Ukraine War Update - 3 February 2015

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  7:52 AM PST

Russian Treason Suspect To Be Released, Ordered Not To Leave City

   (RFE/RL) --- A lawyer for a Russian woman accused of treason for allegedly reporting to the Ukrainian Embassy about possible troop movements says his client will be released from custody by the end of February 3.

   Sergei Badamshin, a lawyer for Svetlana Davydova, said on February 3 that Russian authorities had agreed to release Davydova from Moscow's Lefortovo detention center on condition that she does not leave Moscow.

   The 36-year-old Davydova was detained January 21 at a home she shares with her husband and seven children, including an infant daughter, in Vyazma, about 240 kilometers west of Moscow. 

   A court initially ordered her held in detention through March 19 ahead of her trial.

   She faces up to 20 years in prison if convicted of treason.

   Another of Davydova's lawyers, Ivan Pavlov, said on February 2 that an appeal had been filed with the Moscow City Court in an effort to win his client's release.

   Prior to the announcement of Davydova’s release, her supporters submitted a petition to Russian President Vladimir Putin calling for her release.

   The petition reportedly was signed by about 40,000 people.

   Putin’s spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, confirmed that the petition was received by the Kremlin.

   Peskov said it would be considered through "appropriate procedures."

   Davydova's husband, Anatoly Gorlov, has said that his wife phoned the Ukrainian Embassy in Moscow in April and said a military base near their home had emptied out, suggesting the soldiers may have been deployed to Ukraine.

   Russia denies involvement in the conflict in eastern Ukraine, despite what Kiev, NATO, the European Union, and the United States say is incontrovertible evidence Moscow has sent troops and heavy weapons to support pro-Russian separatists.

   Gorlov told RFE/RL’s Russian Service earlier that agents from Russia’s Federal Security Service raided their home on the morning of January 21, confiscating documents, computers, and other electronic devices.

   He said Davydova was detained without explanation on January 21 and he was informed several days later that his wife was accused of treason.

   The case has sparked heated debate in Russia, where some critics say the charges against Davydova amount to a tacit admission that Russian military personnel are operating in eastern Ukraine.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  5:58 AM PST

As Fighting Rages, Ukrainian Civilians Grow Desperate

   (RFE/RL) --- The town of Debaltseve has been caught in the crossfire between Ukrainian military forces and separatist fighters for more than two weeks. Many residents have fled, and those who remain are struggling to survive as food supplies dwindle and the fighting draws closer.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  5:53 AM PST

Five Ukrainian soldiers killed, 27 wounded in the Donbas over the past 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the ATO area on Monday.

   This was announced by the ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko at a briefing, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainski Novyny.

   Five Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 27 wounded in the course of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) on Feb. 2.

   According to him, the terrorists continue shelling the ATO forces as well as villages and towns of the east of Ukraine.

   The enemy is also reported to incur casualties.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  2:01 AM PST

Isa Munaiev, the Dzhokhar Dudayev battalion commander, killed in the Donbas

   (Censor.NET) --- An official announcement regarding death of Isa Munaiev, the commander of the Dzhokhar Dudaiev International Peacekeeping Battalion, was released by the battalion's press officer Amina Okuieva.

   As reported by Censor.NET, the text was posted on the website of the Odesa Crisis Media Center.
The message reads:

   "Yesterday, Feb. 1, 2015, the commander of the Dzhokhar Dudaiev International Peacekeeping Battalion Isa Munaiev was killed in a fierce battle near Debaltseve.

   "As an instructor, he provided cover for units retreating from fighting after successful completion of tasks. Isa Munaiev heroically saved lives of dozens of Ukrainian soldiers, and he himself was killed by shelling.

   "Commander Isa Munaiev came to Ukraine in the summer of 2014 and created the Dzhokhar Dudayev International Peacekeeping Battalion, which helped Ukrainians to defend their freedom and independence in the fight against the Russian invaders.

   "During all this time, none of his soldiers were killed in fighting. He always walked first, and covered his guys when retreating.

   "He was going to appeal to the president of Ukraine with a request to obtain Ukrainian citizenship. He loved Ukraine and was proud of freedom-loving Ukrainian people.

   "Isa Munaev died a heroic death on the battlefield, defending Ukraine's freedom from the occupants, and he deserves this award.

   "Brigadier Isa Munaev was the Interior Minister of Ichkeria, the military commander of Grozny, he led the fronts during the Chechen wars, and was awarded the highest military awards.

   "Isa Munaev was known and respected in the world, he left a settled life and his family in the prosperous Denmark, and came to help Ukrainian people fight our common enemy.

   "We pledge to continue his creed, and will be engaged in creating the Isa Munaiev battalion in his honour, as an acting unit of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

   "At present, the command of the Dzhokhar Dudaiev battalion was assumed by the Chechen Republic of Ichkeria major Adam Osmaev.

   "We express sincere condolences to all the family and friends of Isa Munaiev," the message reads.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  12:58 AM PST

Terrorists shelled Kurakhove, the Donetsk region, with rocket missiles - Donetsk Interior Dept.

   (Censor.NET) --- The Head of the Donetsk Department of the Interior Ministry Viacheslav Abroskin informed of shelling of Kurakhove village by the mercenaries.

   As reported by Censor.NET, Abroskin posted about this oh his Facebook page.

   He said that "on Tuesday, at about 4:40 p.m., parts of the terrorists' rockets came flying to Kurakhove, the Marinka district, from the mercenaries in the Petrovskyi district of Donetsk. They were shelling our checkpoint near Marinka.

Tuesday, February 3, 2015  12:17 AM PST

More Russian troops come to Donetsk, expert says

   (Zik) --- A mixed Russian and Donetsk rebel unit has arrived in Donetsk, military expert Dmytro Tymchuk writes in Facebook Feb. 3.

   The group includes 10 tanks, 18 APCs, 120-mm mortars and 10 trucks whose teams are manned by non-Slavic looking soldiers. 

   Residents of the area where this group is deployed were forcefully evacuated on the eve, Tymchuk says.

Monday, February 2, 2015  12:24 PST

4,000 militants and Russian servicemen were involved in the offensive near Debaltseve - Shkiriak

   (Censor.NET) --- The Russian-terrorist forces were armed with more than 30 tanks, 80 armoured vehicles of different types, and various types of artillery.

   Adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Zorian Shkiriak said on air of Channel 5, Censor.NET reports citing ZN.

   "About 4,000 militants and the Russian army regular servicemen, more than 30 tanks, 80 armoured vehicles of different types, more than 50 units of multiple rocket launchers, cannon artillery and self-propelled guns took part in the offensive," Shkiriak said.

   According to him, the militants committed artillery strikes on residential neighborhoods, killing dozens of civilians.

   "However, we may currently responsibly state that the Russian-terrorist horde's attack at the Debaltseve salient bogged down. The Ukrainian troops for the first time in history have conducted successful defensive operation on a wide front and were able not only to completely defeat the enemy but also to preserve the integrity of the defense, having fulfilled battlefield missions," Shkiriak said.