Ukrainian soldier killed as tensions with Moscow soar
Ukraine said Friday that one of its soldiers was killed in fighting with pro-Russia separatists.
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Ukraine and its western allies have been claiming that Russia had mobilized troops on the borders.
Ukraine said Friday that one of its soldiers was killed in fighting with pro-Russia separatists, as tensions with Moscow soar.
Ukraine and its western allies have been claiming that Russia had mobilized troops on the borders.
Kyiv and its allies accuse Russia of supporting the "rebels" militarily - claims which Moscow denies.
That said, the latest death brings Ukraine's toll in the simmering conflict to 65 since the beginning of the year, according to an AFP tally based on official figures, compared to a total of 50 in all of 2020.
It is noteworthy that Russia has massed around 100,000 troops on its side of the border.
US President Joe Biden warned his Russian counterpart President Vladimir Putin of "sanctions like he's never seen" should the troops attack Ukraine.
"The idea the United States is going to unilaterally use force to confront Russia invading Ukraine is not on the cards right now," Biden stressed. "We have a moral obligation and a legal obligation to our NATO allies under Article Five. It's a sacred obligation. That obligation does not extend to... Ukraine."
The conflict, which first erupted in 2014, has so far left more than 13,000 dead.