Ukraine War Update - 14 July 2015

Tuesday, July 14, 2015  8:16 AM PDT

Huge arms cache discovered near Shchastia, - Security Service.

   (Censor.NET) ---In the ATO area the SBU prevented transportation of arms to other regions of Ukraine.

   Censor.NET reports citing the SBU press service.
   The report reads: Near the village of Shchastia, the Luhansk region, in a house belonging to one of the former officials of the Luhansk Region State Administration, a huge arsenal of weapons and means of destruction was discovered.
   During the search the SBU officers seized four Igla surface-to-air missile complexes, NSV and KPVT heavy machine guns, more than 40 boxes of ammunition of different calibers, 400 VOG grenades for under barrel grenade launcher, 36 mines, 25 loaded rocket launchers, almost 260 hand grenades and the like.
   According to current information, the arsenal was to be taken shortly to another region of Ukraine. Small arms were seized by the prosecutor's office to carry out all the necessary examinations. At the moment the proceeding is under way.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015  8:15 AM PDT

Canada and Ukraine clinch free trade deal

   Ottawa (AFP) --- Canada and Ukraine reached a free trade agreement that will be formally announced Tuesday during Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's visit to Ottawa, Canadian media reported.

   With more than a million inhabitants claiming roots in Ukraine, Canada has made multiple supportive moves with Kiev since the 2014 revolution and Russia's annexation of the Crimean Peninsula.

   Trade between the two countries reached some $244 million in 2014.

   Ottawa and Kiev re-launched discussions about a free trade deal early last year, after Yatsenyuk came to power. The Globe and Mail newspaper reported the conclusion of the soon to be announced free trade deal.

   The Ukrainian economy has taken a nosedive after three years of recession and more than a year of civil war.

Its national debt is expected to reach nearly 94 percent of GDP this year, according to the International Monetary Fund.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015  1:52 AM PDT

Two explosions at police precincts in Lviv

   (Zik) --- Two grenades exploded at two police precincts in Lviv, wounding 2 police officers, ZIK reports July 14.

   In one accident, the grenade exploded when a police officer was unlocking the door of his office.

   In another accident, the grenade exploded wounding a 31-year old police officer.

   Earlier, on June 25, terrorists blew up a police car near the police precinct wounding a policeman. 

Tuesday, July 14, 2015  3:10 AM PDT

No one killed, five Ukrainian soldiers wounded, - ATO speaker

   (Censor.NET) --- Five Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation on July 13.

   This was announced by the Presidential Administration representative on the ATO matters Andrii Lysenko, Censor.NET reports.
   "Over the past day, no one of the Ukrainian military was killed in combat activities, however, five soldiers were wounded. This occurred at Donetsk direction, which is 'the hottest' at the moment," Lysenko said.

Tuesday, July 14, 2015  1:22 AM PDT

Two Pravy Sector fighters surrender, PS says

   (Zik) --- Late July 13, SBU and police reported they detained 2 Pravy Sector fighters who had fled to the woods near Mukacheve, TCH reports.

   However, PS says the fighters surrendered themselves.

   They said they would give evidence only in Kiev, claiming local police and SBU were part of corrupt contraband schemes in Zakarpatya.

   The fighters have been flown to Kiev at night.

   The other members of the PS group are still at large, PS deputy head Andry Tarasenko says.

   PS refused to go for a compromise with the authorities, demanding the arrests of those who had attacked them and opened fire: local police and bodyguards of Rada lawmaker Lanyo. They also demand the arrests of Lanyo and Viktor Medvedchuk who, PS says, are behind the bloody accident.

Monday, July13, 2015, 12:25 PDT

Marines to bolster Mariupol defense line, - Poroshenko

   (Censor.NET) --- Military Cabinet of the National Security and Defense Council at its meeting, chaired by the president on July 13, considered the situation in the ATO area as one of the key issues, covering in particular the area of Mariupol.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing the presidential administration.
   Chief of General Staff Viktor Muzhenko disposed of the statement that as a result of the operation near Shyrokyne, heavy equipment, units of the Armed Forces and the National Guard should be withdrawn from Mariupol. "As far as Mariupol is concerned, on the contrary, defense reinforcement activities are planned, with planned rotation of units being under way - replacement of the units that require resupply and recovery of skills by the battle-ready units, which are now coming and taking the corresponding responsibility area," Victor Muzhenko said.
   Poroshenko stressed the defense line of Mariupol will be strengthened to protect the city in case the Minsk agreements are broken. "Marine units, having passed the appropriate training, following my approval, will also participate in securing the defense of Mariupol and implementation of the Minsk agreements," Poroshenko said.

Monday, July13, 2015, 7:39 AM PDT

Russia deploys 20 tactical groups in Donbas – Turchynov

   (Zik) --- There are 20 tactical Russian army groups in the rebel-held territories in Donbas, National Defense and Security Council head Oleksandr Turchynov says, Interfax-Ukrayina reports July 13.

   Of these 16 are battalion tactical groups and 4 company ones, he said.

   “There is a massive concentration of Russian troops along the border with Ukraine. Our intelligence reports 56 tactical groups (42 battalion and 14 company) ready to cross into Ukraine at any time to join the offensive,” Turchynov said.