(dpa) - NATO calls on Moscow to cease its support for pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine and abide by its international agreements following a deadly offensive on the city of Mariupol.
Russian troops are supporting the offensive with command and control systems, air defence systems with advanced surface-to-air missiles,unmanned aerial systems, advanced multiple rocket launcher systems,and electronic warfare systems, Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg says.
In a separate development rebel forces announced they would begin a large-scale attack of the eastern port city of Mariupol, but stopped short of taking responsibility for as helling Saturday in which 27 died and about 100 were injured.
Indeed, the rebel forces traded blame for most of the day with Ukrainian forces about which side was responsible for the civilian deaths.