01:17Belgium: NATO's Stoltenberg blames Russia and 'separatists' for Mariupol
The artillery fire on Mariupol which killed 30 civilians and injured a further 100 on Saturday was at the hands of 'separatists who have the support of Russia,' NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels, Monday. Stoltenberg asserted that the fire came from territory under the control of the self-proclaimed Donetsk National Republic (DNR/DPR). The NATO secretary-general ascribed blame for the attack upon Russia, who he says provide DNR forces with "support, training, equipment and forces."
Stoltenberg was asked by a member of the press whether there were any NATO legions fighting in Ukraine, which he categorically denied as "nonsense." He went on to state that the only foreign forces in Ukraine are "Russian."
Stoltenberg's statement seemingly contradicts video evidence that emerged late Saturday, in which a foreign fighter speaking with an Canadian or American accent was active in Mariupol - blocking his face from the camera. Speculation continues to mount that private military contractors (PMCs) are active in the conflict, though no substantive proof has emerged. The voluntary battalions active in places like Mariupol, such as the Azov battalion, are believed to have a number of foreign fighters amongst their ranks.
01:17The artillery fire on Mariupol which killed 30 civilians and injured a further 100 on Saturday was at the hands of 'separatists who have the support of Russia,' NATO's Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg told a press conference in Brussels, Monday. Stoltenberg asserted that the fire came from territory under the control of the self-proclaimed Donetsk National Republic (DNR/DPR). The NATO secretary-general ascribed blame for the attack upon Russia, who he says provide DNR forces with "support, training, equipment and forces."
Stoltenberg was asked by a member of the press whether there were any NATO legions fighting in Ukraine, which he categorically denied as "nonsense." He went on to state that the only foreign forces in Ukraine are "Russian."
Stoltenberg's statement seemingly contradicts video evidence that emerged late Saturday, in which a foreign fighter speaking with an Canadian or American accent was active in Mariupol - blocking his face from the camera. Speculation continues to mount that private military contractors (PMCs) are active in the conflict, though no substantive proof has emerged. The voluntary battalions active in places like Mariupol, such as the Azov battalion, are believed to have a number of foreign fighters amongst their ranks.