Ukraine War Update - 7 March 2015

Saturday, March 7, 2015  5:37 AM PST

London plans to ship consignment of non-lethal weapons to Kiev

   KIEV, March 7 (Ukrinform). --- The UK intends to ship a consignment of non-lethal military equipment to Ukraine.

   Deutsche Welle German news agency reported the news citing the UK Minister of Defense Michael Fallon.

   "Non-lethal equipment that is to be shipped as a gift is meant to prevent further Ukrainian losses and improve its spatial awareness," the German news agency quoted the head of the British Ministry of Defense as saying.

Saturday, March 7, 2015  5:17 AM PST

PM Yatseniuk discusses American technical assistance with US Deputy State Secretary

   KIEV, March 7 (Ukrinform). --- Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatseniuk discussed with US Deputy Secretary of State Anthony Blinken, who is visiting Kiev, the issue of a security situation in eastern Ukraine on Friday, March 6.

   The news was reported on Ukraine's Government portal website.

   "The Prime Minister of Ukraine discussed with the US official the issue of security situation in eastern Ukraine, focusing on the need for a common decisive opposition by the international community to the aggressive policy conducted by the Russian Federation," said the statement.

   It is noted that an important element of these efforts is to stabilize the economic situation in Ukraine through the government's efforts to implement systemic reforms with the support provided by its international partners.

   Moreover, Yatseniuk and Blinken discussed priority areas for obtaining the expert and technical assistance from the United States, including, in particular, to enhance Ukraine's defense capabilities, reform of law enforcement agencies, and assistance in the financial sector.

Saturday, March 7, 2015  4:49 AM PST

Terrorists restore railroad for supply of arms and ammunition

   (Censor.NET) --- Violating the cease-fire, the terrorists are not only attack Ukrainian army’s positions in the ATO zone, but also reconstitute their forces.

Andrii Lysenko, Speaker of the National Security and Defense Council, announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET reports.
   "The enemy is primarily focused on its unit's reconstitution and regrouping, arms and ammunition supplies. First and foremost, they are trying to restore the railroad," Lysenko said.

Saturday, March 7, 2015  4:08 AM PST

Gunmen shell Ukrainian army 46 times over past 24 hours in Donbas conflict zone, no casualties reported

   KIEV, March 7 (Ukrinform). --- For the past 24 hours, the gunmen shelled 46 times the positions held by the Ukrainian military.

   Representative of the anti-terrorist operation headquarters Andriy Lysenko told reporters on Saturday.

   "Statistics testifies that the ceasefire is sabotaged by the gunmen. In particular, yesterday, on March 6, Ukrainian forces were attacked with using different types of weapons 46 times," said Lysenko.

   Moreover, he said, three clashes occurred between the Ukrainian military and the enemy on Friday. "The attacks were repulsed without any losses to our side. The tensest confrontations were near Donetsk, Artemivsk and Volnovakha areas. For the first time in several months in the Donbas conflict zone, no killed or wounded servicemen due to shelling or fights have been reported. All are alive and well," said the representative.

   According to Lysenko, the most intense fights were reported near the town of Avdiyivka, 20 kilometers north of Donetsk, where “yesterday our positions near the town were attacked 10 times, and today after midnight - 3 times, including at 04.00 the shelling was reported fired from the enemy's artillery.

   "The main enemy's efforts are focused on the restoration of his combat units, regrouping of manpower and equipment, improvement in delivering arms and ammunition to the territories they control, mostly utilizing railroad network," said the official.

Saturday, March 7, 2015  3:33 AM PST

There are no casualties among Ukrainian soldiers over last 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- There were no Ukrainian soldiers killed or wounded in the ATO zone on March 6.

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

   "Over the last 24 hours, there were no casualties among Ukrainian soldiers, for the first time in the last few months," Lysenko said.

Saturday, March 7, 2015  12:13 AM PST

Terrorists shelled Avdiivka and unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian army’s positions near Sokolnyky

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists continue to provoke the Armed Forces of Ukraine in order to sabotage the Minsk agreements.

   Thus, the militants violated the truce for about 14 times from 8 p.m. (March 6) till 6 a.m. (March 7), Censor.NET reports referring to the ATO press center.

   The militants fired at Hranitne, Opytne and Pisky villages from small arms last night. The town of Avdiivka was shelled from mortars and grenade launchers seven times. Moreover, Avdiivka town was fired from artillery from 4 a.m. till 4.20 a.m," the press center informs.
   Shumy village was shelled from automatic grenade launcher. The terrorists unsuccessfully attacked Ukrainian army's positions near Sokolnyky village in the Luhansk region.

   In general, the militants used small arms four times, mortars and grenade launchers ten times from 8p.m. (March 6) till 6a.m. (March 7). Artillery was used only once last night.

Friday, March 6, 2015  22:24 PST

Georgia's Parliamentary Chief Says Relations With Russia Deteriorating

   WASHINGTON(RFE/RL) --- The chairman of Georgia’s parliament says Tbilisi's relations with Russia have deteriorated since start of the war in eastern Ukraine between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists.

Davit Usupashvili

   Davit Usupashvili told RFE/RL on March 6 that Tbilisi's relations with Moscow are changing from "bad to worse, because what's happening in Ukraine is a continuation of the process which started in August 2008 in Georgia."

   Russia and Georgia broke formal diplomatic relations after the two countries fought a six-day war in August 2008.

   Since December 2012, representatives from the two countries have engaged in limited bilateral talks in Prague.

   Usupashvili said neither those talks nor enhanced trade would change Russia's aggressive behavior.

   He said that only more “outside pressure” could change Russia's behavior.

   Earlier this week, Russian launched what it described as “military exercises” in Georgia’s breakaway regions of South Ossetia and Abkhazia -- the Russian-backed separatist regions where the Kremlin’s forces have remained since the 2008 war.

   Usupashvili said he was "very angry" about Russia’s military muscle flexing there.

   But he said: “I am expressing my anger in resolutions of the parliament and statements because it's not a viable option to translate this anger into something else -- taking a weapon and fighting. We learned some lessons in August 2008."

   On March 5, Russian President Vladimir Putin also signed an order backing a draft treaty with South Ossetia that will deepen military and economic ties between Moscow and the self-styled separatist leadership there.

   The order follows a similar one signed between Russia and Abkhazia’s self-styled separatist leadership.

   Usupashvili said the treaty was not done "in accordance with the rules and practices” of international law.

   Nevertheless, he said Georgia wants to normalize its relations with Moscow because "no matter how things will go, we have to live next to Russia."

   Usupashvili was in Washington to meet with U.S. officials and lawmakers.

   His week-long visit comes the same week that former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili, now an adviser to Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, testified to the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee and urged the United States to supply military weaponry to Ukrainian government forces.

Saakashvili’s appointment by Poroshenko has sparked tensions between the two countries.

   Georgia summoned Ukraine's ambassador in Tbilisi to explain the move, and Kiev refused a request from Tbilisi to extradite Saakashvili to face corruption charges in Georgia.

   Saakashvili’s supporters say the charges against him are politically motivated.

   Usupashvili said he was reluctant to criticize Kiev for the move because of the reform challenges that the Ukrainian government faces.

   But he said: “The only thing which I would advise to Ukrainians or Ukrainian leadership” would be “to be more careful" about moves like appointing Saakashvili as a presidential adviser in Kiev.

Friday, March 6, 2015  14:21 PST

Ukrainian side withdrew Uragan MLRS while militants violated cease-fire 27 times – ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Today, March 6, in full compliance with the implementation of the Minsk agreements, the Ukrainian side started the next stage of withdrawal of artillery systems.

   This is stated by Censor.NET citing the press center of the anti-terrorist operation.

   The report notes: "In particular, Uragan multiple rocket launchers were redeployed from combat positions along the line of contact.

   "At the same time, from 5 a.m. to nearly 7 p.m. the enemy violated the cease-fire 27 times.

   "Thus, at the Donetsk direction the terrorists used small arms: three times in Opytne, two times in Pisky and against ATO position near the Dutivka mine.

   "At the same time, the gangs used mortars and grenade launchers against Opytne, Pisky, Avdiivka, and Vodiane. About 11 a.m. the militants opened fireon Opytne using an IFV.

   "Today has not been quiet at the other directions. Near Mariupol the criminals used small arms and rocket-propelled grenades at Shyrokyne. The villages of Orel and Berdianske were shelled by mortars.

   "At the Luhansk direction they used mortars and anti-tank guided missiles to strike Zolote.

   "Near Debaltseve the used grenade launcher to strike Leninske, and mortars and anti-tank guided missiles against Luhanske.

   "The day was characterized by two armed clashes. At 5 a.m. the enemy's infantry forces unsuccessfully attacked the ATO forces' positions near the Dutivka mine. And around 3 p.m. the gangs stormed a stronghold on the outskirts of Maiorsk," the report says.

   "In addition, during the day the enemy used unmanned aerial vehicles 4 times. In particular, over Raivka near Luhansk and three times in the sky over Hnutove at the Mariupol direction," the ATO concluded.

Friday, March 6, 2015  12:21 PST

"Parade of prisoners" in Donetsk is a war crime - UN Assistant Secretary General

   (Censor.NET) --- "Parade of prisoners" in the occupied city of Donbas is a war crime, Assistant Secretary-General for Human Rights Ivan Šimonović says.

   He stated this during a meeting of the UN Security Council on Friday, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

   He noted that on Jan. 22 Ukrainian soldiers who were captured at the Donetsk airport, were forced to go through the streets of Donetsk where they were insulted, and said that such treatment of prisoners of war can be considered a war crime.

   According to him, the illegal military forces continue to violate human rights in the occupied territories.

   Šimonović also stated that the SMM continues to document cases of torture and improper treatment. 

Lithuania 'already under attack' - President Grybauskaite

   (BBC) --- The Lithuanian president has told the BBC's Katya Adler that her country is "already under 

attack" and that conscription is being reintroduced in Lithuania as a response to threats in the region.

   Dalia Grybauskaite said that the country needed to be able to protect itself as it was in the "frontier". She said her country bordered Russia and there were "threats and exercises practically every day combined with an informational war, propaganda and cyber attacks".

Ukraine War Update - 6 March 2015

Friday, March 6, 2015  7:58 AM PST

Switzerland prolongs Russian sanctions due to situation in Ukraine

   (Interfax) --- The Swiss government has prolonged its sanctions against Russia due to the situation in Ukraine.

   "In view of the situation in Ukraine, and following decisions taken by the EU, the Federal Council today decided to extend its measures to prevent the circumvention of international sanctions," reads the Swiss government website.

   "It added the measures decreed by the EU last December following non-recognition of the annexation of the Crimea and Sevastopol to the ordinance on international sanctions of 27 August 2014," reads the statement.

   "The Federal Council also added to Annex 3 of the ordinance the names of 28 further persons and entities who have had financial and travel restrictions imposed on them in the EU. The amended ordinance with supplemented annexes comes into effect at 6 pm today [1900 Kiev time]," reads the statement.

   The last time Switzerland extended the list of people effected by the sanctions was on December 16, 2014. The names on the list have been covered by EU sanctions since November last year.

Friday, March 6, 2015  7:42 AM PST

Terrorists are preparing an offensive on three fronts - ATO speaker

   (Censor.NET) --- The militants accumulate equipment at Novoazovsk, Artemivsk and Donetsk directions which promotes suggestions on the likelihood of the so-called offensive actions.

   ATO speaker Andrii Lysenko announced the probability of the militants' offensive actions in certain areas, Censor.NET reports citing zn.ua.

   "Taking in consideration the amount of equipment, weapons and manpower concentrated in certain areas, it is possible to draw conclusions about the probability of the so-called offensive actions. Subversive actions obviously should be expected in the areas with lower concentration of hostile forces," he said at a briefing in Kiev Friday.

   The major Russian-terrorist forces are concentrated at Novoazovsk, Artemivsk, and Donetsk directions.

   "But we keep conducting counter subversive actions as the enemy subversive reconnaissance groups are constantly trying to penetrate into our territory, but thanks to the efforts of our soldiers on the front line the intruders are detected and destroyed," the ATO speaker said.

   According to him, the militants have partially restored Debaltseve railway junction.

   "There was information that the terrorists received instructions to restore the railway tracks as soon as possible. Hardware was deployed there. We have information that the first train that brought ammunition to militants in Debaltseve has arrived the day before yesterday. It consisted of six cars," Lysenko said.

He noted that when Ukrainian troops pulled back from Debaltseve, the railway tracks were extensively damaged. "Since there were instructions to leave the positions in Debaltseve and perform organized withdrawal from the Debaltseve front there were not a single undamaged rail at the Debaltseve junction at that time," Channel 112 reports citing Lysenko.

   Lysenko also said at the briefing that the Ukrainian military are withdrawing Uragan multiple rocket launchers (MRLS) from the confrontation line as of Friday, March 6 implementing the next stage of the Minsk agreements.

Friday, March 6, 2015  5:27 AM PST

Ukraine has to step up preparations to defend Mariupol, Artemivsk and Shchastya – expert

   (Zik) --- According to Ukraine intelligence, Russian and rebel troops are sending reconnaissance groups to Mariupol, Artemivsk and Shchastya to gauge our defenses, expert Dmytro Snehiryov says, ZIK reports March 6.

   These three cities have strategic importance. In Artemivsk, there is a huge military hardware depot, In Shchastya, there is a thermal electricity plant supplying electricity to rebel-held territories.

   Mariupol with its sea port and steel plants Azovstal and Illich as well as Azovmash engineering plant make the city a lump prize for the separatists.

   Mariupol is on the way to Crimea, with the separatists announcing their plans to export coal and lay a land corridor to Crimea.

   Ukraine army says they are prepared to defend Mariupol and built a three-echelon defense lines. However, this is not true, the expert says. So, the defense of Mariupol is a priority, Dmytro Snehiryov stresses.

Friday, March 6, 2015  5:22 AM PST

One more car exploded in Kharkiv over the day; the reason for explosion is short circuit

   (Censor.NET) --- Another car explosion, second over the day Friday, rocked the city of Kharkiv.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing IT Sector.
Kharkiv State Culture University dormitory," the message reads.
   The website also published two images of the explosion.
   Later, People's Front MP Anton Herashchenko confirmed the accident on his Facebook page and said the reason for the explosion was short circuit.

   "At about 2 p.m. a car took fire and exploded near a

   "Panic rumors spread across Kharkiv about the second car blown up over the day. I just spoke with the Kharkiv Regional Police Administration Head Anatolii Dmytriev. The second car was an old Audi with problematic circuit. It just burned down. No one was hurt. The owner himself confirmed that his car was at the death's door," Herashchenko wrote.

Friday, March 6, 2015  5:03 AM PST

No Ukrainian soldiers killed in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, March 6 (Ukrinform). --- Over the past day no Ukrainian soldiers have been killed, four have been injured in the area of the anti-terrorist operation.

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

   "During the last day no Ukrainian servicemen have been killed, four have been injured in the area of the anti-terrorist operation," Lysenko said.

Friday, March 6, 2015  4:46 AM PST

Ukrainian witness of Nemtsov's slaying to be protected by Ukrainian police

   KIEV, March 6 (Ukrinform). --- Viktor Shokin has instructed the police to protect Hanna Durytska, the sole witness of Boris Nemtsov's shooting death in Moscow, Russia, last week.

   The press service of Ukraine's General Prosecutor's Office has reported.

   "Attorney General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin has instructed to take all necessary measures to protect the life Hanna Durytska, the witness in the murder case of Russian opposition politician Boris Nemtsov," the prosecutor's office officials said.

   The officials stated that Durytska herself wrote to the police yesterday about unknown persons threatening her life at her parents' residence. "Currently, security measures are being made to protect the life and health of Hanna Durytska," the press-service noted.

   The course of the pre-trial investigation was taken under personal control by the Attorney General of Ukraine.

(Please note --- I'm not sure what her first name is properly as I have found articles calling her Anna, Gannna and Hanna so far)

Friday, March 6, 2015  4:30 AM PST

Car of battalion commander exploded in Kharkiv. Two people injured.

   (Censor.NET) --- Another explosion rocked Kharkiv.

Kharkiv businessman, volunteer, and 'Myr I Poriadok' charity fund co-founder Vsevolod Kozhemiako announced on his page on Facebook, Censor.NET informs.

   "A van just exploded in Kharkiv, in Saltivka (residential neighborhood in the north-east of Kharkiv - ed.) near 24-storey apartment building. A white Volkswagen van exploded. It does not seem like the terrorist attack though," he wrote.

   Information about the explosion was also confirmed by the IT Sector Kharkiv news outlet.

   "An explosion took place in Saltivka near 24-storey apartment building. A man in military uniform suffered as a result. The injured person was taken to the hospital," the statement reads.

   According to Hromadske TV, the car belonged to the Slobozhanshchyna battalion commander.

   Andrii Yanholenko's brother Serhii confirmed to Interfax-Ukraine that the exploded car belonged to the Slobozhanshchyna police special designation battalion commander.

   "It happened in Saltivka near 24-storey apartment building. Andrii and his wife are currently in the fourth emergency department," he said.

   Serhii Yanholenko did not specify how critical the condition of both victims was.

Friday, March 6, 2015  3:16 AM PST

Terrorists continue using harassing fire tactics. Shelling of Avdiivka, Pisky, and another attempt to storm Shyrokyne recorded at night - ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Terrorists continue shelling the Ukrainian troops’ positions.

   Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center's statement.

   "The enemy keeps conducting sporadic attacks on the Ukrainian servicemen positions in the antiterrorist operation area following the tactics of 'harassing fire'.

   "The terrorists attacked our detachments 14 times during the night from 8 p.m. March 5 to 6 a.m. March 6.

   "The cities and villages at the Donetsk direction have long been suffering from the largest number of attacks. The villages of Avdiivka and Pisky were shelled from mortars and grenade launchers at about 8 p.m. there. The criminals committed more strikes on Avdiivka at 1.50 a.m. They also attacked Kamianka village at 3.10 a.m. and Khimik neighbourhood at 4.10 a.m.

   "The enemy fired at the village of Shyrokyne at Mariupol direction several times for almost an hour totally using small arms and rocket launchers. The first assault started at 09.45 p.m. and the other one - at 12.30 a.m. The terrorists committed unsuccessful attempt to storm our positions there at 9.30 p.m.

   "A sniper attacked Leninske village at the Artemivsk direction at 08.05 p.m. The village of Shumy was fired at by the gangs from small arms at 08.30 p.m.

   "Despite some enemy gangs' attempts to disrupt peace agreements by sporadic shelling, our military do not fall for provocations using weapons only in case of direct threat to life," the statement reads.

 Friday, March 6, 2015  2:39 AM PST

Situation in Ukraine's eastern regions. Map

   KIEV, March 6 (Ukrinform). --- The situation in eastern Ukraine remains tense. Despite the declared ceasefire, Russian-backed terrorists continue to fire at Ukrainian army positions and settlements in Donbas.

   The map reflecting the situation in Donbas as of 12.00 on March 6 has been released by the information and analytical center of the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council.

Friday, March 6, 2015  2:26 AM PST

'DPR' terrorists announced ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians in Horlivka

   (Censor.NET) --- 'DPR' terrorists announced ethnic cleansing of Ukrainians.

   'DPR' terrorists in Horlivka, the Donetsk region, announced ethnic cleansing towards Ukrainians in the city.

Harassment of Ukrainians was announced in a social media group 'Horlivka Local Defense.' This is one of the most popular city groups with 88,000 subscribers, Censor.NET reports citing Sirgis Inform.

   The terrorists' message reads that they started to list all those who support Ukraine and Ukrainians and asked other citizens "to report neighbors, acquaintances, and strangers." The terrorists are open about this being ethnic cleansing: "This means that cleansing starts in Horlivka. Cleansing of 'ukrops' (pejorative for Ukrainians - ed.). We have no pity for traitors in our hearts. Either they leave on their own, or we arrange it for them," the message reads.

Friday, March 6, 2015  1:13 AM PST

Russian opposition leaders pledge to complete Nemtsov’s report on Russian troops in Donbas – Yashyn

   (Zik) --- Speaking on 1+1 TV March 5, Boris Nemtsov’s friend and colleague in the opposition said, “We will try to publish Boris Nemtsov’s report soon.

   However, there may be some problems as the police impounded Boris’ PC within hours of his murder. 

   Still, some of the materials kept by Boris’ assistants have been restored,” Yashyn said.

   Completing Nemtsov’s report is the matter of honor for the opposition. The Russians must know the truth about Putin’s role in starting the war in Donbas, Illya Yashyn said.

Friday, March 6, 2015  12:01 AM PST

Donbas rebels build up ammo supplies close to touchline

   (Zik) --- Breaking the Minsk agreements, over the past two days the rebels and Russian troops intensified their activities to build up ammunition supplies in the areas close to the touchline, military expert Dmytro Tymchuk writes in Facebook March 6.

   Five truck convoys and a trainload of ammunition arrived in Donbas on March 5 and 6, the expert says.

   The rebels also ignore the ceasefire and the withdrawal of heavy artillery from the touchline.   The shelling of Ukraine army position continues using artillery guns and tanks.

   The rebels have withdrawn only part of their heavy artillery, hiding many guns and tanks in masked positions, Dmytro Tymchuk says.

Thursday, March 5, 2015  11:32 AM PST

Putin does better job than Stalin scaring Russians – Gluzman

   (Zik) --- The Kremlin has tapped well the potential of television to scare Russians and create the image of the enemy, in fact, the same way Stalin and Hitler had done, president of the Association of Psychiatrists of Ukraine and former dissident Semen Gluzman says.

   “What the Nazis had done and what Stalin had done is now being done by Putin – but more expertly using television and the Internet, Gluzman told Radio Svoboda March 5.

   Scared people cannot think critically. Therefore, they believe everything they are told. The only way to deal with this is to tell the truth, he said. 

   Trust develops and scare is gone when you are told the truth, no matter how bitter it can be, the scientist said

   “If the number of Ukrainian casualties in Debaltseve is high, why should the information be classified? We must know the names of our patriots to honour them and help their families.

   When we hear untrue declarations of general staff spokesmen, we stop believing them – and it is a very serious problem,” Semen Gluzman says.

Ukraine War Update - 5 March 2015

Thursday, March 5, 2015  9:02 AM PST

"I will fight! Together with you!" – Savchenko’s lawyer confirms partial cessation of her hunger strike

Letter from Nadiya

   (Censor.NET) --- Lawyer of Ukrainian pilot, MP Nadiya Savchenko Mark Feigin confirms that she partially terminated the hunger strike.

   According to Censor.NET, he wrote about it on his Twitter page.

   "I came from Nadiya Savchenko. I confirm the words of the Federal Penitentiary Service (FPS) of Russia on her partial termination of the hunger strike," he wrote.

   Earlier today, the Russian FPS stated that Nadiya Savchenko agreed to end the strike.

   "Today, the accused Nadiya Savchenko agreed to implement the recommendations of physicians to maintain her health and has agreed to accept the chicken broth," the FPS stated.

   The lawyer also issued a letter of Nadiya Savchenko in which she confirmed that she decided to drink the broth in order to have power to fight together with Ukrainians.

Thursday, March 5, 2015  7:37 AM PST

Militants’ attempt to expand occupied territory will be regarded as a violation of the Minsk agreements - NATO Secretary General

   (Censor.NET) --- Any attempt by the terrorists to expand the territory they occupied in the East of Ukraine will be regarded by the international community as a violation of the Minsk agreements.

   This was announced on Thursday by NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

   At a joint press conference in Helsinki with Finnish Prime Minister Alexander Stubb Stoltenberg stated that an attempt to expand the territory by the separatists will be in direct violation of the Minsk agreements and would be unacceptable in the eyes of the international community.

Thursday, March 5, 2015  7:19 AM PST

63 border guards were killed and 372 wounded in the course of ATO – State Border Service

   (Censor.NET) --- In the course of carrying out ATO combat missions in in eastern Ukraine 63 border guards lost their lives.

   372 border guards were wounded and 10 are missing in action. This was stated at the briefing of Assistant Chairman of the State Border Service, head of the press service Oleh Slobodian, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainian News.

   "Since the early deterioration of the situation in Eastern Ukraine 63 border guards were killed, 372 were wounded and another 10 are still missing," he said.

   The latest death of the border guard was reported on Feb. 10 when an ATO checkpoint near Fashchivka of the Donetsk region came under fire.

Thursday, March 5, 2015  6:45 AM PST

Russia's aggression not to stop Ukraine's integration into NATO - Turchynov

   KIEV, March 5 (Ukrinform). --- Russia's aggression in Crimea and eastern Ukraine will not stop the process of Ukraine's integration into the EU and NATO.

   Secretary of National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov said this at a media briefing in Warsaw, an Ukrinform correspondent in Poland reported.

   "There is no alternative to European and Euro-Atlantic integration for Ukraine and we are very grateful for Poland's support in this direction. Russian aggression in Crimea and eastern Ukraine will not stop the process of Ukraine's European and Euro-Atlantic integration," Turchynov said.

   He stressed that Ukraine "in any case, would return the temporarily occupied territories."

   According to him, Kiev today counters a very strong aggressor, and therefore the support of partners from the EU is "very important."

   "Russian aggression against Ukraine should be considered in the context of aggression against the European security and therefore cooperation [with the West] in the field of security and defense is very important," he said.

   Turchynov also expressed his gratitude "to the Polish government and people for their support to Ukraine.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 5:40 AM PST

Russian Foreign Ministry to oppose UN peacekeepers’ introduction to the east of Ukraine

   (Censor.NET) --- Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Gennady Gatilov said that Moscow will not support the introduction of peacekeeping forces on the territory of Ukraine, if such a proposal is submitted to the UN Security Council.

   Censor.NET reports citing BBC Russian service.

   He explained that according to Moscow's position, Minsk Agreements are sufficient at this stage of the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis.

   "We believe that Minsk arrangements clearly define the role of the OSCE within its monitoring mission. And now we need to do our best for this monitoring mission to work efficiently observing the implementation of the Minsk agreements. This would be enough for now," Gatilov said.

   The Ukrainian authorities had previously offered to introduce the UN or the EU peacekeepers into the conflict zone in the Donbas.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 4:46 AM PST

Ukrainian troops start to withdraw Grads rockets

   KIEV, March 5 (Ukrinform). --- On Friday, March 6, Ukrainian military start the next stage of withdrawal of artillery systems from the confrontation line in the ATO area to the distance, determined in the Minsk agreements.

This has been reported by the ATO press center.

"In particular, BM-21 Grad multiple launch rocket systems are redeployed at the prepared frontiers along the demarcation line," press center notes.

The ATO press center has earlier stated that Ukrainian military are ready to start the third stage of withdrawal of heavy artillery, if the militants abide by the peace agreements.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 4:25 AM PST

More than 50 towns in Donetsk region disconnected from Ukraine's Treasury network

   KIEV, March 5 (Ukrinform). --- Effective on 4 March, over 50 towns and villages in Donetsk region have been disconnected from the State Treasury Service of Ukraine, but the head of the region asks to resume public sector funding in those residential areas.

   The press service of Donetsk Regional State Administration has reported the news.

   The officials said that in February the Cabinet had decided to expand the list of towns where the government does not exercise or does not completely exercise its powers. According to Donetsk region governor Oleksandr Kikhtenko, "this has meant that today the Ukrainian towns of Avdiyivka, Dzerzhynsk, Svitlodarsk and other towns and villages have completely stopped obtaining financing. Thus, the towns controlled by Ukrainian government have to function in fact without money."

   Donetsk regional governor has written a letter to the Prime Minister asking to immediately exclude those towns from the list in order to restore public sector funding there so that salaries, pensions and social assistance can be paid.

   In addition, Donetsk regional state administration asks the Cabinet to resolve the issue by adopting legislation to count internally displaced persons from residential areas controlled by Ukrainian authorities where fighting is still raging and there is an existing threat to their lives.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 4:23 AM PST

Terrorists conduct active redeployment of forces: buildup of militant groups recorded in all major areas - NSDC.

   (Censor.NET) --- Terrorists are actively switching their forces. Militant groups are enhanced in all major areas of confrontation. Strengthening of the enemy positions is underway.

   Representative of the anti-terrorist operation staff Colonel Andrii Lysenko announced today at a daily briefing, Censor.NET reports.

   "The enemy is carrying out active redeployment of its forces at Volnovakha direction in particular as well as trying to disguise weapons and military equipment in the hangars and depots. Militant groups' buildup is recorded in all major areas of confrontation. Strengthening of the enemy positions is underway on the territories under their control near the city of Donetsk," he said.

   The militants opened fire on Ukrainian positions 35 times yesterday. The hottest spots were the villages of Shchastia and Luhanske at the Artemivsk direction, the Donetsk airport vicinity, and the village of Shyrokyne near Mariupol.

   At the same time it was relatively calm in the ATO area after midnight. Peaceful villages and towns at the Donetsk direction also came under enemy fire five times. In particular, a female State Emergency Service employee was killed in Avdiivka as a result of a mortar attack.

   One Ukrainian soldier was killed and one more was wounded over the past 24 hours.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 3:57 AM PST

43 terrorist acts conducted in Kharkiv and the region over the year - Interior Ministry

   (Censor.NET) --- 43 terrorist acts were conducted in the city of Kharkiv and the region, seven on them in 2015. 88 activists of the separatist movement were detained.

   Major-General of the police Anatolii Dmytriev reported during Kharkiv regional council meeting on how police protect citizens in this difficult situation in the country, Kharkiv regional police press service informed, Censor.NET reports.

   According to him, the situation in the Kharkiv region remains difficult. Unfortunately, the separatists do not abandon their attempts to destabilize the region. Starting from spring 2014, 43 terrorist act were carried out in the region, seven of them in 2015. Masterminds and performers of the celebrated explosion of Feb. 22, which killed four and wounded 15, have been detained. Last year, 88 activists of the separatist movement who provoked civil unrest were also arrested. The majority of criminal proceedings against them have been investigated and sent to court.
   "Given the common border with the Russian Federation and the proximity to the ATO area, the security agencies have increased security and defense of the region," Dmytriev said. "32 checkpoints operate in the region, with 320 police officers involved. About half a million people have been checked at the checkpoints since they were set, 500 pieces of weapons have been seized, including mortars, grenade launchers, guns, machine guns, revolvers, hundreds of grenades, tens of thousands of other ammunition supplies, 130 kg of triton, plastide, and other explosive materials," he reported.

   The head of the regional Interior Administration also announced that effective Jan. 22, heavy police presence was implemented in the region. This allowed to decrease crime rate in public places by two times, including thefts, robberies, and other criminal offences.

Thursday, March 5, 2015 1:33 AM PST

Powerful explosion rocked Odesa at night. The Interior Ministry said it was a terrorist attack.

   (Censor.NET) --- A powerful explosion hit the basement of the house situated on the Koblevska Str. in

Odesa at 12:30 a.m. Thursday.

Censor.NET reports citing the press service of the Interior Ministry of Ukraine Main Directorate in Odesa region.

   "The explosion damaged two offices situated in the semi-basement floor of the three-storey house on Koblevska Street, as well as nearby parked cars. Several apartments have their windows shattered. There are no casualties as a result of the explosion," the statement reads.

   The agency also noted that the report on the explosion on 40 Koblevska Street in Odesa was received by police today, March 5 at 12:30 a.m.

   The bomb-disposal experts, the investigative team of the Prymorskyi district police department, and the police authorities promptly arrived at the scene.
   "According to the preliminary examination of the crime scene, it was found that the explosion stroke premises in semi-basement of the three-storey residential building, rented by business entities. The explosion damaged two offices and several cars which belonged to the residents of the house and were parked in the courtyard," the Interior Ministry noted.

   Police officers are currently working at the scene finding the circumstances of the incident. No casualties were incurred.

   The investigators determined the incident as a terrorist attack (Article 258 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine).

   It should be noted that the office of Pravyi Sector (Right Sector) is situated in the semi-basement of the house on Koblevska Street in Odesa, where the bomb exploded.

   According to Pravyi Sector press secretary Varvara Chornoivanenko, three people, who were in the premises during the incident, received light injuries and were able to leave the office by themselves, Hromadske reports. They received medical assistance from the emergency team, which arrived at the scene.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015  23:21 PST

IF US do not provide weapons, Ukraine may lose its independence – Saakashvili

   (Zik) --- Georgia’s ex-president and now head of the International Board on Reforms in Ukraine Mikheil Saakashvili has again urged the United States to provide lethal weapons to Ukraine.

   Addressing hearing in the Senate foreign relations committee, Saakashvili stressed the acute need to supply defensive weapons, like the anti-tank missiles, to stop Russia’s aggression, Radio Svoboda reports March 4.  

   He waved aside the argument that the US have to coordinate their decision with the EU, reminding that Germany is unlikely to support the transfer of weapons to Ukraine.

   Russia may capture new territories in eastern and southern Ukraine and destabilize the situation in Kiev, Saakashvili warned.

   Saakashvili was Georgia’s president during the Russian attack on his country in 2008.

Wednesday, March 4, 2015  23:09 PST

SBU catches activists of revanchist group, finds explosives and grenades

   (Zik) --- The Security Service of Ukraine has netted a group of extremists in Kiev.

SBU found explosives and grenades after searching their office. 

   A major problem is to expose the masterminds of the terrorist group. They must be brought to account for creating and monitoring the activities of such groups, SBU spokesman said March 4.

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?