Russia Sends Tanks And Troops Into Ukraine, Seizes A Strategic Town By VICTORIA BUTENKO, CAROL J. WILLIAMS NATO confirms major incursion of Russian troops and armor into eastern Ukraine Russia's goal is to permanently destabilize Ukraine, NATO official says Ukrainian president cancels trip abroad, convenes emergency security meeting on Russian incursion Russian tanks and troops fired their way into eastern Ukraine on Thursday and seized a strategic gateway town on the road to the heavily militarized Crimean peninsula in a brazen display of support for pro-Russia separatists fighting Ukrainian government troops.