Putin’s adviser says Russia invaded Ukraine

The casualties in this latest round of violence, at least 15 civilians, their bodies scattered indiscriminately.

The attack in the rebel-held city took place as evidence mounted of a Russian military incursion into Ukraine.

NATO Brigadier General Nico Tak says more than 1,000 Russian troops are in Ukraine.

“This latest imagery provides concrete examples of Russian activity inside Ukraine but they are only the tip of the iceberg in terms of the overall scope of Russian troop and weapons movements,” according to Brigadier General Nico Tak.

Kiev’s ambassador to the OSCE Ihor Prokopchuk went a step further: “The Russian regular forces, the units of the Russian regular forces, entered and seized to control the city of Novoazovsk and also a number of other villages around this city.”

While Russian President Vladimir Putin isn’t saying whether Russian forces have or haven’t invaded Ukraine, his own human rights advisor Ella Polyakova didn’t mince words.

“This is an invasion; this is being done by the military. This is a frightening invasion (breach) of human rights and the lives of Russian citizens. This is an invasion,” said Polyakova.

The multiple accounts and images suggesting a Russian incursion come as Kiev continues its struggle to beat back rebel advances within its borders over the past two weeks. Now, they are preparing for advances from outside as well.