Russian tanks over Ukraine were allegedly sent to the country to support pro-Russian separatists fighting government forces on Friday.
Ukranian authorities accused Russia on Friday of sending in a column of 32 tanks, 16 D-30 howitzers and 30 KamAZ truckloads crossing the eastern Ukraine. A military spokesman told BBC that the trucks were carrying fighters and ammunition, a claim that is yet to be confirmed.
The cross-border intrusion and Russian tanks in Ukraine territory if confirmed to be true will escalate the crisis between the two countries even intensifying the tension since the fighting erupted in April killing more than 4,000 people. The April incident happened after pro-Russian separatists seized control in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.
It will also signal a further hit in the ceasefire that has been placed since Sept. 5. The agreement has been shaky with hundreds of people killed even if the ceasefire was agreed.
The two month old truce has looked more fragile this week with the Russian tanks in Ukraine and each side accusing the other of violations after separatist elections on Sunday condemned as illegitimate by the West.
"Supplies of military equipment and enemy fighters from the Russian Federation are continuing," Andriy Lysenko, military spokesman told a briefing in Kiev.
Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird said earlier this week that he was "deeply concerned by reports of Russian troops moving closer to the border of Ukraine," and called such movement "provocative" and "further proof that the Kremlin only seeks to hamper the peace process in Ukraine."
According to Ukraine's military, the alleged Russian tanks in Ukraine headed for the town of Krasny Luch after crossing the border in the rebel-controlled Luhansk region.
Russia has recognized Sunday's votes which led to Alexander Zakharchenko, 38 sworn as head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic while Igor Plotnitsky, 50 ex-Soviet army officer declared head of self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic.
Russian tanks over Ukraine resulted President Petro Poroshenko to accuse the rebels of tearing up the peace deal and said a law giving the rebel-held regions partial autonomy would be argued. Pres." Poroshenko stressed out that he had not given up on the truce and peace plan but he and the country have to repel possible attacks and not allow the spread of this "cancerous tumour".
