Ukraine warns of worsening security situation in separatist-held east, sees rebels encroaching
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}People stand in line at a currency exchange bureau in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Nov. 13, 2014. Ukraine's hryvnia plunged to UAH 15.56/USD on Nov. 13, a 14% decline since Nov. 5, when the National Bank of Ukraine reduced its interventions at the ForEx and allowed further weakening. Ukraine's national currency has already lost nearly 47% of its value this year, falling from UAH 8.1/USD. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky) (The Associated Press)
Ukraine says the security situation in rebel-held areas in the east has steadily worsened as separatist fighters move closer to demarcation lines separating them from government forces.
A cease-fire agreed on in September between rebels and Ukraine's government has in effect been rendered invalid as intense hostilities proceed on a daily basis.
National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Thursday that the Russian army is massing troops, including air defense units, near the border.
{{#rendered}} {{/rendered}}Ukraine accuses Russia of directly supplying separatist forces, a claim that Moscow has repeatedly denied.
Lysenko's statement follows multiple recent observations of large military convoys on the move around separatist-controlled areas. Trucks transporting troops, ammunition, fuel and large-caliber artillery systems have been seen traveling primarily in the direction of Donetsk, the main rebel city.