Russian military envoy detained for spying and ordered to leave Ukraine

 
“Helpless”: acting president Olexander Turchynov has admitted his forces have been unable to quell unrest in the east

Russia's military attaché to Ukraine has been detained on suspicion of spying and ordered to leave the country, according to local reports.

The diplomat, who has not been named, was held while allegedly undertaking “intelligence activities”, according to Interfax-Ukraine, citing the Ukraine foreign ministry.

The detention is likely to heighten tensions between Moscow and Kiev.

Ukraine has accused Russia of orchestrating violent power struggles in towns and cities across its industrial east Donbass region. Pro-Russian separatists have seized government buildings and police stations over the past month, spearheaded by well-organised gunmen in masks and military fatigues. Acting president Olexander Turchynov has admitted his forces are “helpless” to quell the unrest.

Military units are suspected by Ukranian leaders of being Russian special forces and agents. Moscow denies having any part in the rebellion, but has warned it reserves the right to intervene to protect ethnic Russians and has massed tens of thousands of troops on its border with Ukraine.

Having seized key buildings in the capital of the eastern-most province, Luhansk on Tuesday, gunmen took control at dawn yesterday in the nearby towns of Horlivka and Alchevsk.

In Donetsk, the biggest city to fall, mainly Russian-speaking separatists have declared a “People’s Republic” and called a referendum on secession for May 11, threatening to undermine a planned presidential election in Ukraine two weeks later. Kiev hopes the presidential poll will help restore order after five months of the worst civil turmoil in the country since independence in 1991. The crisis escalated after the Moscow-backed president Viktor Yanukovich was toppled by street protests and Russia’s annexation of the Crimean peninsula.

Meanwhile, the International Monetary Fund approved a £10.1 billion bailout for Ukraine to help its beleaguered economy. “Today’s final approval for the $17 billion IMF programme marks a crucial milestone for Ukraine,” said US Treasury Secretary Jacob Lew in a statement.

He added that the bailout will “enable it to build on the progress already achieved to overcome deep-seated economic challenges and help the country return to a path of economic stability and growth”.

The loan is dependent on strict reforms, including raising taxes and energy prices. The IMF has said Russia was “experiencing recession now” with the crisis damaging its economy.

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