A female pro-Russian rebel stands on a truck as she gets ready to take position near the Sergey Prokofiev International Airport during fighting with Ukrainian government forces in the town of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, October 4, 2014. Before fighting brok
IN PHOTO: A female pro-Russian rebel stands on a truck as she gets ready to take position near the Sergey Prokofiev International Airport during fighting with Ukrainian government forces in the town of Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, October 4, 2014. Picture taken October 4. REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov REUTERS/Shamil Zhumatov

Russian warships showed up in the English Channel reportedly for military exercises. A NATO official dismissed the report despite the tensions rising recently between the country and the West. The downplay, however, did not extend to Russia 's move in the Ukrainian region as officials called out Russia's intervention in favor of the rebels more than a humanitarian act.

RIA, a Russian news agency, said that the four military ships passed through the English Channel last Friday. The fleet stopped over the coast of France which NATO referred to as a "routine." With the anti-submarine destroyer Severomorsk in front of the pack, the exercises were reportedly planned and carried out to "to combat underwater subversive forces."

The RIA cited the Northern Fleet via a statement: "While it is anchored the crew are undertaking a series of exercises on how to tackle infiltrating submarine forces and are training on survival techniques in the case of flooding or fire."

Russian Defense Ministry refused to comment on the matter. France's navy verified the location of the fleet. They claimed that Russian warships passing through the Channel is only normal.

"They are not holding exercises. They're just waiting in a zone where they can be several times a year." The French Navy said through its information service.

NATO's military spokesman, Lieutenant-Colonel Jay Janzen, further downplayed the matter (via Reuters): "Our information indicates that the ships are transiting and have been delayed by weather conditions. They are not exercising in the Channel, as some Russian headlines would have us believe."

Whereas Russian forces were not taken as a warning in the Channel, the country's move on Ukraine is perceived otherwise. Bloomberg revealed that Russia sent over 100 vehicles to the region for humanitarian aid. Kiev officials countered saying that the convoy was for the separatists. Russia has been sending troops to Ukraine since August. Ukraine condemned this saying that it has added more to the civilian tolls instead of helping.

The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs provided more insight on the matter: "An escalation of military activities has aggravated the security situation in the region, and led to increased uncertainty and fear among the population."

Russia's deployment of troops has also underscored Ukraine's authority on several of its regions. The country further claimed that Russia is using the "humanitarian" excuse to funnel reinforcements and weapons to insurgents.