the vast Russian-speaking regions of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2014/0228/Is-it-too-late-for-Kiev-to-woo-Russian-speaking-Ukraine |title= Is it too late for Kiev to woo Russian-speaking Ukraine? |date= 28 February 2014 | work=[[The Christian Science Monitor]] |first=Sabra |last=Ayres}}</ref> A few days later, on 1 March, acting President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] [[veto|vetoed the bill]], effectively stopping its [[enactment]].<ref>{{cite news|title=На отмену закона о региональных языках на Украине наложат |url=http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/01/language/|publisher=[[Lenta.ru]]|date=1 March 2014}}</ref> In the meantime, on the morning of 27 February, [[Berkut (Ukraine)|Berkut]] special police units from Crimea and other regions of Ukraine, which had been technically dissolved on 25 February, seized checkpoints on the [[Isthmus of Perekop]] and [[Chonhar peninsula]].<ref name="wsj-feb28" /><ref name="armyansk">{{cite web|url=http://armyansk.info/news/news-archive/120-2014/4592-pod-armyansk-styanulis-siloviki-iz-berkuta |title= Под Армянск стянулись силовики из "Беркута" |date=27 February 2014|website= armyansk.info|language=ru |accessdate=15 March 2014}}</ref> According to Ukrainian MP [[Hennadiy Moskal]], former chief of the Crimean police, these Berkut had [[armored personnel carrier]]s, [[grenade launcher]]s, [[assault rifle]]s, machine guns and other weapons.<ref name="armyansk" /> Since then, they have controlled all land traffic between Crimea and continental Ukraine.<ref name="armyansk" /> ===Russian political actions=== The [[2014 Ukrainian Revolution]] which resulted in the exile and impeachment of president Yanukovich was viewed by the Russian Federation as a direct threat to their interests.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} Russian permanent representative to the United Nations [[Vitaly Churkin]] presented on 4 March a photocopy of a letter signed by Victor Yanukovich on 1 March 2014 asking that Russian president Vladimir Putin use Russian armed forces to "restore the rule of law, peace, order, stability and protection of the population of Ukraine".<ref>{{cite news|title=Чуркин сообщил об обращении Януковича к Путину|url=http://lenta.ru/news/2014/03/04/yanukovich/|publisher=[[Lenta.ru]]|date=4 March 2014|language=Russian}}</ref> Both houses of the [[Russian parliament]] voted on 1 March to give President Putin the right to use Russian troops in Crimea.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/03/1/7016683/ |title=Putin declared war against Ukraine (in Ukrainian) |newspaper =Ukrayinska Pravda|date= 1 March 2014 | accessdate =3 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://abcnews.go.com/m/story?id=22729336&ref=http%3A%2F%2Fnews.google.com%2F |title= Russian Troops Take Over Ukraine's Crimea Region|publisher= ABC News |accessdate= 1 March 2014}}</ref> ==Crimea== {{see also|2014 Crimean crisis|Timeline of the 2014 Crimean crisis|Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation}} [[File:VOA-Crimea-Simferopol-airport.jpg|thumb|thumb|Unidentified gunmen on patrol at [[Simferopol International Airport]], 28 February 2014]] Days after Ukrainian president [[Viktor Yanukovich]] fled the capital of [[Kiev]] in late February 2014, armed men opposed to the [[Euromaidan]] movement began to take control of the [[Crimea|Crimean Peninsula]].<ref name="yahoo">{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/armed-standoff-pro-russian-region-raises-ukraine-tension-033318395.html|title=Armed men seize two airports in Ukraine&#39;s Crimea, Russia denies involvement - Yahoo News|publisher=news.yahoo.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Checkpoints were established by unmarked men with green military-grade uniforms and equipment in the capital of the [[Autonomous Republic of Crimea]], [[Simferopol]], and the independently-administered port-city of [[Sevastopol]], home to a Russian naval base under the [[2010 Kharkiv Pact|Kharkiv Pact of 2010]].<ref>{{cite news | first =Mark | last = Mackinnon |url = http://www.theglobeandmail.com/news/world/crimean-region-could-be-ukraines-newest-flashpoint/article17130654/ |title = Globe in Ukraine: Russian-backed fighters restrict access to Crimean city |publisher = The Globe & Mail |date= 26 February 2014 | accessdate= 2 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://edition.cnn.com/2014/02/26/world/europe/ukraine-politics | title= Russia flexes military muscle as tensions rise in Ukraine's Crimea | publisher = CNN | date = 26 February 2014 | accessdate= 2 March 2014|quote=A CNN team in the area encountered more than one pro-Russian militia checkpoint on the road from Sevastopol to Simferopol.}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/checkpoints-put-at-all-entrances-to-sevastopol-337655.html | title= Checkpoints put at all entrances to Sevastopol | publisher = Kyiv Post| date = 26 February 2014 | accessdate= 23 April 2014|quote= Checkpoints were put up at all entrances to Sevastopol last night and the borders to the city are guarded by groups of people, police units, and traffic police. }}</ref> The local population and the media referred to these men as "[[Little green men (GRU)|little green men]]".<ref>{{cite news|title="Little green men" or "Russian invaders"?|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26532154|newspaper=BBC}}</ref> After the occupation of the Crimean parliament by these unmarked troops, widely believed to be Russian special forces, the Crimean leadership announced it would hold a [[Crimean status referendum, 2014|referendum on secession from Ukraine]].<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26379722|agency=BBC News|title=Ukraine crisis: 'Russians' occupy Crimea airports|date=28 February 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> This heavily disputed referendum<ref name="Wpostx01">{{cite news |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/crimeans-begin-vote-on-russia-referendum/2014/03/16/ccec2132-acd4-11e3-a06a-e3230a43d6cb_story.html |title=Crimeans vote in referendum on whether to break away from Ukraine, join Russia |first1=Carol |last1=Morello |first2=Pamela |last2=Constable |first3=Anthony |last3=Faiola |date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=17 March 2014 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]]}}</ref> was followed by the [[annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation]] in mid-March. Ukraine and most of the international community refused to recognize the referendum or the annexation.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/03/19/world/europe/ukraine.html|agency=The New York Times|title=Putin Reclaims Crimea for Russia and Bitterly Denounces the West|date=18 March 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> On 15 April, the Ukrainian parliament declared Crimea a territory temporarily occupied by Russia.<ref name="apr15">{{cite web|title=Ukraine Parliament declares Crimea temporarily occupied territory|url=http://news.biharprabha.com/2014/04/ukraine-parliament-declares-crimea-temporarily-occupied-territory/|work=IANS|publisher=news.biharprabha.com|accessdate=15 April 2014}}</ref> Since annexing Crimea, the Russian government increased its military presence in region, with Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] saying a Russian military task force would be established there.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.itv.com/news/update/2014-08-14/russia-sets-up-military-force-in-crimea/|agency=ITV|title=Putin: Russia to set up military force in Crimea|date=19 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> In November, NATO stated it believes Russia was deploying nuclear-capable weapons to Crimea.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30025138</ref> ==Donbass== {{See also|War in Donbass|Timeline of the war in Donbass}} [[2014 pro-Russian unrest in Ukraine|Unrest]] against the new [[government of Ukraine]] began bubbling up in the [[Donbass]] region of eastern Ukraine not long after the [[2014 Ukrainian Revolution|February 2014 revolution]]. In early March, government buildings in [[Donetsk, Ukraine|Donetsk]] were temporarily occupied, and clashes between pro- and anti-government protesters broke out in the streets of the city. In April, the city of [[Sloviansk]] in northern [[Donetsk Oblast]] was abruptly seized by anti-government rebels.<ref name="kpslov">{{cite news | url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/armed-pro-russian-extremists-seize-police-stations-in-donetsks-slavyansk-shaktarysk-fail-to-take-donetsk-prosecutors-office-343195.html | title=Armed pro-Russian extremists launch coordinated attacks in Donetsk Oblast, seize buildings and set up checkpoints | work=Kyiv Post | date=12 April 2014 | last=Rachkevych | first=Mark}}</ref> The insurgency spread, and within weeks, the [[Donetsk People's Republic]] and later the [[Lugansk People's Republic]] in neighboring [[Lugansk Oblast]] were declared. The self-proclaimed "people's republics" are not recognized by any state and are considered [[terrorism|terrorist groups]] by the Ukrainian government, although they have received Russian backing.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-russia-backs-results-of-sundays-referendums-in-donetsk-and-luhansk-9354683.html|agency=Independent|title=Ukraine crisis: Russia backs results of Sunday's referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk|date=12 May 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> The [[Security Service of Ukraine|SBU]] claims key commanders of the rebel movement during this time, including [[Igor Girkin|Igor Strelkov]] and [[Igor Bezler]] are Russian agents.<ref name="tg0x01">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/20/three-pro-russia-rebel-leaders-suspects-over-downed-mh17|title=The Guardian, 20 July 2014|author=Alec Luhn|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref><ref name="tgox02">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/29/-sp-ukraine-rebel-igor-bezler-interview-demon|title=The Guardian, 29 July 2014|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> A significant number of Russian citizens, many veterans or ultranationalists, are currently involved in the ongoing armed conflict, a fact acknowledged by separatist leaders. Carol Saivets, Russian specialist for the Security Studies Program at the [[Massachusetts Institute of Technology]] described the role of Russian soldiers as 'almost certainly' proceeding with the blessing and backing of the Russian state, "even if the Russians are indeed volunteers rather than serving military men".<ref name=nytj9/> Recruitment for the Donbass insurgents was performed openly in Russian cities using private or [[Military commissariat|voyenkomat]] facilities, as was confirmed by a number of Russian media.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.mk.ru/politics/2014/06/09/gruz-200-iz-donecka.html |title="Груз 200" из Донецка |publisher=MK.RU |date=9 June 2014 |accessdate=23 July 2014 |author=Yans, Georgy}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novayagazeta.ru/politics/63990.html |title=Фермы для "диких гусей" |work=Novaya Gazeta |date=11 June 2014 |accessdate=23 July 2014 |author=Makarenko, Victoria}}</ref> In an interview with French television channel [[TF1]] and [[Europe1|Radio Europe1]], Russian president [[Vladimir Putin]] said: "There are no armed forces, no 'Russian instructors' in Ukraine—and there never were any."<ref>[http://www.businessinsider.com/putin-taunts-us-ukraine-2014-6 Putin Taunts US And Ukraine Leaders Ahead Of D-Day Anniversary Meeting], ''[[Business Insider]]'', 4 June 2014.</ref> The well-organised and well-armed pro-Russian militants have been described by Ukrainian media as resembling those which occupied regions of Crimea during the 2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine.<ref name=kpslov /><ref name=pravdagreen>{{cite news|title=ПІД СЛОВ'ЯНСЬКОМ З'ЯВИЛИСЯ "ЗЕЛЕНІ ЧОЛОВІЧКИ"|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022192/|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|date=12 April 2014}}</ref> The former deputy [[Chief of the General Staff (Ukraine)|Chief of the General Staff]] of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Admiral Ihor Kabanenko, claims the militants are Russian military reconnaissance and sabotage units.<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022207/ ''Ukrainska Pravda''], "Вторгнення військ РФ на сході країни відбулося - джерела [Sources say that Russian troops have invaded the east of the country]", 12 April 2014.</ref>{{Quote request|date=September 2014}} Arsen Avakov stated the militants in Krasnyi Lyman used Russian-made [[AK-101|AK-100 series]] assault rifles fitted with grenade launchers, and that such weapons are only in issue in the Russian Federation. "The Government of Ukraine is considering the facts of today as a manifestation of external aggression by Russia," said Avakov.<ref name=pravdaapr12>{{cite news|title=На Донбасі сепаратисти і міліція влаштували перестрілку|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/12/7022218/|newspaper=Ukrainska Pravda|date=12 April 2014}}</ref> Militants in Sloviansk arrived in military lorries without license plates.<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/04/14/7022383/ ''Ukrainska Pravda''], "У Слов'янськ на вантажівках привезли "зелених чоловічків" із Криму [In Sloviansk are "little green men" brought in lorries from the Crimea]", 14 April 2014.</ref> A US State Department spokeswoman, [[Jen Psaki]], says there is a "broad unity in the international community about the connection between Russia and some of the armed militants in eastern Ukraine".<ref name=cnn22Apr>[http://edition.cnn.com/2014/04/21/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/ CNN], "Ukraine: Photos show undercover Russian troops", by Arwa Damon, Michael Pearson and Ed Payne, 22 April 2014.</ref> The Ukrainian government released photos of soldiers in eastern Ukraine, which the US State Department says show that some of the fighters are Russian special forces.<ref name=cnn22Apr /><ref name=Guardian22Apr>[http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/22/-sp-does-us-evidence-prove-russian-special-forces-are-in-eastern-ukraine The Guardian], ''Does US evidence prove Russian special forces are in eastern Ukraine?'', by Ewen MacAskill, 22 April 2014.</ref> US Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] said the militants "were equipped with specialized Russian weapons and the same uniforms as those worn by the Russian forces that invaded Crimea."<ref>[http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-kerry-ukraine-20140412,0,473770.story Los Angeles Times], ''Kerry warns Russia of new sanctions because of Ukraine moves'', by Paul Richter 12 April 2014.</ref> The US ambassador to the [[United Nations]] said the attacks in Sloviansk were "professional," "coordinated," and that there was 'nothing grass-roots seeming about it'.<ref>Nick Paton Walsh, Tim Lister and Steve Almasy, [http://www.cnn.com/2014/04/13/world/europe/ukraine-crisis/index.html?hpt=hp_t2 "U.N. Security Council meets as Ukraine 'teeters on the brink',"] CNN (14 April 2014).</ref> The British foreign secretary, [[William Hague]], stated, "I don't think denials of Russian involvement have a shred of credibility, […] The forces involved are well armed, well trained, well equipped, well co-ordinated, behaving in exactly the same way as what turned out to be Russian forces behaved in Crimea."<ref>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/89e2c664-c3a1-11e3-a8e0-00144feabdc0.html?siteedition=intl Financial Times], ''Ukraine raises rates as West discusses more sanctions'', 15 April 2014.</ref> The commander of NATO operations in Europe, [[Philip M. Breedlove]], assessed that soldiers appeared to be highly trained and not a spontaneously formed local militia, and that "what is happening in eastern Ukraine is a military operation that is well planned and organized and we assess that it is being carried out at the direction of Russia."<ref>{{cite news|last=Breedlove|first=Philip|title=NATO COMMANDER: Ukraine 'Activists' Are Clearly A Professional Military Force Under Russian Control|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/philip-breedlove-activists-professional-military-force-2014-4?utm_content=buffer28993&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook.com&utm_campaign=buffer|newspaper=Business Insider|date=20 April 2014}}</ref> [[File:2014-03-09. Протесты в Донецке 055.jpg|thumb|Pro-Russian protesters in Donetsk, 9 March 2014]] A Russian opposition politician, [[Ilya Ponomarev]], said "I am absolutely confident that in the eastern regions of Ukraine there are Russian troops in very small amounts. And it's not regular soldiers, but likely representatives of special forces and military intelligence."<ref name="unian.net">{{cite news|url=http://www.unian.net/politics/911495-deputat-gosdumyi-putin-ne-mojet-ostanovitsya-inache-ego-nazovut-slabakom.html |title=Депутат Госдумы: Путин не может остановиться, иначе его назовут слабаком : Новости УНИАН |agency=Ukrainian Independent Information Agency |date=25 April 2014 |accessdate=3 May 2014}}</ref> Later in July, after shoot-down of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]], he said that "Putin now understands that he has passed weapons to the wrong people". He also said that even if Moscow does not supply more weapons to the Donbass insurgents, there would still be enough supporters of the insurgency in the Russian military to continue such shipments unofficially.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.welt.de/politik/ausland/article130579514/Putin-realisiert-dass-er-die-Falschen-bewaffnete.html |title=Putin realisiert, dass er die Falschen bewaffnete |work=Die Welt |date=26 July 2014 |accessdate=1 August 2014 |author=Silke Mülherr und Inga Pylypchuk}}</ref> Klaus Zillikens, head of the OSCE mission in Donetsk, said that the mission has detected signs of "foreign agents" operating in Ukraine, but thus far there is no evidence to confirm that.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.interfax.ru/372717|title=Миссия ОБСЕ в Донецке не располагает доказательствами присутствия российских военных на Украине|agency=Interfax|language=Russian|date=20 April 2014|accessdate=20 April 2014}}</ref> According to Georgij Alafuzoff, the Director of Intelligence at the [[European Union Military Staff]], even if there is a Russian military presence in Ukraine, it is not as large as it was in Crimea. He suggests the militants are mostly local citizens, disappointed by the situation in the country.<ref>{{cite web|last=Sundqvist|first=Vesa|title=EU:n tiedustelujohtaja: Venäjä ei ole asemoitunut sotilaallisesti Ukrainaan|url=http://yle.fi/uutiset/eun_tiedustelujohtaja_venaja_ei_ole_asemoitunut_sotilaallisesti_ukrainaan/7190544|publisher=[[Yle]]|accessdate=16 April 2014|language=Finnish|date=14 April 2014}}{{fi icon}}</ref> [[Nick Paton Walsh]], reporting from Donetsk for [[CNN]], stated that the physical appearance of the militants is different from that of the unidentified troops, spotted throughout Crimea while it was in the process of secession.<ref>{{cite web|title=CNN не нашел связи между донецкими активистами и Кремлем|url=http://russian.rt.com/inotv/2014-04-14/cnn-ne-nashel-svyazi-mezhdu|publisher=[[RT (TV network)|RT]]|accessdate=16 April 2014|language=Russian|date=14 April 2014}}</ref> David Patrikarakos, a correspondent for the ''[[New Statesman]]'' said the following: "While at the other protests/occupations there were armed men and lots of ordinary people, here it almost universally armed and masked men in full military dress. Automatic weapons are everywhere. Clearly a professional military is here. There's the usual smattering of local militia with bats and sticks but also a military presence. Of that there is no doubt."{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}} [[Zbigniew Brzezinski]], a former American [[National Security Advisor (United States)|National Security Advisor]], said that the events in the Donbass were similar to [[2014 Crimean crisis|events in Crimea]], which led to its [[Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation|annexation by Russia]], and noted that Russia acted similarly.<ref>{{cite news|title=Crisis in Ukraine; Interview with Zbigniew Brzezinski; Interview with Nir Barkat; The Year of China?|url=http://transcripts.cnn.com/TRANSCRIPTS/1404/13/fzgps.01.html|publisher=CNN|date=13 April 2014}}</ref> ''[[The New York Times]]'' journalists interviewed Sloviansk militants and found no clear link of Russian support: "There was no clear Russian link in the 12th Company’s arsenal, but it was not possible to confirm the rebels’ descriptions of the sources of their money and equipment."<ref>{{cite news|title=Behind the Masks in Ukraine, Many Faces of Rebellion|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/05/04/world/europe/behind-the-masks-in-ukraine-many-faces-of-rebellion.html?_r=0|accessdate=13 May 2014|newspaper=[[The New York Times]]|date=3 May 2014|author=C. J. Chivers|author2=Noah Sneider}}</ref> Commenting on the presence of the [[War in Donbass#Vostok Battalion|Vostok Battalion]] within insurgent ranks, [[Denis Pushilin]] said on 30 May, "It's simply that there were no volunteers [from Russia] before, and now they have begun to arrive – and not only from Russia."<ref name="irishindependentmay30">{{cite news|url=http://www.independent.ie/world-news/europe/ukraine-forces-claim-upper-hand-over-prorussia-rebels-30318475.html|title=Ukraine forces claim upper hand over pro-Russia rebels|work=Irish Independent|date=31 May 2014|accessdate=31 May 2014}}</ref> [[Stephen Ennis]] wrote in his [[BBC]] news blog that, on the Ukrainian state television talk-show [[Shuster Live]] on 13 June 2014, the British journalist [[Mark Franchetti]], who had just spent weeks with the Vostok Battalion, described the Battalion as largely untrained locals from eastern Ukraine, with a smattering of Russian volunteers. He also stated that the fighters in the Battalion who were now in the Donbass were "mainly normal, ordinary citizens who are absolutely convinced they are defending their homes – as they put it – against fascism". Franchetti stressed that he was not saying that there were no Russian troops operating in Ukraine, but that he did not come across any himself. He stated "I can only speak about what I saw with my own eyes".<ref name=franchetti>{{cite web|author=Stephen Ennis |url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/blogcollegeofjournalism/posts/UK-journalist-caught-up-in-Russia-Ukraine-media-battle |title=UK journalist caught up in Russia-Ukraine media battle|publisher=BBC |date=20 June 2014 |accessdate=22 June 2014}}</ref> In a meeting held on 7 July in Donetsk city, Russian politician [[Sergey Kurginyan]] held a press conference with representatives of [[Donbass People's Militia]], including [[Pavel Gubarev]], and said that Russia did provide significant military support for the separatists. During a discussion among the participants, Gubarev complained that the arms that had been sent was old, and not fully functional. In response, Kurginyan listed specific items, including 12,000 automatic rifles, grenade launchers, [[2S9 Nona]] self-propelled mortars, two [[BMP development|BMPs]], and three tanks, that he knew had been supplied to the separatists by Russia. He also said he saw new, fully functional weapons unloaded at locations in [[Donbass]] which he would not "disclose as we are filmed by cameras". Kurginyan admitted that Russia had initially sent "4th category weapons", but since 3 June had supplied equipment that was fully functional. He also said one of his goals whilst in Donetsk was to ensure that military support from Russia was increased.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XAOnrGxpdgk|title=Full press conference of Kurginyan in Donetsk|date=7 July 2014|author=[[Pavel Gubarev]]}}</ref>{{Better source|date=September 2014}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.hromadske.tv/society/boioviki----dnr----zhaliyutsya-shcho-rosiya-pogano/|title=Ідеолог сепаратистів: Росія постачає 'ДНР' сучасною бронетехнікою|publisher=Hromadske.tv|date=8 July 2014}}</ref>{{verify credibility|date=September 2014}}<ref>{{cite web|url=https://news.pn/en/criminal/108347|title=Terrorists of DNR admitted that Russia delivers them the weapon and equipment, but complain of quality|date=8 July 2014|publisher=News.pn}}</ref>{{verify credibility|date=September 2014}} An [[An-26]] military cargo plane was shot down over the Ukrainian village of Davydo Myilske near the Russian border on 14 July. It had been flying at an altitude of 6,500 metres. The head of Ukraine's Security Service Valentyn Nalyvaichenko, stated on 15 July that the SBU had "indisputable" evidence of Russian involvement in the attack.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.janes.com/article/40790/shooting-down-of-ukrainian-military-aircraft-at-cruising-altitude-reflects-ongoing-escalation-risk-and-possible-russian-support|title=shooting-down-of-ukrainian-military-aircraft-at-cruising-altitude-reflects-ongoing-escalation-risk-and-possible-russian-support|work=janes.com|accessdate=22 October 2014}}</ref> On 24 July, a week after the downing of [[Malaysia Airlines Flight 17]], over an area of Ukraine controlled by pro-Russia separatists,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/04/mh17-crash-investigation-report-preliminary-findings?CMP=twt_gu|title=The Guardian 4 September 2014|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> most likely by pro-Russian forces,<ref>The Guardian, 23 July 2104, [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jul/23/mh17-rebels-likely-shot-down-plane-by-mistake-live-updates], news.com.au 18 July 2104 [http://www.news.com.au/world/europe/russian-rebels-are-likely-responsible-for-shooting-down-malaysia-airlines-flight-mh17-over-the-ukraine/story-fnh81p7g-1226992928465]</ref> the [[Obama administration|American government]] stated that it had evidence that the Russian military was firing on Ukrainian territory from across the border. A spokesman for the US [[Department of Defense (United States)|Department of Defence]] stated that there was "no question" as to Russia's involvement in the attacks on Ukrainian Armed Forces.<ref name="foxnews">{{cite web|url=http://www.foxnews.com/politics/2014/07/24/obama-administration-russia-firing-artillery-at-ukraine-military-targets/|title=Obama administration: Russia firing artillery at Ukraine military targets &#124; Fox News|publisher=foxnews.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> On 28 July it published satellite photos showing heavy artillery shelling Ukrainian positions from Russian territory.<ref name="Shelling from inside Russia"/> In a battle at Donetsk airport more than 50% of the people killed were Russian citizens and were delivered back to Russia.{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}A report for the independent news site ''Novaya Gazeta'', reprinted in ''[[The Guardian]]'', tracked down the widow of one Russian man who died during the fighting at Donetsk airport, and sought to shed light onto the obscure structures that organised the transfer of fighters to Ukraine. The report further highlighted the 'frustration of dealing with Russian officialdom apparently so keen to cover up all traces of those fighting across the border'.<ref>theguardian.com , 27 June 2014 [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/jun/27/ukraine-donetsk-airport-russia-fighter Ukraine Donetsk airport russia fighter]</ref> [[File:Aleksandr Zakharchenko takes an oath of office as the PM of Donetsk People's Republic.jpg|thumb|[[Aleksandr Zakharchenko]] takes an oath of office as the Prime Minister of [[Donetsk People's Republic]], 8 August 2014. In August too he said 1200 fighters trained in Russia for four months, crossed and were ready to fight. He said the reinforcements included 30 tanks and 120 armoured vehicles.<ref name="Financial Times, 16 August 2104">{{cite web|url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/10867312-2560-11e4-af2c-00144feabdc0,Authorised=false.html?_i_location=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.ft.com%2Fcms%2Fs%2F0%2F10867312-2560-11e4-af2c-00144feabdc0.html%3Fsiteedition%3Duk&siteedition=uk&_i_referer=http%3A%2F%2Fsearch.aol.co.uk%2Faol%2Fsearch%3Fs_it%3Dtopsearchbox.search%26s_chn%3Dhp_t1%26v_t%3Daoluk-homePage51%26as_qdr%3D%26q%3Dfinancial%2Btimes%2Brebel%2Bleader%2Bin%2Bukraine%2Bboasts%2Bof%2B#axzz3AZvjvrit|title=Financial Times, 16 August 2104|work=Financial Times|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref>]] [[Alexander Zakharchenko]], said 1200 fighters trained in Russia for four months, crossed and are ready to fight. Zakharchenko said the reinforcements included 30 tanks and 120 armoured vehicles.<ref name="Financial Times, 16 August 2104"/> He later denied making the comments.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/20/uk-ukraine-crisis-rebelranks-insight-idAFKBN0GK0NO20140820|title=Reuters 20 August 2014|work=Reuters|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> A convoy of military vehicles, including armoured personnel carriers, with official Russian military plates crossed into Ukraine near the insurgent-controlled [[Izvaryne]] border crossing on 14 August.<ref name="GDmvew">{{cite news | url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/14/russian-military-vehicles-enter-ukraine-aid-convoy-stops-short-border | title=Russian military vehicles enter Ukraine as aid convoy stops short of border | work=The Guardian | date=14 August 2014 | accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11035401/Russian-armoured-vehicles-and-military-trucks-cross-border-into-Ukraine.html |title=Russian armoured vehicles and military trucks cross border into Ukraine |work=The Telegraph |date=14 August 2014 |accessdate=14 August 2014}}</ref> The Ukrainian government later said that they destroyed most of the armoured column with artillery. Secretary General of NATO [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] said this incident was "clear demonstration of continued Russian involvement in the destabilisation of eastern Ukraine".<ref name="SKY1313">{{cite news | url=http://news.sky.com/story/1319354/ukraines-forces-attack-russian-armoured-convoy | title=Ukraine's Forces Attack Russian Armoured Convoy | work=Sky News | date=15 August 2014 | accessdate=15 August 2014}}</ref> Surprisingly the same day, Russian President Vladimir Putin, speaking to Russian ministers and Crimean parliamentarians on a visit to Crimea, undertook to do everything he could to end the conflict in Ukraine, saying Russia needed to build calmly and with dignity, not by confrontation and war which isolated it from the rest of the world. The comments came as international sanctions against Russia were being stepped up.<ref name="PutinConciliatory">{{cite news|title=Putin talks of peace in annexed Crimea|url=http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-14/vladimir-putin-delivers-speech-in-crimea/5672208|date=14 August 2014|accessdate=15 August 2014|publisher=''ABC AU''}}</ref> 17 August, Ukraine accused Russia of sending more military equipment, including Grad rocket launchers, across the border and on to Nizhny Nagolchyk.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/ukraine-fighter-jet-shot-down-as-kiev-accuses-moscow-of-arming-rebels-20140817-1056am.html|title=AFP, Sydney Morning Herald|work=The Sydney Morning Herald|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref>[[Sergei Lavrov]] persisted in affirming that Russia was not sending any equipment across the border, and pointed out that an OSCE observer mission placed at border crossing points in the region had not identified any unlawful crossings of the border. Yet the OSCE mission that Lavrov pointed to as not having identified any unlawful crossings of the border had no mandate to check the long, unguarded sections of the border where crossings of men and equipment occur frequently.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/18/ukraine-analysis-moscow-kiev-deal-negotiating-table-soon|title=The Guardian 18 August 2014|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> [[Ministry of Defence (Ukraine)|Ukrainian Defence Minister]] [[Valeriy Heletey]] said on 21 August that the insurgents were using Russian-made weapons that had never been used or bought by the [[Armed Forces of Ukraine]].<ref name=HcRW22814>[http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/219481.html Militants have Russian weapons that have never been in service with Ukrainian army – Heletei], [[Interfax-Ukraine]] (22 August 2014)</ref> Injured insurgents are usually treated in Russia, with help from the Russian [[Ministry of Emergency Situations (Russia)|Ministry of Emergency Situations]].<ref name=CWDR18A14 /> They are also questioned and registered by the [[Federal Security Service]] (FSB), the Russian domestic security and intelligence agency.<ref name=CWDR18A14>[http://www.ft.com/intl/cms/s/0/976387cc-26e5-11e4-a46a-00144feabdc0.html#axzz3ArCZLRQZ "Ukraine's injured rebels vow to fight on"], ''[[Financial Times]]'' (18 August 2014)</ref> [[File:Pskov deaths.jpg|thumb|The official response of the [[:ru:Военная прокуратура Российской Федерации|Chief Military Prosecutor's Office of Russia]], which confirmed the death of Pskov paratroopers. The circumstances of the death are designated as "state secret"<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.vedomosti.ru/politics/news/35756621/glavnaya-voennaya-prokuratura-podtverdila-shlosbergu-fakty|title=Главная военная прокуратура подтвердила факты гибели десантников|work=Vedomosti.ru|date=10 November 2014|accessdate=11 November 2014}}</ref>]] On 18 August Russian minister of defence [[Sergey Shoigu]] awarded Suvorov medal to [[Pskov]] Paratroopers [[Division (military)|Division]]. Russian media highlighted that the medal is awarded exclusively for combat operations and reported that a large number of soldiers from this division died in Ukraine just days before, but their burials were kept in secret.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://slon.ru/fast/russia/v-pskove-proshli-zakrytye-pokhorony-mestnykh-desantnikov-1147710.xhtml |title=В Пскове прошли закрытые похороны местных десантников |publisher=Slon.ru |date=25 August 2014 |trans-title=In Pskov closed burial ceremonies of local paratroopers were held|accessdate=25 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.novayagazeta.ru/news/1686207.html |title=СМИ: под Псковом тайно похоронили десантников, возможно, погибших на Донбассе |work=Novaya Gazeta |trans-title=Secret paratrooper burials in Pskov, possible loses from Donbass|date=25 August 2014 |accessdate=25 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="gazeta">{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,16528889,Rosyjskie_media__Pod_Pskowem_pochowano_w_tajemnicy.html#BoxSlotI3img|title=Rosyjskie media: Pod Pskowem pochowano w tajemnicy żołnierzy poległych na Ukrainie|publisher=wiadomosci.gazeta.pl|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> According to [[NATO]] reports, Russian military has been shelling Ukrainian positions across the border since mid-August, and by 22 August, Russian artillery and personnel have crossed the border into Ukraine itself.<ref name="NATO Russia moves artillery into Ukraine"/><ref name="NATO Russia artillery fires Ukr forces">{{cite news|author=Denver Nicks |url=http://time.com/3160900/nato-russia-artillery-ukraine/ |title=NATO: Russia Artillery Fires on Ukraine Forces |publisher=TIME |date=22 August 2014 |accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> On 25 August a column of Russian tanks and military vehicles was reported to have crossed into Ukraine in the southeast, near the town of [[Novoazovsk]], and headed towards Ukrainian held [[Mariupol]].<ref name="Russian Column enters southeast">{{cite web|author=JIM HEINTZ Associated Press |url=http://abcnews.go.com/International/wireStory/ukraine-plans-billion-boost-defense-spending-25102664 |title=Ukraine: Russian Tank Column Enters Southeast - ABC News |publisher=Abcnews.go.com |date= |accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="Column from Russia"/><ref name="npr">{{cite news | url=http://www.npr.org/people/7407153/soraya-sarhaddi-nelson/archive | title=Russian Separatists Open New Front in Southern Ukraine | work=Europe | date=26 August 2014 | agency=National Public Radio (NPR) | accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> [[Lindsey Hilsum]] wrote in the [[Channel 4]] news blog that in early September Ukrainian troops at [[Dmytrivka, Donetsk Oblast|Dmitrivska]] came under attack from [[BM-30 Smerch]] rockets from Russia.<ref name=lhblog01>{{cite news|last1=Hilsum|first1=Lindsay|title='Tell them please don't think that Putin will stop at Ukraine'|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/lindsey-hilsum-on-international-affairs/tell-putin-stop-ukraine/4411|accessdate=26 September 2014|work=Newsblog|publisher=Channel 4 News}}</ref> [[Lindsey Hilsum|She]] wrote on 4 September that the word was that Ukrainian troops who have been shelling Luhansk for weeks were retreating west and that Russian soldiers with heavy armour were reported to have come over the border to back up the rebels.<ref name=lhnb02>{{cite news|last1=Lindsey|first1=Hilsum|title=Pride and despair along the country roads of Ukraine|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/lindsey-hilsum-on-international-affairs/ukraine-journey/4377#sthash.uDkFx3qs.dpuf|accessdate=26 September 2014|publisher=Channel 4|date=4 September 2014}}</ref> Ukrainian troops gave accounts of fighting the Russian army during the [[Battle of Ilovaisk]].<ref name ="tg01xaa"/> Journalist [[Tim Judah]] has wrote in the [[The New York Review of Books|NYR]] blog about the scale of the devastation suffered by Ukrainian forces in southeastern Ukraine over the last week of August 2014 that it amounted 'to a catastrophic defeat and will long be remembered by embittered Ukrainians as among the darkest days of their history.' The scale of the destruction achieved in several ambushes revealed 'that those attacking the pro-government forces were highly professional and using very powerful weapons.' The fighting in Ilovaysk had begun on 7 August when units from three Ukrainian volunteer militias and the police attempted to take it back from rebel control. Then, on 28 August, the rebels were able to launch a major offensive, with help from elsewhere, including Donetsk—though "not Russia," according to Commander Givi, the head of rebel forces there. By 1 September it was all over and the Ukrainians had been decisively defeated. Commander Givi said the ambushed forces were militias not regular soldiers whose numbers had been boosted, 'by foreigners, including Czechs, Hungarians, and "niggers." '<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.nybooks.com/blogs/nyrblog/2014/sep/05/ukraine-catastrophic-defeat/|title=Tim Judah, New York Review of Books, 5 September 2014|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> [[Mick Krever]] wrote on the [[CNN]] blog that on 5 September Russia's Permanent Representative to the OSCE, Andrey Kelin had said it was natural pro-Russian separatists "are going to liberate" [[Mariupol]]. Ukrainian forces claim that Russian intelligence groups have been spotted in the area. Kelin said 'there might be volunteers over there.'<ref>{{cite web|url=http://amanpour.blogs.cnn.com/2014/09/05/russian-ambassador-anticipates-liberation-of-mariupol-in-ukraine/|title=CNN|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen meanwhile said there are several thousand regular Russian forces operating in Ukraine.{{citation needed|date=October 2014}} [[Lindsey Hilsum]] reported on the [[Channel 4]] news blog about the total destruction of [[Luhansk International Airport]] which was being used as a base by the Ukrainian forces to shell Luhansk, probably because the Russians decided to 'turn the tide ' - the terminal building and everything around was utterly destroyed. Forces from Azerbaijan, Belarus and Tajikistan who were fighting on the side of the rebels allowed themselves to be filmed.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://blogs.channel4.com/lindsey-hilsum-on-international-affairs/shards-rubble-luhansk-airport/4419|title=Lindsey Hilsum, Channel 4 report, 6 September 2014|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> On 13 September it was reported Moscow sent a convoy of trucks delivering aid into Ukraine without Kiev's consent. This convoy was not inspected by Ukraine or accompanied by the ICRC. Top Ukrainian leaders have largely remained silent about the convoys after the ceasefire deal was reached. The aid is part of the 12-point [[Minsk agreement]].<ref name="tg0x04"/><ref name="tgoxo5">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/13/vladimir-putin-wants-destroy-ukraine-says-arseny-yetseniuk|title=The Guardian 13 September 2013|work=the Guardian|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> ===August military intervention=== In late August 2014, according to NATO officials, Russia moved [[self-propelled artillery]] onto the territory of Ukraine.<ref name="NATO Russia moves artillery into Ukraine">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/23/world/europe/russia-moves-artillery-units-into-ukraine-nato-says.html|title=The New York Times|publisher=nytimes.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Russian soldiers were captured in Donetsk Oblast; Russia claimed that they had crossed over by accident.<ref name="BBCcrtoi"/> Russia was reported to have [[Shell (projectile)|shelled]] Ukrainian territory,<ref>{{cite news|last1=Frizell|first1=Sam|title=U.S.: Satellite Imagery Shows Russians Shelling Eastern Ukraine|url=http://time.com/3042640/satellite-russian-ukraine-shelling/|publisher=TIME|quote="Satellite imagery shows evidence of Russian artillery attacks against the Ukrainian military, U.S. officials say"}}</ref> and Russian military forces were reported to have entered Ukraine near [[Novoazovsk]].<ref name = "CNBCx1">{{cite news|last1=Kramer|first1=Andrew|title=Ukraine Says Russian Forces Lead Major New Offensive in East|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/101951821#|publisher=CNBC|quote="Tanks, artillery and infantry have crossed from Russia into an unbreached part of eastern Ukraine in recent days, attacking Ukrainian forces and causing panic and wholesale retreat not only in this small border town but a wide swath of territory, in what Ukrainian and Western military officials are calling a stealth invasion."}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Tsevtkova|first1=Maria|title= 'Men in green' raise suspicions of east Ukrainian villagers|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/26/us-ukraine-crisis-fighters-idUSKBN0GQ1X520140826?irpc=932|publisher=Reuters|quote="Unidentified, heavily-armed strangers with Russian accents have appeared in an eastern Ukrainian village, arousing residents' suspicions despite Moscow's denials that its troops have deliberately infiltrated the frontier."}}</ref> On 24 August 2014, President of Ukraine [[Petro Poroshenko]] referred to the conflict as Ukraine's "Patriotic War of 2014" and a war against "external aggression".<ref>{{cite news|title=Poroshenko: ATO Is Ukraine's Patriotic War |url=http://un.ua/eng/article/528688.html |quote="President Petro Poroshenko considers the government's anti-terrorist operation (ATO) against separatists as Ukraine's patriotic war."}}</ref>{{full|date=September 2014}} The [[Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine]] labeled the conflict an invasion on 27 August 2014.<ref name=MFAUKRtweet>{{cite web|title=#UkraineUnderAttack #RussiaInvadedUkraine RT PLZ|url=https://twitter.com/MFA_Ukraine/status/504734047030239232|website=MFA of Ukraine on Twitter|accessdate=30 August 2014}}</ref> On 27 August, two columns of Russian tanks entered Ukrainian territory in support of the pro-Russian separatists in [[Donetsk]] and [[Luhansk]] and engaged Ukrainian border forces, but US officials were reluctant to declare that Russia had begun invading Ukraine.<ref name=Fox20140828>{{cite web|title=Border guards retreat as 2 columns of Russian tanks enter Ukraine|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/08/28/ukraine-rebel-leader-reportedly-admits-thousands-russians-fighting-with/|website=FoxNews.com|publisher=FOX News Network|accessdate=30 August 2014}}</ref> NATO officials have stated that over 1000 Russian troops are operating inside Ukraine, but termed the incident as an incursion rather than an invasion.<ref name=HufPoNato1000>{{cite news|title=NATO Military Officer: More Than 1,000 Russian Troops Operating Inside Ukraine|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/08/28/ukraine-russia_n_5728738.html|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=The Huffington Post|agency=Reuters|publisher=TheHuffingtonPost.com, Inc.|date=28 August 2014}}</ref> The Russian government denies these claims. NATO has published satellite photos which are claimed to show the presence of Russian troops within Ukrainian territory.<ref name=gazeta1000>{{cite news|title=Report: Russia Invades Ukraine, Prompts Emergency U.N. Meeting|url=http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/08/28/un-security-council-to-meet-following-reports-of-russian-invasion-into-ukraine|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=US News and World Report|date=28 August 2014}}</ref> The pro-Russian separatists have admitted that Russian troops are fighting alongside them, stating that this was "no secret", but that the Russian troops were just soldiers who preferred to take their vacations fighting in Ukraine rather than "on the beach". The Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed [[Donetsk People's Republic]] stated that 3000 to 4000 Russian troops had been fighting in separatist ranks and that most of them had not returned to Russia, having continued to fight in Ukraine.<ref name=RusHoliday>{{cite news|title=ДНРівець: За нас воюють російські військові "у відпустці" (DNRivets: Russian troops fighting for us "on holiday")|url=http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/08/28/7036002/|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=Українська правда (Ukrainian Pravda)|date=28 August 2014}}</ref> The [[76th Guards Air Assault Division]] entered Ukrainian territory in August and engaged in a skirmish suffering 80 dead. The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that they had destroyed three of the units tanks and seized two armored vehicles. The Russian government denied the skirmish took place. After the denials Vladimir Putin awarded the Division one of Russia's highest awards, the [[Order of Suvorov]] for the "successful completion of military missions" and "courage and heroism".<ref name="nyp01xbb"/> For at least one week prior to the invasion, Russia had been shelling Ukrainian units from across the border,<ref name=WPTension>{{cite news|last1=Demirjian|first1=Karoun|last2=Birnbaum|first2=Michael|title=Russia escalates tensions with aid convoy, reported firing of artillery inside Ukraine|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-humanitarian-convoy-enters-ukraine-despite-warnings/2014/08/22/7b14fa8e-29e1-11e4-8593-da634b334390_story.html|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=washingtonpost.com|publisher=The Washington Post}}</ref> but instances of cross-border shelling from Russia had been reported since mid-July.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Babiak|first1=Mat|title=Provallia in flames, details on Russian rocket strike|url=http://euromaidanpress.com/2014/07/17/provallia-in-flames-details-on-russian-rocket-strike/|accessdate=28 August 2014|publisher=Euromaidan Press|date=17 July 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Videos Reportedly Show GRAD Rockets Fired From Inside Russia|url=http://pressimus.com/Interpreter_Mag/press/3365|accessdate=28 August 2014|publisher=Pressimus|date=17 August 2014}}</ref> At the time, Russian government spokesman denied these allegations.<ref name="wsj">{{cite web|url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/u-s-says-russia-firing-across-border-into-ukraine-1406231618|title=U.S. Says Russia Firing Across Border into Ukraine - WSJ|publisher=online.wsj.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> On 13 August, members of the Russian Human Rights Commission stated that over 100 Russian soldiers had been killed in the fighting in Ukraine and inquired why they were there.<ref name=gazeta1000 /> On 28 August, members of the commission called the presence of Russian troops on Ukrainian soil "an outright invasion".<ref name=GazetaPutin>{{cite news|title=Członkini Rady Praw Człowieka przy Putinie: Działania Rosji na Ukrainie to inwazja (Member of the Human Rights Council to Putin: Russia's actions in Ukraine are invasion)|url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114871,16544709,Czlonkini_Rady_Praw_Czlowieka_przy_Putinie__Dzialania.html|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=gazeta.pl|date=28 August 2014}}</ref>{{Quote request|date=September 2014}} On 28 August 2014, Ukraine ordered national mandatory [[conscription]].<ref name="tnyt0x02">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/29/world/europe/ukraine-conflict.html?_r=0|agency=The New York Times|title=Ukraine Leader Says 'Huge Loads of Arms' Pour in From Russia|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014|quote="Mr. Poroshenko scrapped a trip to Turkey to deal with the crisis and called an emergency meeting of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council. He dismissed Kremlin claims that any Russian soldiers in Ukraine were volunteers who had sacrificed their vacations to help the heavily pro-Russian east suffering oppression from the Kiev central government."}}</ref> The two Russian tank columns captured the southeastern city of [[Novoazovsk]] on the Azov sea,<ref name=WPTowns>{{cite news|last1=Gowen|first1=Annie|last2=Gearan|first2=Anne|title=Russian armored columns said to capture key Ukrainian towns|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-and-ukraine-troops-battle-in-south-prompting-fears-of-widescale-invasion/2014/08/28/04b614f4-9a6e-40f4-aa21-4f49104cf0e4_story.html|accessdate=30 August 2014|work=washingtonpost.com|publisher=The Washington Post|date=28 August 2014}}</ref> and Russian soldiers began arresting and deporting to unknown locations all Ukrainians who did not have an address registered within the town.<ref name="wiadomosci.gazeta.pl">{{cite web|url=http://wiadomosci.gazeta.pl/wiadomosci/1,114881,16542864,Jaceniuk__Putin_rozpoczal_wojne_w_Europie__chcemy.html?entry=1231554#MT|title=gazeta.pl August 28 (in Polish)|work=gazetapl|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Pro-Ukrainian anti-war protests took place in [[Mariupol]] which was threatened by Russian troops.<ref name="wiadomosci.gazeta.pl"/><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28963310|title=BBC:Ukraine crisis: 'Thousands of Russians' fighting in east, August 28|work=BBC News|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> The [[UN Security Council]] called an emergency meeting in regard to the situation.<ref name="usatoday0x01"/> Around 29–30 August, Russian tanks destroyed "virtually every house" in [[Novosvitlivka, Luhansk Oblast|Novosvitlivka]], according to Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko.<ref name="ThReutNovosvitlivka">{{cite news | first1=Richard |last1=Balmforth |first2=Adrian |last2=Croft | pages= | language =| title=Ukraine says Russian tanks flatten town; EU to threaten more sanctions | date=30 August 2014 | publisher=[[Thomson Reuters]] | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/30/us-ukraine-crisis-idUSKBN0GS10C20140830 |accessdate=31 August 2014 |archiveurl=http://www.webcitation.org/6SEFUXEsN |archivedate=30 August 2014 |deadurl=no}}</ref> On 2 September, after Ukrainian forces agreed to surrender [[Ilovaisk]], they were bombarded by Russian forces while they evacuated through a "green corridor." The assault on the troops who were marked with white flags was variously described as a "massacre."<ref name ="tg01xaa">{{cite web|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/03/ukraine-soldier-youre-better-clueless-because-truth-horrible-moscow-ilovaysk|title=Russian soldier: 'You're better clueless because the truth is horrible' &#124; World news &#124; The Guardian|publisher=theguardian.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="kyivpost.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/witnesses-tell-about-attacks-on-ukrainian-soldiers-trying-to-leave-ilovaisk-at-least-100-killed-363204.html|title=Survivors recall Ilovaisk massacre|publisher=kyivpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="ibtimes">{{cite web|url=http://au.ibtimes.com/articles/564915/20140902/russia-ukraine-crisis-invades-forces.htm#.VAcmw2RdWAE|title=Russia Massacres Ukrainian Volunteer Battalions—Surviving Members Alleged - International Business Times|publisher=au.ibtimes.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="nydailynews">{{cite web|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/russian-troops-kill-hundreds-ukrainian-soldiers-report-article-1.1923064|title=Russian troops kill 'hundreds' of Ukrainian soldiers in massacre: report - NY Daily News|publisher=nydailynews.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="telegraph">{{cite web|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/11066256/Fears-of-massacre-after-accusations-Russians-reneged-on-safe-passage-for-Ukrainian-forces.html|title=Fears of massacre after accusations Russians reneged on safe passage for Ukrainian forces - Telegraph|publisher=telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="mirror">{{cite web|url=http://www.mirror.co.uk/news/world-news/hundreds-ukrainian-troops-massacred-pro-russian-4142110|title=Hundreds of Ukrainian troops &#039;massacred by pro-Russian forces as they waved white flags&#039; - Mirror Online|publisher=mirror.co.uk|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> At least 100 were killed.<ref name="kyivpost.com"/> On 3 September, Ukrainian President Poroshenko said he had reached a permanent ceasefire agreement with Russian President Putin.<ref name="interfax">{{cite web|url=http://www.interfax.ru/world/394762|title=В Кремле и Киеве разъяснили заявление о прекращении огня в Донбассе - Интерфакс|publisher=interfax.ru|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Russia then denied the ceasefire took place, denying being party to the conflict at all.<ref name="kyivpost">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/poroshenko-and-putin-agree-on-ceasefire-363171.html|title=Kremlin denies that Poroshenko and Putin agreed on ceasefire (UPDATES)|publisher=kyivpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Ukraine then retracted its previous statement concerning the potential ceasefire.<ref name="nytimes">{{cite web|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/09/04/world/europe/ukraine-russia.html?emc=edit_na_20140903&_r=0|title=The New York Times|publisher=nytimes.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Also on 3 September [[OSCE]] for the first time reported "light and heavy calibre shootings from the east and south-east areas which are also bordering Ukraine". In this report, it is also stated that the OSCE Observer Teams have also seen an increase of military-style dressed men crossing the border in both directions, including ones with LPR and Novorossiya symbols and flags, and wounded being transported back to Russia<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.osce.org/om/123151 | title=Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk, 28 August until 08:00, 3 September 2014 | publisher=OSCE | date=2014-09-03 | accessdate=4 September 2014}}</ref> ====November escalation==== On 7 November, NATO officials confirmed the continued invasion of Ukraine, with 32 Russian tanks, 16 howitzer cannons and 30 trucks of troops entering the country.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.sky.com/story/1368812/dozens-of-tanks-enter-ukraine-from-russia|title=Russia Sends Dozens Of Tanks Into Ukraine|work=Sky News|date=7 November 2014|accessdate=8 November 2014}}</ref> On November 12 NATO reiterated the prevalence of Russian troops, "Russian tanks, Russian artillery, Russian air defence systems and Russian combat troops" were sighted, US Gen Philip Breedlove said.<ref>http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30025138</ref>The Lithuanian Mission to the United Nations denounced Russia's 'undeclared war' on Ukraine<ref>[http://un.mfa.lt/index.php?1440223596 mfa.lt]</ref> ===Status of Russian soldiers=== While Russia officially denies organized presence of their military units in Ukraine, there is a large amount of [[circumstantial evidence]] that suggests the opposite.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.voanews.com/content/british-pm-warns-russia-on-actions-in-ukraine/2515645.html | title=NATO Commander ‘Concerned’ by Flow of Weapons Into E. Ukraine | publisher=NATO | date=2014-11-11 | accessdate=2014-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-30025138|title=Ukraine crisis: Russian troops crossed border, Nato says | publisher=BBC | date=2014-11-11 | accessdate=2014-11-12}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.ft.com/cms/s/2/76bac354-59c2-11e4-9787-00144feab7de.html | title=Café encounter exposes reality of Russian soldiers in Ukraine | publisher=Financial Times | date=2014-10-23 | accessdate=2014-10-23 | author=Courtney Weaver}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.afp.com/en/node/3046366 | title=NATO says Russian military equipment entering east Ukraine | publisher=AFP | date=2014-11-12 | accessdate=2014-11-12}}</ref> Center for Eurasian Strategic Intelligence has estimated, based on "official statements and interrogation records of captured military men from these units, satellite surveillance data" as well as verified announcements from relatives and profiles in social networks, that over 30 Russian military units are taking part in the conflict in Ukraine. In total, there was over 8 thousand soldiers fighting there at different moments.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://eurasianintelligence.org/news.php?new=108&num | title=Russian units participating in combat actions in Ukraine | publisher=Center for Eurasian Strategic Intelligence | date=2014-10-22 | accessdate=2014-10-22}}</ref> The [[Valentina Matviyenko|speaker of Russia's upper house of parliament]] and Russian state television channels acknowledged that Russian soldiers entered Ukraine, but have referred to them as "volunteers".<ref name="funerals">{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-29078465|agency=BBC News|title=Russia 'will react' to EU sanctions|first=Martin|last=Morgan|date=5 September 2014|accessdate=6 September 2014}}</ref> A reporter for ''[[Novaya Gazeta]]'', an opposition newspaper in Russia, stated that the Russian military leadership paid soldiers to resign their commissions and fight in Ukraine in the early summer of 2014, and then began ordering soldiers into Ukraine. This reporter said to have knowledge of at least one case when soldiers who refused were threatened with prosecution.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/09/06/elena-racheva_n_5774138.html|agency=The Huffington Post|title=Russian Journalist: 'Convincing Evidence' Moscow Sent Fighters To Ukraine|first=Charlotte|last=Alfred|date=6 September 2014|accessdate=6 September 2014}}</ref> Russian opposition MP [[Lev Shlosberg]] made similar claims, although he said combatants from his country are "regular Russian troops", disguised as units of DPR and LPR.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.dw.de/disowned-and-forgotten-russian-soldiers-in-ukraine/a-17888902|agency=Deutsche Welle|title=Disowned and forgotten: Russian soldiers in Ukraine|date=29 August 2014|accessdate=6 September 2014|first=Alexander|last=Warketin}}</ref> Shlosberg's newspaper also released transcript of phone conversations between Russian soldiers being treated in a Pskov hospital for wounds received while fighting in Ukraine. The soldiers reveal that they were sent to the war, but told by their officers that they were going on "an exercise". Despite denials that Russian soldiers are not being ordered to fight in Ukraine, in August Vladimir Putin awarded the [[Order of Suvorov]], an award given for combat against a foreign enemy, to the 76th Guards Air Assault Division, a Russian military paratrooper unit, for "successful completion of military missions". At the time, Ukrainian officials reported that fighting between the 76th Guards and Ukrainian military had taken place but Kremlin dismissed these reports.<ref name="nyp01xbb">{{cite web|url=http://nypost.com/2014/09/21/leaked-transcripts-reveal-putins-secret-attack-in-ukraine/|title=NY Post|date=21 September 2014|work=New York Post|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> In response to internal criticism of the Russian government's policy of not officially recognizing Russian soldiers in Ukraine as fulfilling military service and leaving their families without any source of income if they are killed, president Vladimir Putin signed a new law in October entitling their families to a monthly compensation. Two new entitlement categories were added: "missing in action" and "declared dead".<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-this-week-putins-neo-imperialism-and-the-price-of-oil/ | title=Russia This Week: Kremlin Announces Compensation for Missing and Killed Servicemen | publisher=The Interpreter Magazine | date=2014-10-24 | accessdate=2014-10-24 | author=Catherine A. Fitzpatrick}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://kremlin.ru/acts/46843 | title=Внесены изменения в закон о денежном довольствии военнослужащих | publisher=President of the Russian Federation | date=2014-10-23 | accessdate=2014-10-24}}</ref> On the 26 August 2014, a mixed column composed of at least 3 T-72B1s and a lone T-72BM was identified on a video from [[Sverdlovsk]] by the [[International Institute for Strategic Studies]]. The significance of this sighting was that Russia attempted to maintain [[plausible deniability]] over the issue of supplying tanks and other arms to the separatists. Russia continuously claimed that any tanks operated by the separatists must have been captured from Ukraine's own army. The T-72BM is in service with the Russian Army in large numbers. This modernized T-72 is not known to have been exported to nor operated by any other country.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Marcus|first1=Jonathan|title=Ukraine crisis: T-72 tank shoots hole in Russian denial|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28961080|accessdate=28 August 2014|work=[[BBC]]|date=27 August 2014}}</ref> Reuters found other tanks of this type near Horbatenko in October.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/10/23/us-ukraine-crisis-tanks-exclusive-idUSKCN0IC1GE20141023 | title=Exclusive: Charred tanks in Ukraine point to Russian involvement | publisher=Reuters | date=2014-10-23 | accessdate=2014-10-25}}</ref> Alexandr Negrebetskih, a deputy from Russian city of [[Zlatoust]] who fights as volunteer on the side of separatists, complained in an interview that "the locals run to Russia, and we have to come here as they are reluctant to defend their land" which results in his detachment being composed of 90% Russians and only 10% locals from [[Donetsk]].<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ura.ru/content/chel/01-10-2014/articles/1036263086.html | title=Из-за неграмотного командования нас расстреливают в упор! | publisher=URA.ru | date=2014-10-03 | accessdate=2014-10-03 |archive-url=http://www.webcitation.org/6T3JI3G0t |archivedate=2014-10-03 |trans_title=Because of poor command we are being killed!}}</ref> In November [[Lev Shlosberg]] published a response from a military attorney's office to questions he asked about the status of Pskov paratroopers killed in Ukraine in August. The office answered that the soldiers died while "fulfilling military service outside of their permanent dislocation units" (Pskov), but any further information on their orders or location of death was withheld as "classified". A political expert Alexey Makarkin compared these answers to those provided by Soviet ministry of defence during [[Soviet war in Afghanistan]] when [[USSR]] attempted to hide the scale of their casualties at any cost.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.gazeta.ru/social/2014/11/10/6297181.shtml | title=Гостайна о гибели псковских десантников | publisher=Gazeta.ru | date=2014-11-11 | accessdate=2014-11-11 |trans_title=Classified response on death of Pskov paratroopers |language=Russian}}</ref> Numerous reports of Russian troops and warfare on Ukrainian territory has been also raised on [[United Nations Security Council]] meetings. On November 12 meeting the representative of United Kingdom also accused Russia of intentionally constraining [[OSCE]] observatory missions capabilities, pointing out that the observers are only allowed to monitor 2 kilometers of border between Ukraine and Russia, and drones recently deployed to extend their capabilities are being jammed or shot down.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://webtv.un.org/meetings-events/security-council/watch/ukraine-security-council-7311th-meeting/3888744131001 | title=Ukraine - Security Council, 7311th meeting | publisher=United Nations | date=2014-11-12 | accessdate=2014-11-13}}</ref> ===Repatriation of Russian soldiers=== The repatriation of Russians killed in action or taken as prisoners of war has become a controversial topic in the media due to the Russian state's denial of involvement in Ukraine.<ref name="independent">{{cite web|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-russian-mothers-of-killed-and-captured-soldiers-ask-why-are-our-sons-fighting-in-ukraine-9701805.html|title=Ukraine crisis: Russian mothers of killed and captured soldiers ask &#039;why are our sons fighting in Ukraine?&#039; - Europe - World - The Independent|publisher=independent.co.uk|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="washingtonpost2">{{cite web|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/news/morning-mix/wp/2014/08/29/what-does-russia-tell-the-mothers-of-soldiers-killed-in-ukraine-not-much/|title=What does Russia tell the mothers of soldiers killed in Ukraine? Not much. - The Washington Post|publisher=washingtonpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="nationalpost">{{cite web|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/08/28/angry-mothers-of-captured-russian-soldiers-beg-vladimir-putin-for-help/|title=Mothers of captured Russian soldiers vent anger at Putin, beg for his help &#124; National Post|publisher=news.nationalpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref><ref name="kyivpost2">{{cite web|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/russia-and-former-soviet-union/russian-soldier-dies-in-ukraine-because-there-was-no-other-job-363238.html|title=Russian soldier dies in Ukraine because &#39;there was no other job&#39;|publisher=kyivpost.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Many families have shown growing concern about the whereabouts of their children as Russian military officials only tell them that they are on "training exercises."<ref name="newsweek">{{cite web|url=http://www.newsweek.com/russian-mothers-waiting-news-their-missing-sons-267909|title=The Russian Mothers Waiting for News of Their Missing Soldier Sons|publisher=newsweek.com|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> In early September 2014, Russian state owned television channels reported on the funerals of Russian soldiers who died in Ukraine during the [[War in Donbass]], but described them as "volunteers" fighting for the "[[Russian world]]". [[Valentina Matviyenko]], a top politician in the ruling [[United Russia]] party, also praised "volunteers" fighting in "our fraternal nation", referring to Ukraine.<ref name="funerals"/> After a series of military defeats and setbacks for the Donetsk and Lugansk separatists, who united under the [[flag of the Federal State of Novorossiya|banner]] of "[[Federal State of Novorossiya|Novorossiya]]" after a term Russian President [[Vladimir Putin]] used to describe southeastern Ukraine,<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/04/18/putin-novorossiya-ukraine_n_5173559.html|agency=The Huffington Post|title=Here's Why Putin Calling Eastern Ukraine 'Novorossiya' Is Important|date=18 April 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/04/18/world/europe/russia-ukraine.html?_r=0|agency=The New York Times|title=Away From Show of Diplomacy in Geneva, Putin Puts on a Show of His Own|date=17 April 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> Russia dispatched what it called a "humanitarian convoy" of trucks across the [[Russo-Ukrainian border]] in mid-August 2014. Ukraine reacted to the move by calling it a "direct invasion".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/aug/22/russian-convoy-crosses-border-ukraine-without-permission|agency=The Guardian|title=Ukraine condemns 'direct invasion' as Russian aid convoy crosses border|date=22 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> About the same time, multiple reports indicated separatist militias were receiving reinforcements that allowed them to turn the tables on government forces.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/08/16/ukraine-rebels-boast-about-troops-and-tanks-coming-from-russia.html|agency=The Daily Beast|title=Ukraine Rebels Boast About Troops and Tanks Coming from Russia|date=16 August 2014|accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> Armored columns coming from Russia also pushed into southern Donetsk Oblast and reportedly captured the town of [[Novoazovsk]], clashing with Ukrainian forces and opening a new front in the Donbass conflict.<ref name="Column from Russia">{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28924945 |title=BBC News - Ukraine crisis: 'Column from Russia' crosses border |publisher=Bbc.com |date=1 January 1970 |accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref><ref name="REU26AUG2014">{{cite news | url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/26/uk-ukraine-crisis-novoazovsk-idUKKBN0GQ19Y20140826 | title=In Ukraine, an armoured column appears out of nowhere | work=Reuters | date=26 August 2014 | accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> On 25 August [[Security Service of Ukraine]] announced the capture of a group of Russian soldiers from the paratroopers [[military unit]] 71211 from [[Kostroma]], who crossed Ukrainian border in the night of 23 August.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.sbu.gov.ua/sbu/control/uk/publish/article?art_id=130629&cat_id=39574 |title=На Донеччині затримано десять громадян Росії, які незаконно перетнули кордон України зі зброєю у складі диверсійної групи |trans_title=Group of Russian citizens held in Donetsk region crossed the border with weapons as part of sabotage group|publisher=Security Service of Ukraine |date=25 August 2014 |accessdate=25 August 2014}}</ref> The soldiers were stopped in Dzerkalne, {{convert|20|km|mi}} from the border.<ref name="BBCcrtoi">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28934213 | title=Captured Russian troops 'in Ukraine by accident' | work=BBC News | date=26 August 2014 | accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> SBU also released their photos and names.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.unian.ua/politics/955169-oprilyudneno-foto-zatrimanih-rosiyskih-viyskovih.html#ad-image-1 |title=Оприлюднено фото затриманих російських військових |trans_title=Released photos of Russian soldiers|publisher=Unian.ua |date=25 August 2014 |accessdate=25 August 2014}}</ref> The next day Russian Ministry of Defence explained they crossed the border "by accident".<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gazeta.ru/social/news/2014/08/26/n_6425813.shtml |title=Москва: задержанные на Украине военные пересекли границу случайно |publisher=Gazeta.ru |trans_title=Moscow: soldiers arrested in Ukraine crossed the border by accident date=2014-08-26 |accessdate=26 August 2014}}</ref> There were also reports in Russian media, such as ''Pskovskaya Guberniya'',<ref>{{cite news | url=http://gubernia.pskovregion.org/number_705/02.php | title=Сенсация, которой лучше бы не было | work=Pskovskaya Guberniya | accessdate=28 August 2014 | language=Russian}}</ref> that Russian paratroopers may have been killed in Ukraine. Journalists traveled to [[Pskov]], the reported burial location of the troops, to investigate. Multiple reporters said they had been attacked or threatened there, and that the attackers erased several camera memory cards.<ref name="bbc Pskov reporters">{{cite news | url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-28949582 | title=Russian reporters 'attacked at secret soldier burials' | work=BBC | date=27 August 2014 | accessdate=28 August 2014}}</ref> On 31 August Russian media reported that ten Russian paratroopers captured inside Ukraine had returned home following a troop exchange. Ukraine said the soldiers were captured 20&nbsp;km from the border with Russia and Russia claimed that the soldiers had crossed in Ukraine "by accident". The exchanged 64 Ukrainian troops captured inside Russia were said to have entered Russia to escape the upsurge in fighting.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29002147|title=BBC News 31 August 2014|work=BBC News|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Russia claimed that the Russian troops had mistakenly crossed an unmarked area of the border while on patrol.<ref name=CNS1>{{cite news|title=Captured Russian paratroopers return home in swap with Ukraine|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/captured-russian/1338628.html|accessdate=5 September 2014|agency=AFP/nd|publisher=Channel NewsAsia|date=31 August 2014}}</ref> Ukraine released videos of captured Russian soldiers which challenged Russia's claim that it has nothing to do with the conflict.<ref>[http://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/27/world/europe/ukraine.html New York Times 27 August 2014]</ref> On 3 September [[Sky News]] team filmed groups of troops near [[Novoazovsk]] wearing modern combat gear typical for Russian units and moving on new military vehicles with number plates and other markings removed. Specialists consulted by the journalists identified parts of the equipment (uniform, rifles) as currently used by Russian ground forces and paratroopers.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.sky.com/story/1329691/sky-films-troops-in-russian-gear-in-ukraine | title=Sky Films Troops 'In Russian Gear' In Ukraine | publisher=Sky News | date=3 September 2014 | accessdate=4 September 2014}}</ref> Russian state television for the first time showed the funeral of a soldier killed fighting in east Ukraine. State-controlled TV station Channel One showed the burial of paratrooper Anatoly Travkin in the central Russian city of [[Kostroma]]. The broadcaster said Travkin had not told his wife or commanders about his decision to fight alongside pro-Russia rebels battling government forces. "Officially he just went on leave," the news reader said. <ref>The Guardian, 5 September 2014</ref> Russian officials denies<ref>{{cite web|title=Russia denies reports of military presence in Ukraine|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/28/us-ukraine-crisis-denial-idUSKBN0GS22Z20140828|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> reports that Russian military units are operating in Ukraine (see [[War in Donbass]]), claiming instead they had been sent on routine drills close to the border with Ukraine<ref>{{cite web|title=Russian TV shows funeral of soldier killed 'on leave' in Ukraine|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/sep/05/russia-tv-funeral-soldier-killed-ukraine-on-leave|publisher=The Guardian|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> and crossed the border by mistake.<ref>{{cite web|title=Ukraine crisis: Russian soldiers captured in conflict area crossed border 'by accident'|url=http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/ukraine-crisis-russian-paratroopers-captured-in-conflict-area-crossed-border-by-accident-9690752.html|publisher=The Independent|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> On 28 August 2014 Dutch Brigadier-General Nico Tak, head of NATO's crisis management center, said that "over 1,000 Russian troops are now operating inside Ukraine".<ref>{{cite web|title=More than 1,000 Russian troops operating in Ukraine: NATO|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/08/28/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-idUSKBN0GS1D220140828|publisher=Reuters|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> Different sources estimate numbers of Russian soldiers killed during war in Ukraine between 30<ref>{{cite web|title=Наши солдаты. Расследование|url=http://tvrain.ru/soldat/|publisher=Rain TV|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=LostIvan: российские солдаты и наемники пропавшие в Украине|url=http://www.lostivan.com/page/1?status=1&type=2|accessdate=10 September 2014}}</ref> and 3500{{Citation needed|date=September 2014}}, the majority killed since August 2014. On 5 September Sergey Krivenko, a member of Russian President's Council for Civil Society and Human Rights, commented on the growing number of Russian soldiers getting killed in Ukraine saying that "the situation now is very strange, something unusual is going on; it could be described as massive dying of soldiers, which is not typical for time of peace; people from different military units are killed as result of shots, from loss of blood, all these reasons are documented; and the military command explains that it happened during training or provides no explanation at all"<ref>{{cite web | url=http://7x7-journal.ru/item/46836 | title=Член Совета по правам человека при Президенте России Сергей Кривенко | publisher=7x7 | date=5 September 2014 | accessdate=11 September 2014 |trans_title=(Interview with) Member of Council for Civil Society and Human Rights Sergey Krivenko}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/28/uk-ukraine-crisis-russia-casualties-idUKKBN0GS20H20140828|title=Reuters, 28 August 2014|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Valentina Melnikova, head of the Russian Union of Committees of Soldiers' Mothers, has said that the Russian authorities were threatening the relatives of soldiers who had been killed in Ukraine, and forcing them to keep silent about their deaths.<ref name="npr.org"/> [[The Kremlin]] has tried to systematically intimidate and silence human rights workers who have raised question about Russian soldiers' deaths in Ukraine, in a war which officially Russia denies being involved in.<ref name="Moscow Times"/> In mid September, Ksenia Batanova, a senior producer for the news network ''[[Dozhd]]'', was assaulted in an attack that fractured her skull. ''Dozhd'' is a channel that has covered the Russian involvement in Ukraine, and kept a running tally of soldiers' deaths at this time. Kremlin's pressure on this channel of independent information has intensified during the Ukraine crisis.<ref>buzzfeed 14 September 2014 [http://www.buzzfeed.com/maxseddon/russian-journalist-hospitalized-after-violent-street-attack#17nloqv journalist hospitalized violent street attack]</ref> The BBC reported on the death of a Russian soldier, Konstantin, killed 12 August 2014, who had three weeks previously been at home forty miles from [[Astrakhan]]. Telephone calls to his sister in the intervening weeks had spoken of Ukraine. The BBC team investigating this death was stopped and attacked by thugs and its video camera smashed. Russia continues to insist it sends no soldiers into eastern Ukraine.<ref>BBC News, 18 September 2014 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-29249642], The Guardian 18 September 2014, [http://www.theguardian.com/media/2014/sep/18/bbc-journalists-attacked-equipment-damaged-moscow-complaint?CMP=twt_gu]</ref> [[Union of the Committees of Soldiers' Mothers of Russia]] started actively questioning the government's policy of "secret war" after a number of Russian soldiers officially sent for "training" to Rostov area and died there for reasons never officially revealed to the families. These facts were further investigated by non-mainstream media in Russia. Russian Ministry of Defence used the tactics of always denying presence of any Russian soldiers in Ukraine and, when presented with undeniable evidence about specific people, admitting that they might have crossed the border "by mistake", or at that time were "on holiday", or their contracts were cancelled (but actually backdated). Soldier's Mothers also expressed their concern about families of killed soldiers, because if they have weren't officially sent to the war zone, the families will be not receiving social support and veteran's pension.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://ru.krymr.com/content/article/26565902.html | title=Непризнанные солдаты России | publisher=Krym. Reali | date=4 September 2014 | accessdate=5 September 2014 |trans_title=Russia's unrecognized soldiers}}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.tv100.ru/news/ischeznuvshij-desant-99022/ | title=Исчезнувший десант | publisher='100 TV | date=5 September 2014 | accessdate=5 September 2014 |trans_title=Disappeared paratroopers}}</ref> On 2 October 2014, [[RBC Information Systems|RBC]] published ''The investigation by RBC: Where Russian soldiers in Ukraine are from'' and listed in it Russian military divisions, soldiers of which are assumed to have been secretly dispatched from Russia to Ukraine and used there.<ref>{{cite web|author=Максим Солопов|title=Расследование РБК: откуда на Украине российские солдаты|url=http://top.rbc.ru/politics/02/10/2014/542c0dcfcbb20f5d06c1d87a|publisher=[[RBC Information Systems|RBC]]|language=Russian|date=2 October 2014}}</ref> On 1 March, [[Roskomnadzor]] (a Russian federal media oversight agency) blocked access to the pages of 13 "Ukrainian nationalist organizations" to users in Russia on [[Vkontakte]], the most popular social network in Russia and second most popular in Europe (after Facebook). [[Yury Chaika]], the [[Prosecutor General of Russia|Prosecutor General of the Russian Federation]], ordered Roskomnadzor to effect this block.<ref name="Mashable-Berkman">{{cite news|title=Russia Blocks Pro-Ukraine Groups on Social Media|url= http://mashable.com/2014/03/03/russia-ukraine-internet/ |publisher=Mashable|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> On October 16, 2014 the deputy chief of [[Security Service of Ukraine]] claimed that the service has released 16 out of 131 servicemen of the [[Armed Forces of Russian Federation]] back home to their relatives who petitioned through a hotline.<ref>[http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/10/16/7041038/ Ukraine has released to their relatives 16 Russian military servicemen]. [[Ukrayinska Pravda]]. 16 October 2014</ref> ===Training facility=== In a press briefing by the Ukrainian Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council (NSDC), [[Andriy Parubiy]] stated that militants were trained in a military facility in [[Rostov-on-Don]], Russia. "Near Rostov-on-Don, there is a big military base where terrorists are preparing for deployment into the territory of the Ukrainian state. This is confirmed not only by our intelligence, but also Russian prisoners who were detained, and they testify about this base," Parubiy said. He added that more than a thousand militants are trained by Russian instructors, and then they in small armed groups try to break into the territory of Ukraine.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ukrinform.ua/eng/news/terrorists_for_ukraine_trained_in_rostov_on_don_parubiy_says_321765|title=Terrorists for Ukraine trained in Rostov-on-Don, Parubiy says- Ukrinform|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> On 21 May, a Russian citizen with military experience was detained trying to enter the country, who upon investigation, was found to have recently trained in the Rostov facility.<ref>[http://www.unian.net/politics/920457-v-harkove-zaderjali-snaypera-dvuh-chechenskih-kampaniy.html В Харькове задержали снайпера двух чеченских кампаний : Новости УНИАН<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> According to Russian 'volunteer' insurgent organiser Aleksandr Zhuchkovsky, [[Rostov-on-Don]] acts as a staging area for the activity where soldiers live in hotels, rented flats and tent camps.<ref name=nytj9>{{cite news|last1=Kramer|first1=Andrew E.|title=Russians Yearning to Join Ukraine Battle Find Lots of Helping Hands|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2014/06/10/world/europe/russians-yearning-to-join-ukraine-battle-find-lots-of-helping-hands.html?partner=rss&emc=rss&smid=tw-nytimes|work=The New York Times|date=9 June 2014}}</ref> According to [[Jen Psaki]], the United States Department of State is confident that Russia has sent tanks and rocket launchers from a deployment site in southwest Russia into eastern Ukraine,<ref>{{cite web|title=Daily Press Briefing: June 20, 2014|url=http://www.state.gov/r/pa/prs/dpb/2014/06/228103.htm#UKRAINE|website=US Department of State|accessdate=21 June 2014}}</ref> and NATO satellite imagery has shown that on 10 and 11 June main battle tanks were stationed across the border at Donetsk in a staging area in Rostov-on-Don.<ref>{{cite news|last1=Weiss|first1=Michael|title=Putin Is Just Getting Started in Ukraine|url=http://www.thedailybeast.com/articles/2014/06/19/russia-is-still-meddling-in-ukraine-and-it-s-getting-worse.html|accessdate=21 June 2014|work=The Daily Beast}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last1=Norman|first1=Lawrence|title=NATO Says Images Show Russian Tanks in Ukraine|url=http://online.wsj.com/articles/nato-says-images-show-russian-tanks-in-ukraine-1402760713|accessdate=21 June 2014|work=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In July 2014, [[Reuters]] published a logbook of an [[9K38 Igla]] missile that was signed out of military storage in [[Moscow]] for a military base in [[Rostov-on-Don]], and ended up with insurgents in Donbass, where it was eventually taken over by the Ukrainian forces.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/07/29/us-ukraine-crisis-arms-specialreport-idUSKBN0FY0UA20140729?feedType=RSS&feedName=worldNews |title=Special Report: Where Ukraine's separatists get their weapons |agency=Reuters |date=29 July 2014 |accessdate=29 July 2014 |author=Thomas Grove, Warren Stroble}}</ref> After [[OSCE]] observers arrived at [[Gukovo]] border crossing on 9 August, they reported that there was a stream of multiple groups of people wearing military-style dress crossing the border between Russia and Ukraine, in both directions, some of them clearly identifying themselves as members of DNR militia. They also observed several ambulance evacuations of wounded supporters of the DPR and LPR.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.osce.org/om/122613 |title=Weekly update from the OSCE Observer Mission at the Russian Checkpoints Gukovo and Donetsk, for the period 6–12 August 2014 |publisher=OSCE |date=14 August 2014 |accessdate=17 August 2014}}</ref> ==Reactions to the Russian intervention in Crimea== {{main|International reactions to the 2014 Crimean crisis}} ===Ukrainian response=== [[File:Ukranian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast 2.jpg|thumb|Ukrainian military roadblocks in Donetsk oblast]] Interim Ukrainian President [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] accused Russia of "provoking a conflict" by backing the seizure of the Crimean parliament building and other government offices on the Crimean peninsula. He compared Russia's military actions to the 2008 [[Russia–Georgia war]], when Russian troops occupied parts of the [[Republic of Georgia]] and the breakaway enclaves of [[Abkhazia]] and [[South Ossetia]] were established under the control of Russian-backed administrations. He called on Putin to withdraw Russian troops from Crimea and stated that Ukraine will "preserve its territory" and "defend its independence".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine-abroad/turchynov-russia-waging-war-of-aggression-in-crimea-337972.html|work=Kyiv Post|title=Turchynov: Russia starts aggression in Crimea|date=28 February 2014|accessdate=1 March 2014}}</ref> On 1 March, he warned, "Military intervention would be the beginning of war and the end of any relations between Ukraine and Russia."<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10669670/Ukraine-live-Crimea-leader-appeals-to-Putin-to-help-as-Obama-warns-of-costs-to-Moscow.html|work=The Daily Telegraph|title=Ukraine live: Prime Minister of Ukraine says Russian military intervention would lead to war|date=1 March 2014|accessdate=1 March 2014}}</ref> On 1 March, Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov placed the Armed Forces of Ukraine on full alert and combat readiness.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702303801304579413443251173188|title=Ukraine Puts Military on Full Alert After Russian Intervention Threat}}</ref> ===US and NATO military response=== {{See also|NATO-Russia relations}} On 4 March 2014, the United States pledged $1 billion in aid to Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. pledges $1 billion in aid to Ukraine|url=http://www.latimes.com/world/worldnow/la-fg-wn-ukraine-us-aid-20140304,0,177084.story|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=4 March 2014}}</ref> Russia's actions increased tensions in nearby countries historically within its [[sphere of influence]], particularly the [[Baltic states|Baltic]] and [[Moldova]]; all have large Russian-speaking populations, and [[Transnistria#Russian military presence in Transnistria|Russian troops are stationed]] in the breakaway Moldovan territory of [[Transnistria]].<ref name="Herald">{{cite news|title=Russian aggression unnerves other neighbours|url=http://thechronicleherald.ca/world/1193466-russian-aggression-unnerves-other-neighbours|accessdate=14 March 2014|newspaper=The Chronicle Herald|date=12 March 2014|author=Scislowska|author2=Pablo Gorondi|author3=Karel Janicek|author4=Jovana Gec|author5=Corneliu Rusnac|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> Some devoted resources to increasing defensive capabilities,<ref name="NTI">{{cite news|title=Russia's Neighbors Want Stronger Defenses After Ukraine Incursion|url=http://www.nti.org/gsn/article/baltic-states-want-stronger-defenses-face-russian-incursion-ukraine/|accessdate=14 March 2014|newspaper=Global Security Newswire|date=7 March 2014}}</ref> and many requested increased support from the U.S. and the [[North Atlantic Treaty Organization]], which they had joined in recent years.<ref name="Herald" /><ref name="NTI" /> The conflict "reinvigorated" NATO, which had been created to face the Soviet Union, but had devoted more resources to "expeditionary missions" in recent years.<ref name="Gearan">{{cite news|last=Gearan|first=Anne|title=NATO chief recommits to defending Eastern European, Baltic nations|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/nato-sees-no-evidence-russia-pulling-back-troops-from-ukrainian-border/2014/04/01/eea9b6fe-b99f-11e3-96ae-f2c36d2b1245_story.html|accessdate=1 April 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1 April 2014}}</ref> [[File:Assistant Secretary Nuland, Ambassador Pyatt Greet Ukrainian President-elect Poroshenko Before Meeting in Warsaw.jpg|thumb|US officials Assistant Secretary [[Victoria Nuland|Nuland]] and Ambassador to Ukraine [[Geoffrey R. Pyatt|Pyatt]] greet Ukrainian President [[Petro Poroshenko]] in Warsaw on 4 June 2014]] NATO increasingly saw Russia as an adversary,<ref name="now-an-adversary">{{cite web|title=NATO diplomat: Russia now more an ‘adversary’ than an ally|url=http://thehill.com/policy/defense/204921-nato-diplomat-russia-now-more-an-adversary-than-an-ally|website=The Hill}}</ref> though officials hoped this would be temporary.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} Initial deployments in March and early April were restricted to increased air force monitoring and training in the Baltics and Poland, and single ships in the Black Sea.<ref name="now-an-adversary"/><ref>{{cite web|title=NATO to triple Baltic air patrol from next month|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/08/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-idUSBREA371WH20140408|website=Reuters}}</ref> On 16 April, officials announced the deployment of ships to the [[Baltic Sea|Baltic]] and [[Mediterranean Sea]]s, and increasing exercises in "Eastern Europe". The measures were apparently limited so as not to appear aggressive.<ref name="Bendavid">{{cite news|last=Bendavid|first=Naftali|title=NATO Boosts Its Operations in Response to Russia's Moves on Ukraine -- Update|url=http://online.wsj.com/article/BT-CO-20140416-708607.html|accessdate=16 April 2014|date=16 April 2014|agency=Reuters|location=Brussels}}</ref> Leaders emphasized that the conflict was not a new Cold War<ref>{{cite news|last=Fred|first=Lucas|title=White House: U.S. and Russia Are Not in a New Cold War|url=http://www.theblaze.com/stories/2014/04/14/white-house-u-s-and-russia-are-not-in-a-new-cold-war/|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=The Blaze|date=14 April 2014}}</ref><ref name=Nesnera>{{cite news|last=de Nesnera|first=Andre|title=Are US and Russia in New Cold War?|url=http://www.voanews.com/content/are-us-and-russia-in-new-cold-war/1894789.html|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=Voice of America|date=16 April 2014}}</ref> but some analysts disagreed.<ref name=Nesnera /><ref>[http://rt.com/op-edge/156404-usa-russia-new-cold-war/ 'Cold War Against Russia — Without Debate'] by [[Katrina vanden Heuvel]] and [[Stephen F. Cohen]]. 2 May 2014, Russian Times, accessed 5 May 2014</ref> Others supported applying [[George F. Kennan]]'s concept of [[containment]] to possible Russian expansion.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kettle|first=Martin|title=Russia is a hostile power, but this is not a new cold war|url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/apr/24/russia-hostile-cold-war-ukraine-putin-new-strategy|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=24 April 2014|authorlink=Martin Kettle}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|last=Webb|first=Isaac|title=Isaac Webb: Containment starts at home|url=http://www.kyivpost.com/opinion/op-ed/isaac-webb-containment-starts-at-home-345883.html|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=Kyiv Post|date=1 May 2014}}</ref> Former U.S. Ambassador to Russia [[Michael McFaul]] said, "We are enduring a drift of disengagement in world affairs. As we pull back, Russia is pushing forward. I worry about the new nationalism that Putin has unleashed and understand that many young Russians also embrace these extremist ideas."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2014/08/11/watching-eclipse|title=The New Yorker, August 2014|date=11 August 2014|work=The New Yorker|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> Beginning 23 April 600 US troops from the [[173rd Airborne Brigade Combat Team]] held bilateral exercises in Poland and the Baltic.<ref>{{cite news|last="Agencies"|title=Ukraine to restart anti-terrorist operation as military plane 'hit by gunfire'|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10780790/Ukraine-to-restart-anti-terrorist-operation-as-military-plane-hit-by-gunfire.html|accessdate=22 April 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=22 April 2014}}</ref> Plans were made for a communications mission to counter Russian propaganda in eastern Ukraine, improve internal Ukrainian military communication, and handle apparent Russian infiltration of the security services.<ref>{{cite news|last=Shinkman|first=Paul|title=NATO Countries Planning Comms Mission in Ukraine|url=http://www.usnews.com/news/articles/2014/05/01/sources-nato-countries-planning-communications-mission-in-ukraine|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=US News|date=1 May 2014}}</ref> [[Georgia (country)|Georgia]] intensified its push for entry into NATO; it hoped to gain [[Enlargement of NATO#Membership Action Plan|Membership Action Plan]] status in September.<ref name=Bedwell>{{cite news|title=Georgia Pushes for Fast-Track NATO Entry to Ward Off Russia (3)|url=http://www.businessweek.com/news/2014-04-29/georgia-pushes-for-fast-track-nato-membership-to-ward-off-russia|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=Bloomberg Businessweek|date=30 April 2014|author=Helena Bedwell|author2=Henry Meyer}}</ref> It also expressed interest in a missile defense system via NATO.<ref>{{cite news|last=Kirtzkhalia|first=Nana|title=NATO to review deployment of U.S. missile defense system in Georgia|url=http://en.trend.az/regions/scaucasus/georgia/2269443.html|accessdate=5 May 2014|newspaper=Trend.az|date=1 May 2014}}</ref> ====Baltic states==== On 5 March the Pentagon announced, independently of NATO, that it would send six fighter jets and a refueling aircraft to augment the four already participating in the [[Baltic Air Policing]] mission.<ref>{{cite news|last=Stewart |first=Phil |url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/05/us-ukraine-crisis-pentagon-idUSBREA242D320140305 |title=More U.S. jets on NATO patrol in Baltic amid Ukraine crisis: source |agency=Reuters |date=5 March 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. Moves Six Fighter Jets to Baltic, More Airmen to Poland|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/u-s-moves-six-fighter-jets-baltics-more-airmen-poland-n45386|accessdate=7 March 2014|publisher=NBC News|date=5 March 2014|author=Jim Miklaszewski|author2=Courtney Kube}}</ref> The US rotation was due to last through the end of April.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} The [[Polish Air Force]] was scheduled to participate from 1 May through 31 August.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} *Throughout the second half of March, the UK, France, the Czech Republic, and Denmark all offered aircraft to augment the Polish rotation. UK officials announced plans to send six [[Eurofighter Typhoon]].<ref name="Kashi">{{cite news|last=Kashi|first=David|title=UK Sends Typhoon Fighters to Baltic States To Guard Against Russia|url=http://www.ibtimes.com/uk-sends-typhoon-fighters-baltic-states-guard-against-russia-1561859|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=International Business Times|date=17 March 2014}}</ref> Over the next two weeks, France offered four fighters, and anonymous officials mentioned possible air support for Poland and stationing AWACs in Poland and Romania.<ref>{{cite news|title=France offers 4 warplanes for Baltic air patrols|url=http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/world/europe/France-offers-4-warplanes-for-Baltic-air-patrols/articleshow/32433422.cms|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=The Times of India|date=21 March 2014|agency=Associated Press}}</ref><ref name="JenningsOffer">{{cite news|last=Jennings|first=Gareth|title=France and Czech Republic offer fighter support as Ukraine crisis continues|url=http://www.janes.com/article/35850/france-and-czech-republic-offer-fighter-support-as-ukraine-crisis-continues|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|date=23 March 2014|location=London}}</ref> The [[Czech Republic]] offered to deploy fighter aircraft to interested countries bordering or near Ukraine.<ref name="JenningsOffer" /> [[Denmark]] planned to send six [[F-16]] fighters.<ref>{{cite news|title=Denmark to send six fighter jets to the Baltic: Media|url=http://www.business-standard.com/article/international/denmark-to-send-six-fighter-jets-to-the-baltics-media-114032700054_1.html|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Business Standard|date=27 March 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> *After some consideration,<ref>{{cite news|title=Germany ready to give military aid to Baltic states over Ukraine crisis|url=http://www.globalpost.com/dispatch/news/afp/140329/germany-ready-give-military-aid-baltic-states-over-ukraine-crisis|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Global Post|date=29 March 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> Germany's Defense Ministry committed to sending six Eurofighters (to reinforce the Portuguese rotation beginning in September<ref name=JenningsUpdate />) and leading "minesweeping maneuvers" in the Baltic Sea.<ref name="Bendavid" /> A multinational group of four [[minesweeper]] ships and a [[auxiliary ship|supply ship]] from the [[Standing NATO Mine Countermeasures Group 1]] left [[Kiel]], Germany on 22 April.<ref name="22april">{{cite news|title=NATO minesweepers set off on Baltic deployment|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/04/22/5-nato-minesweepers-depart-on-baltic-sea-deployment-as-alliance-beefs-up/|accessdate=30 September 2014|newspaper=FOX News|date=22 April 2014|agency=Associated Press|location=Kiel, Germany}}</ref> * Swedish, Lithuanian, and US aircraft took part in exercises over the Baltic in early April.<ref>{{cite news|title=NATO preps for military exercises in Baltic airspace|url=http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/66002/nato-preps-for-military-exercises-in-baltic-airspace-201466002/|accessdate=1 April 2014|newspaper=Lithuania Tribune|date=31 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="Aviationist">{{cite news|last=Siminski|first=Jacek|title=These days, the Baltic region is a buzzing hive of NATO planes|url=http://theaviationist.com/2014/04/02/nato-deploying-planes-baltic/|accessdate=7 April 2014|newspaper=The Aviationist|date=2 April 2014}}</ref> The US was considering establishing a small but "continuous" military force in the Baltic to reassure its allies.<ref>{{cite news|last=Hõbemägi|first=Toomas|title=US may deploy rotating units in Baltic states|url=http://balticbusinessnews.com/article/2014/3/28/us-may-deploy-rotating-units-in-baltic-states|accessdate=1 April 2014|newspaper=Baltic Business News|date=28 March 2014}}</ref> NATO and Estonia agreed to base aircraft at the [[Ämari Air Base]], which was reportedly possible due to the increased number of planes offered by allies.<ref>{{cite news|title=NATO to open air base in Estonia in response to Ukraine conflict|url=http://www.lse.co.uk/AllNews.asp?code=bttzhx6i&headline=NATO_to_open_air_base_in_Estonia_in_response_to_Ukraine_conflict|accessdate=7 April 2014|newspaper=London South East|date=3 April 2014|agency=Deutsche Presse-Agentur}}</ref> The Lithuanian defense ministry reported that the number of Russian planes flying close to the border had increased in January and February.<ref>{{cite news|title=Lithuania says rising number of Russian jets flying too close for comfort|url=http://www.smh.com.au/world/lithuania-says-rising-number-of-russian-jets-flying-too-close-for-comfort-20140404-zqqfk.html|accessdate=7 April 2014|newspaper=The Sydney Morning Herald|date=4 April 2014|agency=Reuters}}</ref> ====Black and Mediterranean Seas==== An [[Arleigh Burke-class destroyer|''Arleigh Burke''-class destroyer]], the {{USS|Truxtun|DDG-103|6}}, crossed into the Black Sea on 6 March to participate in long-planned exercises with Bulgaria and Romania.{{efn|Baldor (2014) "A U.S. warship is also now in the Black Sea to participate in long-planned exercises."<ref>{{cite news |url=http://bigstory.ap.org/article/us-fighter-jets-warship-arrive-ukraine-region |title=US fighter jets, warship arrive in Ukraine region |first=Lolita |last=Baldor |work=Associated Press |date=6 March 2014 |accessdate=10 March 2014 }}</ref>}}<ref>{{Cite news |url=http://rt.com/news/us-navy-black-sea-482/ |title=Navy destroyer USS Truxtun crosses Dardanelles en route to Black Sea |publisher=[[RT (TV network)|RT]] |date=7 March 2014}}</ref> American officials stated that it was part of a routine deployment for exercises with the Bulgarian and Romanian navies.<ref name="reuters.com">[http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/06/us-ukraine-crisis-usa-navy-idUSBREA250Z920140306 "U.S. Navy destroyer heads to Black Sea for pre-planned exercises"], [[Reuters]] (6 March 2014)</ref><ref>[http://www.stripes.com/news/destroyer-uss-truxtun-heads-for-black-sea-amid-heightened-tensions-over-crimea-1.271401 Destroyer USS Truxtun heads for Black Sea amid heightened tensions over Crimea] Stars and Stripes. 6 March 2014</ref> The ''Truxtun'' left the Black Sea by 28 March, but some politicians argued that it should return as a show of support.<ref>{{cite news|last=Curry|first=Tim|title=House Intelligence Chairman Calls for Sending Arms to Ukraine|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/house-intelligence-chairman-calls-sending-arms-ukraine-n59826|accessdate=30 March 2014|publisher=NBC News|date=30 March 2014}}</ref> An additional 175 Marines were to be deployed to the [[Black Sea Rotational Force]] in Romania, though this was decided in late 2012.<ref>{{cite news|title=U.S. sending additional Marines to Romania|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/us-sending-additional-marines-to-romania/|accessdate=7 April 2014|publisher=CBS News|date=2 April 2014|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> On 10 April, the guided missile destroyer [[USS Donald Cook (DDG-75)|USS ''Donald Cook'']] entered the Black Sea to "reassure NATO allies and Black Sea partners of America's commitment to strengthen and improve interoperability while working towards mutual goals in the region", according to a Pentagon spokesman.<ref name="Carbonnel" /><ref>[http://www.navytimes.com/article/20140409/NEWS08/304090066/Destroyer-Donald-Cook-enter-Black-Sea-amid-standoff Destroyer Donald Cook to enter Black Sea amid standoff]. Navy Times, 9 April 2014</ref> On 14 April, the ship was repeatedly buzzed by a [[Su-24]] Russian attack aircraft.<ref>{{cite news|title=Russian Fighter Jet Buzzed U.S. Ship: Officials|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/russian-fighter-jet-buzzed-u-s-ship-officials-n79971|accessdate=15 April 2014|newspaper=NBC News|date=14 April 2014|author=Jim Miklaszewski|author2=Courtney Kube}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/russian-jet-makes-provocative-and-unprofessional-pass-at-uss-donald-cook/|title=Russian jet makes "provocative and unprofessional" pass at USS Donald Cook - CBS News|date=14 April 2014|publisher=|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> The ''Donald Cook'' left the Black Sea on 28 April, leaving the [[USS Taylor (FFG-50)|USS ''Taylor'']].<ref>{{cite news|title=USS Donald Cook ship departs Black Sea, USS Taylor stays|url=http://www.romania-insider.com/uss-donald-cook-ship-departs-black-sea-uss-taylor-stays/120224/|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=Romania Insider|date=28 April 2014}}</ref> On 30 April, Canada redeployed the [[HMCS Regina (FFH 334)|HMCS ''Regina'']] from counter-terrorist operations in the [[Arabian Sea]], likely to join [[Standing NATO Maritime Group 1]], which had itself been reassigned to the eastern Mediterranean in response to events in Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|last=Cudmore|first=James|title=HMCS Regina to join NATO's Ukraine 'reassurance' mission|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/hmcs-regina-to-join-nato-s-ukraine-reassurance-mission-1.2627537|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=CBC News|date=30 April 2014}}</ref> ====Poland and Romania==== *7 U.S. F-16's were scheduled to participate in a training exercise in Poland. On 6 March, it was announced that 12 fighters and 300 service personnel would go to Poland.<ref name="Moore">{{cite news|last=Moore|first=Jack|title=Ukraine Crisis: Obama Orders 12 F-16 Fighter Jets and 300 US Troops to Poland|url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/ukraine-crisis-obama-orders-12-f-16-fighter-jets-300-us-troops-poland-1439216|accessdate=7 March 2014|newspaper=International Business Times|date=6 March 2014}}</ref> The increase was attributed to concerns over Russian activities in Crimea.<ref name="Moore" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: US sends fighter jets to Baltic and increases pressure on Vladimir Putin|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10682004/US-sends-fighter-jets-to-Baltic-and-boosts-pressure-on-Putin-over-Ukraine.html|accessdate=7 March 2014|newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|date=6 March 2014|author=Raf Sanchez|author2=Bruno Waterfield}}</ref> It was later announced that the detachment from the [[555th Fighter Squadron]] would remain through the end of 2014.<ref>{{cite news|last=Vandiver|first=John|title=Hagel: US forces to stay in Poland until end of 2014|url=http://www.stripes.com/news/hagel-us-forces-to-stay-in-poland-until-end-of-2014-1.278540|accessdate=22 April 2014|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|date=17 April 2014}}</ref> Six F-16's were also stationed in Romania with no given departure date.<ref name=JenningsUpdate /> *On 10 March, NATO began using [[Boeing E-3 Sentry]] AWACS airborne radar aircraft to monitor [[Poland]]'s and [[Lithuania]]'s border with [[Kaliningrad]].<ref name="NATO BBC">{{Cite news|url=http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-26521311|title=Nato jets to monitor Ukraine border|publisher=BBC|date=10 March 2014|accessdate=10 March 2014}}</ref> Monitoring also took place in [[Romania]].<ref>{{cite news|title=NATO sends AWACS to monitor Ukraine borders with Poland, Romania as tension with Russia mounts over Crimea invasion|url=http://www.cbsnews.com/news/nato-awacs-ukraine-borders-poland-romania-tension-with-russia-mounts-over-crimea/|accessdate=14 March 2014|publisher=CBS News|date=12 March 2014|agency=Associated Press}}</ref> *On 26 March, US and UK defense chiefs agreed to accelerate the development of the [[NATO missile defence system]]. Talks were "dominated" by the situation in Ukraine, but officials emphasized that this was not a response to Russian actions.<ref>{{cite news|last=Sisk|first=Richard|title=US-UK: Expand Missile Defense in Eastern Europe|url=http://www.military.com/daily-news/2014/03/26/us-uk-expand-missile-defense-in-eastern-europe.html?comp=7000023317828&rank=1|accessdate=30 March 2014|publisher=Military.com|date=26 March 2014}}</ref> NATO foreign ministers at a meeting in early April did not rule out stationing troops in countries near Russia, saying that Russia had "gravely breached the trust upon which our cooperation must be based".<ref name="Gearan" /> Poland requested that "two heavy brigades" be stationed on its territory, to mixed responses; NATO considered increased support for Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Moldova.<ref>{{cite news|last=Waterfield|first=Bruno|title=Ukraine crisis: Poland asks Nato to station 10,000 troops on its territory|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10737838/Ukraine-crisis-Poland-asks-Nato-to-station-10000-troops-on-its-territory.html|accessdate=7 April 2014|newspaper=The Telegrapg|date=1 April 2014}}</ref> *On 17 April, Canadian Prime Minister [[Stephen Harper]] announced a deployment of six [[McDonnell Douglas CF-18 Hornet|CF-18 jet fighters]] to be based in Poland,<ref name="22april" /><ref name="cf18" /> and 20 additional staff officers to the NATO [[Supreme Headquarters Allied Powers Europe|headquarters]].<ref name="cf18">{{cite news|last=Brewster|first=Murray|title=6 CF-18s headed to Poland to bolster NATO forces response to Ukraine|url=http://globalnews.ca/news/1277044/canada-sends-jets-to-poland-for-nato-ukraine-crisis-move/|accessdate=22 April 2014|newspaper=Global News (Canada)|date=17 April 2014|agency=The Canadian Press}}</ref><ref name=Thibedeau /> The planes were apparently redirected<ref>{{cite news|title=Kanadyjskie myśliwce CF-18 Hornet trafią jednak do Rumunii a nie Polski|url=http://www.defence24.pl/news_kanadyjskie-mysliwce-cf-18-hornet-trafia-jednak-do-rumunii-a-nie-polski|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=Defence24.pl|date=29 April 2014|language=Polish}}</ref> to Romania, along with at least 220 Canadian personnel.<ref name=Thibedeau>{{cite news|last=Thibedeau|first=Hannah|title=CF-18s head to Romania amid 'uncertainty' about NATO mission|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/cf-18s-head-to-romania-amid-uncertainty-about-nato-mission-1.2625727|accessdate=2 May 2014|newspaper=CBC News|date=29 April 2014}}</ref> *On 24 April, France announced the deployment of four [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale fighters]] to Poland's [[22nd Air Base|Malbork Airbase]] as a "defensive posture".<ref name=JenningsUpdate>{{cite news|last=Jennings|first=Gareth|title=France sends Rafale fighters to Poland|url=http://www.janes.com/article/37123/update-france-sends-rafale-fighters-to-poland|accessdate=24 April 2014|newspaper=IHS Jane's Defence Weekly|date=23 April 2014|location=London}}</ref> ====Relations with Russia==== According to ''[[Stars and Stripes (newspaper)|Stars and Stripes]]'', the Atlas Vision exercise with Russia (planned for July) was cancelled.<ref name="Montgomer">{{cite news|last=Montgomer|first=Nancy|title=US Army to Proceed with Planned Exercise in Ukraine|url=http://www.atlanticcouncil.org/blogs/natosource/us-army-to-proceed-with-planned-exercise-in-ukraine|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Stars and Stripes|date=17 March 2014}}</ref> The Rapid Trident exercise in western Ukraine, scheduled for the same time, was to proceed as planned,<ref name="Montgomer" /><ref name="SeaBreeze">{{cite news|title=Ukraine Seeks Joint US War Games After Crimea Takeover|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140326/DEFREG01/303260039/Ukraine-Seeks-Joint-US-War-Games-After-Crimea-Takeover|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=Defense News|date=26 March 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> as was the naval exercise Sea Breeze.<ref name="SeaBreeze" /> France suspended most military cooperation with Russia and considered halting the sale of two [[Mistral-class amphibious assault ship|Mistral-class]] warships it had been contracted to build.<ref>{{cite news|title=France suspends 'most' military cooperation with Russia|url=http://www.expatica.com/fr/news/french-news/france-suspends-most--military-cooperation-with-russia_288335.html|accessdate=30 March 2014|publisher=Expatica.com|date=21 March 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse}}</ref> Canada,<ref>{{cite news|title=Canada suspends military cooperation with Russia over Ukraine events|url=http://en.itar-tass.com/world/722113|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=ITAR-TASS News Agency.|date=5 March 2014|agency=Information Telegraph Agency of Russia}}</ref> the UK,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: March 18 as it happened|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10704798/Ukraine-crisis-March-18-as-it-happened.html|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=18 March 2014|author=Josie Ensor|author2=Lucy Kinder}}</ref> and Norway<ref>{{cite news|title=Norway suspends military cooperation with Russia|url=http://www.focus-fen.net/news/2014/03/25/330993/norway-suspends-military-cooperation-with-russia.html|accessdate=30 March 2014|newspaper=FOCUS Information Agency|date=25 March 2014|agency=FOCUS}}</ref> all suspended cooperation to some extent. On 1 April, NATO suspended all military and civilian cooperation with Russia.<ref>{{cite news|title=NATO suspends civilian and military cooperation with Russia|url=http://rt.com/news/nato-military-cooperation-russia-641/|accessdate=1 April 2014|publisher=RT|date=1 April 2014|agency=RIA Novosti}}</ref> Russian diplomatic access to NATO headquarters was restricted.<ref>{{cite news|last=Croft|first=Adrian|title=NATO limits access by Russian diplomats in Crimea fallout|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/04/07/us-ukraine-crisis-nato-idUSBREA3614K20140407|accessdate=7 April 2014|date=7 April 2014|agency=Reuters|location=Brussels}}</ref> On 8 May, Russia conducted a large-scale military drill simulating a US/NATO nuclear attacks. Analysts considered it to be politically motivated to compete with [[NATO]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Gertz|first=Bill|title=Russia Conducts Large-Scale Nuclear Attack Exercise|url=http://freebeacon.com/national-security/russia-conducts-large-scale-nuclear-attack-exercise/|accessdate=10 May 2014|newspaper=Washington Free Beacon|date=8 May 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title=Russia's strategic nuclear forces to conduct major military exercises with more than 4,000 soldiers|url=http://news.nationalpost.com/2014/09/04/russias-strategic-nuclear-forces-to-conduct-major-military-exercises-with-more-than-4000-soldiers/|website=The National Post}}</ref> ===Military actions in other countries=== ====Belarus==== *Ukraine reported that Russian units in [[Belarus]] were participating in Russia's military exercises near the Ukrainian border.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.charter97.org/en/news/2014/3/14/90495/|title=Ukraine's MFA: Russian military units holding exercise in territory of Belarus|publisher=Charter'97|date=14 March 2014|accessdate=14 March 2014}}</ref> *On 24 March, [[Viktor Bondarev]], commander of the [[Russian Air Force]], announced plans to station 24 Su-27 fighters in [[Baranovichi]] by the end of the year.<ref name="Kashi" /> ====Sweden and Finland==== [[Adam Taylor]] wrote in his [[Washington Post]] blog that Officials in [[Sweden]] and [[Finland]] were concerned by apparent Russian intelligence activities. While both Nordic countries were strongly non-aligned (only participating in NATO's [[Partnership for Peace]]), and experts considered a Russian attack unlikely, interest in NATO membership increased slightly.<ref>{{cite news|last=Taylor|first=Adam|title=No, Russia isn't about to invade Finland and Sweden|url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/worldviews/wp/2014/04/09/no-russia-isnt-about-to-invade-finland-and-sweden/|accessdate=24 April 2014|newspaper=Washington Post (blog)|date=9 April 2014}}</ref> Local populations preferred a possible Sweden-Finland alliance, and both countries increased radar- and aircraft-based monitoring of Russian movements.<ref>{{cite news|last=O'Dwyer|first=Gerard|title=Majority of Finns Support Swedish Military Alliance|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140326/DEFREG01/303260045/Majority-Finns-Support-Swedish-Military-Alliance|accessdate=24 April 2014|newspaper=Defense News|date=26 March 2014|location=Helsinki}}</ref> In late April, Sweden announced plans to gradually increase its defense budget by over 10% by 2024, purchase 10 new fighter planes, and equip its fighters with [[cruise missile]]s.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sweden To Arm Fighter Jets With Cruise Missile 'Deterrent'|url=http://www.defensenews.com/article/20140424/DEFREG01/304240023/Sweden-Arm-Fighter-Jets-Cruise-Missile-Deterrent|accessdate=24 April 2014|newspaper=Defense News|date=24 April 2014|agency=Agence France-Presse|location=Stockholm}}</ref> ====Turkey==== *On 7 March, the [[Turkish Air Force]] reported it [[scrambling (military)|scramble]]d six F-16 fighter jets after a Russian [[surveillance aircraft|surveillance plane]] flew along Turkey's Black Sea coast.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/turkish-fighters-scrambled-after-russian-spy-plane-spotted-n47011 |title=Turkish Fighters Scrambled After Russian Spy Plane Spotted |agency=Reuters |date=7 March 2014 |accessdate=10 March 2014 }}</ref> It was the second incident of its kind reported that week, with one occurring the day before on 6 March. The Russian plane remained in [[international airspace]]. Diplomatic sources revealed that Turkey has warned Russia that if it attacks Ukraine and its Crimean Tatar population, it would blockade Russian ships' passage to the Black Sea.<ref>[http://ukrainianpolicy.com/turkey-warns-russia-it-will-blockade-bosphorus/ Turkey Warns Russia it Will Blockade Bosphorus if Violence Occurs | Ukrainian Policy<!-- Bot generated title -->]</ref> ===International diplomatic and economic responses=== {{further|International reactions to the 2014 Crimean crisis|List of individuals sanctioned during the 2014 Ukrainian crisis}} [[File:Secretary Kerry Meets With Ukrainian Members of Parliament March 2014.jpg|thumb|U.S. Secretary of State [[John Kerry]] meets with Ukrainian members of parliament, 4 March 2014]] Several members of the [[international community]] have expressed grave concerns over the Russian intervention in Ukraine and criticized Russia for its actions in post-revolutionary Ukraine, including the United States,<ref>{{cite web|title=Obama: Russia 'On The Wrong Side Of History' On Ukraine|url=http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/03/03/obama-russia_n_4891788.html|work=Huffington Post}}</ref> the United Kingdom,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: Russia faces 'costs and consequences', warns William Hague|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10672977/Ukraine-crisis-Russia-faces-costs-and-consequences-warns-William-Hague.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> France,<ref>{{cite news|title=UK and France pull out of G8 preparatory talks over Ukraine crisis|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/02/uk-france-pull-out-g8-preparatory-talks-ukraine-russia-military|accessdate=4 March 2014|newspaper=The Guardian|date=2 March 2014}}</ref> Germany,<ref>{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: Vladimir Putin has lost the plot, says German chancellor|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/03/ukraine-vladimir-putin-angela-merkel-russian|newspaper=The Guardian|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> Italy,<ref>{{cite news|last=Jones|first=Gavin|title=Italy appeals to Russia to negotiate, not invade Ukraine|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/02/us-ukraine-crisis-italy-idUSBREA210OP20140302|accessdate=4 March 2014|agency=Reuters|date=2 March 2014}}</ref> Poland,<ref>{{cite news|last=Waterfield|first=Bruno|title=Ukraine crisis: EU gives Russia 48-hour deadline to return troops to barracks in Crimea|url=http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worldnews/europe/ukraine/10674260/Ukraine-crisis-EU-gives-Russia-48-hour-deadline-to-return-troops-to-barracks-in-Crimea.html|newspaper=The Telegraph|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> Canada,<ref name="PMGCCA">{{cite web|url=http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2014/03/01/statement-prime-minister-canada-situation-ukraine |title=Statement by the Prime Minister of Canada on the situation in Ukraine &#124; Prime Minister of Canada |publisher=Pm.gc.ca |date=1 March 2014}}</ref> Japan,<ref name="Kyodo News">{{cite news|url=http://english.kyodonews.jp/news/2014/03/279865.html|title=Japan announces steps to punish Russia over Ukraine crisis |agency=Kyodo News |date=18 March 2014}}</ref> the Netherlands,<ref>{{cite news|title=The Netherlands is considering to send fighter jets to Ukraine. The Netherlands can also send ships to the Baltic or the Black Sea, Hennis Minister of Defense said in Pauw & Witteman. According Hennis is the commitment needed to help our European allies.|url= http://nos.nl/artikel/636400-nederland-overweegt-inzet-f16s.html|newspaper=NOS|date=16 April 2014}}</ref> South Korea,<ref name="SKOR">{{cite news|title=Seoul refuses to recognize Russia's Crimea annexation|url=http://www.koreaherald.com/view.php?ud=20140319001413|accessdate=20 March 2014|newspaper=[[The Korea Herald]]|date=19 March 2014}}</ref> Georgia,<ref name="Georgia">{{cite news|title=Georgian President Condemns 'Illegal Referendum' in Crimea|url=http://www.civil.ge/eng/article.php?id=27045|accessdate=18 March 2014|newspaper=[[Civil Georgia]]|date=17 March 2014}}</ref> Moldova,<ref name="Moldova">{{cite news |title=Moldova tells Russia: don't eye annexation here|url=http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/03/18/us-ukraine-crisis-moldova-idUSBREA2H16F20140318|agency=[[Reuters]]|date=18 March 2014 |accessdate=20 March 2014|author=Alexander Tanas}}</ref> Turkey,<ref name="MFA">{{cite web |title=No: 86, 17 March 2014, Press Release Regarding the Referendum held in Crimea|url=http://www.mfa.gov.tr/no_-86_-17-march-2014_-press-release-regarding-the-referendum-held-in-crimea.en.mfa|publisher=[[Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Turkey)|Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Turkey]]|date=17 March 2014 |accessdate=18 March 2014}}</ref> Australia<ref name="AU sanction">{{cite news|title=Australia imposes sanctions on Russia after it 'steals' Crimea from Ukraine|url=http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/mar/19/australia-imposes-sanctions-on-russia-after-it-steals-crimea-from-ukraine|newspaper=The Guardian|date=19 March 2014}}</ref> and the [[European Union]] as a whole, which condemned Russia, accusing it of breaking international law and violating Ukrainian sovereignty.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.yahoo.com/eu-leaders-hold-summit-ukraine-thursday-175852481.html |title=EU leaders to hold summit on Ukraine on Thursday |publisher=Yahoo! News |date=3 March 2014}}</ref> Many of these countries implemented [[economic sanctions]] against Russia or [[List of individuals sanctioned during the 2014 Ukrainian crisis|Russian individuals or companies]], to which Russia responded in kind. Amnesty International has expressed its belief that Russia is fuelling the conflict.<ref name="amnesty"/> The UN Security Council held a special meeting at the weekend{{When|date=August 2014}}<!--which weekend?--> on the crisis.<ref>{{cite news| date = 20 April 2011|url=http://news.yahoo.com/un-security-council-meets-ukraine-213108555.html |title=UN Security Council meets on Ukraine |agency=Agence France-Presse |publisher= Yahoo! |accessdate= 3 March 2014}}</ref> The [[G7]] countries condemned the violation of Ukraine's sovereignty, and urged Russia to withdraw.<ref name="wpinv">{{cite news|last=DeYoung|first=Karen|url= http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/national-security/us-and-allies-try-to-decide-on-response-to-ukraine-crisis/2014/03/01/463d1922-a174-11e3-b8d8-94577ff66b28_story.html |title=Obama speaks with Putin by phone, calls on Russia to pull forces back to Crimea bases | accessdate=2 March 2014|newspaper=The Washington Post|date=1 March 2014}}</ref><ref name="g7_condemn">{{cite news|title=Ukraine crisis: 'G7' condemn Russia|url = http://www.theage.com.au/world/ukraine-crisis-g7-condemn-russia-20140303-hvfw2.html |newspaper=[[The Age]]|date=3 March 2014}}</ref> All G7 leaders are refusing to participate in it due to assumed violation of the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, in contravention of Russia's obligations under the UN Charter and its 1997 basing agreement with Ukraine.<ref>{{Citation | url = http://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2014/03/02/g-7-leaders-statement | title = G-7 Leaders Statement |publisher= [[whitehouse.gov|The White House]] | type = press release | date = 2 March 2014}}</ref> ===Financial markets=== The intervention caused turbulence in financial markets. Many markets around the world fell slightly due to the threat of instability.{{citation needed|date=September 2014}} The Swiss franc climbed to a 2-year high against the dollar and 1-year high against the Euro. The Euro and the US dollar both rose, as did the Australian dollar.<ref name="20140303reuters" /> The Russian stock market declined by more than 10 percent, whilst the Russian [[ruble]] hit all-time lows against the US dollar and the Euro.<ref name ="WIRDIU">{{cite web|title=What is Russia doing in Ukraine, and what can West do about it?|url=http://www.cnn.com/2014/08/31/opinion/chance-analysis-russia-ukraine/|website=CNN}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.nbcnews.com/storyline/ukraine-crisis/ukraine-crisis-sends-russian-markets-ruble-plummeting-n42861|title=Ukraine Crisis Sends Russian Markets, Ruble Plummeting }}</ref><ref name="20140303aphosted">{{Citation | title = Putin: troops to bases; warning shots in Crimea|author=Sullivan, Tim | url = http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/E/EU_UKRAINE?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT&CTIME=2014-03-03-12-34-01 | work = Associated Press}}</ref> The Russian central bank hiked interest rates and intervened in the foreign exchange markets to the tune of $12&nbsp;billion to try to stabilize its currency.<ref name="20140303reuters">Chua, Ian (3 March 2014). [http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/03/03/uk-markets-forex-idUKBREA2205O20140303?type=GCA-ForeignExchange "Yen holds ground as Ukraine jitters keep risk at bay"]. Reuters</ref> Prices for wheat and grain rose, with Ukraine being a major exporter of both crops.<ref>{{cite news|last=Dreibus|first=Tony|title=Wheat, Corn Prices Surge on Ukraine Crisis|url=http://online.wsj.com/news/articles/SB10001424052702304815004579417112576465126|newspaper=The Wall Street Journal}}</ref> In early August 2014, the German [[DAX]] was down by 6 percent for the year, and 11 percent since June, over concerns Russia, Germany's biggest trade partner, would retaliate against sanctions.<ref name="SanctionsGermany">{{cite news|title=German economy hammered by Russian sanctions|url=http://www.cnbc.com/id/101909346#.|accessdate=8 August 2014|publisher=''CNBC''}}</ref> ==Reactions to the Russian intervention in Donbass== {{main|International reactions to the war in Donbass}} * '''[[Amnesty International]]''' considers the war to be "an international armed conflict" and presented independent satellite photos analysis proving involvement of regular Russian army in the conflict. It accuses Ukrainian militia and separatist forces for being responsible for war crimes and has called on all parties, including Russia, to stop violations of the laws of war.<ref name="amnesty">{{cite web|url=http://www.amnesty.org/en/news/ukraine-mounting-evidence-war-crimes-and-russian-involvement-2014-09-05|title=Ukraine: Mounting evidence of war crimes and Russian involvement &#124; Amnesty International|publisher=amnesty.org|accessdate=14 September 2014}}</ref> Amnesty has expressed its belief that Russia is fuelling the conflict, 'both through direct interference and by supporting the separatists in the East' and called on Russia to 'stop the steady flow of weapons and other support to an insurgent force heavily implicated in gross human rights violations.'<ref name="amnesty"/> * {{flagicon|NATO}} '''[[NATO]]'''{{spaced ndash}} The Russian government's decision to send a truck convoy into [[Luhansk]] on 22 August without Ukrainian consent was condemned by [[NATO]] and several NATO member states, including the [[United States]].<ref name="globe">{{cite news|url=http://www.bostonglobe.com/news/world/2014/08/22/ukraine-calls-russian-aid-convoy-direct-invasion/yfkav9zQlJ4iG4Va03TuiN/story.html|agency=Boston Globe|title=Russian artillery units in Ukraine, NATO says|date=22 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> NATO Secretary General [[Anders Fogh Rasmussen]] called it "a blatant breach of Russia's international commitments" and "a further violation of Ukraine's sovereignty by Russia".<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.businessinsider.com/russian-invasion-of-ukraine-nato-putin-obama-2014-8|agency=Business Insider|title=NATO: Russia Just Significantly Escalated The Crisis In Ukraine|date=22 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> * {{flagicon|European Union}} '''[[European Union]]'''{{spaced ndash}} Leaders warned that Russia faced harsher [[economic sanctions]] than the EU had previously imposed if it failed to withdraw troops from Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.foxnews.com/world/2014/08/31/european-union-orders-urgent-preparation-new-russia-sanctions/|agency=Fox News|title=EU orders preparation of 'urgent' Russia sanctions as Ukraine troops give more ground|date=31 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> * '''{{flagcountry|Ukraine}}''' – Chairman of the Ukrainian Parliament [[Oleksandr Turchynov]] said "It's a hybrid war that Russia has begun against Ukraine, a war with the participation of the Russian security services and the army."<ref name=turch1>{{cite news|title=Turchynov: Russia needs war with Ukraine to divert attention from crisis in Russia itself|url=http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/219272.html|accessdate=28 August 2014|agency=Interfax|date=20 August 2014|quote=""It's a hybrid war that Russia has begun against Ukraine, a war with the participation of the Russian security services and the army," Turchynov said."}}</ref> * '''{{flagcountry|United States}}''' - US Ambassador to the United Nations, [[Samantha Power]] commented on the invasion by noting that "At every step, Russia has become before this council to say everything but the truth. It has manipulated, obfuscated and outright lied. Russia has to stop lying and has to stop fuelling this conflict."<ref name="usatoday0x01">{{cite news|url=http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/world/2014/08/28/ukraine-town-under-rebel-control/14724767/|title=U.S. says Russia has 'outright lied' about Ukraine|agency=USA Today|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=1 September 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/ukraine-crisis-un-security-council-holds-emergency-meeting-as-russian-tanks-roll-in-1.2749066|title=Ukraine crisis: Obama rules out military action|date=28 August 2014|accessdate=1 September 2014|agency=CBC}}</ref> The United States government said it supported stiffer sanctions as well.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://uk.reuters.com/article/2014/08/31/uk-eu-summit-sanctions-usa-idUKKBN0GV01W20140831|agency=Reuters|title=U.S. applauds European steps towards more Russia sanctions|date=31 August 2014|accessdate=31 August 2014}}</ref> ===Russian protests=== {{main|2014 anti-war protests in Russia}} [[File:Марш мира Москва 21 сент 2014 L1450559.jpg|thumb|Protests in [[Moscow]], 21 September 2014 ''([https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:March_of_Peace_(2014-09-21,_Moscow) more photographs])'']] <!-- no flag icon added as this is not a response of a government, but more bottom-up street-level response. --> ####### Street protests against the war in Ukraine have arisen in Russia itself. Notable protests first occurred in March<ref name="afp">{{cite news|title=Russian anti-war protesters detained in Moscow|url=http://www.channelnewsasia.com/news/world/russian-anti-war/1017688.html|accessdate=17 March 2014|newspaper=Agence France-Presse|date=2 March 2014}}</ref> and large protests occurred in September when "tens of thousands" protested the war in Ukraine with a peace march in downtown Moscow on Sunday, 21 September 2014, "under heavy police supervision".<ref name=wp20140921> {{cite news |title=Russian peace march draws tens of thousands in support of Ukraine |url=http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/russian-peace-march-draws-tens-of-thousands-in-support-of-ukraine/2014/09/21/c5a45f35-b07c-4e7b-81ae-8c7d8fcaa0bd_story.html |accessdate=23 September 2013 |work=Washington Post |date=21 September 2014 }}</ref> Critics of Vladimir Putin also express cautious criticsm in the press and social media. Gary Kasparov, a consistent critic of Putin who is protected round the clock by bodygurards, has cautiously opined <ref>{{cite web|url=http://time.com/3006917/garry-kasparov-malaysian-air-ukraine-crash-putin/|title=Malaysia Airlines Ukraine Crash: Garry Kasparov on Cost of Inaction|work=TIME.com|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> on the MH17 shootdown and called for Western intervention.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.aljazeera.com/programmes/peopleandpower/2007/12/200852519141140188.html|title=Garry Kasparov|work=Al Jazeera English|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://theweek.com/speedreads/index/257203/speedreads-garry-kasparov-really-wants-western-countries-to-intervene-in-the-ukraine|title=Garry Kasparov really wants Western countries to intervene in the Ukraine|work=The Week|accessdate=14 October 2014}}</ref> An August 2014 survey by the [[Levada Center]] reported that only 13% of those Russians polled would support the Russian government in an open war with Ukraine.<ref>{{cite news | url=http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/05/vladimir-putin-russians-dying-ukraine | title=Putin walks a tightrope as evidence mounts of Russians dying in Ukraine | work=[[The Guardian]] | date=5 September 2014 | accessdate=7 September 2014}}</ref> ===Ukrainian public opinion=== A poll of the Ukrainian public, excluding Russian-annexed [[Crimea]], was taken by the [[International Republican Institute]] from 12–25 September.<ref name="IRI14OCT">Press release: {{cite press release | url=http://www.iri.org/news-events-press-center/news/iri-ukraine-pre-election-poll-shows-strong-opposition-russian-aggressi | title=IRI UKRAINE PRE-ELECTION POLL SHOWS STRONG OPPOSITION TO RUSSIAN AGGRESSION, SUPPORT FOR KYIV GOVERNMENT | publisher=International Republican Institute | date=14 October 2014 | accessdate=17 October 2014}}<br>Full text: {{cite web | url=http://www.iri.org/sites/default/files/2014%20October%2014%20Survey%20of%20Residents%20of%20Ukraine%2C%20September%2012-25%2C%202014.pdf | title=Public Opinion Survey – Residents of Ukraine: 12–25 September 2014 | publisher=International Republican Institute | date=14 October 2014 | accessdate=17 October 2014}}</ref> 89% of those polled opposed 2014 Russian military intervention in Ukraine. As broken down by region, 78% of those polled from [[Eastern Ukraine]] (including [[Dnipropetrovsk Oblast]]) opposed said intervention, along with 89% in [[Southern Ukraine]], 93% in [[Central Ukraine]], and 99% in [[Western Ukraine]].<ref name="IRI14OCT" /> As broken down by native language, 79% of Russian speakers and 95% of Ukrainian speakers opposed the intervention. 80% of those polled said the country should remain a [[Unitary state|unitary]] country.<ref name="IRI14OCT" /> ==See also== {{portal|Crimea|Ukraine|Russia|2010s|International relations}} * [[2014 Crimean crisis]] * [[2014 Russian anti-war protests]] * [[Budapest Memorandum on Security Assurances]] * [[Euromaidan]] * [[Russia–Ukraine border]] * [[Russia–Ukraine relations]] * [[Deportation of the Crimean Tatars]] * [[1954 transfer of Crimea]] * [[Russo-Georgian war]] * [[Occupied territories of Georgia]] {{clear}} ==Notes== {{notelist}} ==References== {{reflist |30em}} ==Further reading== {{refbegin}} * {{cite journal |last=Bremmer |first=Ian |title=The Politics of Ethnicity: Russians in the New Ukraine |journal=Europe-Asia Studies |volume=46 |issue=2 |pages=261–283 |year=1994 |doi=10.1080/09668139408412161 }} * {{cite book |last=Hagendoorn |first=A. |last2=Linssen |first2=H. |last3=Tumanov |first3=S. V. |title=Intergroup Relations in States of the former Soviet Union: The Perception of Russians |location=New York |publisher=Taylor & Francis |year=2001 |isbn=1-84169-231-X }} * {{cite book |last=Legvold |first=Robert |title=Russian Foreign Policy in the Twenty-first Century and the Shadow of the Past |location=New York |publisher=Columbia University Press |year=2013 |isbn=978-0-231-51217-6 }} {{refend}} ==External links== * [http://www.cnn.com/2014/03/05/world/europe/russia-news-anchor-resigns/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 RT News Anchor resigns on air citing propaganda]. ''[[CNN World]]. 5 March 2014 {{check quotation}}* [http://www.kyivpost.com/content/ukraine/russias-invasion-of-crimea-live-updates-338096.html Russia's invasion of Ukraine (live updates)]. ''[[Kyiv Post]]''. 2 March 2014 * {{uk icon}} [http://www.pravda.com.ua/articles/2014/03/2/7016686/ Putin vs the people of Ukraine.]. 2 March 2014. ''[[Ukrayinska Pravda]]''. * [http://www.theguardian.com/world/2014/apr/11/ukraine-russia-crimea-sanctions-us-eu-guide-explainer Ukraine crisis: an essential guide to everything that's happened so far] - [[The Guardian]] * [http://www.foi.se/ReportFiles/foir_3892.pdf Implications of Russia's aggression against Ukraine] study by the [[Swedish Defence Research Agency]] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-middle-east-26248275 bbc Ukraine timeline] * [http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-28966679 BBC as it happened Russia troops 'inside Ukraine'] {{2014 Crimean crisis}} {{2014 pro-Russian conflict in Ukraine}} {{Euromaidan}} {{Crimea topics}} {{Ukraine topics}} {{Post-Cold War European conflicts}} {{Russian Conflicts}} [[Category:2014 in Ukraine]] [[Category:2014 in Russia]] [[Category:2014 Crimean crisis]] [[Category:2014 in international relations]] [[Category:Post-Soviet conflicts]] [[Category:Conflicts in Ukraine]] [[Category:Military history of Russia]] [[Category:Russia–Ukraine relations]] [[Category:War in Donbass]] [[Category:Invasions by Russia]] [[Category:Invasions of Ukraine]] [[Category:2013–14 Ukrainian Crisis]]'