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Ukraine border guards keep guns trained in both directions Ukraine border guards keep guns trained in both directions
(about 4 hours later)
Dovzhanske is a sleepy border crossing between Russia and Ukraine where, normally, there is very little activity. But these are not normal times. At the checkpoint, located between the Ukrainian city of Donetsk and the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, several Ukrainian border guards in green berets keep their Kalashnikovs and binoculars trained in both directions – at the road into Ukraine, which is under the control of armed separatists, and at the Russian border post just a few hundred metres away. Danger could come from either side.Dovzhanske is a sleepy border crossing between Russia and Ukraine where, normally, there is very little activity. But these are not normal times. At the checkpoint, located between the Ukrainian city of Donetsk and the Russian city of Rostov-on-Don, several Ukrainian border guards in green berets keep their Kalashnikovs and binoculars trained in both directions – at the road into Ukraine, which is under the control of armed separatists, and at the Russian border post just a few hundred metres away. Danger could come from either side.
If the long-feared Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred this would be one of the many border crossings its troops could roll through. As the threat of a full-blown invasion seems to be receding, the border guards also fear what might come from the Ukrainian side, with the separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic making attempts in recent days to seize Ukrainian border posts, possibly to allow weapons or fighters in from Russia.If the long-feared Russian invasion of Ukraine occurred this would be one of the many border crossings its troops could roll through. As the threat of a full-blown invasion seems to be receding, the border guards also fear what might come from the Ukrainian side, with the separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic making attempts in recent days to seize Ukrainian border posts, possibly to allow weapons or fighters in from Russia.
Many in Kiev fear that Russian-backed "diversionary" groups have already infiltrated through the borders, and on Tuesday Ukrainian social media were running a video that claimed to show two trucks of heavily armed Russian Cossacks arriving in the town of Antratsyt, having crossed the border at Dovzhanske late on Monday.Many in Kiev fear that Russian-backed "diversionary" groups have already infiltrated through the borders, and on Tuesday Ukrainian social media were running a video that claimed to show two trucks of heavily armed Russian Cossacks arriving in the town of Antratsyt, having crossed the border at Dovzhanske late on Monday.
In Antratsyt the Cossacks denied that anyone had come from Russia, and said the footage showed local fighters returning to the town after fighting with Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk on Monday. Andrei, one of the Cossacks, said that while there were about 100 Cossacks from the region based in Antratsyt, "almost nobody" had come from Russia.In Antratsyt the Cossacks denied that anyone had come from Russia, and said the footage showed local fighters returning to the town after fighting with Ukrainian forces in Slavyansk on Monday. Andrei, one of the Cossacks, said that while there were about 100 Cossacks from the region based in Antratsyt, "almost nobody" had come from Russia.
"We are defending our own land, why do we need Russia?" he asked."We are defending our own land, why do we need Russia?" he asked.
At Dovzhanske, the border guards said they were not authorised to speak with the media, but one said that the supposed crossing of Cossacks from Russia "did not happen and could not happen in principle".At Dovzhanske, the border guards said they were not authorised to speak with the media, but one said that the supposed crossing of Cossacks from Russia "did not happen and could not happen in principle".
Alexander Trokhimet, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian border service, also said there had been no incidents of en masse unauthorised crossings of Russians in recent days, though he said there had been a "very tense situation" where a group of armed separatists had arrived at another border crossing from the Ukrainian side and demanded the border guards disarm and give up control. The group eventually departed after a tense standoff where both sides threatened to shoot.Alexander Trokhimet, a spokesperson for the Ukrainian border service, also said there had been no incidents of en masse unauthorised crossings of Russians in recent days, though he said there had been a "very tense situation" where a group of armed separatists had arrived at another border crossing from the Ukrainian side and demanded the border guards disarm and give up control. The group eventually departed after a tense standoff where both sides threatened to shoot.
While Ukrainian border posts are on high alert over such incidents the threat of a full-scale Russian intervention appears to have diminished in recent days. In March, Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, sought and was granted permission from his country's upper house of parliament to use the army in Ukraine, and since 13 March Russia has held military exercises with an estimated 40,000-plus combat troops along its border with Ukraine.While Ukrainian border posts are on high alert over such incidents the threat of a full-scale Russian intervention appears to have diminished in recent days. In March, Vladimir Putin, Russia's president, sought and was granted permission from his country's upper house of parliament to use the army in Ukraine, and since 13 March Russia has held military exercises with an estimated 40,000-plus combat troops along its border with Ukraine.
Pro-Ukrainian sources in Donetsk say that Kiev has put them on high alert because of intelligence of a Russian invasion six times in past weeks, most recently on Monday night.Pro-Ukrainian sources in Donetsk say that Kiev has put them on high alert because of intelligence of a Russian invasion six times in past weeks, most recently on Monday night.
But the rhetoric from Moscow seems to have moved away from thinly veiled threats and towards demands for dialogue, suggesting that a decision not to invade has been taken.But the rhetoric from Moscow seems to have moved away from thinly veiled threats and towards demands for dialogue, suggesting that a decision not to invade has been taken.
Pavel Felgenhauer, a defence analyst and columnist at the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, said Russian forces had been on a brink of invading on 24 April but had stopped "yards short" of the border after Ukrainian forces took up positions outside the militia-held city of Slavyansk but did not enter the city.Pavel Felgenhauer, a defence analyst and columnist at the independent newspaper Novaya Gazeta, said Russian forces had been on a brink of invading on 24 April but had stopped "yards short" of the border after Ukrainian forces took up positions outside the militia-held city of Slavyansk but did not enter the city.
"They stepped back from ready to go, going in, and returned to their temporary bases where up to 12 hours' notice may be needed to deploy, but they're not withdrawing from the region or ending this standoff," Felgenhauer added."They stepped back from ready to go, going in, and returned to their temporary bases where up to 12 hours' notice may be needed to deploy, but they're not withdrawing from the region or ending this standoff," Felgenhauer added.
After Vitaly Yarema, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, announced on 23 April that the military would resume the "active phase" of its "anti-terrorist operation" to take back control of the east, Russian troops increased movements and came nearer the border, US officials said. But the imminent invasion never came. On 28 April the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced that Russian troops had pulled back from the border to their "home bases," though Nato officials later said they had not seen any evidence of such a withdrawal.After Vitaly Yarema, Ukraine's deputy prime minister, announced on 23 April that the military would resume the "active phase" of its "anti-terrorist operation" to take back control of the east, Russian troops increased movements and came nearer the border, US officials said. But the imminent invasion never came. On 28 April the defence minister, Sergei Shoigu, announced that Russian troops had pulled back from the border to their "home bases," though Nato officials later said they had not seen any evidence of such a withdrawal.
Felgenhauer said the window was closing for Russia to invade owing to the Ukrainian presidential election planned for 25 May and the need for the Russian army to focus on its annual draft.Felgenhauer said the window was closing for Russia to invade owing to the Ukrainian presidential election planned for 25 May and the need for the Russian army to focus on its annual draft.
Putin had to "make up his mind" because he could not "keep troops on such high alert indefinitely", Felgenhauer said.Putin had to "make up his mind" because he could not "keep troops on such high alert indefinitely", Felgenhauer said.
Anton Lavrov, a Russian independent defence analyst who monitors troop activity using social networks, video uploads and other open sources, said that the situation on the ground confirmed the promises of the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, that Russia was not planning to deploy troops to Ukraine. On Tuesday, Lavrov reiterated that Russian troops along the border were carrying out legitimate exercises not forbidden by any international agreements.Anton Lavrov, a Russian independent defence analyst who monitors troop activity using social networks, video uploads and other open sources, said that the situation on the ground confirmed the promises of the Russian foreign minister, Sergei Lavrov, that Russia was not planning to deploy troops to Ukraine. On Tuesday, Lavrov reiterated that Russian troops along the border were carrying out legitimate exercises not forbidden by any international agreements.
Lavrov said that there had been no large-scale movements over the past few days despite 43 people being killed in violence last weekend in the south-east city of Odessa, and despite the military operation around rebel-held Slavyansk, in which 30 pro-Russian rebels and four Ukrainian soldiers died, Kiev said on Tuesday.Lavrov said that there had been no large-scale movements over the past few days despite 43 people being killed in violence last weekend in the south-east city of Odessa, and despite the military operation around rebel-held Slavyansk, in which 30 pro-Russian rebels and four Ukrainian soldiers died, Kiev said on Tuesday.
"It was a big bluff," Lavrov said of the possible Russian invasion. "If there was a desire to deploy troops, you couldn't have found a better excuse.""It was a big bluff," Lavrov said of the possible Russian invasion. "If there was a desire to deploy troops, you couldn't have found a better excuse."
Although Nato has estimated that more than 40,000 Russian troops are massed near the Ukrainian border, Lavrov said the number was likely to be between 15,000 and 20,000. Russia had only 500 troops in the unrecognised republic of Transdnistria on Ukraine's western border near Odessa, and any troop buildup there would be obvious as it would involve military flights.Although Nato has estimated that more than 40,000 Russian troops are massed near the Ukrainian border, Lavrov said the number was likely to be between 15,000 and 20,000. Russia had only 500 troops in the unrecognised republic of Transdnistria on Ukraine's western border near Odessa, and any troop buildup there would be obvious as it would involve military flights.
One brigade of up to 500 men has withdrawn to its home base in Samara in the Volga region, Lavrov said. Otherwise, Russian forces were located at military testing grounds within a few dozen kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and their battle readiness remained high, he said.One brigade of up to 500 men has withdrawn to its home base in Samara in the Volga region, Lavrov said. Otherwise, Russian forces were located at military testing grounds within a few dozen kilometres from the Ukrainian border, and their battle readiness remained high, he said.
While the border guards at Dovzhanske might not be able to see the Russian soldiers through their binoculars, those troops could still arrive at the border within hours if mobilised.While the border guards at Dovzhanske might not be able to see the Russian soldiers through their binoculars, those troops could still arrive at the border within hours if mobilised.
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