Ukraine lurched back toward full-scale conflict as government troops sought to repel an assault by pro-Russian insurgents for control of an eastern airport.
Ukrainian servicemen were holding their positions yesterday evening at Donetsk airport, which has been mostly destroyed since a revamp that ended in 2012, a military spokesman said on Facebook. Earlier, Ukraine said cease-fire violations had surged to a record, the nations security council warned the unrest may spark a continental war and Germany Chancellor Angela Merkel called for emergency peace talks.
The upsurge in violence recalls the peak of the nine-month conflict, which has killed more than 4,800 people and poisoned Russias ties with its former Cold War foes. Hope faded for talks slated for today in Belarus while the fate of a peace summit in Kazakhstan is uncertain. Russia raised the pressure, saying it may demand early payment of a $3 billion bond.
The increased fighting in recent days most likely does not represent a major and broad offensive by the separatists, though they do appear intent on taking Donetsks airport, Eurasia Group Chairman Cliff Kupchan said in an e-mailed note. Russia/the separatists likely want the airport to improve their leverage over Kiev and in on-and-off diplomatic talks.
Russia rejects accusations by Ukraine, the U.S., the European Union and NATO that its meddling in the conflict by sending troops and weapons. Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov warned Ukraine Jan. 14 against efforts to resort once again to force amid truce breaches on a mass and regular scale.
The rebels, in turn, yesterday accused Ukraine of preparing to resume full-scale war, even as they said several times that theyd seized large swathes of Donetsk airport. Their claims, which were denied by the government, couldnt be verified.
The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe said shelling, counter-shelling and small-arms fire prevented its monitors from reaching the airport for a second day. It condemned fighting in residential areas near the facility, which inevitably results in civilian deaths and injuries.
Thirteen civilians were killed three days ago when the bus they were traveling on was caught in fire. The military blames a separatist missile; the rebels say the vehicle drove onto a mine laid by the army.
As the violence escalates, lawmakers in Kiev yesterday backed a partial mobilization for next week. The hryvnia, the worst-performing currency during the past year, was little changed against the dollar, data compiled by Bloomberg showed.
A meeting with representatives of Ukraine, Russia and the OSCE had been planned for today in Minsk, where the initial truce was signed in September. Neither Russia nor Ukraine had confirmed their participation late yesterday. Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said in a statement that it should happen in the nearest future.
Read more here:
Ukraine Lurches Back Toward War as Merkel Eyes Rapid Minsk Talks