Russia denies troop advance on Ukraine amid new allegations of tank incursion

KIEV, Ukraine, Nov. 7 (UPI) -- Russia dismissed allegations that its troops were advancing on Ukraine's border, claiming Friday the accusations were made "without producing actual evidence."

On Wednesday, Canada's Foreign Minister John Baird issued a statement expressing concern "by reports of Russian troops moving closer to the border with Ukraine," and urged "Russia to immediately withdraw its troops not only from border regions but also from Ukraine's sovereign territory."

Russia's Defense Ministry took issue with Baird's condemnation.

"We paid attention to the statement made by Canadian Foreign Minister John Baird and those by several U.S. and NATO officials before him who voiced concerns over alleged movement of Russian troops to Ukrainian border. These statements were made with reference to certain reports without producing actual evidence. Even not speaking of hoary traditional arguments presented as rumors in social network."

A defense ministry official claimed on Friday that the allegations of troop advances were drawn from "one source... located at one of Kiev administrative buildings today," although it was unclear to what the official was referring.

In addition to the alleged Russian troop advances, a convoy of 32 Russian tanks, 16 howitzer cannons and 30 trucks reportedly crossed from Russia into Ukraine through the separatist-controlled Luhansk region on Thursday.

"The deployment continues of military equipment and Russian mercenaries to the front lines," said Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council spokesman Andriy Lysenko.