At about 2:30 AM eastern US time on Thursday, shelling and mortar fire from Ukraine forces began hitting both Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukraine is seven hours AHEAD of U.S. eastern time, so the shelling began around 7:30 PM Wednesday night on the US east Coast time zone.

Reports, mostly from social media, indicate heavy fighting by both sides along what is called the "Line of Contact" between the militias of Luhansk/Donetsk, and the Ukrainian Army.

For much of the early morning hours Thursday since the shelling began, Ukraine has flatly denied firing on either Luhansk or Donetsk. Ukraine has repeatedly said they are not engaging. Yet numerous videos from civilian homes in the area, with the clear sounds of shells flying overhead, and of mortars or artillery shells exploding in the distance, and undeniable proof that __ someone __ is attacking.

This story , publishing at 10:16 AM EST, will feature numerous videos and near real-time reports for the next several hours. Please check back for updates. . . .

10:23 AM EST --

We begin with public confirmation from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) "OSCE confirms there have been multiple shelling incidents along the line of contact since this morning." So these reports are all CONFIRMED by a reputable, outside, third-party.

Forces fired on the village of Luhansk, as a result of which one of the shells hit a kindergarten where children were at the time. According to preliminary data, the children were not injured, two educators of the institution were injured.

The OSCE records numerous incidents of shelling along the line of contact in Donbas. The use of artillery systems was also noted.

In War, Truth is the first Casualty --

From the Ukrainian side, this "Unsettling signs from the Russian-controlled separatist regions in Ukraine this morning. The separatists accuse Ukraine of "large-scale" shelling and claim the situation has "substantially worsened". The worry is they're laying the groundwork to justify a Russian attack." (HT Remark: So Ukraine is blaming Russia for this attack upon . . . . Russian citizens . . . inside Luhansk and Donetsk?)

Video from Kindrashivka, shells can clearly be heard flying overhead.

The territory of Donetsk airport is under fire. The fire is conducted using 152-mm artillery systems.
Emergency Statement" by Spokesman of the "Donetsk People's Militia


Short translation ""Ukrainian side continues to violate the ceasefire. . . four violations today. . . including 42 shells, grenade launchers. . . we were forced to return fire to suppress the attack"

BULLETIN

10:37 AM EST -

Smoke is now being seen coming from the Russian Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine. They appear to be burning documents. This is standard Diplomatic Practice when a nation is going to war; they burn all the sensitive documents and physically destroy all communications and computer gear, so it cannot fall into the hands of the country they are going to war against. (HT REMARK: THIS is the signal as to what is actually coming. THIS is way bad.)

10:56 AM EST --

NATO rejects Russia's Second Security demand on "expansion."

NATO confirms plans to expand its military infrastructure in Eastern Europe in contravention of security demands made by Russia.

11:06 AM EST --

The Ukrainian army bombed the suburbs Gorlovka town now.

11:19 AM EST --

Russia expels US Deputy Ambassador in Moscow Bart Gorman. US promises a “response”

State Department spokesperson says of Russia expelling the US' number 2 official at US embassy Moscow: “Russia’s action against our [Deputy Chief of Mission] was unprovoked and we consider this an escalatory step and are considering our response."

MORE:

After NATO's flat-out REFUSAL to halt its eastward expansion, in a formal, written reply, Russia now "insists " on withdrawal of all US forces from Central and Eastern Europe.

Diplomatic language is an art unto itself and when a nation uses the word "insists" that means a fight can erupt. All those Russian Army troops that everyone _thought_ were for Ukraine. apparently were not. It now appears to me they were for a direct confrontation with NATO itself, to rid eastern and central Europe of US forces. I predict Russia will take Lithuania in a blitz invasion, then tell the other Baltic states of Estonia and Latvia something like "Either you agree right now to ejecting US and NATO forces or YOU get what Lithuania just got." I think Russia will then go to Poland and tell them the same thing. Next would be Romania and perhaps Bulgaria.. Just my prediction.)

and;

"In the absence of the readiness of the American side to agree on firm, legally binding guarantees … by the US and its allies, Russia will be forced to respond, including through the implementation of military-technical measures."

11:43 AM EST --

US Defense Secretary Lloyd Austin claims Russia is moving troops closer to Ukraine's border and is stocking up on blood supplies.

Speaking in Brussels, Austin says the US is also seeing Russia "fly in more combat and support aircraft" and is sharpening their "readiness in the Black Sea”.

"I was a soldier myself not that long ago. I know first-hand that you don't do these sorts of things for no reason," Austin, a retired army general, says.

"And you certainly don't do them if you're getting ready to pack up and go home."

11:47 AM EST --

TASS is reporting that Russian President Putin has begun a series of meetings to prepare a message to parliament.

It is unclear what the speech will be about as no additional information was given.

12:00 Noon EST --

Half the town of Stanica in Luhansk, is now without electricity. Some residents are fleeing to bomb shelters

12:03 PM EST --

Lugansk People’s Rep. forces respond to Ukrainian shelling — by firing artillery back onto Ukrainian military positions. LPR is anticipating a possible Ukrainian military breakthrough near Stakhanov - Alchevsk LOC, citing the situation has greatly escalated

U.S. Ambassador to the UN: "The evidence on the ground is that Russia is moving toward an imminent invasion. This is a crucial moment"

12:07 PM EST --

The Times UK: "Western officials say Russia is continuing to build-up its forces "at pace" on Ukraine's border and more battalion tactical groups have now arrived."

The Times UK: Quoting a Western official - "We are entering into a very dangerous phase"

Big schedule change: U.S. Secretary of State Antony Blinken is now flying to New York before Germany to face off with the Russians at the UN.

Blinken will likely be the highest-ranking official there. US official says it's “perhaps the most perilous moment for peace and security since the end of the Cold War”

12:12 PM EST --

There have now been reports from Forex that the U.S. State Department has fired the Russian Deputy ambassador to Washington and ordered his return to Russia.

12:14 PM EST --

RUSSIA IS PREPARED TO COLLABORATE WITH THE UNITED STATES ON A PLAN FOR RECIPROCAL INSPECTION OF AMERICAN MISSILE INSTALLATIONS IN ROMANIA AND POLAND, AS WELL AS SOME RUSSIAN FACILITIES. - RIA

12:16 PM EST --

RUSSIA DEMANDS WITHDRAWAL OF ALL AMERICAN FORCES AND WEAPONS FROM CENTRAL, EASTERN EUROPE AND THE BALTIC STATES - MINISTRY OF FOREIGN AFFAIRS

12:32 PM EST --

U.S. military radar base erected this morning in NE Romania, right next to Ukraine's border.

I personally fail to see the reason of installing a radar in that area, unless airstrikes are expected from Belarus in western Ukraine.

This new development in my area tells me that the U.S. is concerned that the conflict will absolutely NOT be limited to Dobass and Eastern Ukraine.

12:42 PM EST --

The language just took a very sharp and visible turn for the worse. The US Embassy in Kiev, Ukraine just tweeted this - saying flatly "Russia's shelling of . . . " U.S. just saying it in clear terms: "Russia's shelling..." NOT "Rebels" or "Russian-backed rebels"....

This language is directly accusing Russia. A very sharp change in language:

U.S. Embassy Kyiv
@USEmbassyKyiv
Russia's shelling of Stanytsia Luhanska in Ukrainian government-controlled territory in Donbas hit a kindergarten, injured two teachers, and knocked out power in the village. The aggressor in Donbas is clear - Russia. (1/2)