TENSION

Putin Orders ‘Full Combat Alert’

For troops in central Russia.

On Saturday, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered troops in central Russia on “full combat alert,” according to Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu. “In accordance with his [Putin’s] order, from 11:00 a.m. Moscow time the troops of the central military district as well as formations and military units located on its territory have been put on full combat alert,” Shoigu said. About 13 hours before Putin’s announcement, Ukranian President Petro Poroshenko announced a 7-day ceasefire, even as Russia redeployed more troops, tanks, and heavy artillery to the border. The Ukranian government also reported multiple rebel attacks Friday night and Saturday morning.