Russian Bombers Force Commercial Flights Over Ireland To Divert Midair

   (IBT) --- Two Russian bombers forced commercial airline traffic flying in and out of Ireland to divert Ireland’s coast, resulting in civilian planes changing route or being grounded because the Russian warplanes were crossing commercial traffic airways. They were eventually intercepted by British Typhoon jets.

midair. The Tupolev Tu-95 bombers flew just off

   The incursion occurred on Feb. 18 but was reported only Wednesday by Irish authorities. The Irish Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade had warned the Russian ambassador about a similar incident that occurred two weeks earlier. Ireland had sought assurances that similar incidents would not happen again.

   Ireland, which is not a member of NATO and does not have an air force, usually calls on British jets to assist when commercial airspace that it is responsible for is infiltrated by unknown aircraft. Russia has made more than a hundred such flights in the last 12 months across Europe’s airspace, causing alarm and provoking interceptions by jet fighters while remaining over international waters. 

   According to the Irish Aviation Authority, two Russian bombers flying at around 27,000 feet buzzed the country’s west, south and east coasts, causing problems for all aircraft in the airspace. The IAA was first informed by British counterparts that it needed to take action to ensure the safety of commercial aircraft because the bombers had their transponders off, a device that alerts air traffic control of an aircraft’s altitude and location.

   The IAA confirmed that the “the Russian military aircraft did not have their transponders switched on at the time,” which delayed “one aircraft’s departure from Dublin” as it would likely have flown into the path of the bombers.

   At one stage the bombers were flying toward an aircraft bound from the U.S., and “as a precautionary measure to ensure safety was maintained" its route was changed "to ensure that its track was sufficiently separated from the track of the two Russian military aircraft,” according to the IAA.

   In the first incident, which happened around Feb. 1, the Russian bombers came to a point 55 miles from the Irish coast. In the second, they flew for four hours near Ireland, getting as close as 12 miles.

   British Royal Air Force jets were on hand to escort the bombers away from the commercial airspace on both occasions.

   Irish Defense Minister Simon Coveney expressed the government’s unhappiness with the latter incident but said the incursion was not aimed at Ireland. Instead, it may have been meant to test British air defenses and send a message to London about its involvement in training Ukrainian soldiers.

Sweden Signs Defense Deal With Denmark, Amid Increased Fear Of Russia

   (IBT) --- Sweden's military said Friday it was searching an area of the sea around the archipelago after a

Crew members aboard a Swedish Navy fast-attack craft stand 

guard at the Stockholm archipelago, in Sweden, Oct. 18, 2014. 

report of "suspicious underwater activity." Reuters/Pontus Lundahl/TT News Agency

   Two weeks after signing a war pact with neighboring Finland, Sweden has made a similar deal with another Scandinavian neighbour, Denmark. While the deal is set to be confirmed later in March, Swedish Defense Minister Peter Hultqvist stressed that the agreement will not bring neutral Sweden any closer to joining NATO in the face of increased Russian aggression that is worrying Scandinavian nations. 

   “Deepened Nordic bilateral and multilateral cooperation will strengthen the national defense as well as the ability to conduct operations in our immediate area and beyond,” Hultqvist told Stockholm news site The Local on Tuesday. “A deeper cooperation with Denmark is a part of closer cooperation with our Nordic neighbours, which strengthens security in our region.”

   The deal between Finland and Sweden, both outside of NATO, is set to ensure shared communications during peacetime and times of war, and was arguably prompted by the March 2014 annexation of Crimea by Russia, the 11-month-old East Ukraine war, and increased Russian military flights closer to Western countries' airspace. 

   Despite being neutral, Sweden has been the subject of simulated bombing raids by the Russian air force on its Baltic coast in April 2013, as well as apparent infiltrations from Russian submarines entering Swedish waters near the Stockholm archipelago in October 2014.

   However, each Baltic nation has witnessed incidents of Russian jets flying near its sovereign airspace over the last year, even though the jets stayed within international airspace. However, the dangers of such flights have angered both Sweden and Denmark. 

   In December, Scandinavian Airlines reported that one of its passenger planes nearly collided with a Russian military jet while flying out of Copenhagen. 

   Incidents like this have prompted closer partnerships in the region.

   “Partnerships with the Nordic countries are completely natural because they are our neighboring countries and we are all part of Nordefco [Nordic Defense Cooperation],” Hultqvist told the Local. Nordefco is a defense agreement among the five Nordic states -- Denmark, Finland, Iceland, Norway and Sweden.  

   Denmark's Defense Minister Nicolai Wammen told Danish news agency Ritzau on Monday that the latest developments in East Ukraine had prompted the deal “and have given us a reason to have a look at areas where we could extend our cooperation.”

   The focus of the relationship, according to Hultqvist, is to extend cooperation at sea and in the air. “The armed forces have been tasked with overseeing possible exchange of information, access to each other’s territorial waters and airspace,” Hultqvist said.

   The defense deals with Finland and Denmark have come at a time when attitudes on joining NATO are changing in Sweden. Once a fiercely neutral country, it has in recent times drifted toward greater cooperation with NATO. 

   Support for NATO membership among the population has increased in recent years, but most still prefer to be neutral. A January 2015 poll showed that 33 percent of Swedes favoured NATO membership, an increase of 5 percent from the previous year. 

   The newly elected Swedish government is a coalition of Social Democrats and the Green Party, both traditionally opposed to the idea of joining NATO. 

   "The strange thing is that the country still has a close relationship with NATO, but as non-members we can't affect anything,” Swedish military expert Johanne Hildebrandt told the Local in February. “It is as if we were a mistress who in spite of several proposals refuses to get married, despite the fact that it would be beneficial to us in many ways."

Russia is practicing attack runs against NATO warships in the Black Sea

   (Business Insider) --- Russian Su-30s and Su-24s aircraft from Russia’s Black Sea Fleet based in Black Sea, Sputnik News reported.

Su-24 Fencer

Crimea have been conducting mock attack runs on NATO warships operating in the

   According to the Russian media outlet, the jets, launched from Novofedorvka, an airbase in western Crimea peninsula have been monitoring the movements of two ships, the American USS Vicksburg (a Ticonderoga class guided missile cruiser), and Turkey’s frigate The Turgut Reis.

   On March 3, a formation made of three Su-30s and four Su-24s overflew the NATO ships “to practice penetrating anti-air systems,” according to a source at the Sevastopol naval base who spoke to the Russian state agency.

Interestingly, the Russians believe these missions are used for training purposes by both sides: “These ships’ crews are doubtlessly conducting exercises in repelling air attacks from our planes, which gives our pilots the opportunity to gain experience in maneuvering and conducting aerial reconnaissance both in the range of anti-air systems and outside their range.”

HMCS Fredericton

   Close encounters between Russian planes and NATO ships around the globe happen quite frequently, although they have become a bit more common in the Black Sea since Russia's annexation of Crimea last year. Following the invasion of the peninsula, Moscow moved combat planes to the local airbases; some of them overfly the NATO frigates in the vicinity on occasion.

   In April 2014, a Su-24 Fencer flew multiple passes at 500 feet above sea level, within 1,000 yards of the USS Donald Cook, a US Navy destroyer operating in the Black Sea at that time. The ship commander considered the move “provocative and inconsistent with international agreements.”

   According to a source at the Russia’s Chief Naval Staff quoted by the Russian media outlet TASS, the two NATO warships will be joined in the next few hours by the Italian frigate Aliseo and Canada’s frigate The HMCS Fredericton which are passing through the Black Sea straits.

   Will there be more close encounters ahead?

NATO flotilla enters Black Sea for training amid Ukraine crisis

   BRUSSELS (Reuters) --- A NATO flotilla arrived in the Black Sea on Wednesday to train with ships from the Bulgarian, Romanian and Turkish navies, the U.S.-led Western alliance said.

   Tensions in the Black Sea region are running high because of the separatist conflict in eastern Ukraine and Russia's annexation of the country's Crimea Peninsula last year.

   "NATO regularly deploys ships to the Black Sea for maritime awareness and training. This scheduled deployment, given Russia's continued assertiveness, carries an additional message of reassurance to allies in the region," a NATO official said.

   The multinational naval rapid reaction force commanded by U.S. Rear Admiral Brad Williamson consists of flagship USS Vicksburg, a guided missile cruiser, and five other ships.

   The training will include simulated anti-air and anti-submarine warfare exercises, as well as simulated small boat attacks and basic ship handling maneuvers.

Ukraine War Update - 4 March 2015

Wednesday, March 4, 2015  8:41 AM PST

Nine bodies found at Zasiadko coal mine – Donetsk region administration

   (Interfax) --- The bodies of nine coal miners who died as a result of a methane explosion at Zasiadko mine in Donetsk have been found, a Donetsk regional state administration spokesman has reported.

   23 coalminers remain unaccounted for.

   "As of 17:00 of Wednesday, the death toll of people killed in the coal mine reached 10 people, and 16 were hospitalized," the spokesman said.

   230 miners were inside the mine when the explosion happened.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015  8:37 AM PST

Czech Republic denies selling Russia weapons

   KIEV, March 4 (Ukrinform). --- Czech Republic fully supports embargo on selling Russia weapons and does not provide authorization for such exports.

   This was reported by the Ministry of Industry and Trade of the Czech Republic, according to the Yevropeiska Pravda online newspaper.

   "The Czech Republic fully complies with the EU's decision on the arms embargo against Russia. The Czech Republic acts in accordance with the established rules and current legislation and constantly evaluates all business cases, including contracts concluded before embargo's entry into force," reads the statement.

   According to the specialist of the communications and marketing department in the ministry Miroslav Kinchl, "weapons were transferred to Russia only a few times, and that was in accordance with the resolutions of the European Council," and "in no way we are talking about the violations of the embargo," Radio Liberty reported.

   The issue of the legality of trade contracts for arms sales to Russia, in particular hunting weapons, was also raised by the president of the Czech Defence and Security Industry Association Jiri Hynek.

   "If these contracts were signed a day before the introduction of embargo (August 1, 2014), our government has no legitimate reason to stop these exports. Exports of such weapons, designed primarily for civilian purposes, are regulated by very different laws, and they cannot be analyzed from an international and political point of view," Hynek said.

   Recently the Polish daily newspaper Rzeczpospolita reported that it has obtained a document on the reselling to Russia of modern small arms and ammunition, in particular, submachine guns Bushmaster and Heckler-Koch manufactured by the U.S and Germany, through intermediaries in the Czech Republic and in defiance of the EU embargo.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 6:40 AM PST

General Staff: 19 soldiers killed during withdrawal from Debaltseve, 12 missing

   KIEV, March 4 (Ukrinform). --- During withdrawal from Debaltseve 19 Ukrainian servicemen have been killed, the fate of another 12 is being clarified.

Spokesman for the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Vladyslav Selezniov said this at a press briefing on Wednesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

   "During the planned withdrawal of about 3,000 soldiers from the Debaltseve bridgehead, Ukraine lost 19 soldiers. The fate of another 12 soldiers is being clarified. A total of 135 soldiers received injuries of varying degrees of severity. They are already transferred to medical facilities, where they are given qualified medical assistance. Nine defenders of the Debaltseve bridgehead are still in captivity, all government and public institutions are involved in working for their release," Selezniov said.

   According to him, over the last week a total of 81 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers killed from January to February 2015, were brought out of the militant-controlled territory. "We have already identified 19 of the bodies. Their names will be soon published on the Web site of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine," Selezniov said.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 6:04 AM PST

Russian opposition to publish Nemtsov's report on presence of Russian soldiers in Ukraine

   KIEV, March 4 (Ukrinform). --- Russian opposition politician Ilya Yashin has announced its intention to publish a report on the conflict in Donbas, on which Boris Nemtsov worked before his death, The Times reports.

   "Russian opposition plans to publish the important elements, contained in a detailed report on the military intervention in Ukraine, prepared by Boris Nemtsov before he was shot dead in Moscow," Yashin said.

   Yashin added that the evidence, gathered by Nemtsov, had been obtained from the parents of Russian soldiers, who died in the territory of Ukraine.

   The police officers, investigating into the murder of the opposition leader near the Kremlin, searched his apartment on the weekend and seized a computer of the politician, believed to have contained the only copy of that report.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 5:02 AM PST

Militants simulate weaponry withdrawal - Lysenko

   KIEV, March 4 (Ukrinform). --- Ukraine provides all the necessary information for the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission on the withdrawal of heavy weaponry in Donbas.

   Spokesman for ATO Andriy Lysenko has said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "The Ukrainian party provides the information on routes, location of the equipment, and even allows recording the serial numbers of this equipment for the subsequent monitoring of its location," he said.

   In turn, Lysenko noted, the militants continue simulating the withdrawal of heavy weaponry, while accumulating manpower, weapons and military equipment in strategic Artemivsk, Volnovakha and Mariupol directions.

   The ATO speaker stressed that in Luhansk direction militants blocked the access of the OSCE SMM observers to the areas of the alleged deployment of the withdrawn weaponry, and did not even show routes of withdrawal.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 4:52 AM PST

One Ukrainian soldier killed in Donbas conflict zone in past 24 hours

   KIEV, March 4 (Ukrinform). --- One Ukrainian serviceman has been killed and one has been wounded in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas in the past 24 hours.

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

   "During the shelling and clashes Ukraine has lost one soldier, another one was injured in past 24 hours," he said.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015 1:32 AM PST

Ukrainian soldiers near Shyrokyne, the Donetsk region, permanently shelled by the terrorists.

   (Censor.NET) --- Russian terrorists continue to shell Ukrainian army's positions in Shyrokyne village near Mariupol, the Donetsk region, The fighting has lasted for three weeks now.

   As reported by Censor.NET, the terrorists use mortars against Ukrainian soldiers.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015 23:55 PST

Terrorists continue shelling Ukrainian villages and violating cease-fire - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists have shelled the Ukrainian army positions for 12 times over the night, using small arms, grenade launchers, and artillery. Nevertheless, Ukrainian soldiers are getting ready for the second stage of artillery systems redeployment.

   This was announced by the ATO press center, Censor.NET reports.

   "Abiding by the peaceful agreements, the enemy in general complies with the cease-fire. But at the same time, some gangs continue to shell Ukrainian positions from the temporarily uncontrolled territories, using mostly small arms.
   "From 6 p.m. of March 3 till 6 a.m. of March 4, the terrorists shelled Opytne, Pisky, and Berezove at the Donetsk direction. Avdiivka was shelled with artillery at midnight, Vodiane - with mortars and anti-aircraft mounts.
   "At the Luhansk region, Shchastia was shelled with mortars and small arms.
   "Near Mariupol, Ukrainian positions were fired at by a sniper.
   "Besides, a drone was noted flying over Krasnivka and Znamenivka.
   "In total, terrorists shelled Ukrainian forces for 12 times since 6 p.m. yesterday.
   "Ukrainian soldiers continue to fortify the defense line and are getting ready for the second stage of redeployment of artillery systems to distances specified by the international agreements," the report reads.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  8:10 AM PST

Russia fanning hysteria about water for Crimea to justify further annexation of Ukraine

   (Zik) --- The Russian propaganda machine is building up hysteria about Crimean ecological disaster due to the lack of fresh water on the peninsula, Information Resistance expert Vyacheslav Husarov says March 3.

   Crimea has always depended on mainland Ukraine for the supplies of water for irrigation and drinking.

   The campaign indicates Russia’s intention to capture parts of southern Ukraine to build a corridor from Donbas to Crimea. 

   Russia can always buy water from Ukraine, as Ukraine does Russian oil and gas.

Ukraine War Update - 3 March 2015

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  8:49 AM PST

Kharkiv armoured plant transferred new batch of tanks to National Guard

   (Censor.NET) --- The Kharkiv armoured plant, part of the Ukroboronprom state concern transferred a new batch of T-64B (B1) tanks to the National Guard. The tanks have been repaired and equipped with additional dynamic protection.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing the press service of Ukroboronprom.

   "The hulls and the turrets of have been equipped with dynamic protection of the "contact" type, which provides protection against modern anti-tank weapons," the statement reads.

   The Kharkiv armoured plant is engaged in repair of T-64 tanks and their modernization for the needs of the Ukrainian army and conducts repairs and overhaul of heavy armored vehicles to ordered by the Defense Ministry.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  8:26 AM PST

Ukrainian army finishing 100-mm weapons withdrawal in Donbas - Defense Ministry

   (Censor.NET) --- According to the Defense Ministry report, Ukrainian army is finishing the withdrawal of weapons of 100-mm caliber and more from the contact line in the Donbas.

   As reported by Censor.NET citing Interfax, this was announced by the Ministry on March 3.

   "Indeed, almost all artillery of 100-mm caliber has been withdrawn from the line specified in the Minsk agreement recently, including canons Ruta and Rapira," the report reads.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  7:20 AM PST

Russia continues concentrate forces in Donbas - Ukraine's foreign ministry

   KIEV, March 3 (Ukrinform). --- In violation of the Minsk agreements, the Russian party continues to launch the acts of aggression against Ukraine, to provide support to terrorist groups ("DPR" and "LPR"), as well as to commit other actions, aimed at subsequent deterioration of the situation in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

   Spokesman for the Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Yevhen Perebyinis has told a briefing on Tuesday, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

   "In particular, the concentration and movement of military equipment and personnel of the Russian armed forces, in particular tanks, armored personnel carriers, other armored vehicles, multiple rocket launchers, anti-aircraft and artillery units, continue in some areas of Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Perebyinis said.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  5:13 AM PST

Three Ukrainian soldiers killed, nine wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, March 3 (Ukrinform). --- Three Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and another nine have been injured in the area of anti-terrorist operation over the last 24 hours.

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

   "Over the last day, we have lost three Ukrainian soldiers, and another nine were injured as a result of shelling and military clashes," Lysenko said.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  4:51 AM PST

Ukraine needs additional defensive weapons - Klimkin

   KIEV, March 3 (Ukrinform). --- Ukraine needs additional defensive weapons to protect its territory.

   Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said this in an interview with Nikkei Asian Review.

   "It is critically important to increase the capability of our armed forces. We need additional defensive weapons" Klimkin said.

   He reiterated that Ukraine needs weapon only for protection. The minister added that the ceasefire in Donbas is unstable.

   Klimkin also expressed the belief that sending weapons to illegal armed groups in the east, Russian President Vladimir Putin aims to destabilize not only Donbas, but the whole Ukraine.

   As reported, Klimkin is on a two-day official visit to Japan, during which he met, among others, with the head of the Japanese government and with the Foreign Minister of Japan.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  4:27 AM PST

Ukraine to take part in NATO crisis management exercise

   KIEV, March 3 (Ukrinform). --- The NATO begins Annual Crisis Management Exercise, the NATO headquarters has told an Ukrinform correspondent in Brussels.

   "Australia, Finland, Japan, Sweden and Ukraine will participate alongside Allies in the exercise. South Korea, New Zealand and Georgia chose to observe the exercise," the NATO press office says.

   The exercise is designed to test the North Atlantic Council procedures at the strategic political-military level.

   The scenario for the crisis management exercise consists of a crisis developing between two non-NATO states at distance from Alliance territory. It contains a humanitarian and maritime dimension, with implications for the security of the Allies.

   The exercise will take place between 4 and 10 March 2015.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  3:00 AM PST

Last respects paid to Boris Nemtsov in Moscow.

   (Censor.NET) --- Last respects for the Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, who was killed late Feb 27, was paid in Sakharov Center in Moscow.

   Censor.NET reports citing RIA Novosti.

   Nemtsov's family, friends, and associates came to pay last respects to Boris.

   Nemtsov will be buried at the Troekurov cemetery.

   The farewell ceremony was also attended by Deputy Prime Minister Arkady Dvorkovich, head of the government administration Sergei Prikhodko, Minister of Agriculture Nikolai Fyodorov, spokesman for Prime Minister Natalia Timakova, director of the information technologies and communications department of the Russian government Marina Volkova.

Tuesday, March 3, 2015  2:36 AM PST

Russian soldier gave an interview about his tank hit by Ukrainians

   (Censor.NET) --- “We all knew where we were going. I was already set up morally and mentally that we were going to Ukraine."

   This was stated by a 20-year-old conscript from Russia Dorzhi Batomunkuev, sent from Ulan-Ude to "fight for Debaltseve", Censor.NET reports.

   "I was called for duty on the Nov. 13, 2013. They only sent contract soldiers, and I came to Rostov as a conscript. But I, being a conscript, gave good results - in fire training and physical. I was called to service from Chita, Russia. I went through training there, and decided to stay on the contract in Ulan-Ude unit. In June I wrote a report. I was assigned to the second battalion."

   "We were told that we were going to training but we knew where we were going. We all knew where we were going. I was set up morally and mentally that we would be in the Ukraine," Batomunkuev. said.

   "We painted our tanks over in Ulan-Ude. Right on the wagons. We painted over the numbers … Patches, chevrons - all removed when we went to the landfill. Everything taken off... In order to cover up things. My passport was left in the military unit, the military ID at the landfill," he said.

   According to him, about Feb. 8 "the captain of the group simply came out and said: that's it, guys, we are going, full alert. And we found out that we came to Donetsk when we read the sign."

   Asked how much military has gone in, he replied: "So, 31 tanks in the battalion. We went in in companies. 10 tanks in each company. For every 10 tanks there were three APCs, an ambulance and five Ural trucks with ammunition. This is a numerical part of a task force company. A tank battalion consists of about 120 people - three tank companies, support platoon, communications platoon. Plus infantry, of course. Around 300 people have gone in. Everyone from Ulan-Ude ... We played "the carousel". It's a tactical method of a combat fire from a tank. Three or four tanks go to the open fire line, shoot, and as they run out of ammunition, they send three or four replacement tanks, and the latter are being loaded. This is how they changed.

   "I'm certainly not proud of what I did. That I killed and destroyed. There is, of course, nothing to be proud of. But, on the other hand, I calm down thinking that it's all for the sake of peace, peaceful citizens you look at - children, the elderly, women, men. I'm not proud of it, of course. That I shot and killed..." he said.

   "Civilians themselves came to us a lot. We tried not to talk to them. The command said not to engage in contact. When we were in Makiivka, they told us that 70 percent of the civilian population here are pro Ukrainian so "be on alert, guys," Batomunkuev said.

   "Well, there is one interesting thing - if the "DPR" gets independence - God willing - what will they do? Work as in Stalin's Five-Year Plan? There is no economy. And if there is no economy it means that it will not work out," he said.

   As to whether there is payment for his family, he said: "We have this thing in Russia -when it comes to money, no one knows anything. (Chuckles). Maybe they will pay, and may be they will say that you were fired a long time ago. I hope it wouldn't happen that I came here and was supposedly fired. My term of service ended Nov. 27. So I am a barnstormer here. Well. I am rather afraid."

   At the same time the soldier has nothing against Putin: "He is, of course, an interesting man. Cunning, we will "introduce-not introduce (the troops - ed.). "There are no troops here," he says to all the world. And quickly sends us "Come on, come on. "

Monday, March 2, 2015  23:46 PST

Withdrawal of heavy weapons by Luhansk rebels was fake – Tymchuk

   (Zik) --- In Alchevsk and Pervomajsk area, Donbas rebels and Russian troops are actively concentrating weapons and ammunition. They do not even try to pretend they are withdrawing heavy weapons as envisaged by the Minsk agreements, military expert Dmytro Tymchuk writes in Facebook March 3.

   In Stakhanov-Bile-Alchevsk area there are several artillery groups of the Russian troops and rebels 936 guns, 12 Grad missile batteries and 18 self-propelled artillery guns. The enemy is actively delivering ammunition to the Stakhanov-based ammo depot.

   “The recent alleged withdrawal of heavy weapons by the Luhansk republic  army to the north and east of Luhansk was merely a misleading manoeuver.

   The terrorists withdrew only the damaged weapons to repair bases. The rest of the heavy weapons have been withdrawn for short distances from the touchline, dispersed and masked,” Tymchuk writes.  

Ukraine War Update - 2 March 2015

Monday, March 2, 2015  8:30 AM PST

Ukrainian MPs asks Savchenko to stop hunger strike

   KIEV, March 2 (Ukrinform). --- The Ukrainian Parliament has appealed to Nadiya Savchenko to stop the hunger strike.

   329 MPs have voted for the proposal, voiced by Yuri Lutsenko from the rostrum.

   "We need such heroes alive," he said.

   MPs have called Savchenko to stop the hunger strike and keep her life for the struggle.

Monday, March 2, 2015  8:29 AM PST

Ukraine starts pumping gas into underground storage

   (Interfax) --- Ukraine has started pumping gas into underground storage facilities on February 27, gas transmission system operator Ukrtransgaz said.

   The country pumped 16.25 million cubic meters (mcm) of gas underground on February 27 and withdrew 610,000 cubic meters. It pumped 27.34 mcm underground on February 28 and withdrew 20,000 cubic meters. In other words, gas stocks grew by 42.96 mcm in the last two days of winter.

   Naftogaz Ukrainy CEO Andriy Kobolev said on Friday that Ukraine intended to start pumping gas into underground storage facilities, indicating that the country has got through the 2014/2015 winter season successfully.

   "We start pumping gas underground today, although we usually do this at the beginning of April," he said.

   Ukraine is able to do this thanks to current consumption levels and the availability of sufficient gas volumes in trunk pipelines, he said.

   Ukraine started to withdraw less gas from underground storage as mild weather set in at the end of February.

Monday, March 2, 2015  8:12 AM PST

Poroshenko wants to increase army to 250,000 men

   KIEV, March 2 (Ukrinform). --- President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko on Monday has submitted a draft law to increase the size of the Ukrainian armed forces to the Verkhovna Rada.

   The corresponding bill No. 2269 was registered in the Verkhovna Rada on Monday, according to parliament's web site.

   According to the bill, "In 2012, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the size of the Armed Forces of 184 thousand people. From the beginning of the special period and taking into account all threats to the national security of Ukraine in the military sphere, which could be long-term, two control operational commands, 11 teams, four regiments, 18 battalions, 16 separate companies and 13 platoons for various purposes will be formed in the Ukrainian armed forces," reads the explanatory note to the draft law.

   The draft law stipulates to approve the size of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the amount that does not exceed 250 thousand people, including 204 thousand servicemen.

Monday, March 2, 2015  6:40 AM PST

Terrorists return their heavy weapons to the front line in the night - ATO speaker

   (Censor.NET) --- In the night, the terrorists return their heavy weapons to positions from which they were previously withdrawn.

   This was announced by the ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko at a briefing on Monday, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainska Pravda.

   Lysenko noted that in the night, the terrorist return heavy weapons to their previous positions. "In all places where terrorists show withdrawal of heavy weapons, that is either redeployment to major directions where attacks are planned or withdrawal and night return of the heavy weapons," the Colonel said.
   Regarding the Ukrainian party's withdrawal of the weapons, Lysenko said the process continued. "If the situation does not deteriorate, the Ukrainian party will continue to withdraw the heavy weapons. But it is early days," Lysenko said.
   He explained that the terrorists violated the cease-fire. "We see it every day as they violate the cease-fire, including with heavy weapons, which should have been withdrawn from the front line," he noted.
   The Colonel explained that the terrorists form large groups at the Avdiivka, Luhansk, and Mariupol directions.

   He noted that a terrorists battalion technical group reinforced with armoured vehicles is located in the Mariupol sector.
   It was announced earlier that UN reported about Russia sending more weapons and manpower to Donbas.

Monday, March 2, 2015  5:36 AM PST

Up to 600 Russian mercenaries, 20 tanks sent to Novoazovsk

   KIEV, March 2 (Ukrinform). --- Russian-backed militants in Donbas are continuing to redeploy their tactical groups in coastal areas, near Novoazovsk and north of the town.

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

   According to Tymchuk, the militant tactical group consists of 550-600 Russian mercenaries and soldiers of the Russian Federation, 20 tanks, 33 armoured combat vehicles, 28 artillery pieces, and 16 multiple rocket launcher systems.

   "Before [seeing] this large group we saw small tactical groups of the DPR, mostly platoons, but several groups of up to a company. These groups have a small amount of heavy armoured vehicles and act as light infantry as a part of the tactical groups of the Russian-backed militants," Tymchuk added.

Monday, March 2, 2015  5:30 AM PST

Terrorists pull back heavy weapons to touchline at night

   (Zik) --- Donbas terrorists pull back to the touchline the heavy artillery withdrawn during the day, Ukraine army spokesman said March 2,

   “The movements of heavy weapons by the rebels are either redeployment to other areas or pseudo retreat at daytime followed by the return to the touchline at night,” the army spokesman said.

   The official accused the terrorists of spurning the cease-fire. “They keep on shelling our positions from the heavy artillery they have allegedly withdrawn,” he said.

Monday, March 2, 2015  5:09 AM PST

One Ukrainian soldier killed, four wounded over the past 24 hours - ATO speaker

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

   "Over the past 24 hours, one soldier was killed and four were wounded in the area of the anti-terrorist operation," Lysenko said.

Monday, March 2, 2015  3:01 AM PST

Russia continues sending advanced weapons and mercenaries to Donbas - UN

   (Censor.NET) --- Heavy weaponry and foreign militants are being sent to the areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by illegal military formations, including from the Russian Federation.

   Head of the UN Human Rights Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Armen Harutyunyan announced in Kiev Monday, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrinform.

   "There are also credible reports on continued flow of heavy weaponry and foreign militants, including from the Russian Federation, to the areas in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions controlled by the armed groups," he said.

   Harutyunyan noted that all the parties increasingly used heavy and sophisticated weaponry, including in shelling of Mariupol over the period covered by the report.

   According to him, the indiscriminate attacks were launched on the densely populated areas, controlled either by the Ukrainian forces or by illegal armed groups until the cease-fire implementation in eastern Ukraine. "Civilians continue to die even after the cease-fire, although the death toll is much lower," Harutyunyan said.

Monday, March 2, 2015  1:43 AM PST

Ukrainian servicemen suppress powerful attacks of terrorists near Horlivka and Krasnohorivka - InfoResist

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists’ attempts to force Ukrainian troops out from their positions by conducting offensive operations along with shelling from barrel and rocket artillery were recorded on the section of the front, which stretches from Krasnohorivka village to the south-western vicinity of Horlivka.

Dmytro Tymchuk wrote on Facebook citing the Information Resistance group situation report, Censor.NET informs.

   "These attempts are currently repulsed by the Ukrainian troops but the enemy continues to strengthen its capabilities in this area. The Russian-terrorist forces detachments deployed in this location (the task force consisting of 500 people deployed near the village of Yasynuvata and reserve components consisting of 2 000 people totally, which operate from Kuibyshev and Kiev regions of Donetsk city) are receiving reinforcements and equipment," he wrote.

   In addition Tymchuk noted that four terrorists' armoured units were recorded in the area being supported by three artillery groups, discovered earlier.

   "The total number of tanks concentrated by the enemy on this relatively narrow area exceeded 25 units. Several dozen armoured combat vehicles (more than 50 units) were also recorded," he added.

Monday, March 2, 2015  1:07 AM PST

Terrorists shelled Pisky and Avdiivka at night, two storm attempts recorded yesterday - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists shelled the Ukrainian army positions four times at the Donetsk direction at night.

   ATO speaker Anatolii Stelmakh announced, Censor.NET reports.

   The ATO press center latest report reads: "The enemy committed four fire strikes in the anti-terrorist operation area at the Donetsk direction at night of March 2

   "In particular, the terrorists fired at Pisky village (the Donetsk region) from small arms at about 9:55 p.m. and 10:20 p.m. March 1.

   "The artillery strike impacted ATO forces' positions near Avdiivka village (the Donetsk region) at 10:55 p.m.

   "The ATO troops' detachments were attacked by a sniper in Pisky village at 2:20 a.m. Monday.

   "The cease-fire violations were not recorded at Mariupol, Luhansk, and Debaltseve directions.

   "The terrorists conducted 32 assaults on the ATO forces' positions totally March 1, including 14 artillery and mortar strikes, 27 attacks from small arms and rocket launchers; the terrorists also tried to storm the ATO forces' positions near Avdiivka and Debaltseve," the report reads.

Monday, March 2, 2015  12:31 AM PST

Ukrainian MP Honcharenko said he was abused and intimidated in Moscow detention center

   (Censor.NET) --- The Verkhovna Rada deputy Oleksii Honcharenko, who was detained by Moscow police on Sunday March 1 during a march in memory of recently assassinated Russian oppositionist Boris Nemtsov, made a statement of abuse and intimidation in Moscow detention center.

   Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN.

   "They have just released me. A court hearing will be tomorrow," he said.

   The Verkhovna Rada deputy says he is accused of a failure to obey a police officer. "Though there was no failure to obey a police officer from my side," he said.

   Honcharenko stressed that he had been beaten after detention. He asked to call the doctor, but it was not done. "They were trying to make me sign certain protocols, attempting to intimidate me, saying that I would never be released and there was no Maidan here, and that the person who was interrogating me had got a blister on his finger from the trigger," Honcharenko said.

   "I do not know who they were. There were about 15 persons there. There was one FSB officer, police officers were also present there. All of them were dressed in civilian clothes," he added.

   According to him, the court will consider his case at 3 p.m. Moscow time on Monday. Honcharenko faces a fine worth RUR 1,000, or 15-day administrative arrest.

   Besides, according to Ukrainski Novyny, Honcharenko stated over the phone on air of the "Podrobytsi Tyzhnia" TV program on Inter TV channel that the Russian law enforcement officers treated him uncivilized. "Concerning their treatment - it was barbaric ... They knew who I was, but one of the officers just threw my diplomatic passport away and said that it's just a piece of paper in Russia," the Ukrainian MP said.

   Earlier, Ukrainian MP Oleksii Honcharenko was detained in downtown Moscow during a memorial march on Sunday, honouring recently killed Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov. "I wasn't shouting mottos or carrying posters or flags. They detained me just for my t-shirt," he said.