Brussels - NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has noted a significant escalation in violence by Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, in particular the increasing number of attacks in Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as well as the deadly shelling of Mariupol.
“This is in utter disregard of the ceasefire,” the secretary general said in a statement issued on Jan. 24 in connection with the shelling of Mariupol.
“For several months we have seen the presence of Russian forces in eastern Ukraine, as well as a substantial increase in Russian heavy equipment such as tanks, artillery and advanced air defense systems. Russian troops in eastern Ukraine are supporting these offensive operations with command and control systems, air defense systems with advanced surface-to-air missiles, unmanned aerial systems, advanced multiple rocket launcher systems, and electronic warfare systems,” Stoltenberg said.
The secretary general urged Russia to stop its military, political and financial support for the separatists, to stop destabilizing Ukraine and to respect its international commitments.
