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Ukraine crisis: Photographs 'show Russian troops' in eastern Ukraine Ukraine crisis: Photographs 'show Russian troops' in eastern Ukraine
(32 minutes later)
The US State Department has released photographs, which Kiev officials claim prove that Russian has deployed "special forces" in eastern Ukraine. The US State Department has released photographs which Kiev officials claim prove that Russia has deployed "special forces" in eastern Ukraine.
Ukraine officials handed the documents to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe last week to denounce the presence of Russian troops in government buildings seized by militiamen. Ukraine officials handed the documents to the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe last week to denounce the presence of Russian troops in government buildings seized by militiamen. The photos have since been distributed by the US state department.
The 11-page document contains images of soldiers in  Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine wearing similar uniforms and brandishing Russian weapons. Their authenticity could not be independently verified by The Independent.The 11-page document contains images of soldiers in  Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine wearing similar uniforms and brandishing Russian weapons. Their authenticity could not be independently verified by The Independent.
One set of photographs focuses on a bearded man who appears to have been photographed in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine. He was also photographed in an image taken in Georgia in 2008. One set of photographs focuses on a bearded man who appears to have been photographed in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk in eastern Ukraine this year. He was also photographed in an image taken in Georgia in 2008. Another set of photographs show another militant in eastern Ukraine, and in a family photo of a Russian special forces group.
Another set of photographs show another militant in eastern Ukraine, and in a family photo of a Russian forces group. The US State Department said the photographs help bolster claims of ties between Russia and armed militiamen in eastern Ukraine. Spokesperson Jen Psaki said the photographs add "further evidence of the connection between Russia and the armed militants."
The US State Department said the photographs help bolster claims of ties between Russia and armed militiamen in eastern Ukraine. Spokeswoman Jen Psaki said the photographs adds "further evidence of the connection between Russia and the armed militants." Russia has repeatedly denied it has deployed Russian units, special services or instructors in eastern Ukraine. Last Thursday, President Vladimir Putin rejected accusations that Moscow is fomenting unrest in the region.
Russia has repeatedly denied it has deployed Russian units, special services or instructors in eastern of Ukraine. Last Thursday, President Vladimir Putin rejected accusations that Moscow is fomenting unrest in the region. Document distributed by the US State Department identifying Russian special forces in Kramatorsk and Sloviansk The photographs come after a shootout erupted at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian insurgents in Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine killed three people and triggered a new round of recriminations between Kiev and Moscow.
The photographs come after a shootout erupted at a checkpoint manned by pro-Russian insurgents in Slovyansk in eastern Ukraine, which killed three people and triggered a new round of recriminations between Kiev and Moscow.
While the Ukraine government said it was the fault of provocateurs from outside the country, the Russian foreign ministry placed the blame on so-called Ukrainian nationalists, the Right Sector, which later denied their involvement in the shooting.While the Ukraine government said it was the fault of provocateurs from outside the country, the Russian foreign ministry placed the blame on so-called Ukrainian nationalists, the Right Sector, which later denied their involvement in the shooting.
In a statement, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov accused Kiev of a violating the Geneva accord signed last week, in which all sides agreed to de-escalate the situation and called on the illegal groups of militiamen that have seized government buildings to vacate the premises. In a statement, the Russian Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov accused Kiev of violating the Geneva accord signed last week, in which all sides agreed to de-escalate the situation and called on the illegal groups of militiamen that have seized government buildings to vacate the premises.
Kiev fears Russian forces could enter the country and seize more Ukrainian territory under the pretext of maintaining peace in the region.Kiev fears Russian forces could enter the country and seize more Ukrainian territory under the pretext of maintaining peace in the region.
Meanwhile, US vice president Joe Biden has arrived in Ukraine in a show of support for the new political leaders against "humiliating threats". Meanwhile, US vice president Joe Biden has arrived in Ukraine in a show of support for the new political leaders of Ukraine against "humiliating threats".
In the most high-level visit of a US official since the crisis erupted, Mr Biden said the Obama administration stands with Ukraine against "humiliating threats" and is ready to provide assistance. In the most high-level visit of a US official since the crisis erupted, Mr Biden said the Obama administration stands with Ukraine and is ready to provide assistance.