Washington: Russian aircraft have repeatedly breached Ukraine's airspace in the past 24 hours, a Pentagon spokesman said on Friday, and he called on Moscow to "take immediate steps to de-escalate the situation."
"I can confirm that on several occasions in the last 24 hours, Russian aircraft have entered Ukrainian airspace," the spokesman, Colonel Steve Warren, said.
The disclosure came a day after the Pentagon sharply criticized Russia's announcement of new military drills near the border with Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Russian military activity along the border "dangerously destabilizing" and provocative.
The Pentagon confirmed Russian reports that the top U.S. military officer, General Martin Dempsey, had spoken on Thursday by telephone with Russian General Valery Gerasimov, the chief of the general staff. It gave no details of the conversation.
Russia's Interfax news agency said Gerasimov told Dempsey that Ukraine had deployed a "substantial group of forces" near the Russian border, including troops whose purpose was to conduct sabotage.
"I can confirm that on several occasions in the last 24 hours, Russian aircraft have entered Ukrainian airspace," the spokesman, Colonel Steve Warren, said.
The disclosure came a day after the Pentagon sharply criticized Russia's announcement of new military drills near the border with Ukraine. U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel called Russian military activity along the border "dangerously destabilizing" and provocative.
Russia's Interfax news agency said Gerasimov told Dempsey that Ukraine had deployed a "substantial group of forces" near the Russian border, including troops whose purpose was to conduct sabotage.
© Thomson Reuters 2014
Advertisement
COMMENTS
Advertisement
Ukraine Launched Overnight Drone Attack, Says Russia Amid Raging War India Now A Major Geopolitical Actor: Ex-Singapore Diplomat On PM's Russia-Ukraine Visit Over 66,000 Russian Soldiers Killed In Ukraine War: Russian Media Report Manipur Chief Minister Slams Tejashwi Yadav Over "Racist" Jab At Himanta Sarma US Millionaire, Who Died By Suicide, Owed $34 Million With $8,000 In Bank On CCTV, Cops Seen Planting Drugs On Man In Mumbai, Suspended After Probe After Land Invasion And Death From Above, A New Enemy In Gaza - Polio Celebrated "Russian Spy" Whale Hvaldimir Found Dead In Norway: Report Israeli Army Announces Death Of Soldier During Ongoing Raid In West Bank Track Latest News Live on NDTV.com and get news updates from India and around the world.