Putin orders 'peace-keeping' forces into eastern Ukraine, in major escalation of tensions | ITV News

Russian President Vladimir Putin has ordered "peace-keeping" forces into two separatist regions in eastern Ukraine just hours after he recognised them as independent, in a move many fear could be Moscow seeking to annex them. Russian media reported that the move was part of the decree Mr Putin signed when he recognised Donetsk and Luhansk as independent. The two Moscow-backed regions have been staging pleas for help from Russia in recent days and evacuating civilians from what they claim is Ukrainian aggression - but all of this has been called a fabrication by western intelligence and part of a ploy for Russia to invade. • Subscribe to ITV News on YouTube: http://bit.ly/2lOHmNj • Get breaking news and more stories at http://www.itv.com/news Follow ITV News on Facebook:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on Twitter:   / itvnews   Follow ITV News on Instagram:   / itvnews