Chechen Fighters Arrive In Eastern Ukraine

(Vatican Radio) An international media investigation shows forces from Russia's troubled region of Chechnya fighting along both the Ukrainian and pro-Russian separatists side in eastern Ukraine. The revelations have overshadowed presidential calls for peace during Ukraine's Orthodox Easter.

Listen to the report by correspondent Stefan Bos: 

Chechen sources have confirmed that at least one battalion including several dozen Chechens are supporting Ukrainian government troops in their battle against pro-Russian revels.

Many have combat experience in their homeland against Russian army forces. Among them is commander Adam Osmayev who pro-Kremlin have linked to the February 27 murder of Boris Nemtsov, known for criticizing Russia's actions in Chechnya and Ukraine.

The British-educated Osmayev has strongly denied wrongdoing. Observers suggest that accusing him is aimed at taking away attention from the possible Russian government's involvement in the killing of the dissident.

FELLOW CHECHENS

Ironically commander Osmayev's men are facing fellow Chechens fighting at the other side along pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.

Despite an official ceasefire clashes continue in some areas. The tensions prompted Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko to tell his nation over the weekend that he would use the Orthodox Easter to call "pray for peace and the future of Ukraine."

In an earlier interview he made clear that he opposes Russian calls by President Vladimir Putin and others for a federal Ukraine that would give more autonomy to separatist-held regions. “Look, this is not a question of [President] Putin or even a question of the president of Ukraine," Poroshenko explained.

"The only one who can make this decision is the Ukrainian people. And under our legislation, our constitution, the federal status of Ukraine can be decided only with a nationwide referendum," he added.

NEIGHBORS CONCERNED

Kiev has accused Moscow of supporting the pro-Russian separatists with weapons and troops after Russia already annexed Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula. The Kremlin denies the charges but acknowledged that "Russian volunteers" are active in Ukraine.

Ongoing violence has led to concerns in neigjhbo0ring countries that the conflict could spread.

Estonia's President Toomas Hendrik Ilveshas even called for a permanent force of the NATO military alliance to be stationed in his Baltic nation.

With at least some fighting ongoing, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said that Russian President Vladimir Putin will not be invited to attend the G7 summit of leading industrial nations in Germany's Bavaria region this June.