ï»Reports out of German newspaper Bild am Sonntag are claiming Ukraines government has hired 400 American mercenaries from Academi, formerly Blackwater Worldwide, to lead military operations against eastern protesters.

Rumors of Academi subsidiary Greystones involvement in the crackdown are nothing new, but the report suggests the Bundesnachrichtendienst (BND), Germanys foreign intelligence agency, has actually confirmed that involvement, and informed Chancellor Angela Merkel weeks ago.