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MH17: Ukraine MPs fight in parliament following decision to call up extra border troops | |
(35 minutes later) | |
Scuffles have broken out in the Ukranian parliament after a presidential decree was approved to call up more reserves to defend the Ukraine against the growing concentration of Russian troops on the country’s eastern border. | |
Under the new decree extra reserves and men under 50 will now be called up to help with Ukrainian forces’ “anti-terrorist operation” on its border. | Under the new decree extra reserves and men under 50 will now be called up to help with Ukrainian forces’ “anti-terrorist operation” on its border. |
At a parliamentary vote at the Supreme Council of Ukraine in Kiev today, the decree to “conduct partial mobilisation” was announced, the latest since a similar plan was given the go ahead 45 days ago. | At a parliamentary vote at the Supreme Council of Ukraine in Kiev today, the decree to “conduct partial mobilisation” was announced, the latest since a similar plan was given the go ahead 45 days ago. |
A majority of 232 of the 450 parliamentary seats voted in favour of the decree that would see thousands of extra troops called up to join Ukranian forces in the conflict area to the east of the country. | |
Following the decision, footage shows politicians from Ukraine’s nationalist parties and members of the Svoboda party formerly run by president, Viktor Yanukovich, pushing and shoving one another in disagreement over the decree. | Following the decision, footage shows politicians from Ukraine’s nationalist parties and members of the Svoboda party formerly run by president, Viktor Yanukovich, pushing and shoving one another in disagreement over the decree. |
In the video we see Nikolai Levchenko an MP for the Party of Regions react to the vote by telling parliament that the Ukrainian army has been killing people. | |
His microphone is then turned off by Parliament speaker Alexander Tyrchinov and he is pushed off the stand by one of the opposition members. | His microphone is then turned off by Parliament speaker Alexander Tyrchinov and he is pushed off the stand by one of the opposition members. |
Other MPs then get involved and a period of pushing and shoving between dozens of representatives ensues before it is eventually calmed down. | Other MPs then get involved and a period of pushing and shoving between dozens of representatives ensues before it is eventually calmed down. |
The decision comes amidst accusations that Russia has begun to build up forces on the border of eastern Ukraine to aid the pro-Russian rebels. | |
In May, it was reported that Russia had withdrawn the majority of its estimated 40,0000 troops from the Ukranian border. | In May, it was reported that Russia had withdrawn the majority of its estimated 40,0000 troops from the Ukranian border. |
However, Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Andriy Paruby said that Russia were once again transporting troops to the region. | However, Ukraine’s Secretary of the National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Andriy Paruby said that Russia were once again transporting troops to the region. |
He said: "Over the last week, close to the Ukrainian border, there has been a regrouping and build-up of forces of the Russian Federation." | He said: "Over the last week, close to the Ukrainian border, there has been a regrouping and build-up of forces of the Russian Federation." |
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Paruby argued that the numbers of Russians on the border now exceeded 40,000 with another 150 tanks, 400 armoured vehicles and 500 other weapon systems brought in to support the troops. | Paruby argued that the numbers of Russians on the border now exceeded 40,000 with another 150 tanks, 400 armoured vehicles and 500 other weapon systems brought in to support the troops. |
These claims were partially supported by a report earlier this month by NATO, when in July, a spokesman for the international military alliance claimed that there were around 10,000 to 12,000 troops in the area, with the numbers continuing to grow. | |
Paruby said that these actions were regarded by the Ukraine as “aggression against the state ". |