Russian troops increasing presence on Ukraine's eastern border - Yarema

11:49, 12.03.2014 1 min read

Russia is building up its military presence on the eastern border of Ukraine, Ukrainian First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema has said.

"Today Russian troops are continuing to remain along the eastern border of Ukraine, constantly increasing their presence. The Armed Forces of Ukraine, in turn, have been put on full combat alert," he said at a government meeting on Wednesday.

Yarema said that Ukrainian soldiers continued to serve with dignity, without reacting to any provocations.

"No provocation has been given a response. Not one conflict has continued for long. When our opponents saw that their plans didn't work, they started attracting mercenaries in order to inflame the situation from the inside," he added.