Ukraine Thwarts Russian Border Breach Attempt: Governor Reports Intensified Shelling in Kharkiv Region
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces attempted to breach the border with Ukraine using sabotage groups
The Organization for Security Cooperation in Europe is to send international monitors to Ukraine within 24 hours.
Europe's leading security organization announced Saturday its teams, comprising a total of 100 members, will be stationed in various regions, including south-eastern areas where violence had erupted amid tensions ahead of Crimea's secessionist referendum.
OSCE teams, however, are not expected to go to Crimea, the BBS has reported.
Crimea was officially incorporated into the Russian Federation this week, days after a majority of its citizens voted on March 16 to break away from Ukraine and join Russia.
Nine regions will be monitored by the OSCE in a mission which is to last six months. Up to 400 personnel could be added to the 100-strong team if necessary.
Apart from Donetsk, Luhansk, and Dnepropetrovsk, whicl lie to the east and south-east of Ukraine, OSCE monitors will also be deployed to the southern region of Odessa, which is next to the Crimean peninsula.
Odessa also has a significant Bulgarian majority.
Euronews previously informed that Ukrainian authorities had allowed the 57-member pan-European security group to send a mission there.
The prospects of sending a team of OSCE to Crimea has met the dissent of Russia, which claimed the peninsula was already part of its territory and the organization had "no mandate" for a mission there.
Before last week's referendum in Crimea, OSCE had announced it would not deploy monitors to observe the poll, amid reports that they actually failed to enter the peninsula's territory because they were scared away by solders upon Russian orders.
We need your support so Novinite.com can keep delivering news and information about Bulgaria! Thank you!
Heavy fighting has erupted across the entire front line in Ukraine, as announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a late-night address
Residents of Rafah in the Gaza Strip are reporting ongoing explosions and gunfire as fierce clashes continue in the area. Israeli tanks have nearly encircled the eastern part of the town
Spain, Ireland, and other EU nations are intending to acknowledge Palestine's statehood on May 21, as stated by Josep Borrell, the EU's top diplomat for foreign and security policy
Ukrainian authorities reported that Russian forces attempted to breach the border with Ukraine using sabotage groups
Israeli airstrikes targeted areas in Rafah on Thursday, as reported by Palestinian residents, while Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu dismissed US President Joe Biden's warning of withholding weapons from Israel if it attacks the southern Gaza city
Russian air defenses have successfully intercepted multiple Ukrainian drones flying over Russian territory
Sofia Airport's Terminal 3 Construction Set to Begin in Early 2026
COVID-19 Impact: Bulgaria's Grim Milestone as Highest Death Rate in EU