Ukraine War Update - 28 February 2015

Saturday, February 28, 2015  6:37 AM PST

Nemtsov was willing to disclose evidence of Russian military presence in Ukraine – Poroshenko

   (Interfax) --- Ukrainian President Poroshenko said that the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov was going to disclose evidence of the involvement of Russian troops in the military actions in Ukraine.

   "A few weeks ago I talked to him [Nemtsov] on how to build relations between Ukraine and Russia in the way we would like them be. Boris declared that he intended to make public conclusive strong proof of the participation of Russian armed forces in Ukraine. Someone was very afraid of this. Boris wasn't afraid, and the executioners were afraid. They killed him," the president said in Vinnytsia on Saturday.

   According to Poroshenko, Boris Nemtsov was a great friend of Ukraine, Russian patriot, who was like a bridge connecting two states. He was building the most desirable for Ukrainians relations between Ukraine and Russia.

   "On March 1, he supposed to lead a many thousand meeting to demonstrate that there is another Russian who loves Ukraine, respects human rights, for which freedom is not an empty phrase. And for the sake of freedom and democracy, he was ready to sacrifice his life," said Poroshenko.

   Nemtsov was killed on Saturday night in Moscow downtown.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  4:42 AM PST

Three Ukrainian soldiers wounded. No one killed

   (Censor.NET) --- Ukrainian soldiers suffered no losses over the last 24 hours.

   Three soldiers were injured. Andrii Lysenko, speaker of the NSDC, announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET reports referring to Interfax-Ukraina.
   "Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded and no one was killed over the past 24 hours," Lysenko said at a briefing on Saturday.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  3:32 AM PST

After dark terrorists return heavy weapons to previous positions – Tymchuk

   (Censor.NET) --- Russian-terrorist troops continue to regroup their forces and military equipment, simultaneously restoring combat capability of a number of groups who have suffered losses in previous battles.

   The terrorists are most active in the Alchevsk and Stakhanovsk areas, as well as Donetsk and Mariupol sector, MP Dmytro Tymchuk wrote on Facebook citing situation report of the InfoResist group, Censor.NET informs.
   In particular, 28 vehicles with personnel and ammunition, accompanied by six armored vehicles were spotted near the town of Perevalsk (Alchevsk area).
   In Donetsk, the gangs operating in the Petrovskyi and Kuibyshev districts of the city received reinforcement (up to 20 vehicles with manpower) from Snizhne village. A total of 18 mortars were also transferred to Pisky village and Avdiivka town.
   "The terrorists camouflage movement of armored vehicles and artillery. Maneuvers of a group of armored vehicles (eight units, in particular, four tanks) are reported near Olenivka and Pisky villages. In particular, the militants demonstratively withdraw the equipment from positions during the day and return them to positions after dark," Tymchuk added.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  3:24 AM PST

Poland, Denmark foreign ministers to visit Kiev on Monday

   KIEV, February 28 (Ukrinform). --- Foreign minister of Poland Grzegorz Schetyna and foreign minister of Denmark Martin Lidegaard are to pay visit to Kiev on Monday. They will discuss with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatseniuk the situation in Ukraine, as well as the preparation for the May summit of the Eastern Partnership in Riga.

   This has been announced by Polish Foreign Ministry spokesman Marcin Wojciechowski, PAP informs.

   "The purpose of the visit is to send a strong signal from the two EU countries, which share a view on situation in the region, in the issue of support for the pro-European reforms. Situation in eastern Ukraine and progress in the implementation of the Minsk agreements will be among the talking points in Kiev," Wojciechowski said.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  2:55 AM PST

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions.

   KIEV, February 28 (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 February 28 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  2:33 AM PST

Donbas rebels use heavy artillery against Ukraine army

   (Zik) --- Feb. 27 at 20.30, Donbas rebels shelled Avdijivka, Tonenke, and Opytne in the Donetsk oblast using Grad missile batteries, Ukraine army says.

   In some sectors in Luhansk and Mariupol, there was no shelling, Ukraine army admits.

   However, the terrorists used heavy artillery to shell Ukraine army troops defending Kamenka, Donetsk area.

   “By using heavy artillery, Donetsk rebels provoke the return fire from the Ukraine troops and try to torpedo the shaky cease-fire in Donbas, the army spokesman said, Ukrayinska Pravda reports Feb. 28.

Saturday, February 28, 2015  2:04 AM PST

Ex-MP Chechetov found dead

   KIEV, February 28 (Ukrinform). --- Former deputy chairman of the Party of Regions faction in the

Verkhovna Rada Mykhailo Chechetov committed suicide late on February 28, Espresso TV journalist Artem Shevchenko has posted on Facebook, citing his own sources.

   "My reliable forensic source reports that ex-MP Mykhailo Chechetov was found dead in Kiev, 2 Myshuhy Street. He fell out from his apartment on the 17th floor, where lived with his wife," the journalist has posted.

Chechetov left a suicide note.

   "I'm leaving. I think it would be better for everyone. Many thanks to all for your support. Forgive me and do not misunderstand me," Chechetov wrote.

   January 20, Mykhailo Chechetov was served a notice of suspicion of committing crimes under the articles on abuse of authority or office and forgery in office of the Criminal Code of Ukraine.

Friday, February 27, 2015  12:52 PST

Terrorists deescalate attacks. Shelling recorded at Donetsk direction only - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Significant decrease in enemy attacks on Ukrainian forces’ positions has been observed for several days in a row in the ATO area.

   Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.

   The report reads: "The terrorists concentrated fire at the Donetsk direction today. The cease-fire was violated by the criminals 16 times near the Donetsk airport starting from 9 a.m.

   "The villages of Pisky and Berezove were thrice shelled from mortars; Krasnohorivka village was attacked once. The gangs fired at Opytne village from small arms. In addition, the skirmish between Ukrainian troops and the enemy took place near Opytne at about 2 p.m. There are no casualties among the Ukrainian military.

   "Our troops' positions in Maiorsk village near Debaltseve were attacked using small arms.

   "There have been no assaults recorded at the Luhansk and Mariupol directions. According to the operational data, the positions of the Ukrainian troops were attacked by the gangs that are beyond anyone's control," the summary reads.