UPDATE: Ukraine Says Provocations Possible Over May 1-9 Holidays
The fighting-talk (and actions) is growing louder from Eastern Europe. Following Lavrov's "bloody justice" comments, Ukraine's Acting Head of the Presidential Administration Serhiy Pashynskyi expects a Russian invasion is imminent, warnings that "in case Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border we will qualify it as military invasion and eliminate invaders."
These strongly worded comments come after a Ukrainian military helicopter exploded at a base near the eastern town of Kramatorsk (held by pro-Russian forces) on Friday after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade.
Pashynskyi concludes, rather ominously, "I would not recommend Mr. Putin experiment with lives of his servicemen."
A Ukrainian military helicopter exploded at a base near the eastern town of Kramatorsk on Friday after being hit by a rocket-propelled grenade, officials in Kiev said.
The Mi-8 helicopter was struck as it was on the tarmac of the base's landing zone. Its pilot managed to escape but was wounded, they said.
The nearby town of Kramatorsk is one of several under the control of pro-Kremlin gunmen.
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Acting Head of the Presidential Administration Serhiy Pashynskyi does not exclude the invasion of Russian troops on the territory of Ukraine at any time but Ukrainian servicemen are ready for that. It was stated by him in the course of the briefing.
"Unfortunately, it can happen at any time. In case Russian troops cross the Ukrainian border we will qualify it as military invasion and eliminate invaders," he said. He emphasized that "any false statements about some humanitarian mission" of the Russian government will not be perceived as an argument by Ukraine.
At the same time, he noted that Ukrainian servicemen are prepared for a possible attack of Russia.
"One and a half months ago our army was in complete ruins. To date, all modest resources of our state were allocated for its modernization and armament. I would not recommend Mr. Putin experiment with lives of his servicemen," S. Pashynskyi noted.