The Obama administration confirmed Thursday that Russia has fired artillery from Russian land into Ukrainian military sites. This led the administration to conclude that this is a “clear escalation” of the crisis. US Department of States spokesperson Marie Harf said today that Russia is planning to “deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers.”
This announcement comes just one day after the Pentagon confirmed two Ukrainian fighter jets were shot down near the Russian border. While there has been no official statement from the US on the shooting down of the jets, Kiev (the Ukrainian capital) has alleged that Russian missiles downed the planes.
A map of Ukraine. Note: the borders with Russia and the Crimean Peninsula. From: Operationworld.org
Russia continues to build up its military along the Ukrainian border. Defense officials have said it has been at least one battalion per week being brought to the border. As of now, 15,000 forces are stationed on the border.
The government in Ukraine seems to be falling apart amid escalating conflicts with Russia. Ukrainian Prime Minister, Arseniy P. Yatsenyuk, resigned abruptly Thursday as the governing coalition collapses. As Ukraine continues fighting Russian separatists in the eastern part of the country, this collapse creates uncertainty for the future of the government.
It seems like the situation is clearly escalating. We’ll keep you updated.
-Political Rush
Political Rush 