TOP EUROPE STORIES 'World will respond' on Ukraine - U.S.

April 5, 2014 -- Updated 1350 GMT (2150 HKT)
U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the "world will respond" to Russia's annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region. FULL STORY

 

Ukraine agency: Authorities dismantle group plotting attack

By Greg Botelho and Laura Smith-Spark, CNN
April 5, 2014 -- Updated 2201 GMT (0601 HKT)
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Ukraine: Commando plot thwarted

STORY HIGHLIGHTS
  • Raid is in the eastern city of Luhansk, where the group was allegedly plotting attack
  • 15 were detained, accused of betraying the government, weapons violations
  • Authorities say they seized 300 guns, knives and a grenade launcher
  • U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says the "world will respond" to Russia's actions
(CNN) -- Ukrainian authorities have dismantled an armed underground group they claim was plotting against the Kiev-based government and planned to launch an attack in a few days, that nation's top security agency announced Saturday.
Fifteen people were detained following a large-scale operation in the eastern city of Luhansk, the Security Service said in a statement. The raid also netted about 300 guns, a grenade launcher as well as numerous grenades, Molotov cocktails and a significant amount of knives, according to the agency.
The Security Service alleges the group was plotting to carry out an attack April 10 in Luhansk. Those detained face charges that include betraying the government and weapons violations.
Luhansk is on the border with Russia in eastern Ukraine, a region that some say could follow the lead of Crimea and soon fall under Moscow's control. The city has a substantial Russian minority.
A classified U.S. intelligence assessment last month identified Luhansk, along with Kharkiv and Dontesk, as possible targets for Russian forces seeking to establish a land bridge to Crimea.
NATO says tens of thousands of Russian troops have massed near Ukraine's border, amid fears they may seek to invade. Russia says its forces are just on military exercises.
Those fears come on the heels of the ouster of Ukraine's pro-Moscow president was ousted and the emergence of a new Western-leaning government in Kiev. That was followed by Crimea leaving Ukraine and being folded into Russia following a quickly organized referendum -- a move that derided by authorities in Kiev and officials in the West.
Moscow's recent moves have caused the worst crisis in East-West relations since the end of the Cold War.
The United States and European Union have responded with asset freezes and travel bans against individuals and warned of further economic and diplomatic sanctions if Russia does not curb its activities.
Speaking to reporters Saturday ahead of his arrival in Japan, U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel said that the "world will respond" to Russia's annexation of Ukraine.
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