Ukraine War Update - 4 May 2015

Monday, May 4, 2015  6:22 AM PDT

Russia completes preparations for war in Ukraine

   (Zik) --- The shelling by rebels of their own territories in Donetsk from Yasynuvata and Makiyivka as well as May 3 night shelling of Holmivsky from Horlivka are part of bloody provocations by the separatists against civilians to fan hatred to hateful Ukrainian government soldiers. Preparations for the war are close to the end, Army SOS NGO activist Yury Kasianov writes in Facebook May 3.

   “On Aug. 31, 1939, the Nazis set up an attack by “Polish aggressors” on a German radio station, with German SS-men and criminals disguised as Polish soldiers killing peaceful Germans (the latter were murdered concentration camp prisoners), Kasianov wrote. 

   The recent merciless shelling of civilians in Donetsk and Holmivsky by Russian/rebel troops may be the casus belli Putin needs to renew the war in Ukraine.

   Preparations for war by Russia are almost over, the activist warns.

Monday, May 4, 2015  5:09 AM PDT

Two Ukrainian soldiers killed, five wounded in ATO area over the past day - ATO speaker

   (Censor.NET) --- Over the past 24 hours, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five wounded in the ATO area.

   As reported by Censor.NET, this was announced by the Presidential Administration representative on ATO matters, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk at a briefing.

   "Over the past day, two Ukrainian soldiers were killed, five were wounded in the ATO area," Motuzianyk said.

   According to him, part of the losses were caused by the incident that happened near Katerynivka village of the Popasna district of the Luhansk region. "A combat reconnaissance patrol vehicle (BRDM) of the Ukrainian army blew up on a land mind, which killed two soldiers and wounded three. The latter were taken to hospital," Motuzianyk said.

   Another two soldiers were wounded in a combat clash near Shyrokyne village, the Mariupol direction.

Monday, May 4, 2015  3:41 AM PDT

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   KIEV, May 4 (Ukrinform). --- The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense. Despite the declared ceasefire, Russian-backed terrorists continue to fire at Ukrainian army positions and settlements in Donbas.

   The map reflecting the situation in Donbas as of 12.00 on May 4 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Monday, May 4, 2015  12:55 AM PDT

Ukraine not to withdraw its troops from Shirokine

   (Zik) --- Deputy commander of Ukraine troops in Donbas Serhy Halushko said on 112 Ukrayina TV there are no plans to withdraw Ukraine troops from Shirokine. “Given the situation and the number enemy attacks on our forces the withdrawal is out of the question. There are 40, 50 and even 60 violations of the ceasefire by the enemy amid massive troop movements. Mariupol residents can be assured that we will reduce the level of their safety,” he said. Mariupol residents rallied May 3 to protest the demilitarization of Shirokine, a key town on the approaches to Mariupol.

   ~~Ukraine not to withdraw its troops from Shirokine
   Deputy commander of Ukraine troops in Donbas Serhy Halushko said on 112 Ukrayina TV there are no plans to withdraw Ukraine troops from Shirokine. 

   “Given the situation and the escalating number enemy attacks on our forces the withdrawal is out of the question. There are 40, 50 and even 60 violations of the ceasefire by the enemy amid massive troop movements.

   Mariupol residents can be assured that we will reduce the level of their safety,” he said. 

   Mariupol residents rallied May 3 to protest the demilitarization of Shirokine, a key town on the approaches to Mariupol.

Sunday, May 3, 2015  23:10 PDT

Komorowski: units involved in Russian aggression against Ukraine will march on Red Square on V-E Day

   (UNIAN) --- The president of Poland claims that the power of the units which have committed aggression against neighbouring Ukraine in the face of the entire world will be demonstrated on Moscow's Red Square on May 9.

   Polish President Bronislaw Komorowski announced this in his speech on the occasion of Constitution Day in Poland on May 3, Radio Poland has reported.

   He said that the situation behind the eastern border of Poland was tense and noted the Poles have "a special occasion to closely monitor whether any new threat isn't looming."

   "We are facing a challenge of how to maintain and strengthen freedom. From the period of Poland's history which goes back to the Constitution of May 3, 1791, we've learnt a lesson that freedom is not given once and for all," Komorowski said.

   "Soon, on May 9, Red Square in Moscow will turn into an armored square. There will be those units that have recently attacked neighboring Ukraine in front of us and the whole world, demonstrating their force. It has been a long time since a military conflict was as close to the Polish borders as now," he added.

   "One should bear in mind that in this military demonstration, demonstration of force, we are talking not about history, but about the present and future. It is the image of today's unstable and restless world," he added.

Sunday, May 3, 2015  22:15 PDT

ATO update: Donetsk militants violate truce 56 times in first half of Sunday

   (UNIAN) --- From midnight to 1800 Kiev time on May 3, illegal armed groups in Donbas violated the ceasefire 56 times.

   As was the case on the previous day, the enemy used Grad BM-21 multiple rocket launchers, 152mm- and 122mm-caliber heavy artillery systems, and 120mm-caliber mortars to shell the Ukrainian positions along the line of contact, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) reported on Facebook.

   For six minutes starting from midnight, missiles from Grad launchers were being fired at the Ukrainian positions near the town of Avdiyivka in Donetsk region. From 1424 to 1427 Kiev time on May 3 pro-Russian forces used Grad launchers to shell Ukrainian troops not far from the village of Krymske in Luhansk region. 152mm-caliber artillery systems were used near the village of Shyrokyne not far from the Ukrainian-controlled city of Mariupol.

   What is more, 122mm-caliber artillery systems were used to shell ATO forces near Avdiyivka twice, and near the villages of Opytne, Vodiane and Shyrokyne one time each. Fire from 120mm-caliber mortars was opened to attack Ukrainian forces near Opytne three times, near the village of Pisky [close to the destroyed Donetsk airport] and the town of Avdiyivka twice each, and near Shyrokyne and Krymske one time each.

   What is more, ATO forces near Pisky, Opytne, Hranitne and Mayorsk in Donetsk region were under intensive fire from 82mm-caliber mortars, tanks, infantry fighting vehicles, anti-tank guided missiles, heavy machine guns, and small arms.

   A fight near the village of Krymske in Luhansk region started at 1600 Kiev time on May 3 and lasted for 30 minutes. The enemy also intensively shelled Ukrainian positions in the town of Schastia, using mainly automatic grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms.

Sunday, May 3, 2015  13:14 PDT

Column Of Heavy Weapons Drives Through Donetsk

   (RFE/RL) --- At around 1 p.m. local time on May 3, a column of six Ural trucks pulling howitzers was filmed driving through central Donetsk, heading toward the north of the separatist-held city. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)