Your trusted source

The ceasefire regime in Ukraine is turning into Ukrainian forces concentrating along the front line, First Deputy Permanent Representative of Russia in UN Alexander Pankin said at the Security Council meeting, Sputnik reported.

"On the contrary, over the past period the ceasefire is actually turning into a concentration of Ukrainian forces [on the lines of the front]," Pankin said.

He also said that NATO's claims concerning the alleged movement of Russian forces on the territory of Ukraine were "propagandistic falsifications," as no proof of it has been provided.

"We are also hearing broad declarations from NATO regarding the sending of convoys and Russian fighters from Russia. But that isn't actually reflecting the situation on the ground. These are empty statements and the usual propagandistic falsifications," Pankin said.

He added that the Russian-Ukrainian border currently drew particular attention and could easily be monitored from space.

The conflict in Ukraine escalated in mid-April, when Kiev launched a military operation against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine who refused to recognize the new government that came to power as a result of the February coup.

The West has accused Moscow of meddling in Ukraine's internal affairs and escalating the crisis, although Russia has repeatedly denied any involvement.

On September 5, Ukrainian government forces and the independence supporters reached a ceasefire agreement in Minsk. On September 19, the sides signed a memorandum specifying steps for the implementation of the Minsk protocol. The opposing sides have subsequently accused one another of violating the truce.