Ukraine launches operation to secure borders

KIEV, Ukraine, June 13 (UPI) -- Ukraine is seeking to tighten its border security and plans to lock it down by Saturday, the interior ministry announced Friday.

Security forces have undertaken a mission to secure the country's border to thwart "any attempt by militants to penetrate," reported Anton Heraschenko, an adviser to the interior ministry.

"Last night, the Armed Forces, with the support of the National Guard, marched from south to north and from north to south in order to cover that part of the border that remained open after massive terrorist attacks. ... I think that by tomorrow the state border will be covered by the Armed Forces of Ukraine, and all roads will be exposed to fire from armored vehicles, so if there are any attempt by militants to penetrate, they will be destroyed."

NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen commented Friday on the flow of fighters and arms across the border region, and urged Russia to put an end to it.