Ukraine Live Day 390: Escalation or Ceasefire?

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Russian Troops Gathering on the Border?

2015-03-14 18:38:28

The Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council continues to report fighting north of Schastye, north of Donetsk, and north and east of Mariupol:

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The Russian news site Gazeta.ru reports that Russian troops are moving toward Ukraine’s border to reinforce it, which they also say is corresponding to an increase in black market goods smuggled across the border.

Meanwhile, many Ukraine watchers are keeping an eye on developments inside the Kremlin. Russian President Vladimir Putin has not been seen in public in over a week, fueling speculation that he may be ill, or they may be a “quiet palace coup,” but either way Ukraine is likely a central issue of debate and division between high ranking members of the Kremlin, and so the outcome of developments there may dictate Russia’s actions in the coming days and months.

— James Miller