US official: 'Russian claims on Ukraine withdrawal are false'

A senior US official said on Wednesday that Russia has added as many as 7,000 troops near the Ukraine border in recent days, contrary to claims by President Vladimir Putin that troops would be pulled back.

The US official, who was quoted by The Associated Press, said there has been a marked increase in false claims by Russians, including reports of unmarked graves of civilians allegedly killed by the Ukrainian Armed Forces, statements that the U.S. and Ukraine are developing biological or chemical weapons, and claims the West is funneling in guerrillas.