Russia has started deploying troops to the Ukrainian regions of Lugansk and Donetsk shortly after president Putin signed decrees recognising the two breakaway regions as independent states. Immediately after, Putin also signed friendship and co-operation agreements with the two entities which allows Russia to deploy troops and military bases in the two regions.
There has been widespread international condemnation of Russia's action. The UN Security Council met in emergency session early on Tuesday morning. France, US and UK strongly condemned the Russian action.
Several countries are expected to impose sanctions.
There is still uncertainty as to what the Russian endgame is. Parts of Lugansk and Donetsk have been under separatist control since 2014. But if the Russian forces try to move beyond these enclaves to territory controlled by the Ukrainian army some very heavy fighting is to be expected.
source: commonspace.eu
