US to send advisers to Ukraine, accuses Russia of firing on Ukrainian military

The United States has accused Russia of shelling Ukrainian military positions from inside of Russia as the Pentagon confirmed that the United States would be sending military advisers to aid the Ukrainian military.

A spokesperson for the Pentagon, Marie Harf said, "We have new evidence that the Russians intend to deliver heavier and more powerful multiple rocket launchers to the separatist forces in Ukraine, and have evidence that Russia is firing artillery from within Russia to attack Ukrainian military positions."

ABC News reports that Harf did not explain how the United States knew that Russian artillery was being used to fire across the Ukrainian border at Ukrainian troops. She did say that the information about the rocket launchers was attained through a combination of human resources on the ground in eastern Ukraine and satellite imagery.

The satellite imagery showed multiple rocket launchers coming and going from a site near the Russian city of Rostov, which is close to the shared border between Ukraine and Russia.

The Pentagon's statements seemed to confirm previous allegations on social media, and from the Ukrainian government, that both rockets and artillery fired from within Russia were making their way into Ukraine.

Perhaps in response to these actions, the United States is sending a team of advisers to help the Ukrainian military plan its offensive against pro-Russian forces in the east, according to The Washington Times.

The advisers will evaluate different aspects of the Ukrainian military, such as its equipment and organization, and make a list of recommended changes to make the force more efficient and effective. It is also thought the presence of the advisers and their recommendations will lead to more direct support for the Ukrainian military from the United States. 

The United States already provides assistance in the form of bullet proof vests, night vision goggles, and ready to eat meals.