Ethnic Russians in eastern Ukraine have falsely claimed to be under assault to justify Russian intervention, the U.N. human rights office said Tuesday as it warned that such propaganda could affect Ukraine's presidential election next month.
Russia condemned the report, saying it was one-sided and seemed to have been "fabricated" to fit pre-formed conclusions.
Moscow declared Ukraine on the brink of civil war Tuesday as Kiev said an "anti-terrorist operation" against pro-Russia separatists was underway.