Ukraine War Update - 26 June 2015

Friday, June 26, 2015  7:46 AM PDT

Poroshenko discussed enhancement of Ukraine's defense capability with Jason Kenney

   (Censor.NET) --- The president had a meeting with Defense Minister of Canada Jason Kenney. They discussed cooperation for the enhancement of defense capacity of Ukraine.

   Petro Poroshenko thanked Canada for its comprehensive support for Ukraine, particularly for measures on the enhancement of its defense capability. Since the beginning of Russian military aggression against Ukraine, Canada has been one of the first countries to provide assistance to the Ukrainian Armed Forces, particularly winter uniform, first aid kits, protective helmets and vests, tents and sleeping bags, Censor.NET informs citing the press office of the president.
   "A friend in need is a friend indeed. Canada is constantly demonstrating that," the president said.
   The parties discussed the issue of expanding military-technical cooperation between the two countries.
   They also negotiated prospects of participation in the international military training planned by military institutions of Ukraine and Canada in 2015.
   The president praised the opportunity of involving Canadian trainers in military exercises in Ukraine and exchanging experience on "hybrid warfare". According to Petro Poroshenko, it will help the world understand the level of threats and challenges caused by Russian aggression against Ukraine.
   The Head of State informed the minister on the situation in Donbas and emphasized strict compliance with the Minsk agreements by Ukraine.
   The parties also discussed the importance of simplifying visa-free regime between Ukraine and Canada given the proximity of historical, cultural and national ties between the countries.
   Jason Kenney noted that the protection of Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity is a necessity not only for global security, but also for millions of Canadians who have strong ties with their historic Motherland.

Friday, June 26, 2015  6:40 AM PDT

Separatists receive more and more heavy weapons from Russia - Foreign Minister of Luxembourg

   KIEV, June 26 (Ukrinform). --- The separatists in Donbas receive more and more heavy weapons.

   Foreign Minister of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn said this during a joint press conference with Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin in Kiev on Friday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "Yesterday I met with the chairman of the EU Delegation in Kiev. The separatists receive more and more heavy weapons. More and more weapons are imported in Donbas, this completely contradicts the Minsk agreements. The European Union does not require anything unreal from Russia. We ask to stop the flow of weapons across the border with Ukraine," he said.

   The diplomat said that despite the difficulties, the Minsk agreement remained the main document.

   "I insisted on my visit to Ukraine, because my country will preside in the Council of the European Union and because Ukraine is a priority for the European Union. For me, it is very important to develop contacts with Ukrainian leaders, primarily with President Poroshenko and my colleague Pavlo Klimkin," he said.

   According to Asselborn, the situation in Ukraine is dramatic because of the illegal annexation of Crimea and the difficult situation in the east of the country, but the crisis should not stop Ukraine on its path of reform and modernization.

Friday, June 26, 2015  5:11 AM PDT

One soldier killed in ATO area in past 24 hours

   KIEV, June 26 (Ukrinform). --- One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, other three were wounded in the area of conduct of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) over past 24 hours.

   Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "We lost one soldier in ATO area over past 24 hours. Other three servicemen were wounded," Lysenko said.

Friday, June 26, 2015  4:53 AM PDT

Ukraine-Lithuania-Poland military brigade to step up forces - Poltorak

   KIEV, June 26 (Ukrinform). --- The defense ministers of Ukraine, Poland and Lithuania have agreed to build up forces and means of joint brigade and to hold the first exercises.

   Defense Minister of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak said this on results of his visit to NATO Headquarters on June 24-25, an Ukrinform correspondent reports from Brussels.

   "We are going to conclude a technical agreement. We agreed to sign an agreement in Kiev at the end of July to provide for buildup of forces and means of the brigades and plan the first exercises of Ukraine, Lithuania and Poland at the end of this year or early next year," Defense Minister of Ukraine said.

Friday, June 26, 2015  3:20 AM PDT

New battalion formed in Mariupol - Donetsk Police Head Abroskin.

   (Censor.NET) --- The battalion has been created by the example of the National Guard of Ukraine units.

   The new formation was announced by the Head of the Donetsk regional police department Viacheslav Abroskin on his Facebook page, Censor.NET reports.

   According to Abroskin, the newly formed battalion is based on Interior Police units in the Donetsk region and Mariupol city police department. It includes 300 persons, three companies, one armoured unit. Abroskin said the personnel is ready to conduct combat tasks in the anti-terrorist operation area, including maintenance of public order at front line territories, and counter effort of mercenaries and terrorists.

   The Donetsk police chief said the battalion had been created by the example of the National Guard of Ukraine units and would be supplied with uniforms and equipment.

Friday, June 26, 2015  12:28 AM PDT

Terrorists shelled Ukrainian army's positions 86 times over past day, - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- The situation in the anti-terrorist operation area remains tense, but Ukrainian military retain control over it.

   This was announced by Censor.NET citing the ATO press center.

   According to the HQ, Russian-terrorist troops opened fire over the Ukrainian army positions for 86 times yesterday, 50 of them in the area of Donetsk city.
   "The Kremlin mercenaries continue to actively shell Pisky, Opytne, and Marinka. These villages are constantly under fire of 82-mm and 120-mm mortars, infantry combat vehicles, small arms, and grenade launchers; the enemy's snipers are operating there as well," the message reads.
   They also note in the ATO HQ that villages and cities of Shchastia, Novotoshkivka, Stanytsia Luhanska in the Luhansk region were fired at from mortars and other weapons.
   "In the evening, the militants fired at Shyrokyne using Minsk-banned 152-mm howitzers and 120-mm mortars, as well as conducted military provocations using small arms. After midnight, the enemy's heavy artillery shelled Hranitne near Mariupol," the HQ announced.
   Since midnight, the pro-Russian hybrid gangs shelled the Ukrainian army positions more than 10 times.

Friday, June 26, 2015  12:28 AM PDT

Separatists concentrate 3,000 troops near Mariupol – Tymchuk

   (Zik) --- The Russia/rebel command has strengthened its flank formations with respect to the Ukrainian army in the area of Svitlodarsk-Artemivsk, military expert Dmytro Tymchuk reports May 6.

   Over May 5, the enemy has moved infantry, tanks and artillery to the area

   Two military convoys passed via Makiyivka toward Yenakieve and Horlivka, the first including 16 APCs and the other including 7 tanks, 2 APCs and several trucks, Dmytro Tymchuk reported.

   The enemy is, in fact, creating a powerful offensive concentration with several scores of armour and 3,000 troops spearheaded against Mariupol, the expert said.