Russia Expels Senior US Diplomat Amid Shelling Claims

The Washington Post reports:

Ukraine and Russian-backed separatists accused each other Thursday of violating a cease-fire in the eastern part of the country, a potential flash point in what Western officials say are Russian preparations for a possible attack by growing forces massed near Ukraine’s borders.

In Moscow, the Russian government ordered the expulsion of the U.S. Embassy’s second-ranking diplomat, Deputy Chief of Mission Bart Gorman, the State Department confirmed Thursday.

No reason was immediately given for the expulsion of Gorman, whom a department spokesperson described in a statement as “a key member of the Embassy’s senior leadership team.” The statement called the move “unprovoked” and “an escalatory step” and said the United States is “considering our response.”

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ALERT: Ukraine and Moscow-backed separatists trade accusations of shelling in potential eastern flash point; Moscow expels senior U.S. diplomat https://t.co/4tcEu5jpId

— Ellen Nakashima (@nakashimae) February 17, 2022

Ukraine accuses Russia-backed separatist forces of shelling a village controlled by Ukrainian government troops and hitting a school there. https://t.co/W39S2KlpAJ pic.twitter.com/xgpZJePl21

— ABC News (@ABC) February 17, 2022

Two more photos from Stanytsia Luhanska, shared by Ukraine's Joint Forces Operation and confirmed through local news and NGO on the scene, show people taking shelter in a basement during the shelling and the aftermath of the school's music and play room that was hit by artillery. pic.twitter.com/tQHSyH6hlj

— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) February 17, 2022