Ukraine troops violate ceasefire

Andriyivka, Ukraine: Ukraine's military waged new battles on Saturday with pro-Moscow rebels who rejected Kiev’s unilateral ceasefire, while the government raised alarm over the Kremlin’s decision to put troops across Russia on combat alert.

The resurgence of violence in the 11-week insurgency threatening to splinter the ex-Soviet nation came as Washington slapped sanctions on top separatist leaders and warned the Kremlin against sending forces into Ukraine.

But Russian President Vladimir Putin appeared ready to continue sabre-rattling in the worst East-West standoff since the Cold War era by ordering units from the Volga to western Siberia to conduct snap military drills.

“There is no ceasefire. They were shooting last night and I heard mortar and machinegun fire at four this morning. Nothing has changed,” Lila Ivanovna, a resident of Slavyansk said.