TODAY: Russia accused of launching new military offensive in Ukraine just days after optimistic meeting; troops may have been paid to join military operations in Donetsk, says Kremlin rights council; more McDonald’s restaurants closed in Moscow; Moldova celebrates new gas pipeline to independence; journalist Krutov beaten – again.

Ukraine accused Russia of launching a new ‘stealth’ military offensive in its eastern territory yesterday, importing more arms and seizing several villages.  This move comes in spite of conciliatory remarks made by President Vladimir Putin after his meeting with Petro Poroshenko earlier this week, leading the Obama administration to accuse Russia of lying about its intentions.  ‘The pattern has become a familiar one: Putin annexed the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea after saying he had no intension of doing so.’  German Chancellor Angela Merkel demanded an explanation from President Putin by telephone, emphasising Russia’s responsibility for de-escalation.  Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Russia is not interested in ‘confrontation’ with the West.  Kremlin human rights council member Ella Polyakova speculates that Russian troops may have been paid $7,000 each to take part in military operations in Ukraine.  Russian courts are backing Rospotrebnadzor’s order to temporarily close three McDonald’s restaurants in Moscow for breaking sanitary rules, with Russian businessmen linking the crackdown to the Ukraine crisis and deteriorating relations with the U.S.; eight of the chain’s outlets have been closed across Russia in recent weeks.