US: Russia Resupplying Pro-Russian Forces as Cease-Fire Nears

Source: Voice of America

Mary Alice Salinas

Last updated on: February 13, 2015 8:08 PM
STATE DEPARTMENT—

The United States says Russia is sending large amounts of military supplies and equipment to pro-Russian fighters in eastern Ukraine, as the deadline for a cease-fire draws near and raging fighting kills at least 26 people.

The fighting in eastern Ukraine on Friday between Ukrainian forces and Russian-backed separatists was especially intense in the strategically important area around Debaltseve.

“We are very concerned about continued fighting along and beyond the line of contact including in heavily populated civilian areas and reports of additional resupplies of tanks and missile systems coming across the border from Russia in the past few day,” said U.S. State Department Spokesperson Jen Psaki during a briefing Friday.

“The Russian military has deployed a large amount of artillery and multiple rocket launcher systems around Debaltseve where it is shelling Ukrainian positions,” said Psaki.

Read more: http://www.voanews.com/content/ukrainian-officials-soldiers-killed-despite-truce/2641847.html