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Ukrainian soldier reportedly killed in artillery fire from Russia-backed troops
Attacks have intensified in recent weeks as Kremlin assembles troops along border
www.theguardian.com
4/11/21
The Ukrainian military said a soldier was killed and another seriously wounded in artillery fire from Russia-backed separatist rebels, as hostilities rose sharply in the east of the country. As of the reported attack on Sunday, Ukraine says 27 soldiers have been killed in the east this year, more than half the number who died in all of 2020. Attacks have intensified in recent weeks and Russia has built up troops along the Ukraine border. Antony Blinken said on Sunday: “If Russia acts recklessly, or aggressively, there will be costs, there will be consequences.” The US secretary of state told NBC’s Meet the Press: “I have to tell you I have real concerns about Russia’s actions on the borders of Ukraine. That’s why we’re in very close contact, in close coordination, with our allies and partners in Europe. All of us share that concern.” Joe Biden, who previously oversaw Washington’s policies on Ukraine, is viewed as a strong ally by Ukrainians. Blinken, his top diplomat, agreed on supporting Ukraine against “Russian provocations”, in talks this week with his French and German counterparts.
It will be interesting to see how far Putin wants to push Biden and the United States.
Typically, the Kremlin only messes with smaller and weaker countries.