Taiwan's largest missile ship goes into service

   (AFP) --- Taiwan's largest-ever missile ship went into service Tuesday after a ceremony presided over by President Ma Ying-jeou as the island strives to modernise its military in response to a perceived threat from China.

   Ma praised the corvette's "stealth and speed" at the ceremony involving hundreds of naval officers and said it "reflects the determination by the military to defend national security".

   Armed with 16 missiles, the ship will strengthen Taiwan's defence capabilities. China still considers the island part of its territory waiting to be reunited -- by force if necessary.

   The 500-tonne corvette, named 'Tuo Chiang'('Tuo River'), will be deployed following the ceremony at the southern Tsoying naval base.

   It is the prototype for up to 11 others to be built for the navy.

   The sleek twin-hulled ship uses stealth technology to reduce the reflection of radar waves, making it harder to detect.

   Taiwan in December announced a new project to produce advanced homegrown surface-to-air missiles from 2015 as part of efforts to build an air defence shield.

   It has also announced a move to build its own submarines, which Ma said Tuesday were "crucial" to its defence.

   The Taiwanese navy currently operates a fleet of four submarines, but only two of them can be deployed in the event of war. The other two were built by the United States in the 1940s and are too old for combat.

   Relations between Taiwan and China have improved since 2008 when Ma, of the China-friendly Kuomintang party, came to power.

   However the perceived threat remains -- according to Taiwan's defence ministry China has more than 1,500 ballistic and cruise missiles trained on the island.

Russian occupation force in Crimea force’s ATR off the air

    The only Tatar TV station in Crimea was forced to cease operation at midnight local time (2 PM PDT). Commencing April 1 all stations in the Crimea must have Russian issued licences and they have refused to grant a licence to the Tatars.
   Its not clear whether they went off the air voluntarily but I'm sure they did knowing full well Russian thugs were probably waiting outside to shut them down.

   This is part of their ongoing persecution of the Tatars.

   Russia’s end game is to ethnically cleanse all non-Russian groups from the Crimea. 

Lithuania: Third of Russian diplomats in country linked to secret services

   (UNIAN) --- The Lithuanian authorities believe one-third of the Russian diplomats working in the country

are spies, and fear that the Kremlin could test the readiness of NATO’s collective defense using unconventional tactics, according to the annual report of the Department of State Security of Lithuania, German broadcaster Deutsche Welle reported on Monday.

REUTERS

   "A third of the Russian diplomats who are working in Lithuania are members of Russian intelligence or are associated with [Russia’s] security services," the report reads.

   The country's intelligence agency also said that last year three Russian spies were deported.

   According to the Lithuanian authorities, Moscow is becoming more and more interested in the military infrastructure of NATO member states.

   In another report, Lithuanian military intelligence warned of the dangers of Russia using so-called “hybrid war” techniques to probe the readiness of NATO's collective defense.

   "We do not rule out that Russia may resort to such actions in respect of one of the members of the alliance, hoping that NATO will not be able to respond in a timely manner," the document says.

Ukraine War Update - 31 March 2015

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  7:16 AM PDT

Poroshenko ready to put to referendum issue of federalization of Ukraine

   (UNIAN) --- The Ukrainian government is ready to submit to a referendum the question of a second state language and the federalization of the country, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Tuesday during a meeting with students of Chernihiv’s Shevchenko National Pedagogical University, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

   "I'm ready to put to a referendum the question of a second state language and the issue of federalization, and I am sure that the Ukrainian people will say a resounding ‘No!’" Poroshenko said.

   "Russia's plans against Ukraine and its dreams that Ukraine is a conflicted nation that will destroy itself have failed," he said.

   Poroshenko also said that 62% of those who fought in the Donbas were Russian-speaking citizens.

   "But their Russian language does not prevent them to love Ukraine, as I love it in Ukrainian," he said.

   As UNIAN reported earlier, on Tuesday Poroshenko was on a working visit to Chernihiv region, during which he presented to staff the new chairman of the Regional State Administration, Valeriy Kulich.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  7:04 AM PDT

US general says new Russian offensive in Donbas ‘possible after Easter’

   (UNIAN) --- A fresh offensive by Russian forces in eastern Ukraine is possible after Easter and before May 9, U.S. General Wesley Clark, Former NATO Supreme Allied Commander in Europe, has said in a speech at the Atlantic Council, Ukrainian newspaper Yevropeiska Pravda has reported.

   "It seems that the resumption of a wider conflict is inevitable, but I hope that the United States will take all necessary measures to prevent this," Clark said in his speech on Monday.

   When he visited Ukraine, Clark said, “Minsk II was roughly in place. Some artillery had been pulled back by the separatists, but some, according to sources, had been concealed in forward positions.”

   “What is happening now is preparations for a renewed offensive from the east,” and this could take place following Orthodox Easter, on April 12, and most probably before VE Day on May 8," Clark said, citing multiple local sources he spoke with on a recent fact-finding mission to Ukraine.

   "Maybe if the Allies decide to boycott the celebrations, which are of great significance for [Russian] President [Vladimir] Putin, he would wait," said Clark.

   Clark said it was necessary now to send weapons to Ukraine to get it prepared by the time of the next Russian-backed militant offensive.

   "It [sending weapons] would not be a provocation, but would have a stabilizing effect, and we must do it now," Clark said.

   However, he warned that “[Putin’s] objectives could be much broader than Ukraine,” and said there was the possibility of a Russian attack on the Baltic countries and Poland.

   The United States and the European Union imposed economic sanctions against Russian officials and companies after Moscow’s annexation of Crimea and its aggression against eastern Ukraine, but Clark said “there are limitations to what we should expect of sanctions.”

   “You need the sanctions, you need the ability of the Ukrainians to resist, to strengthen their ability to resist, to drive this back into the diplomatic channel and to keep it there” Clark said.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  6:21 AM PDT

No one killed, one soldier wounded on Monday - NSDC

   (Censor.NET) --- One Ukrainian soldier was injured in the course of ATO on March 30.

   This was announced by Colonel Andrii Lysenko, the representative of the Anti-terrorist operation headquarters, at the traditional daily briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "Over the past day, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed, one was wounded," Lysenko said.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  6:19 AM PDT

New batch of US armoured Humvees arrived in Ukraine.

   (Censor.NET) --- On March 30, 2015 the new load of armoured Humvees (HMMVWs) for Ukraine arrived from the United States.

   Censor.NET reports citing statement of the U.S. Embassy in Ukraine on Facebook.

   "U.S. Ambassador Geoffrey Pyatt thanked Dover aircrew delivering new armoured HMMVWs," the statement reads.

   It is also noted that the United States has committed more than $120 million in security assistance for Ukraine to date, and has additionally promised 230 Humvees in total, as well as $75 million worth of equipment including UAVs, counter-mortar radars, night vision devices, and medical supplies.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  5:25 AM PDT

Crimean Tatar TV Channel Faces Closure

   SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine(RFE/RE) --- The only television channel broadcasting in the Crimean Tatar language on the annexed Ukrainian peninsula of Crimea may be shut down.

   Lenur Islyamov, the owner of the ATR channel, told reporters in Simferopol on March 31 that Russian media regulator Roskomnadzor has rejected several attempts by ATR to register under Russian law, citing various technicalities.

   Islyamov said the deadline for registering his channel, which still holds a Ukrainian license to broadcast, is March 31.

   Islyamov said his station has no plans to move from Crimea to another location in Ukraine in order to continue broadcasting.

   Some 100 Crimean Tatars came to ATR's headquarters on March 31 to support it.

   Activists, community leaders, and rights groups say Crimean Tatars have faced discrimination, pressure, and abuse for their opposition to Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea from Ukraine in March 2014.

   Crimean Tatars make up some 10 percent of the population of Crimea.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  4:24 AM PDT

"Our tanks do not shoot, but they warm up and drive so that terrorists know we are ready" - Ukrainian tankmen.

   (Censor.NET) --- Ukrainian soldiers at rear positions repair the tanks and make sure they are combat ready.

   As reported by Censor.NET, the military is sure that the tanks, despite being far from new, will work. The armored vehicles receive both new lives and new names. 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  2:50 AM PDT

Kazakhstan

Kazakh Court Convicts Woman Over Slurs, Calls To Join Russia

   ALMATY, Kazakhstan(RFE/RL) --- A court in Kazakhstan has convicted an ethnic Russian woman of inciting ethnic hatred over derogatory references to Kazakhs and calls for the Central Asian country to become part of Russia.

   The March 31 ruling ended a trial that threw a spotlight on concerns about Kazakhstan's security following Russia's interference in Ukraine, another neighbouring country at the heart of the former Soviet Union.

   After delivering the guilty verdict, the court in Almaty handed Kazakh citizen Tatyana Shevtsova-Valova a suspended four-year sentence, meaning she will not be jailed unless she violates the terms of the sentence.

   Investigators said that in posts on social networks including Facebook, Shevtsova-Valova called Kazakhs "churki" -- an offensive slur sometimes used by Russians to describe non-Slavic peoples in Central Asia and the Caucasus -- and wrote that Kazakhstan must become part of Russia, like Crimea.

   Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine last year, after deploying troops and engineering the takeover of the regional legislature, in a move denounced as invalid by Kiev, the West, and 100 nations in the UN General Assembly.

   Moscow's annexation of Crimea and support for separatists fighting government forces in eastern Ukraine have raised concerns among Russia's neighbors that it may have designs on parts of their territory -- particularly those which, like Crimea, are home to ethnic Russians. 

   Kazakhstan is a key partner of President Vladimir Putin's Russia in regional security and trade alliances including the Eurasian Economic Union, and was the last Soviet republic to declare independence in 1991. 

   But some 25 percent of Kazakhstan's 17 million population are ethnic Russians, most of whom live in northern regions neighboring Russia -- an area where borders shifted repeatedly during the Tsarist and Soviet eras.

   At almost 7,000 kilometers, the Kazakh-Russian border is the longest in Eurasia, and parts of it have not yet been officially delimited.

   In the late 1980s and early 1990s, as the Soviet Union crumbled and after it collapsed, Russian nationalist groups in both Kazakhstan and Russia often called for referendums on some Kazakh territories' joining the Russian Federation.

   With the conflict in Ukraine and Putin's patriotic rhetoric stoking fears along the fringes of the former Russian empire, Kazakh President Nursultan Nazarbaev has matched Putin's patriotic Russian rhetoric with his own proud emphasis on Kazakhstan's past and its identity as a nation.

   On December 15, Nazarbaev congratulated the nation a day before Independence Day celebrations, saying Kazakhstan's independence "is a result of our ancestors' efforts, their blood and sweat, their call to every Kazakh to choose to defend Kazakhstan to the last drop of blood."

   Nazarbaev said that in 2015, Kazakhstan will celebrate the 550th anniversary of the Kazakh Khanate -- a grouping of Mongol and Turkic tribes united by two khans seen as founders of the Kazakh nation. 

   His words appeared to be a direct answer to a statement by Putin, who publicly said in August that Kazakhs had never had statehood.

   Also on December 15, a court in the capital, Astana, sentenced a Kazakh citizen, Yevgeny Vdovenko, to five years in prison for fighting alongside pro-Russian separatists last year in eastern Ukraine, where more than 6,000 people have been killed since April.

   The ruling came as Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev was in town to participate in a meeting of prime ministers of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO), a regional grouping dominated by Russia and China.

   Nazarbaev, in power since he was named chief of the Communist Party in Soviet Kazakhstan in 1989, announced this month that he will run in a presidential poll that had been scheduled for 2016 but has been moved up to April 26 this year.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  2:11 AM PDT

Bomb derails 2 empty train cars at Kharkiv station

   (Zik) --- A mine exploded at 3:00 March 31 at the Osnova rail station, derailing two empty cars. There are no victims, the police say.

   According to the police, it was a terrorist act.

   March 30, terrorists blew up a cistern at Osnova carrying fuel for the Ukrainian army.

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  1:44 AM PDT

100,000-strong Russian army ready to advance on Ukraine – Parubij

   (Zik) --- Speaking on ICTV March 30, first deputy speaker Andrij Parubij said Russia concentrated 55,000 troops at Ukraine’s eastern border and 40,000 troops in Donbas, RBK-Ukrayina reported.

   “Russia has radically increased its military presence near and inside Ukraine in the past few months.

   There are 55,000 Russian troops at the Ukrainian border and 40,000 in Donbas, he said.

   There is a high probability of a massive Russian offensive before May 9, the Victory Day in Russia, the official stressed. 

Tuesday, March 31, 2015  12:40 AM PDT

Poland says will train 50 Ukrainian military staff this year

   WARSAW (Reuters) --- Poland will provide training to around 50 Ukrainian army instructors this year, the Polish ministry of defense said on Tuesday, a part of NATO's efforts to boost Ukraine's defense capacity as it faces a pro-Russian rebellion in the east.

   The Ukrainians will be trained in Poland, the ministry said in a statement, with the courses scheduled to take place in June, September and October this year. Other NATO countries will organize similar courses, the ministry also said.

   Earlier this year, Britain said it would send 75 military personnel to Ukraine to help train its army. [ID:nL5N0VY4QG

   Poland has been one of the most outspoken critics of Russian policy towards a pro-Russian separatist rebellion in eastern Ukraine, joining Western allies in accusing Moscow of supplying help to the insurrection -- something the Kremlin denies.

US, South Korea marines stage major landing drill

US and South Korean Marines pose for a photo during 

a joint landing drill, in the southeastern port of Pohang, 

on March 30, 2015 (AFP Photo/Jung Yeon-Je)

   Pohang (South Korea) (AFP) --- Thousands of US and South Korean troops, backed by helicopters and jet fighters, staged a massive, amphibious landing drill on Monday -- the centrepiece of an annual military exercise condemned by North Korea.

   A total of 7,600 soldiers, including 3,500 marines, along with 80 aircraft, 30 ships, and scores of armoured vehicles and tanks, took part in the drill to secure a bridgehead along the coast of Pohang, some 360 kilometres (223 miles) south of Seoul.

   Supervised by US and South Korean military commanders, the landing exercise was the highlight of the eight-week Foal Eagle drill which is scheduled to end on April 24.

   The annual drills always trigger a surge in military tensions between the two Koreas, which remain technically at war because the 1950-53 Korean conflict ended with a ceasefire rather than a peace treaty.

   The United States and South Korea insist the joint exercises are defensive in nature, but North Korea denounces them as provocative rehearsals for invasion.

China's first air force drills in 'far offshore' Pacific

Chinese Su-27 fighter jet flying over the East China Sea
(AFP Photo/-)

   (AFP) --- China's air force has carried out its first ever military drill over the western Pacific Ocean, state media said, highlighting Beijing's growing military reach.

   Several aircraft from China's People's Liberation Army (PLA) on Monday flew over the ocean via the Bashi Channel, which runs between Taiwan and the Philippines, the official Xinhua news agency said.

   "This is the first time that the PLA Air Force conducted such drills in an airspace far offshore from Chinese coastlines," Xinhua cited army spokesman Shen Jinke as saying.

   The drill aimed to "level up the PLA Air Force's mobility and combativeness" over the "high seas", Xinhua reported.

   Territorial tensions have increased in recent years between Beijing and its neighbours around the South China Sea -- which it claims almost in its entirety.

   Beijing has also been building up its military reach in recent years, with its first aircraft carrier going into service in 2012.

A Chinese Coast Guard ship is seen cruising near the 

disputed islets known as the Senkaku islands in Japan 

and Diaoyu islands in China, in the East China Sea, in 

2013 (AFP Photo/-)

   China announced an 'Air Defence Identification Zone' (ADIZ) over the East China Sea in 2013, sparking condemnation from Japan and the United States.

   Japanese media have reported that China is considering a similar zone over the South China Sea, which would be likely to further fan tensions in the region.

   China has increased its military budget by double digit amounts for several decades, but says the spending is purely defensive and not aimed at other countries.

   Several southeast Asian nations as well as Japan have boosted their defence budgets and ties with the US, in moves widely seen as reflecting fears about China.

   The Bashi channel is a waterway between the Philippines' northernmost province of Batanes and Taiwan's Orchid island. Its ownership is disputed.

   "The drill is not targeted at any certain country or targets and carries no threat against other countries and regions," Xinhua cited Shen as saying.

Ukraine War Update - 30 March 2015

Monday, March 30, 2015  9:05 AM PDT

"We need the whole of Ukraine," terrorist Vostok battalion leader says

   (Censor.NET) --- One of the militant leaders of the "DPR", commander of the terrorist Vostok (East) battalion and the so-called "DPR secretary of the security council" Alexander Khodakovsky says that Russian mercenaries' plans in the Donbas are exclusively offensive and that they "need the whole of Ukraine."

   He stated this in an interview with Lenta.Ru, Censor.NET reports.

   Khodakovsky also noted that the Russian-terrorist troops intend to continue offensive operations with the use of heavy artillery in order to capture new territories of Ukraine.

   "The trend in the fighting to push the front line set in August will continue. If we up our activities, it is only in order to move forward. We would not want, because in this case there are inevitable human and infrastructure losses. We do not have sufficient human resources, so we are forced to use artillery. The destruction is inevitable, "- said the gunman.

   He also added that he accepts the existence of so-called "LPR" and "DPR" only as a transitional phase.

   "Our war will end when there will be a pro-Russian anti-fascist state to the south of Russia. In other words, we need the whole of Ukraine," Khodakovsky said.

Monday, March 30, 2015  8:32 AM PDT

Kiev police catch Luhansk resident with grenade

   (Zik) --- March 30, the police report the arrest of a suspect, a resident of Luhansk, who had a grenade on him. The suspect, 39, is an unemployed who said he came to Kiev 2 weeks ago to search for a job.

   He said he found the grenade in the street. When he saw the police officers coming to him he threw the grenade away.

   The term in prison the suspect is facing is between 2 and 5 years in jail.

Monday, March 30, 2015  8:25 AM PDT

Russian Police Special Rapid Response Unit SOBR arrives in Donetsk

   KIEV, March 30 (Ukrinform). --- The Special Rapid Response Unit of Russian Interior Ministry arrived in Donetsk to neutralize gunmen's leaders who do not want to obey the leadership of "LPR" and "DPR".

   Deputy Commander of the anti-terrorist operation in the Donbas conflict zone Colonel Valentyn Fedichev told residents on Monday in his video address, the press service of Donetsk Regional State Administration reported.

   "We want to address the Cossacks of Don Army who keep on refusing to join Novorossiya Army that on March 29 the Special Rapid Response Unit SOBR of Russian Interior Ministry arrived in Donetsk. The unit is likely to liquidate the gunmen's leaders who do not want to obey the united leadership of "DPR" and "LPR". Hunting for you, Cossacks, can begin soon," warns Fedichev.

Monday, March 30, 2015  7:46 AM PDT

Lysenko says about stabilization in ATO area

   KIEV, March 30 (Ukrinform). --- Over the last day, the situation in the area of the anti-terrorist operation has been tending to gradual stabilization.

   Spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kiev on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

   "The situation in the east of Ukraine is gradually stabilizing - there were no facts of using armoured vehicles, conventional and rocket artillery observed in past day," he said.

   However, there are continuing armed provocations by militants along the contact line, except for the eastern part of the Luhansk region.

   The villages of Shyrokyne (near Mariupol) and Hranitne (between Mariupol and Volnovakha) were the areas of the highest tension yesterday. There was also a military clash in the village of Triokhizbenka, near Bakhmutska route: militants attacked Ukrainian stronghold, but the offensive was repelled.

Monday, March 30, 2015  6:46 AM PDT

Militants attacked Ukrainian border guards and soldiers at Maiorsk checkpoint – State Border Guard Service

   (Censor.NET) --- The border guards continue to carry out protection of the Ukrainian-Russian border and the demarcation line between the ATO forces and militants. The situation in the anti-terrorist operation area remains difficult.

   The terrorists fired at the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine and the Armed forces of Ukraine military personnel positions at the checkpoint in Maiorsk village yesterday, March 29, Censor.NET reports citing the press service of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

   The militants used small arms during the attack. There are no casualties among the Ukrainian servicemen.

   The border guards' detachments detained 12 trucks along the demarcation line carrying more than 178 tons of goods. They were transporting food and scrap metal without proper documents. All vehicles were handed over to the fiscal services for further proceedings.

Monday, March 30, 2015  3:29 AM PDT

Terrorists attacked Ukrainian platoon strongpoint in Triokhizbenka - NSDC.MAP

   (Censor.NET) --- The ATO headquarters announced the situation in the Donbas more stable.

   Press secretary of the Anti-terrorist operation headquarters, Colonel Andrii Lysenko said at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "The situation in the east of Ukraine is gradually getting more stable. No cases of enemy's use of armoured vehicles, cannon and missile artillery were reported. Along with that, armed provocations by the mercenaries continue along the demarcation line, except from the Luhansk region. The most tense spots were Shyrokyne near Mariupol and Hranitne villages.
   "A fighting occurred in the village of Triohizbenka, near the Bakhmutka road: the terrorists attacked a Ukrainian platoon strong point. The attack has been repulsed," Lysenko said.

Monday, March 30, 2015  3:21 AM PDT

One Ukrainian soldier killed, three wounded over the past day - NSDC

   (Censor.NET) --- One Ukrainian soldier was killed in the ATO area on Sunday, three were wounded.

   As reported by Censor.NET citing Channel 112 Ukraine, this was announced by the ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko at a briefing.

   "The situation in the east of Ukraine is gradually getting more stable. No cases of enemy's use of armoured vehicles, cannon and missile artillery were reported. Along with that, armed provocations by the mercenaries continue along the demarcation line, except from the Luhansk region. The most tense spots were Shyrokyne near Mariupol and Hranitne villages. ... Over the past 24 hours, we lost one soldier and three were wounded in fighting," Lysenko said.

Monday, March 30, 2015  1:41 AM PDT

More than 20 Russian tanks enter Ukraine - ATO headquarters

   KIEV, March 30 (Ukrinform). --- 22 Russian tanks entered the territory of Ukraine on March28.

Deputy Commander of the anti-terrorist operation, Colonel Valentyn Fedychev said this, according to the press service of the Donetsk Regional State Administration.

"There is no limit to bandits' cynicism, as there is no limit to the falsity of their Russian patrons and organizers of the war in Donbas, represented by Russia's political leadership. Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov claims Russia's 'noninvolvement' in the war in eastern Ukraine. And this is said against the entry of 22 tanks from the territory of the Russian Federation on March 28," Fedychev said.

According to him, the tanks were heading from the side of Gukovo checkpoint [in Rostov region] to a repair and engineering works in Sverdlovsk, Luhansk region.

Friday, March 27, 2015  9:22 AM PDT

Rozmaznin: OSCE and Russians confirm shelling of Ukraine army by rebels

   (Zik) --- The shelling of Novotoshkivka Ukraine army outpost was registered both by the OSCE monitors and Russians, Gen. Rozmaznin, head of Ukraine staff on the Ukraine/Russia contact group on the ceasefire, told, speaking on Kanal 5 March 29.

   The enemy attacked by Grad missiles in the Luhansk oblast, he said.

   The Russian representatives agreed that the violation of the ceasefire took place, the general said.

Ukraine War Update - 29 March 2015

Sunday, March 29, 2015  8:05 AM PDT

SBU arrested 'LPR' terrorist who was paid $ 300 to kill Ukrainian soldiers.

   (Censor.NET) --- The counterintelligence of the Security Service of Ukraine detained a militant, who was paid for insidious attacks on Ukrainian servicemen.

   A member of Zaria terrorist battalion, which belongs to illegal 'Luhansk People's Republic' troops, was detained in the ATO area, Censor.NET reports citing the press service of the Security Service of Ukraine.
   The detainee said he participated in the treacherous seizure of Ukrainian checkpoint between the town of Shchastia and Smile village. The militant received a $300 'reward' for the murder of Ukrainian servicemen.

Sunday, March 29, 2015  7:26 AM PDT

No shelling from cannon artillery or armoured vehicles reported as situation stabilizes

   (Censor.NET) --- The situation in the ATO area has become more stable.

   No shelling from cannon artillery or armored vehicles has been reported over the past 24 hours, Andrii Lysenko, speaker of the National Security and Defense Council announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET writes.
   "Since 9.30 p.m. till dawn no shelling of Ukrainian positions and settlements was reported," Lysenko noted.
   However, armed provocations are still observed all along the line of collision from the Sea of Azov to the central part of the Luhansk region. Shyrokyne and the Donetsk airport remain the most dangerous places in the region. It is also not calm in the area of Bakhmutka highway.

Sunday, March 29, 2015  6:53 AM PDT

Crimean Tatar TV Counts Minutes To Impending Shutdown

   SIMFEROPOL, Ukraine(RFE/RL) --- There is only one Crimean Tatar-language television channel in the world -- Simferopol's ATR television. But on April 1, this endangered species just might become extinct.

   "We'll come to work as usual on April 1," ATR journalist Safie Ablyayeva says. "But we have no idea what we'll find, since we have just as much information as all Crimean Tatars."

   ATR is currently broadcasting with a running countdown clock ticking down the seconds until the station's license expires. More than 190,000 people have responded to an online poll on the station's website, with over 99 percent expressing support for the channel.

   Under Russian law -- which has been in force in the Ukrainian Black Sea peninsula of Crimea since Moscow's internationally unrecognized annexation of it in March 2014 -- ATR must register with the Russian telecoms oversight agency, Roskomnadzor, by April 1 or lose its right to broadcast.

   But registering has turned out not to be as easy as one might have hoped. The Russian authorities have already sent ATR's paperwork back three times for corrections or additions.

   "A month passes and then they give us some sort of formal objection," ATR General Director Elzara Islyamova told RFE/RL's Current Time television. "We either answer their question or make some sort of change and then resubmit and again we get a 30-day pause. You see, they can find such formal objections to delay the application for 100 years if they want."

   The de facto authorities in Crimea, however, see things differently, arguing that ATR is intentionally trying to attract attention to itself. Sergei Aksyonov, head of the executive branch of the Russian government in Crimea, told a recent press conference that "they are purposefully trying to create a precedent by preventing Roskomnadzor from issuing the documents. They are making mistakes on purpose in order to create a conflict around the station."

   The authorities have also refused to renew the license of QHA, a popular Tatar news agency. In January, law enforcement agencies raided ATR and confiscated some archival material and computer files.

   ATR General Director Islyamova is certain the channel is being harassed for its editorial line. "Our policy is to show what is happening each day -- all the events that happen in Crimea," she says. "We, of course, cover social and economic problems among Crimean Tatars and all other groups in Crimea. Of course, there are moments when we are not pleasing the authorities."

   Crimean Tatar activists and international human rights organizations charge that the Crimean Tatar community has been subjected to harassment since Russia annexed Crimea. Earlier this month, Amnesty International wrote that Crimea Tatars have been subjected to an "unrelenting campaign of intimidation" because of their unwillingness to recognize Russia's control over Crimea.

   "The current government in Crimea doesn't want us to develop," says Zair Smedlyayev, the head of the election commission of the Crimean Tatar Kurultai, or governing assembly. "They want us simply to disappear as a nation. I am certain, though, that somehow we will manage to keep the channel [ATR] running."

   ATR says negotiations with the authorities are still continuing and there remains a chance the station will not be forced off the air on April 1.

   "Maybe we should start a petition of residents, of Crimean Tatars," one Simferopol local told Current Time television. "Most likely everyone will be against closing it down. It is the only Crimean Tatar channel."

Sunday, March 29, 2015  6:01 AM PDT

No one killed, two Ukrainian soldiers injured over last 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- Two Ukrainian soldiers were wounded and no one was killed in the ATO zone on March 28.

   Andrii Lysenko, speaker of the National Security and Defense Council announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainski novyny.

   "There are no losses among Ukrainian soldiers," he said.
   Shyrokyne and the Donetsk airport remain the most dangerous places in the area.

   ATO speaker noted that the terrorists continue to reinforce their troops with Russian mercenaries.
   In addition, the militants continue to threaten the OSCE SMM observers. In particular, on March 28, the SMM was not allowed to Novoazovsk town in the Donetsk region.

Sunday, March 29, 2015  5:11 AM PDT

Slava Rabinovich: severe food shortage to hit Russia in May-June

   (Zik) --- A renowned Russia financier and opposition member, Slava Rabinovich, gave an exclusive interview to ZIK March 28, describing the present economic situation in Russia and Ukraine.

   Asked if he had seen the Banderites (West Ukraine militant radicals) in Kyiv, Rabinovich said Kyiv is a peaceful international city, with the junta being in Moscow. 

   Speaking about the effect of western sanctions on Russia, he said, “Putin keeps saying the sanctions have no influence on Russia’s economy.

   I have heard many lies from Putin in many years in the past. Even the sanctions are not intensified, the Russian economy is headed for a collision with a concrete wall. 

   All the talk that the country’s economy is recovering is a lie.

   In several months, Russia will be hit by a food crisis. Importers will go bankrupt due to the ruble devaluation.

   In some trade networks the line of cheeses dropped by 60-70 percent, with other food items dropping by 80-90 %. The inflation has reached double digits. The crisis will affect other industries and the unemployment will go up.

   Regarding Ukraine, Putin believed that Ukraine will split up in two parts after the annexation of Crimea, with eastern Ukraine becoming his windfall.

   As his plan were disrupted, Putin is set for his Plan B – destabilization of Ukraine. Under this plan, Ukraine may be ruined economically.

   Ukraine is a failed state now. However, the country retains a chance to recover and the life may be bettered within a year. In another year, Ukraine may find itself in a better economic situation.”

Sunday, March 29, 2015  4:03 AM PDT

Firefights between Krymske and Sokilnyky occured over the night

   (Censor.NET) --- The military situation in the government-controlled part of the Luhansk region remains unstable.

   No Grad or artillery shelling was reported over the past 24 hours. However, hostilities continued in a number of villages and towns, Censor.NET reports citing Hennadii Moskal, Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration.
   "Firefights between the militants and Ukrainian troops in Krymske and Sokilnyky villages occured periodically over the night, while mortar shells periodically exploded in Bakhmutka. There is no information about possible victims," the governor wrote.
In addition, due to bad weather (frost and heavy wind) some settlements in the region partially remain without electricity supply.

Sunday, March 29, 2015  3:02 AM PDT

Sector C situation deteriorates, enemy preparing for onslaught

   (Zik) --- As of the Friday night, the situation in Sector C has worsened, with the enemy making forays into Ukraine-held territories using infantry and tanks, military expert Yury Butusov writes in Facebook March 29.

   The Russian/rebel troops use 122-mm and 152-mm caliber guns, the weapons forbidden by the Minsk agreement.

   Ukraine army returns fire only faced with imminent danger, the expert said. 

   Overflights by drones in Sector C have also intensified.

Sunday, March 29, 2015  1:41 AM PDT

Russia plans to eliminate Ukraine as an independent state and could spark a new offensive

   (Censor.NET) --- Vladimir Putin’s main focus today is to split the unity among the United States of America and the European Union.

   Ukraine's prime minister Arsenii Yatseniuk told The Associated Press on Friday, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.
   The prime minister said the West must stay united in helping Ukraine repel Russian aggression and that achieving this would be the "joint success of the entire free world".
   "Russia plans to eliminate Ukraine as an independent state and could spark a new offensive in the east to achieve that aim... Russia was uninterested in de-escalating Ukraine's conflict with separatist forces, despite its commitment to maintain a peace deal made in Minsk on Feb," Yatseniuk said.
   "A few years ago we had the territory. Today, we have the country. An independent country that is fighting for freedoms and liberties," the prime minister concluded.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  11:17 AM PDT

Militants in Luhansk region fire Grad first time after Minsk truce – Moskal

(UNIAN) --- After a long break due to the truce, Russian-backed militants have again used Grad multiple rocket launchers.

REUTERS

   A reconnaissance and sabotage group of militants made an attempt to infiltrate into the town of Novotoshkivka in Popasna district, Luhansk region, in the early hours of Saturday.

   This was announced by the press service of Hennadiy Moskal, the head of Lugansk regional military and civil administration.

   At night, militants again used Grad multiple rocket launchers in Luhansk region after a long break, the press service said.

   At 2300 Kiev time on Friday, they were shelling the 29th roadblock at the Bakhmutka motor road and the dislocation of the Ukrainian forces in the town of Novotoshkivka. "Rockets exploded near a coalmine facility and Kuibyshev Street. As a result of a direct hit, a garage facility was burnt, some districts of the village were cut off the power grids. More detailed information about damage and casualties among civilians is being verified," the press service said.

   What is more, from 0000 to 0330 Kyiv time on Saturday, a battle with the use of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades continued on the outskirts of Novotoshkivka, not far from a bus stop, as a reconnaissance and sabotage group of Russian-backed militants was attempting to enter the town.

   During the night there were skirmishes between the Ukrainian troops in Krymske and Russian "Cossacks" groups in Sokilnyky. Krymske remained out of the reach of firing, no destruction was reported. From 2100 to 2300 Kyiv time on Friday, the village of Stanytsia Luhanska was seeing automatic and

Saturday, March 28, 2015  7:41 AM PDT

DPR militant units confront each other

   (Censor.NET) --- Different DPR units came into a conflict with each other.

   Andrii Lysenko, speaker of the National Security and Defense Council announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.

   "According to the intelligence reports, the conflict is escalating between the DPR Ministry of State Security and other terrorists units on DPR-controlled territories," Lysenko said.

Poroshenko: ‘Great Wall of Ukraine’ remains priority for government

   (UNIAN) --- A massive fortification project nicknamed the “Great Wall of Ukraine” on the Russian-

Ukrainian border remains a priority for the Ukrainian government, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko told journalists at a briefing in Kharkiv on Thursday, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

   "We have partially allocated the funding for this project. It remains a priority for the government," Poroshenko said.

   "At the same time, today our main task is to build defensive fortifications on the line of contact with the illegal armed groups in the Donbas," he said.

   According to Poroshenko, the Ukrainian government has already allocated over UAH 800 million for the construction of these fortifications.

   "There is the biggest danger there, and Russia must explain to the world the reason for its crossing the border," he said.

   As UNIAN reported earlier, the government's massive fortification project nicknamed the “Great Wall of Ukraine” provides for the construction of fortifications along two thousand kilometers of Ukraine’s land border with Russia and the strengthening of this part of the state border.

Oleh Slobodyan, the assistant chairman of the Ukrainian State Border Service, said that the first phase of fortifying the Ukrainian-Russian border will start in early April.

   The government plans to allocate UAH 300 million for this year to perform the first stage of the engineering work on this project.

   As of early March, more than 137 kilometers of anti-tank ditches have been dug and more than 86 kilometers of artificial obstacles set up on the Ukrainian-Russian border.

Ukraine War Update - 28 March 2015

Saturday, March 28, 2015  7:13 AM PDT

Militants shell Novotoshkivske in Luhansk region with Grad launchers – Moskal

   (Interfax) --- The militants again used Grad multiple rocket launchers in Luhansk region after a long break, head of Luhansk regional military and civil administration Hennadiy Moskal said.

   "At 23:00 Kiev time on Friday, they were shelling the 29th roadblock at the Bakhmutka motor road and the dislocation of the Ukrainian forces in the town of Novotoshkivske. Rockets exploded near a coal mine facility and at Kuibysheva Street. As a result of a direct hit, a garage facility was burnt, some districts of the village were cut off the power grids. More detailed information about damage and casualties among civilians is being verified," the Moskal's press service said.

   What is more, from 00:00 to 03:30 on Saturday, a battle with the use of automatic weapons and rocket-propelled grenades continued on the outskirts of Novotoshkivske, not far from a bus stop, as a reconnaissance and sabotage group of Russian-backed militants was attempting to enter the town.

   During the night there were skirmishes between the Ukrainian troops in Krymske and Russian "Cossacks" groups in Sokilnyky. Krymske remained out of the reach of firing, no destruction was reported.

   "From 21:00 to 23:00 on Friday, the village of Stanytsia Luhanska was seeing automatic and machine gunfire with occasional explosions of shells. As a result, a power failure blacked out the central part of the village. There is no report about casualties yet," Moskal said.

   "The use of Grad systems for the first time after the Minsk agreements were reached indicates that the terrorists cannot be trusted," Moskal said.

   "Over the past month and a half, our repair teams have done titanic work to restore life supporting infrastructure in the villages along the line of contact. Civilians have even started to return home in the hope that the war was finally over. And now again: Grad [rockets], mortars, new destruction," he added.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  6:41 AM PDT

Four columns with Russia's supplies arrive in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, March 28 (Ukrinform). --- Over the past day, four transport columns that brought terrorists fuel, ammunition, spare parts and special equipment arrived in Donbas from Russia.

   Head of the Information Resistance group Dmytro Tymchuk wrote this on his Facebook page on Saturday.

   "Russian-terrorist groups continue accumulating material and technical resources and testing new ways of logistics. During the last day, four supply columns (48 transport units) with fuel, ammunition, spare parts and special equipment were observed," reads the post.

   Tymchuk noted that there is two-level system of logistics support- supplies are delivered to a certain point by rail and then, the distribution and delivery of resources is carried out mainly by road transport.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  5:33 AM PDT

Canada to allocate Ukraine $50 mln - Ambassador

   KIEV, March 28 (Ukrinform). --- Canada plans to allocate Ukraine additional $50 million of financial assistance.

   Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine Roman Waschuk said this in an interview with RBC-Ukraine.

   "I think that in the next fiscal year, starting in April, we will allocate an additional $50 million. The rest will depend on development of the situation in Ukraine," he said.

   The diplomat also said that if the truce in Donbas is broken, the Canadian authorities would be willing to consider different options for assistance to Ukraine.

Waschuk added that Canada does not supply lethal weapons to Ukraine. "Firstly, we, as NATO ally closely integrated with our North American neighbors, wish to act in consensus," he stressed. "Secondly, we consider the second stage of the Minsk agreements."

   According to the ambassador, it is not a good time for arms supply now, during a truce.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  4:55 AM PDT

Three Ukrainian servicemen injured in Donbas over past 24 hours – military operation spokesman

   (Interfax) --- Three Ukrainian servicemen have been injured in the military operation area in eastern Ukraine over the past 24 hours, says Andriy Lysenko, a spokesman for the military operation staff.

   "None of Ukrainian servicemen has been killed in combat actions but three have been injured over the past 24 hours," Lysenko said at a news briefing in Kiev on Saturday.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  4:54 AM PDT

400 fighters with grenade launchers, anti-tank systems deployed in Donetsk

   KIEV, March 28 (Ukrinform). --- The enemy has deployed about 400 militants armed with grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and anti-tank systems in Donetsk, in order to support armed gangs "Oplot", "Vostok" and "Sparta".

   Head of the Information Resistance group Dmytro Tymchuk wrote this on his Facebook page on Saturday.

   "The enemy deployed by road a total of 400 people with weapons (including grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and anti-tank systems) in Donetsk (Petrovskiy and Kuibyshevskiy districts of the city), in order to replenish 'Oplot', 'Vostok' and 'Sparta' armed gangs," he wrote.

   Tymchuk explained that 75% of this replenishment are residents of Crimea and residents of Donbas, earlier "evacuated" to Russia. They have been trained in the training centers located in the Rostov-on-Don region (Russia) and in Perevalne (Crimea).

   Russian mercenaries form about 25% of the military personnel of the formation. The redeployment was carried out secretly.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  4:20 AM PDT

Russian diplomat Sapogov, who coordinated military intelligence, expelled from Ukraine

   (Censor.NET) --- The advisor to the Embassy of Russia in Ukraine Oleg Sapogov, who appeared to be the deputy head of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU) residency, was expelled from Ukraine on March 20.

   Censor.NET reports citing a source in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine.
   Sapogov coordinated provocative actions of the so-called All-Ukrainian Brotherhood Battalion, which attempted to seize the Presidential Administration building in early February. The diplomat was personally present near the Administration on Feb. 3 from 7.00 to 8.30 p.m., coordinating the activities of the organizers and participants of the provocation on the instructions of the General Staff of the Russian Federation.
   It was also established that Sapogov, who came to Ukraine in February 2015, is related to the personnel of the GRU of the General Staff. Particularly, he was the deputy chief of the GRU residency. Working under cover as an advisor to the Russian Embassy, he actually coordinated intelligence activities of the Russian military intelligence in Ukraine.
   On this basis the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine handed Sapogov a note declaring him persona non grata. Two days later, he was expelled from Ukraine.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  4:18 AM PDT

Ukrainian chief of General Staff talks with Canadian ambassador to Ukraine

   (Interfax) --- Chief of General Staff of Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel General Viktor Muzhenko held talks with Roman Vaschuk, Canadian Ambassador to Ukraine, regarding training of Ukrainian servicemen and providing them material and technical aid.

   In a course of the meeting the parties covered a bilateral cooperation in training of Ukrainian servicemen and units along with U.S. and Canadian representatives at Ukrainian training grounds and provision of non-lethal material technical support to Ukraine.

   " We have a package of initiatives proving our assistance to Ukraine and demonstrating our readiness to support your country in development of modern armed forces," Vaschuk said.

   According to him, Canada is ready to support Ukraine in reforms of military law enforcement service, training and equipping of EOD specialists, as well as improvement of flight safety system.

   " There are no problems with organization of training for our servicemen by professional instructors. We have well-equipped training centers and are ready for such cooperation," Colonel Muzhenko stressed.

Saturday, March 28, 2015  1:12 AM PDT

Situation in Shyrokyne is catastrophic - OSCE

   (Censor.NET) --- Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission (SMM) to Ukraine Ambassador Ertugrul Apakan expressed his disappointment that the sides have breached a local ceasefire arranged by the Mission two days ago in Shyrokyne, southeast Ukraine, and urged them to stop fighting immediately.

   Censor.NET reports citing the OSCE website
   "I am profoundly disappointed that, in the face of mounting deaths and injuries among the civilian population, the calm that prevailed in Shyrokyne for two days has not endured," Apakan said.
   "The sides should comply with the Minsk agreements which provide the best roadmap for peace to take hold in the conflict-ridden eastern part of Ukraine. Innocent women, men and children have suffered for far too long," he said.
   Apakan noted that when the SMM monitors led by Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug finally gained access to the town yesterday, they found a situation that can only be described as catastrophic. "Not one building had been untouched by the many weeks of shelling."

Friday, March 27, 2015  14:15 PDT

Terrorists continue onslaught at Donetsk direction - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- The Ukrainian troops’ positions in the ATO area continue to be shelled.

   Censor.NET informs citing the ATO press service situation report.

   The report reads: "The Russian-terrorist groups continue to concentrate fire at the Donetsk front. The militants shelled the village of Opytne from 120 - mm mortars today at 2.35 p.m., 3.15 p.m., and 3.30 p.m. The criminals also committed mortar strikes on Pisky village at 3.30 p.m. and at about 4 p.m. They hit Avdiivka village at 4.50 p.m. as well.

   "The militants attacked Shyrokyne village at the Mariupol direction using small arms and mortars four times during the day.

   "The enemy used small arms against the Ukrainian Army positions situated in Maiorsk three times and once fired at Leninske village at the Artemivsk direction.

   "The illegal armed groups used mortars and grenade launchers 12 times and small arms 14 times totally from 5 a.m. to 6 p.m."

Friday, March 27, 2015  12:04 PDT

Russian propaganda mill knows no equals - Lithuanian Defense Minister

   (Censor.NET) --- The Russian Federation propaganda knows no equals in terms of insolence. But the truth comes to the surface sooner or later.

   Lithuanian Defense Minister Juozas Olekas wrote in his article for 15min.lt, Censor.NET reports citing Europeiska Pravda. According to him, the Russian propaganda "works around the clock." "It probably knows no equals in terms of insolence. But the truth comes to the surface sooner or later," Olekas wrote.

   "For instance, the Russian president openly and straightly said in the documentary dedicated to the annexation of Crimea, that the occupation and annexation of the peninsula was a pre-planned military operation, in which he personally took the key decisions," he said.

   "The juicy details of the operation depicting how the Ukrainian Armed Forces had been blocked were also shown there. It was confirmed that the notorious "little green men" were none other than the Russian Special Forces," the Minister of Defense stressed. He also expressed the hope that eventually the public will witness more open stories about the role of the Russian armed forces in the military operations in eastern Ukraine. "They leave traces there which are much more evident than in Crimea," Olekas noted. 

China 'seriously concerned' by Philippine's building in South China Sea

   BEIJING (Reuters) --- China's Foreign Ministry expressed serious concern on Friday after the Philippines said it would resume repair and reconstruction works on disputed islands in the South China Sea, saying Manila was infringing on Chinese sovereignty.

   The Philippines had halted activities last year over concerns about the effect on an international arbitration complaint filed against China.

   Manila called on all countries last October to stop construction work on small islands and reefs in the South China Sea, most of which is claimed by China.

China itself is undertaking massive reclamation works in the area, while Taiwan, Malaysia and Vietnam have also been improving their facilities.

   Chinese Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said it was "seriously concerned" by the remarks by Philippine Foreign Minister Albert del Rosario.

   "On the one hand the Philippines makes unreasonable criticism about China's normal building activities on its own isles, and on the other announces it will resume repairs on an airport, runway and other illegal constructions on China's Spratly Islands, which it illegally occupies," Hua said.

   "This is not only a series infringement of China's sovereignty, but it also exposes the Philippines' hypocrisy," she told a daily news briefing, calling on the Philippines to withdraw from the islands.

   The Philippines foreign ministry said the works, including repairs to an airstrip, did not violate an informal code of conduct in the South China Sea because they would not alter the status quo in the disputed area. The 2002 code was signed by China and 10 Southeast Asian states in Phnom Penh.

   In 2013, Manila filed an arbitration case at The Hague questioning the maritime boundaries claimed by Beijing. Del Rosario said Manila expects a decision in February next year.

   Hua repeated that China would not participate in the case.

   China claims almost the entire sea, believed to have huge deposits of oil and gas. Brunei, Malaysia, the Philippines, Vietnam and Taiwan also claim the area, where about $5 trillion of seaborne trade pass every year.

Philippines says China rushing construction in disputed sea

Francisco Acedillo, a lawmaker and a former air force pilot,
shows a slide of China's reclamation work in the Spratly
as he called for a creative strategy to deal with the maritime
territorial dispute during a Foreign Correspondent of the
Philippines (FOCAP) meeting in Manila March 26, 2015.

 REUTERS/Romeo Ranoco

   MANILA, Philippines (AP) — The Philippines' top diplomat said Thursday that China has been rushing construction projects, including massive land reclamation, in the disputed South China Sea in hopes of forestalling any legal moves against its vast territorial claims.

   Foreign Secretary Albert del Rosario said the Chinese construction is aimed at bolstering its claims to virtually the entire South China Sea. He called Beijing's claims "invalid and excessive and in violation of international law."

   The Philippines and other governments which have territorial disputes with Beijing in the busy sea have been particularly concerned by massive Chinese land reclamation projects that have turned a number of previously submerged reefs in the Spratlys archipelago into artificial islands with buildings, runways and wharves.

   Alarmed by what it describes as increasing Chinese assertiveness, the Philippines sought international arbitration two years ago to challenge the legality of Beijing's claims.

   China has ignored the Philippine legal challenge but a U.N.-backed tribunal in The Hague may hand down a ruling as early as next January or February, del Rosario said.

   There also have been proposals for China and Southeast Asian nations to conclude a legally binding "code of conduct" restricting aggressive behavior that could spark armed confrontations in the disputed areas, which straddle some of the world's busiest sea lanes and are believed to have rich undersea oil and gas deposits.

   "It is clear to us that China is accelerating its expansionist agenda and changing the status quo to ... control nearly the entire South China Sea before the conclusion of the code of conduct and the handing down of a decision of the arbitral tribunal," del Rosario said.

   The Philippines has expressed concern that Beijing could transform its newly created islands into military logistical and resupply hubs to bolster its territorial claims and pose a more serious challenge to rival claimants.

   The Philippines has protested the reclamation projects. The Chinese Embassy did not immediately respond to Rosario's comments, but in the past Beijing has asserted its right to undertake any activity in territories it claims.

   U.S. Sen. John McCain and three other top-ranking senators overseeing U.S. defense and foreign policy called last week for a comprehensive strategy to deal with China's territorial moves, including land reclamation and construction in disputed areas, warning that "longstanding interests of the United States, as well as our allies and partners, stand at considerable risk."