Russia Says 5 Killed In Border Skirmish; Ukraine Dismisses It As ‘Fake News’

Moscow: Russia claimed on Monday that five people had been killed as its troops and border guards prevented a ‘diversionary reconnaissance’ group in Ukrainian territory from breaching Russia’s border.

Ukraine rejected the Russian news agencies’ report, calling it ‘fake news’.

They also stated Ukrainian forces were not present in Rostov region, where the incident was alleged to have taken place.

Interfax news agency cited Russian military as saying that armed Ukrainian vehicles had been destroyed.

Also Read: Prelude To War? Russia Claims Ukraine Attempted Attack On Militia Positions

Russia’s FSB security service alleged earlier that a shell from Ukrainian territory had completely destroyed a border guard post in Russia’s Rostov region but caused no casualties, Interfax reported. The incident reportedly occurred 150 metres from the Russia-Ukraine border.

Shelling across the line dividing Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists has intensified since Thursday amid fears of Vladimir Putin ordering an invasion any time.

There was talk of a meeting between Putin and Joe Biden, but Kremlin said on Monday that it is too early to organize a summit between the presidents of US and Russia.