Ukraine War Update - 22 March 2015

Sunday, March 22, 2015  6:22 AM PDT

Russian ESM denies death of Yanukovych Jr. in Lake Baikal (updated)

   (Censor.NET) --- The Emergency Situations Ministry of the Russian Federation denies the information about the death of Viktor Yanukovych (son of the former President of Ukraine) in an accident on Lake Baikal.

   Andrey Shutov, press secretary of the Emergency Situations Ministry in the Irkutsk oblast said in a commentary for ВВС, Censor.NET informs.
   He said that one person died when a Volkswagen minibus drowned in Lake Baikal, but his name was Viktor Davydov, not Yanukovych. He added that he doubts that "the president's son could be the driver.'
   However, Russian journalist Oleg Kashin wrote on Facebook that "the name of the man who drowned in Baikal was Viktor Davydov. Davydova is the surname of Yanukovych Junior's grandmother, mother of Liudmyla Yanukovych."

Sunday, March 22, 2015  5:43 AM PDT

No one killed yesterday, three Ukrainian soldiers wounded

   (Censor.NET) --- No one was killed in the ATO zone on March 21.

   ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko announced at a press briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "No one killed yesterday, three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded," he said.

Sunday, March 22, 2015  4:57 AM PDT

Viktor Yanukovych Jr. drowned in Lake Baikal – Media

   (Censor.NET) --- Viktor Yanukovych (son of the former President of Ukraine) allegedly found dead in Russia, drowned in Baikal.

   Censor.NET reports citing LB.ua.
   The fact was confirmed by four sources, two of which belong to the circle of the ex-president in the Russian Federation. According to the sources, Volkswagen minibus with Yanukovych Jr. and five more people fell through the ice while they were engaged in sports activities on the lake. Viktor Yanukovych Jr. drowned, other passengers managed to escape. It is not reported who was driving.
   The tragedy on Lake Baikal was confirmed by General Directorate of the Emergency Situations Ministry in the Irkutsk oblast. "A minibus with six people drove on the ice to take pictures violating the corresponding road signs. In the vicinity of Cape Khoboy the car fell into a crevasse. The depth in this location is more than 20 m," the EMS reports.
   The name of the victim is not revealed.
   The sons of the former President Yanukovych also Censor.NET reports citing LB.ua.
   The fact was confirmed by four sources, two of which belong to the circle of the ex-president in the Russian Federation. According to the sources, Volkswagen minibus with Yanukovych Jr. and five more people fell through the ice while they were engaged in sports activities on the lake. Viktor Yanukovych Jr. drowned, other passengers managed to escape. It is not reported who was driving.
   The tragedy on Lake Baikal was confirmed by General Directorate of the MOE in the Irkutsk oblast. "A minibus with six people drove on the ice to take pictures violating the corresponding road signs. In the vicinity of Cape Khoboy the car fell into a crevasse. The depth in this location is more than 20 m," the Emergency Situations Ministry reports.
   The name of the victim is not revealed.
   The sons of the former President Yanukovych also immigrated to Russia after his escape. Viktor Yanukovych Jr. is known for his passion for cars and motor racing. During the presidency of his father, he gathered a huge fleet of exclusive and expensive cars. to Russia after his escape. Viktor Yanukovych Jr. is known for his passion for cars and motor racing. During the presidency of his father, he gathered a huge fleet of exclusive and expensive cars.

Sunday, March 22, 2015 4:04 AM PDT

Two soldiers killed by trip-wire mine near Novotoshkivka

   (Censor.NET) --- The accident occurred on Thursday, March 20, in Novotoshkivka village in the Popasna area (Luhansk region).

   Censor.NET reports citing Hennadii Moskal, Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration.
   "Two APU soldiers tripped a mine while inspecting the coal mine area at 5 p.m. Thursday, March 20. As a result of the explosion, both died on the spot," Moskal writes.
   He added that the victims came from the Volyn and Lviv regions and were 38 and 35 years correspondingly.

Sunday, March 22, 2015 3:09 AM PDT

Ilovaisk encirclement investigation is actually finished

   (Censor.NET) --- A lot of Ukrainian soldiers have been encircled by Russian terrorists near Ilovaisk last summer. And now, the Military Prosecutor's Office has almost finished the Ilovaisk encirclement investigation.

   Chief military prosecutor Anatolii Matios announced on TV Channel 5, Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN.
   "Ilovaisk encirclement investigation is actually finished," he said.

Sunday, March 22, 2015 2:21 AM PDT

Artillery rocks Ukraine rebel bastion Donetsk despite truce

Pro-Russian militants shoot their rifles in the air in

 memory of fallen comrades near Donetsk airport on 

March 21, 2015 (AFP Photo/Dimitar Dilkoff)

   Donetsk (Ukraine) (AFP) --- Artillery fire rocked the outskirts of the rebel-held east Ukraine city of Donetsk on Sunday in the latest clashes to rattle an internationally-brokered ceasefire between pro-Russian separatists and Kiev.

   The sound of intensive explosions erupted at 9:00 am (0600 GMT) and appeared to come from the area around Donetsk airport, one of several flashpoints where shelling has rumbled on despite the February truce deal that has eased fighting around much of eastern Ukraine.

   The Ukranian army said rebels located near the airport had used small arms, 82mm mortar shells and rocket-propelled grenades against government troops overnight.

   It said there had been three injuries in its ranks but no deaths.

   In the separatist stronghold of Lugansk, the army also came under fire from small arms and heavier 120mm mortar shells, according to an official statement.

   The overall rate of fighting has declined sharply since the peace deal, which obliges both sides to stop shooting and withdraw heavy weapons, was hammered out by the leaders of France, Germany, Russia and Ukraine.

A man fixes a wooden cross in memory of fallen pro-Russian

separatist soldiers near Donetsk airport on March 21, 2015

 (AFP Photo/Dimitar Dilkoff)

   However, sporadic clashes with small arms and shells have continued on a near daily basis at hotspots including the airport and around the key government-held port city of Mariupol.

   According to the army, militants fired 120mm mortar shells overnight at the village of Shyrokyne, around 20 kilometres (12 miles) east of Mariupol.

   Many fear that the steel-making hub -- the largest major city held by the government in the conflict zone -- could become the focus of a new offensive, opening up a corridor between rebel-held territory and Russian-annexed Crimea.

- 'All its force' -

   There were also nine sightings of rebel drones over the last 24 hours, Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told reporters Sunday.

Men push a cart over the destroyed Putilovka bridge near

Donetsk airport on March 21, 2015.

(AFP Photo/Dimitar Dilkoff)

   He also accused separatists of twice using artillery prohibited by the peace deal near the village of Avdiivka, north of Donetsk.

   Under the terms of the ceasefire, the two sides agreed to pull back their heavy arms to create a buffer zone of between 50 kilometres and 140 kilometres (31 miles and 87 miles), depending on the range of the weaponry.

   The warring parties both claim to have withdrawn their big guns but the Ukrainian military on Friday accused separatists near Shyrokyne of using the heavy Grad multiple rocket system for "the first time in a month".

   The supposed drawback is being monitored by the OSCE, but the international observer mission on Thursday said it had been unable to verify a credible withdrawal "because of a lack of cooperation on both sides".

   Moscow on Saturday claimed that Kiev might be "bluffing" over it weapons withdrawal.

A damaged building sits boarded up in an area held by soldiers

of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) in the

frontline town of Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol, on March 20,

2015 (AFP Photo/John Macdougall )

   Ukraine President Petro Poroshenko, however, insisted late Saturday that Kiev was adhering to the peace deal.

   "Ukraine strictly and consistently implements these steps," he told Ukraine channel Inter TV.

   "Firstly, we ceased fire, secondly, we withdrew heavy equipment and artillery, thirdly, we ensured active work of OSCE monitors, who are able to check the implementation of these agreements".

   However, Poroshenko warned he would respond with force in the event of any new large-scale attack.

   "We are not daydreamers and we are doing everything so that if, God forbid, there is an offensive against Ukraine, we can repel the enemy with all our force and defeat it."

Sunday, March 22, 2015 2:18 AM PDT

Terrorists retreat after battle near Opytne

   (Censor.NET) --- Ukrainian soldiers confronted with the militants in the Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors in the ATO zone last night.

   The terrorists violated the truce firing ten times at the ATO forces' positions from 8p.m. (March 21) till 5a.m. (March 22). Ukrainian soldiers were also forced to join the battle once, Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.

   Thus, the militants fired at Sokolnyky and Stanytsia Luhanska villages from small arms in the Luhansk sector. Moreover, the village of Triokhizbenka was shelled with 120-mm mortar at 11.30 p.m.

   In the Donetsk sector, the terrorists shelled Pisky village with 82-mm mortars at about 10.00 p.m. Opytne village was fired from small arms and grenade launchers after midnight. There was a battle going on for about 30 minutes. Ukrainian soldiers forced the militants to retreat.

   Shyrokyne village was shelled with 120-mm mortar at 20.10 p.m. in the Mariupol sector. Besides, the terrorists' drones were spotted near the villages of Kasianvka, Kalchyk, Talakivka, Zoria.

Saturday, March 21, 2015  9:44 AM PDT

SBU steps up mop-up operation to cleanse Odesa

   (Zik) --- The Secret Service has started the second stage of the mop-up operation to find terrorists in Odesa, Ukrinform reports March 21.

   SBU has filed criminal charges against 30 city residents suspected of terrorist activities and fanning separatist feelings. 

   Another 29 criminal investigations are nearing completion and will soon go to courts, SBU spokesperson says.

   At the first stage of the operation, SBU arrested 62 suspects and put 9 on the wanted list.

   SBU netted 25 grenade throwers, 20 kilos of explosives, 150 grenades and 50 small arms, the official said.

Saturday, March 21, 2015  9:38 AM PDT

11 countries sent military-technical assistance to Ukraine - Poroshenko

   (Censor.NET) --- President Petro Poroshenko has held a meeting with President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite and thanked Lithuania for the support of sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity of Ukraine.

   Censor.NET reports, citing the president's press service.
   "You feel the struggle of Ukraine for freedom, democracy and new Europe with all your heart. We feel your truly powerful and efficient support," the president noted.
   The Head of State has particularly thanked Dalia Grybauskaite for her role in recent decision of the European Council regarding Ukraine. "The support of unity in Europe, transatlantic unity, global unity from Canada to Japan is a high priority for us," Poroshenko emphasized.
   In her turn, the Lithuanian president has informed that yesterday's session of the European Council had demonstrated the unity of the EU in the issue of economic, financial and consultative support to Ukraine. Grybauskaite has confirmed willingness of her country to keep on providing comprehensive support to Ukraine, inter alia, in the issue of sending medics.
   President Poroshenko has assured that Ukraine was making all efforts to implement reforms and change the country. According to the Ukrainian president, our country relies on the support of the EU in this process. 11 countries have already sent military-technical assistance to Ukraine. He has also mentioned cooperation with Poland and Lithuania in a joint brigade, which is a new form of efforts' coordination.