Law enforcement in Ukraine

Ukrainian official claims 5 countries will send weapons

KIEV -- Ukraine will receive military advisers and weapons from the United States, France, Italy, Poland and Norway, says a Ukrainian official.

Four of the five countries mentioned, however, denied this.

Russia launches military drills on border with Ukraine

BELGRADE -- Russia has decided to launch a military exercise on the border with Ukraine, in order to "deter Kiev from using violence against its own citizens."

Minister of Defense of the Russian Federation Sergei Shoigu said on Thursday that Moscow was "forced to respond," RT reported.

It was Ukrainian police snipers that shot dead protesters at Kiev's Maidan square, according to a government inquiry.

Ukraine's agency UNIAN, quoting cabinet officials, suggests former Interior Minister Vitaly Zakharchenko coordinated the crackdown of February's protesters.

Lawmakers in Ukraine have voted in favour of trying the fugitive ousted President Viktor Yanukovych at The Hague's International Criminal Court (ICC).

It is unclear whether the ICC would accept a case from Ukraine, as the country is not a signatory to the Rome Convention which established the institution.