Ukraine War Update - 27 February 2015

Friday, February 27, 2015  8:51 AM PST

The US may shut Russian banks out of the Western financial system entirely - Bloomberg

   (Censor.NET) --- The U.S. government is considering whether to shut one or more Russian banks out of the world financial system if rebels backed by Russia continue to violate the cease-fire in Ukraine. At the same time, the White House pointed to other intermediate steps that could be imposed before any outright block is considered. Such measures could include restricting additional banking operations in dollars by Russian banks.

   Censor.NET reports citing Bloomberg
   Two officials who discussed the sanctions deliberations said that blocking additional Russian banks would be a significant escalation and could create large repercussions, particularly in European economies.

   The most extreme measure under consideration by President Barack Obama's administration is shutting banks out of the Western financial system entirely, two other U.S. officials, who requested anonymity because the policy discussion aren't public, said. They pointed to other intermediate steps that could be imposed before any outright block is considered. Such measures could include restricting additional banking operations in dollars by Russian banks. A more modest move also could help the U.S. stay in step with its European allies, whose economies would bear the brunt of any Russian reaction.
   Putting a Russian bank on the U.S. Treasury's "specially designated national" list would be a major escalation of the economic pressure the U.S. is exerting on Russia to stop supporting the separatist rebels who've seized parts of eastern Ukraine. The action would bar U.S. citizens, residents and companies from dealing with the sanctioned banks and allow the U.S government to freeze any assets in American jurisdiction.

   The impact, however, would be global. Foreign banks with significant business in U.S. dollars would be reluctant to risk running afoul of the restrictions, just as they were after the U.S. fined France's BNP Paribas SA nearly $9 billion last year for violating sanctions against Iran, Cuba and Sudan.

Friday, February 27, 2015  8:13 AM PST

Russia concentrates 63,500 troops near Ukraine border

   (Zik) --- The largest contingent of the Russian troops is in Crimea – 30,000, Information Resistance NGO says Feb. 27.

   There are 3,350 Russian troops near the border with Chernihiv oblast, 5,150 near the border with the Kharkiv oblast.

   Near Donbas there are 21,800 Russian regular troops.

   In addition, the Russians have 3,200 troops deployed in TransNistria, Ukrayinska Pravda reports.

Friday, February 27, 2015  8:06 AM PST

Polish army to train Ukraine servicemen

   (Zik) --- The Polish defense ministry will send a group of officers to train Ukrainian servicemen in modern combat, Poland’s DM adviser Gen. Boguslaw Pacek announced Feb. 27, ZIK reports.

   The general has just returned from a trip to Ukraine where he studied the training program. 

   In mid-March Gen. Pacek will again visit Ukraine to discuss the details of the program.

   The training is most probably be conducted at the Yavoriv training field in the Lviv oblast. 

Friday, February 27, 2015  7:00 AM PST

Three Ukrainian soldiers killed, seven wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, February 27 (Ukrinform). --- Three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and another seven have been injured in the area of anti-terrorist operation over the last 24 hours.

   Spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kiev on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

   "Over the last day, we have lost three Ukrainian soldiers, and another seven were injured as a result of military clashes," Lysenko said.

   He added that the enemy fired at the positions of Ukrainian troops near the settlements of Opytne, Vodiane and Avdiyivka, and conducted assaults. All attacks were repelled, he said.

Friday, February 27, 2015  6:42 AM PST

Terrorists shelled Ukrainian positions near Avdiivka, Opytne and Vodiane and attempted several assaults – ATO speaker.

   (Censor.NET) --- The situation in the anti-terrorist operation area is stabilizing. Over the past day intense fighting was recorded only at the Donetsk direction.

   This was stated by the ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko, Censor.NET reports.

   "Over the past day intense fighting took place only at the Donetsk direction. The militants used artillery, mortars and tanks to shell and assault the ATO forces' positions near Opytne, Vodiane and Avdiivka. All attacks were repulsed," Lysenko added.

Friday, February 27, 2015  6:00 AM PST

Terrorists shell Shyrokyne with artillery killing a civilian – Interior Ministry

   (Censor.NET) --- On Feb. 26 the Mariupol police department received a report that a corpse of a Shyrokyne resident was brought to the city morgue.

   The body was that of a male, born in 1966, with multiple shrapnel wounds. The man died as a result of shelling of the village carried out by the militants.

   It is reported by Censor.NET citing the press service of the Donetsk region police.

   Currently, the date of death is being established.

   Criminal proceedings were initiated under Pt. 1 Art. 115 "Murder" of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. The offense is punishable by up to 15 years of imprisonment.

Friday, February 27, 2015  5:51 AM PST

Lightly armed Ukrainian soldiers keep positions in Donbas - Kiev

   (Interfax) --- The withdrawal of Ukrainian heavy armaments continues on Friday, while lightly armed soldiers stay in their positions, the staff of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas reports.

   "We have pulled back some of our armaments, and the process is ongoing. Yet we will bring these armaments back to protect our soldiers on the frontline unless the militants behave adequately. Let me emphasize that we are pulling back only heavy armaments. Our units carrying light and small weapons are staying on their positions," army operation spokesman Andriy Lysenko said at a press briefing in Kiev on Friday.

   "The Minsk agreements give a week for the withdrawal of heavy weapons in the case the first provision [of the ceasefire] is observed. Not a single day has passed without gunfire, but a step forward was taken yesterday and the Ukrainian authorities, the national administration, decided to begin the exemplary pullout of our heavy weapons. We are expecting the enemy to do the same," Lysenko said.

Friday, February 27, 2015  4:39 AM PST

Two organizers of Kharkiv terrorist attack hiding in Russia – SBU

   (Interfax) --- Two organizers of the February 22 terrorist attack in Kharkiv are now hiding in Russia and catching them is a priority for Ukrainian law enforcement agencies and the security service, Security Service of Ukraine Chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko has said.

   "To this day two organizers are in Russian territory…Their surnames and the search for them is a priority task…So as to make the 'Kharkiv Partisans' not exist any more," he said at a briefing in Kiev on Friday.

   As reported, a bomb exploded outside the Sports Palace in Kharkiv on February 22 at the beginning of a march to commemorate the first anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity. Two people were killed immediately and another two later died in hospital.

Friday, February 27, 2015  4:18 AM PST

Kharkiv terrorists received weapons and funding from Russia GRU

   (Zik) --- Speaking at his Friday press conference, Ukraine Security Service chief Valentyn Nalyvajchenko said the terrorists who killed 4 and wounded many peaceful demonstrators in Kharkiv on Feb. 22 received $10,000 and explosives from Russia’s general staff GRU intelligence.

   The terrorists were caught by SBU and are being interrogated, Nalyvajchenko said.

   Their head was a Kharkiv resident, born 1978, and member of the radical pro-Russian Oplot organization. Two of the detained terrorists are Russians.

   In all, SBU detained 11 suspects, Ukrayinska Pravda reports Feb. 28.

Friday, February 27, 2015  4:13 AM PST

Spain Arrests Eight Combatants For Fighting In Ukraine

   (RFE/RL) --- Spain has arrested eight Spanish citizens for fighting along pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   Spanish police officials say the eight Spaniards, whose names were not disclosed, were detained on February 27 in six regions across Spain: Asturias, Catalonia, Extremadura, Murcia, Navarra and Madrid. 

   A police statement says the eight were accused of several offenses but gave no details.

   Media in Spain cites sources close to the investigation as saying that the charges could include possession of weapons of war, complicity in homicide and violating Spain's neutrality in the Ukraine conflict.

   Pro-Russian forces in the eastern Donbass region are battling those of the pro-European Ukrainian government. The conflict has killed at least 5,800 people since April.

   The conflict has raised tensions between the West and Moscow to heights reminiscent of the Cold War.

Friday, February 27, 2015  2:48 AM PST

Ukrainian Pilot Jailed In Russia Could 'Die Within Days'

   (RFE/RL) --- A member of the Kremlin's human rights council has said that jailed Ukrainian pilot Nadia Savchenko "could die within days."

   Yelena Masyuk said on February 27 that she had visited Savchenko in jail the previous evening and the captive pilot's health had seriously deteriorated.

   Savchenko has been on a hunger strike for nearly 80 days protesting what she calls her illegal detention and false charges brought against her.

   Savchenko was captured by pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine in June and taken to Russia, where she was charged with involvement in a mortar attack that killed two Russian journalists. 

   Russia's Federal Penitentiary Service issued a statement later on February 27 rejecting the claims by "journalist" Masyuk and claiming that Savchenko was being constantly monitored and was in no danger of dying. 

   The penitentiary service also questioned whether Masyuk had medical training that would allow her to comment on health issues.

Friday, February 27, 2015  2:47 AM PST

LPR fully switches to Russian power supply

   (Interfax) --- The self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR) has disconnected from power supply from Ukraine and has fully switched to power supply from Russia, the administration of the Luhansk region of Ukraine has reported.

   "The self-proclaimed republic is taking all electrical power from the Russian Federation," Hennadiy Moskal, the head of the Luhansk region's administration, said.

   Moskal reiterated that the LPR "had fully disconnected from power supply from Ukraine" as of Friday.

   "That is, the thermal electrical power plant in Schastia and the thermal electrical power plant in Severodonetsk are not supplying a single kilowatt to the occupied territories," Moskal said on the official page of the Luhansk region's state administration on Facebook on Friday morning.

Friday, February 27, 2015  12:11 AM PST

Militants opened fire on 29th checkpoint on Bakhmutka highway and Ukrainian positions near Krymske using heavy weapons – Luhansk governor

   (Censor.NET) --- About 10 p.m. the militants opened mortar fire on the 29th checkpoint on Bakhmutka highway near Novotoshkivka. There is no information regarding casualties.

   In the vicinity of Krymske (Novoaidar district, near the former 31st checkpoint) there were shootouts between the militants and the Ukrainian military with the use of small arms, rocket-propelled grenades and mortars