BERMAN: This morning, the battle for eastern Ukraine is entering a new phase. The Ukraine prime minister claims Russia has quote transferred military forces and equipment into his country. The prime minister lists a number of tanks and rocket systems that he says are not sold at local street markets in Donetsk. This follows a recent escalation of the fighting between Ukraine and report troops around Donetsk airport. Let's go to Moscow right now. Senior international Matthew Chance joins us. Matthew, what are the Russians saying about this?</s>MATTHEW CHANCE, CNN SENIOR INTERNATIONAL CORRESPONDENT: Well, they are denying it. They are denying any military hardware has crossed the border from Russia to Ukraine. There had been accusations like this really since the conflict began almost a year ago. And Russia has consistently denied them, along with the accusations of the regular forces fighting alongside the pro-Russian rebels in Eastern Ukraine. There have been allegations in the 24 hours that several hundred Russian soldiers crossed the border to fight along side the pro-Russian rebels. And again, that's been called basically insinuation by the Kremlin. And so, they are not admitting to any of these allegations that are being put to them by the Ukrainians. What we definitely are seeing, though, John, is an upsurge in fighting in eastern Ukraine. Particularly the airport at Donetsk. It symbolically important because it represents this kind of symbol of modernity and, you know, industrial output in eastern Ukraine. It is strategically important because it has an airstrip and both sides want it. They are fighting to the death to control it, John.</s>BERMAN: You get the sense both sides think the situation is spiraling out of control. Matthew Chance in Moscow for us -- thanks so much. Just a few minutes before the hour. The number of deaths to the faulty GM ignition switches, that number is rising, that as the deadline to file claims is looming. Alison Kosik is bringing us an early start on our money, next.
Fighting Escalates Around Donetsk Airport