Ukraine: Troop movements will no longer be publicized after Russian attacks

KIEV, Ukraine, Aug. 28 (UPI) -- The Ukrainian government has decided that it will no longer publicize troop movements following recent attacks by Russian forces.

"Today all information about the movements of the military forces of Ukraine not be made public, because yesterday after it was reported that [Ukrainian] troops had advanced to Starobesheve, they were shelled by a Grad [rocket launcher]," First Deputy Head of Presidential Administration Hennadiy Zubko announced Thursday.

From now on, "The position of the leader of the General Staff is that all information will be closed," said Zubko.

A senior NATO official estimated that more than 1,000 Russian troops have joined Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine, characterizing the maneuver as an "incursion."

The Ukrainian government on Thursday accused Russia of conducting a "direct invasion," and President Petro Poroshenko called for emergency meetings of the U.N. Security Council and European Council to address "the introduction of Russian forces into Ukraine."

The U.N. Security Council announced it will hold an emergency session to discuss Ukraine on Thursday at 2:00 p.m. EDT.