Ukrainian troops take part in a military drill outside the city of Rivne, northern Ukraine, Wednesday, Feb. 16, 2022.
Highlights
- US has said that Russia could invade Ukraine as it has assembled heavy troops near border
- However, Russia has denied the accusation, saying that it has right to mobilise troops within border
- US has warned Russia of 'severe consequences' in case its forces invade Ukraine
Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine have alleged that the government forces fired mortar shells and grenades on Thursday morning, according to a report by news agency Reuters. The forces opened fire on their territory four times in the last 24 hours.
Reports suggest that the Ukrainian forces shelled the settlements of Sokolniki, Zolote-5, Veselenkoe and Nizhnee Lozovoe using 120 and 82 mm mortars, grenade launchers and heavy machine guns. It remains unclear if anyone had been hurt or killed in the firing.
Earlier, Russia claimed that it is moving troops away from the Ukrainian border after the completion of military exercises. However, a senior US official claimed that Russia's claim is false, adding that 7,000 extra troops have arrived in recent days.
The official also said that Russia could launch a "false" pretext to invade Ukraine "at any moment".
"Russia must take real steps toward de-escalation," US President Joe Biden and German Chancellor Olaf Scholz agreed in a phone call on Wednesday, according to the German Chancellery.
Russia, which has repeatedly denied planning to invade Ukraine, despite having amassed well over 100,000 troops near the border, calls Western concern over an invasion "hysteria".
Its Defence Ministry has published images purportedly showing troops and equipment returning to their permanent bases after military exercises, the report said.
But according to the senior White House official, thousands more troops have arrived in the area in recent days, including some on Wednesday itself. Speaking to journalists, the US official cast doubt on Russia's assertions "it was withdrawing troops from the border with Ukraine".
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