Ukraine War Update - 9 March 2015

Monday, March 9, 2015  9:16 AM PDT

Merkel supports the idea of creating a joint European army

   (Censor.NET) --- German Chancellor Angela Merkel supported the idea of creating a joint European army.

   This was stated by the official representative of the Government of Germany Christiane Wirtz, Censor.NET reports citing Glavkom.

   German Chancellor believes that Europe should carry out in-depth military cooperation, Wirtz said. However, according to Merkel, it is a not an immediate project.

   It should be reminded that European Commission President Jean-Claude Juncker has recently proposed the creation of a joint army to counter Russia. The president of Finland also advocated the creation of a single army of the European Union.

   This idea has also found support of Minister of Defense of Germany Ursula von der Leyen and head of the German Ministry of Foreign Affairs Frank-Walter Steinmeier. At the same time the German opposition criticized Juncker's proposal, saying that it was pointed against Russia. The State Duma of the Russian Federation deputies expressed harsh criticism of the project as well.

Monday, March 9, 2015  8:33 AM PDT

Battle in Shyrokyne is under way: terrorists use 120-milimiter mortars and tanks - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Flagrantly violating the peace agreement the terrorist groups started storming the ATO forces’ positions near the village of Shyrokyne at Mariupol direction today, March 9, from 9:30 a.m.

   "The terrorists are trying to force our units out from Shyrokyne village using 120-mm mortars, tanks, and infantry," Censor.NET informs citing the ATO press center latest report.

   The Ukrainian servicemen remain on their positions. All the enemy attacks were successfully repulsed.

   The battle is still under way.

   "This hostility once again confirms that the peace agreements are just a formality for some gangs since the militants are trying to destroy an uneasy truce in the Donbas at any cost," the ATO press center stressed.

Monday, March 9, 2015  4:46 AM PDT

No one killed, four wounded over the past 24 hours - NSDC

   (Censor.NET) --- None of the Ukrainian soldiers were killed on Sunday, four were wounded.

   This was announced by the ATO headquarters representative Colonel Andrii Lysenko at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "Over the past 24 hours, none of the Ukrainian soldiers were killed, four were wounded," he said.
   As reported, Lysenko informed earlier that the Ukrainian army completed fourth stage of heavy weapons withdrawal.

Monday, March 9, 2015  4:30 AM PDT

Russian terrorists do not allow evacuation of Ukrainian soldiers' bodies from the Donetsk airport. Document of the Joint Staff

   (Censor.NET) --- Not allowing to search for bodies on the territory of the Donetsk airport is a blatant violation of the Minsk agreements.

   This was announced by Censor.NET's editor in chief Yurii Butusov on his Facebook page.

   "Censor.NET received a copy of an internal note from half colonel K. Tkachuk, the official representative of the Armed Forces of Ukraine on cooperation with representatives of certain districts of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, to Gen-Major A. Rozmaznin, the Armed Forces representative in the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the cease-fire and stabilization of the situation.

   "As understood from the note, Russian mercenaries continue to prevent Ukrainian army's search teams from the Donetsk airport. It is obviously done with the propaganda purpose for the Russian TV to be able to accuse Ukrainians of unwillingness to collect the bodies of their soldiers.

   "Preventing search teams from entering the Donetsk airport is a blatant violation of the Minsk agreements.
   "The terrorists give away bodies from the territory of the airport but they prevent systematic evacuation and regularly invite journalists to shoot remaining bodies in the new terminal.

   "It should be noted that the search for the killed is conducted in a centralized manner, coordinated with public and volunteer organizations. Accurate loss record of the Ukrainian soldiers and systematic search for the killed have been arranged in 2015. Below is the document certifying search teams activity in 2015.

  "As seen, 356 soldiers' death has been confirmed in 2015, as of March 6. Real losses are higher. The fate of 340 soldiers is unknown," Butusov wrote.

Monday, March 9, 2015  3:29 AM PDT

Terrorists attack Shyrokyne using mortars and small arms - Mariupol Defense Staff

   (Censor.NET) --- Since 9.30 a.m. Monday, the enemy launched an offensive towards the ATO forces located near Shyrokyne. The fighting continues.

   This was announced by the Mariupol Defense Staff, Censor.NET reports.

   According to the recent data, Ukrainian army holds its positions. The enemy is using mortars and small arms.
   "The situation is under control, there is no threat for Mariupol," the Staff informed.
   At 7 a.m., Ukrainian positions in Shyrokyne were fired at with small arms, an hour later a sniper was operating in the area, the Staff said.

   Shyrokyne was shelled by mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms for six times yesterday, the Staff reported.
   Increased activity of the enemy has been recorded in the air. 10 drones were noted over the past day near Shyrokyne, Myrne, Volodarske, Mykolaivka, Hryhorivka, Berdianske.

Monday, March 9, 2015  1:28 AM PDT

Terrorists attacked from several directions using all kinds of weapons - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Despite the truce agreements, the enemy continues to conduct armed provocations against the ATO forces in the Donbas.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing the ATO press center.

   According to the headquarters, the terrorists have shelled Ukrainian army's positions for 16 times using mortars and grenade launchers.
   "The main activities were conducted by the enemy at the Donetsk direction. In particular, Pisky village suffered the most over the night, having been hit three times by mortars and grenade launchers. Besides, Opytne, Krasnohorivka, and Vodiane villages were shelled. The town of Avdiivka was shelled twice by the artillery," the message reads.
   It is also reported that Troistke, at the Artemivsk direction, was fired at from 20-mm mortars and an anti-aircraft mount for two times, and small arms were used at the Luhansk and Mariupol directions. The situation near Shyrokyne, which has been constantly shelled for several weeks now, remains tense.
   "Enemy's drones have also been active - Ukrainian air defense noted nine of them flying over Ukrainian positions," the press center announced.

Sunday, March 8, 2015  9:28 AM PDT

Rebels prepare offensive on March 10 – Information Resistance NGO

   (Zik) --- Donbas separatists are actively discussing a massive offensive operation on Stanytsia Luhanska, Shchastya, Lysychansk and further on, Information resistance NGO says March 8.

   The situation in the Luhansk area remains difficult without any improvements, IR says.

   According to Britain’s foreign minister, Phillip Hammond, there have been no changes in Putin’s strategic plans despite the Minsk agreement, European Pravda reports March 8. 

   There has been a let up in fighting but Putin’s strategies have not changed. The big question is what means he will use to attain his goals, the minister said.