Mashable: Gaming out Russia's next move in Ukraine

A Russia-backed rebel contemplates his next chess move at the most forward front line base, on the outskirts of Donetsk, Ukraine, Sunday, March 8, 2015 (AP Photo)

The guns haven't quite gone quiet but with a fragile cease-fire in Ukraine, the key question being asked these days in Kyiv, Brussels and Washington boils down to this: What is Russia's next move?

Western leaders say Moscow has fueled the conflict by first covertly invading and annexing the Crimean peninsula a year ago and then backing separatists in Ukraine's east with cash and weapons.

Russia has denied direct involvement in the year-long conflict which, so far, has cost the lives of more than 6,000 people, according to the United Nations.

But corpses of Russian soldiers coming back from the front in body bags and the presence of Russian weapons and military equipment on the Ukrainian side of the border strongly suggests that Moscow has sent military forces to fight in Ukraine.

The U.S. estimates as many as 12,000 Russian troops are presently operating inside Ukraine. Areport released this week reveals just how massive Russia's military intervention in Ukraine really is, even listing specific units.

So what happens next?

Full story