Ukraine's president accused Moscow of deploying officers in the violence-plagued east of the country and said a new Russian missile system was being used against his forces. The statement on President Petro Poroshenko's website adds to renewed rhetoric between the former Soviet allies after a weekend of violence along the border.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's National and Security Council claimed that "terrorists and Russian mercenaries" - referring to pro-Moscow separatists - had tried to bring Russian military equipment into the country. "The events of the last few days show that the Russian side has embarked on a course of escalation of the conflict," spokesman Andriy Lysenko told Reuters. On Sunday, Moscow threatened Ukraine with "irreversible consequences" after a man was killed in Russia by a shell fired across the border from Ukraine. Kiev said the allegation that its forces were responsible was "total nonsense."
IN-DEPTH
'Irreversible Consequences': Putin Warns Ukraine After Russian Killed
- 'Bloodthirsty Scum' Blamed for Missile Attack in Ukraine
- Ukraine Goes on the Offensive Striking Pro-Russian Separatist Bases
Reuters contributed to this report.