Russian operatives may already be in Ukraine ahead of potential invasion
The UK Defence Secretary said there were individuals already in Ukraine "linked to the Russian state in ways that are not conventional".
Russia may already have personnel in place in Ukraine to assist with an invasion, the UK Government believes. Defence Secretary Ben Wallace told MPs there were individuals already in Ukraine "linked to the Russian state in ways that are not conventional" and "that should give cause for concern". He added: "We are becoming aware of a significant number of individuals that are assessed to be associated with Russian military advance force operations that currently are located in Ukraine."
It comes as concerns over a potential Russian invasion into Ukraine continue to increase. Moscow has massed an estimated 100,000 troops near the border with Ukraine. Mr Wallace told the Commons Foreign Affairs Committee that any incursion into Ukrainian territory would be unacceptable. He said: "Any crossing into Ukraine, whether small or large, would be viewed as a breach of that sovereignty, against international law and an invasion. "You can't be half-pregnant, you are either invading a country or you are not."
Vigil held in Kyiv for Belarusian activist Vitali Shishov
Hundreds of Belarusian exiles gathered in front of the country's embassy in Ukraine on Tuesday evening to honour activist Vitali Shishov, who was found dead in Kyiv in the morning.
Shishov ran the Belarusian House in Ukraine, a group helping Belarusians fleeing persecution.
The Belarusian activist went for his usual run on Monday, but he never returned. Friends were searching for him through the night. He was found hanged on Tuesday morning in a forest in the easternmost part of Kyiv.
Police have opened an investigation and are working on two theories, suicide or "murder disguised as suicide".
But the Belarusian community in Kyiv is convinced he was killed by people connected to Belarus' president. Alexander Lukashenko was reelected last August but critics say the vote was rigged. The election sparked widespread protests and a brutal crackdown on dissent, sparking some Belarusians to flee to other parts of Europe, including Lithuania, Poland and Ukraine.