Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Presidential Council on Science and Education at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, December 8, 2014. Putin said on Monday that Russia should make a leap in developing its fundamental sci
IN PHOTO: Russia's President Vladimir Putin speaks during the Presidential Council on Science and Education at the State Hermitage Museum in St. Petersburg, December 8, 2014. Putin said on Monday that Russia should make a leap in developing its fundamental science after Western powers limited the country's access to modern technology as part of sanctions over Moscow's actions in Ukraine. Reuters/Dmitry Lovetsky/Pool

Russia's moves in Ukraine have earned ire from different parts of the globe with the United States leading the sanctions. Starting eight months ago during the start of the conflict, Russia has found ways to refute direct involvements including sending military aid. However, according to BBC, Russian troops on the ground do not hide presence even offering insight on their "holy war" ideas.

In the middle of the conflict are Ukrainian citizens fought between the insurgency and overlapping international hands. BBC's report highlights how the Ukrainian government appears determined to wipe out the culture and people in its eastern region. The conflict involves the separatist republics of Donetsk and Luhansk. It has dragged on for months with fatalities up to 4,600 presently.

Despite numerous reports about its troops, Russia has continued to deny any alarming military participation. Pavel Rasta tells BBC: "Why do I say Donetsk is Jerusalem? Because what's happening here is a holy war of the Russian people for its own future, for its own ideals, for its children and its great country that 25 years ago was divided into pieces."

What makes Russia's involvement resembling holy war according to Rasta is that money is a request. Rather, there is an initiative to encourage the idea of putting back the Russian empire.

The Global Research Center for Research on Globalization says that the level of fear on Russia and the West's sides is rising. The site refers to a survey from CBS News Poll revealing that 22% of Americans see Russia as an "enemy." This can be considered more as fact than rumor because the country's own president, Barrack Obama, has taken steps into intensifying the tension. The White House previously confirmed the president intends to push through the sanctions.

Last December 11, the US Senate and Congress passed a bill that will allow the West to send weapons to Ukraine. The objective is to aid it against the war with Russia. Many see this as a way to provoke Russia and possibly engage in nuclear warfare. Former Soviet leader, Mikhail Gorbachev, tells TIME: "Are we in the middle of a new Cold War? Indeed we are."