Russia and Ukraine: Escalation in Donbass

Firefights intensified along the front line in Donbass. The danger of provocations with unforeseeable consequences is growing. In diplomacy, too, Moscow is sending few encouraging signals.

Russian main battle tanks in an official photo that Moscow wants to use to prove the withdrawal of troops.

AP

The situation appears to be deteriorating significantly along the front line separating the Kiev-controlled areas of eastern Ukraine from the two Russian-backed separatist regions of Donetsk and Luhansk. This is tricky, because due to the military preparedness, the situation can very quickly get out of control – with incalculable consequences, up to and including direct intervention by Russian troops.