Britain summons Russian ambassador over reports of military incursion into Ukraine

Britain's Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond leaves 10 Downing Street after a COBR meeting in central London August 13, 2014. REUTERS/Suzanne Plunkett

LONDON (Reuters) - Britain summoned Russia's ambassador on Friday to clarify reports of a Russian military incursion into Ukraine and a build-up of equipment near the border, the Foreign Office said.

NATO has accused the Kremlin of escalating the conflict in Ukraine, following reports that a small column of Russian armoured vehicles had crossed overnight into an area of Ukraine where pro-Moscow rebels are battling government forces.