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As Ukraine Announces Cease-Fire, White House Points Finger at Russia Russia Girds Troops, Alarming Ukraine
(about 1 hour later)
DONETSK, Ukraine — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Saturday ordered troops across central Russia on combat alert and began surprise military drills, renewing concerns about a Russian buildup a day after Ukraine ordered a government cease-fire in the country’s troubled east.DONETSK, Ukraine — President Vladimir V. Putin of Russia on Saturday ordered troops across central Russia on combat alert and began surprise military drills, renewing concerns about a Russian buildup a day after Ukraine ordered a government cease-fire in the country’s troubled east.
The order for drills in Russia’s central military district, which does not border Ukraine, was announced by Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu and involves around 65,000 Russian troops, including several thousand members of an airborne unit.The order for drills in Russia’s central military district, which does not border Ukraine, was announced by Defense Minister Sergei K. Shoigu and involves around 65,000 Russian troops, including several thousand members of an airborne unit.
The drills will last a week, officials said in comments carried by Russian state news agencies.The drills will last a week, officials said in comments carried by Russian state news agencies.
Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of covertly supplying rebel forces in eastern Ukraine with fighters and heavy arms, including tanks and rocket launchers, in recent weeks.Ukraine and the United States have accused Russia of covertly supplying rebel forces in eastern Ukraine with fighters and heavy arms, including tanks and rocket launchers, in recent weeks.
On Friday, a senior Obama administration official said Russia had “redeployed significant military forces to its border with Ukraine.” The official said Russian special forces along the border were also providing support to rebel fighters in Ukraine.On Friday, a senior Obama administration official said Russia had “redeployed significant military forces to its border with Ukraine.” The official said Russian special forces along the border were also providing support to rebel fighters in Ukraine.
Ukrainian military officials said on Saturday that fighting between army and rebel forces had continued overnight, despite President Petro O. Poroshenko’s declaration of a unilateral weeklong cease-fire in the region.Ukrainian military officials said on Saturday that fighting between army and rebel forces had continued overnight, despite President Petro O. Poroshenko’s declaration of a unilateral weeklong cease-fire in the region.
Mr. Poroshenko declared the cease-fire on Friday as he introduced a 14-point peace plan that would establish a six-mile demilitarized zone along the Ukrainian-Russian border and provide an escape corridor for Russian and Ukrainian mercenaries that the Ukrainian government has said are involved in the fighting.Mr. Poroshenko declared the cease-fire on Friday as he introduced a 14-point peace plan that would establish a six-mile demilitarized zone along the Ukrainian-Russian border and provide an escape corridor for Russian and Ukrainian mercenaries that the Ukrainian government has said are involved in the fighting.
Moscow responded harshly to the deal, saying it was an ultimatum to the pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine and did not provide for talks between the government and rebel leaders.Moscow responded harshly to the deal, saying it was an ultimatum to the pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine and did not provide for talks between the government and rebel leaders.
“The plan lacks a key part: a call for dialogue,” Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said Saturday from Jidda, Saudi Arabia.“The plan lacks a key part: a call for dialogue,” Sergey V. Lavrov, the Russian foreign minister, said Saturday from Jidda, Saudi Arabia.
“We are alarmed and concerned that, simultaneously with the proposal of this plan, the activity of the so-called antiterrorist military operation is increasing,” Mr. Lavrov said in remarks carried by the Interfax news agency.“We are alarmed and concerned that, simultaneously with the proposal of this plan, the activity of the so-called antiterrorist military operation is increasing,” Mr. Lavrov said in remarks carried by the Interfax news agency.
Military and political leaders of the self-declared people’s republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine have said they will not lay down arms.Military and political leaders of the self-declared people’s republics in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions of eastern Ukraine have said they will not lay down arms.
Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said flatly that “there is no cease-fire” and called for peacekeepers from Russia to enter the country to prevent “a humanitarian catastrophe.”Alexander Borodai, prime minister of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said flatly that “there is no cease-fire” and called for peacekeepers from Russia to enter the country to prevent “a humanitarian catastrophe.”
“How can I comment on a plan that is only a fantasy?” Mr. Borodai said when asked if he was aware of the peace plan proposed by Mr. Poroshenko on Friday.“How can I comment on a plan that is only a fantasy?” Mr. Borodai said when asked if he was aware of the peace plan proposed by Mr. Poroshenko on Friday.
Late on Saturday, a commander named Vadim whose unit defended the city of Seversk predicted that, within a day, his forces would retake the Yampil checkpoint near Krasny Liman, where heavy fighting has raged for several days.Late on Saturday, a commander named Vadim whose unit defended the city of Seversk predicted that, within a day, his forces would retake the Yampil checkpoint near Krasny Liman, where heavy fighting has raged for several days.
On a central square in Donetsk on Saturday, about 100 armed rebels swore an oath of allegiance to the people’s republic.On a central square in Donetsk on Saturday, about 100 armed rebels swore an oath of allegiance to the people’s republic.
The Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the Border Ministry reported attacks by pro-Russian militants overnight at two posts on the border, as well as at a Ukrainian military base in Avdiivka, near Donetsk, and a military post at Karachun, near the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk.The Ukrainian Defense Ministry and the Border Ministry reported attacks by pro-Russian militants overnight at two posts on the border, as well as at a Ukrainian military base in Avdiivka, near Donetsk, and a military post at Karachun, near the rebel stronghold of Slovyansk.
Mr. Poroshenko introduced his peace plan at a Ukrainian military base in Svyatogorsk on Friday in his first visit to the eastern region of Donbass, where the rebels are strongest. In his remarks, he said Ukrainian forces would not advance but would protect themselves if fired upon.Mr. Poroshenko introduced his peace plan at a Ukrainian military base in Svyatogorsk on Friday in his first visit to the eastern region of Donbass, where the rebels are strongest. In his remarks, he said Ukrainian forces would not advance but would protect themselves if fired upon.
Vladislav Seleznyov, the spokesman for the government campaign against the rebels, said all attacks against government positions had been repulsed.Vladislav Seleznyov, the spokesman for the government campaign against the rebels, said all attacks against government positions had been repulsed.
Mr. Borodai, of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said some rebels were wounded but declined to give precise numbers.Mr. Borodai, of the Donetsk People’s Republic, said some rebels were wounded but declined to give precise numbers.