By ANDREW ANGLINÂ Â
A kindergarten in Ukrainian-controlled territory took a direct hit from artillery fire by Russian-backed separatists early Thursday, leaving two teachers injured, authorities said.
The attack comes as tensions have reached a boiling point amid growing fears of a Russian offensive. Intensified fighting has erupted along the frontline and the Kremlin appeared to add fuel to predictions by U.S. officials that it might be seeking a âpretextâ to send troops into the country.
The kindergarten in the town of Stanytsya Luhanskaâone of the most dangerous places along the battle-scarred frontlineâwas reportedly full of children at the time of the attack, but they were not said to have been injured. Two teachers were hurt, according to Ukrainskaya Pravda. The Ukrainian militaryâs Joint Forces Operation said civilians in the area had been evacuated in light of the shelling, which it said demonstrated âparticular cynicismâ by Russian proxies…