Annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation Prime Minister, Dmitry Medvedev, declared that Crimea had been fully integrated into Russia. Until 2016 these new subjects were grouped in the Crimean Federal District. On 8 August 2016, Ukraine reported that Russia had increased its military presence along the demarcation line. In response to this military buildup Ukraine also deployed more troops and resources closer to the border with Crimea. The Pentagon has downplayed a Russian invasion of Ukraine, calling Russian troops along the border a regular military exercise. On 10 August, Russia claimed two servicemen were killed in clashes with Ukrainian commandos, and that Ukrainian servicemen had been
Highway M18 (Ukraine) Highway M18 (Ukraine) Highway M18 is a Ukrainian international highway (M-highway) connecting Kharkiv to the southern coast of Crimea in Yalta. The highway is also has an alternative route (M29) which runs parallel and designed as an expressway between Kharkiv and Novomoskovsk. The section from Novomoskovsk to Yalta is part of European route E105. The section from Kharkiv to Krasnohrad was previously P51. The section between Yalta and the border of Crimea belongs to Crimea which has been annexed by Russia in 2014. Russia does not use the designation M18. Main route and connections to/intersections with other highways in Ukraine.