The U.S. Department of State has said that more Russian air defense systems have been deployed in eastern Ukraine, reaching the highest number recorded since August, 2014.
“Russian and separatist forces maintain a sizable number of artillery
pieces and multiple rocket launchers within areas prohibited under the
Minsk agreements. Also, the Russian military has deployed additional air
defense systems into eastern Ukraine and moved several of these nearer
the front lines,” Acting Deputy Spokesperson of the U.S. Department of
State Jeff Rathke said.
He said “it was the highest amount of Russian air defense equipment in eastern Ukraine since August 2014.”
According to Rathke, Russia is once again building up its forces along its border with Ukraine.
“The United States has been clear that the Minsk agreements remain
the best chance for a lasting and comprehensive solution to the crisis
in eastern Ukraine, and we call again on Russia and the separatists it
backs to implement their commitments under the agreements,” he said.
Washington is also deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Shyrokyne, located near Mariupol.
“The OSCE special monitoring mission reported on April 26 that
monitors observed the most intense shelling since fighting began in the
area in mid-February of this year. Russia-backed separatists continue to
shell Ukrainian forces and refuse the OSCE mission unfettered access.
And as the OSCE has made clear, access for the monitoring mission is not
subject to negotiations; it is the mission’s duty and their task,”
Rathke said.
