Michael Fallon warns Ukraine war remains and he pledges more British military help to Ukraine

Defence Secretary says Ukraine’s eastern border still at risk from Vladimir Putin and promises UK will offer support for as long as it is needed
The Ukraine conflict is a “red hot” war that shows no sign of ending soon, the Defence Secretary warned as he announced Britain will step up training to Ukrainian forces fighting pro-Russian militiamen.

Michael Fallon said the 18-month long crisis had not settled into a frozen war and Ukraine’s eastern border was still at risk from Vladimir Putin.
He also opened the door to sending further military trainers to the country if the Kiev government asked for them and said the UK would offer support for as long as it was needed.

Mr Fallon spoke on a visit to see British military training teams outside the Ukrainian capital, as a surge in fighting in the east of the country saw the heaviest artillery attacks on government positions for six months, with both sides accusing one another of readying for a return to all-out offensive warfare.

A small British force of 75 soldiers working in teams across the country will step up training Ukrainian troops in urban combat, dealing with mines and creating stronger fortifications, Mr Fallon said.

The troops have trained 1,000 members of the Ukrainian army and national guard so far and aim to train 1,000 more by the end of the year, he said.
Mr Fallon said: “We shouldn’t lose sight of just how serious this situation is. Seven thousand people have already died in the Ukraine, right on the doorstep of Europe, as Ukraine fights for its freedom. This is not a frozen conflict, it’s still red hot.”

The most intense violence has centred on Starohnativka, a town 30 miles north of the Ukrainian-controlled strategic port of Mariupol.
The Ukrainian military said it repulsed an attack by 400 rebels backed by tanks who assaulted its positions there on Monday morning. Shelling was reported to be continuing in the area on Tuesday.

Eduard Basurin, a military spokesman for the self proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, denied breaking the ceasefire and said at least one civilian had died in an “unprecedented” Ukrainian artillery attack near Starohnativka.

“The command of [Ukraine’s] anti terrorist operation continues active preparations for a large-scale offensive against the Donetsk People’s Republic,” Mr Basurin said at a briefing.