26/04/2014 10:18
Ukraine crisis: Pentagon says Russian jets violated airspace
The US says Russian military aircraft have entered Ukrainian airspace on several occasions, amid rising tension in the east of the country, the BBC reported.
A Pentagon spokesman called on Russia to "de-escalate the situation."
The statement came as the G7 group of industrialised countries agreed on Saturday to "swiftly" impose fresh sanctions on Russia over Ukraine.
Meanwhile, talks are under way to secure the release of international observers seized by separatists.
Russia has accused the West of wanting to "seize" Ukraine.
In a statement on Friday, Pentagon spokesman Col Steven Warren said Russian aircraft had entered Ukrainian airspace several times in the past 24 hours.
He gave no further details, but called on Moscow to take "immediate steps to de-escalate the situation."
US Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel earlier described Russian activity along the Ukrainian border as "dangerously destabilising" and "very provocative."