Russia concentrates troops on border with Ukraine for possible offensive actions – Turchynov

Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said this during a meeting with military commandment and heads of security forces in the Joint Forces Operation (JFO) area, the NSDC’s press service reported.

"Turchynov reported that Ukrainian intelligence observed an active concentration of Russian troops in the immediate vicinity to the Ukrainian-Russian border, which testifies to the preparation of Russian military and political leadership for large-scale provocations and offensive actions that can be unleashed at any time," the report reads.

At the same time, the NSDC’s secretary noted that "the Ukrainian soldiers are ready to firmly respond to any provocations by the Russian occupying troops."

According to Turchynov, the largest amount of shellings in half-a-year period has been conducted during the last week; not only positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine but also populated areas have been massively shelled.

"Artillery, tanks, multiple-launch rocket systems, prohibited by the Minsk agreements, are used," he said.