Russians Threaten Ukrainian City of Mariupol

Ukraine fears that after losing control of Debaltseve, the port city of Mariupol may be the rebels' next target as Western governments debate new sanctions and punishments for Russia and those involved in the uprising in eastern Ukraine.

Reuters reports that US Secretary of State John Kerry was in London to meet with British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond. Concrete details about the new possible sanctions are still fluid, but the language used by Kerry suggests that a serious escalation is possible.

Limited sanctions on Russian individuals and businesses supporting the separatists in Ukraine have already combined with low oil prices to force the Russian economy into recession.

In a signal of a possible escalation of the breadth of economic sanctions, Kerry said the new measures will make it clear that Western governments will, "not play this game," according to Reuters.

The United States, NATO, and Ukraine have claimed that Russian troops, tanks, and artillery are operating in eastern Ukraine to support rebels who would have otherwise been defeated by the Ukrainian military.

A different Reuters report says that Ukraine believes Russian troops and vehicles are currently massing in a town near the port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov.

Of the two regions that have seen the most fighting in the east, Mariupol is the largest city in those territories that is still under government control. Its 500,000 residents and seaside location make it strategically valuable for both sides.

The Ukrainians claim that in addition to a troop build up, the Russian backed forces have been carrying out various acts sabotage in an effort to test the Ukrainians' defenses.

In the last day, one Ukrainian soldier has been killed and 40 injured. Since the conflict began in early 2014, 5,000 people, both civilians and soldiers, have been killed in fighting.