Ukraine marks a quarter-century of independence this week amid war jitters, as Russia turns up the heat.
President Petro Poroshenko has warned that an all-out invasion could be imminent. The OSCE says the number of Russian heavy weapons on the border has doubled in the past week and multiple-rocket systems are being used against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk Oblast.
On the latest Power Vertical Briefing, we discuss the rising tensions as Ukrainians mark a milestone.
Joining me is RFE/RL senior editor Steve Gutterman.
Also on The Briefing, Steve and I look at how the Kremlin is spinning Russia's performance at the Summer Olympics.
Enjoy...
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The Briefing: War And Independence
NOTE: The Power Vertical Briefing is a short look ahead to the stories expected to make news in Russia in the coming week. It is hosted by Brian Whitmore, author of The Power Vertical blog, and appears on Mondays.