Moscow still arming pro-Russians in E Ukraine: Poroshenko

The Ukrainian president has accused Moscow of supplying heavy weaponry to pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine despite a standing ceasefire between the two sides.

On Monday, Petro Poroshenko claimed that at least 950 armored vehicles, 500 tanks and 400 artillery systems were deployed by Russia in the violence-wracked area. He did not, however, specify the exact date of the deliveries.

"Just this week, three big convoys crossed our border towards Lugansk, Donetsk and Debaltseve," he said, adding that Russia "has still not given up the idea of a direct intervention or a rebel assault in the country's interior.”

The Western-backed official also stated that 50,000 Russian soldiers are currently stationed at the country’s border with Ukraine, further alleging that around 9,000 Russian servicemen have joined the ranks of pro-Russia forces.

Poroshenko made the remarks during an address at a military parade to celebrate the country’s Independence Day in the Ukrainian capital city of Kiev.

"The war for independence is still continuing and we can only claim victory by combining our defensive efforts, diplomatic talent, political responsibility and steely endurance," Poroshenko noted, warning that the Kiev officials should still keep a wary eye on Moscow’s moves in the region even 25 years after gaining independence from the Soviet Union.

"We must spend our 25th year of independence as if we are skating on fragile ice. The smallest careless step could be fatal," he went on to say.

Meanwhile, people gathered in Donetsk to show their anger at Kiev’s policies in the restive region and condemn what they called “Dependence Day.”

The demonstrators held placards reading "Poroshenko, you have blood on your hands," "No to Fascism!,” and "We are against the war.”

Donetsk and Lugansk are two mainly Russian-speaking regions in eastern Ukraine which have been hit by deadly clashes between pro-Russia forces and the Ukrainian army since Kiev launched military operations in April last year to crush pro-Russia protests there.

In May 2014, the situation in the two flashpoint regions started to worsen as residents overwhelmingly voted for independence from Ukraine in referendums.

Kiev and its Western allies accuse the Kremlin of supporting pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine. Moscow categorically denies the allegations, saying the Western-backed government in Kiev is responsible for the flare-up in the violence-wracked country.

During peace talks in the Belarusian capital city of Minsk on February 11-12, the leaders of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine agreed on the withdrawal of heavy weapons from Ukraine’s front lines and a ceasefire. The two sides, however, have continued to engage in sporadic clashes.

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