Estonia shows off NATO ties at celebrations on Russian border

   Narva (Estonia) (AFP) --- Estonia marked its independence day Tuesday with a military parade featuring NATO hardware and troops on its eastern border with Russia amid heightened east-west tensions over Ukraine.

Estonian soldiers take part in a parade during an event to

 celebrate 97 years since first achieving independence in

 1918, on February 24, 2015 in Narva, Estonia (AFP

 Photo/Raigo Pajula)

   Around 100 British, Dutch, Spanish, Latvian and Lithuanian troops marched in the snow alongside some 1,300 Estonian soldiers to mark the independence of the formerly Soviet-ruled republic, now a member of the European Union and NATO.

   "History has taught us that if we do not defend ourselves, nobody else will," General Riho Teras, Estonia's chief of staff, said at the parade.

   "The events in Ukraine that have kept the entire world awake, demonstrate very clearly that we ourselves must maintain security," he added.

   Two US Stryker armoured personnel carriers and a number of Dutch CV90 tanks were also on parade, equipment NATO has brought into the Baltics for a wave of exercises on the heels of Russia's 2014 annexation of Ukraine's Crimean peninsula and subsequent meddling in that country's east.

   The annual parade has taken on particular importance this year in the context of jitters in the Baltic countries.

   Holding the parade in Narva on the Russian border, where a majority of residents are ethnic Russian, was seen by commentators as sending a strong signal to Moscow about NATO's commitment to collective defence.

Estonian President Toomas Hendrik Ilves (C) reviews 

troops ahead of a military parade to celebrate 97 years 

since first achieving independence in 1918, on February

 24, 2015 in Narva, Estonia (AFP Photo/Raigo Pajula)

   General Adrian Bradshaw, NATO's Deputy Supreme Allied Commander Europe, said last week that Russia could try to seize territory from the alliance's states off the back of fighting in Ukraine.

   British Defence Secretary Michael Fallon reportedly also told journalists last week that there was a "real and present danger" to Latvia, Lithuania and Estonia.

   However, few ethnic-Russian Narva locals who came to the parade seemed to echo fears of a Russian intervention.

   "In my opinion national security is blown up by the press, it's nothing serious, everything is okay, no one is going to attack anyone," said 55-year-old Yuri Melnikov.

   Elvira Neimann, 77, said she's been living in Narva since the end of the Second World War in 1945: "I feel part of Estonia, not Russia."

   "We're all tolerant people, Russia is our friendly neighbour," she told AFP.

   Lithuania said Tuesday it would return to limited conscription later this year as concern mounts over Russian military exercises near NATO Baltic states.

   The Soviet Union annexed the three small states during World War II. They won independence in 1991 and have had rocky ties with Moscow ever since. 

Ukraine War Update - 24 February 2015

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  6:49 AM PST

Police find house in Mariupol where terrorists stored explosives

   KIEV, February 24 (Ukrinform). --- Group of saboteurs who planned a terrorist attack in Mariupol stored explosives in a rented private house.

   The press service of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine told an Ukrinform reporter.

   "As a result of operative and detective activities, police discovered the location where saboteurs stored explosives. Roughly ten kilograms of explosive materials were found in a house in Mariupol," the press service reported.

   As specified by Donetsk regional police chief Vyacheslav Abroskin, a substance ammonite was discovered during the search of the rented house that the criminals used for manufacturing of an explosive device. The weight of explosives is about 10 kilograms. Charges were also found in the house.

   "Saboteurs wore clothes that resemble the uniform worn by the Ukrainian military. This disguise was meant to destabilize the situation in the city," press office quoted Abroskin as saying.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  6:23 AM PST

Russia concentrates troops at the border with Kharkiv region and steps up efforts at Mariupol direction

   (Censor.NET) --- Information on concentration of the Russian troops at the north-eastern border of Ukraine in the Voronezh and Belgorod regions of Russia is receiving more and more confirmation.

   This is reported by investigative blogger Irakli Komakhidze, Censor.NET reports.

   "Social networks and the media provide numerous recent photos and videos reflecting the movement and concentration of Russian troops in the mentioned regions, including a battalion task force redeployed from the Samara to the Belgorod region. Apparently, the Russian command is building up new grouping of invading forces in the Belgorod and Voronezh regions, similar to that in the Rostov region bordering with Ukraine, from where the Russians conducted artillery fire and under whose cover they sent the first echelon of "volunteers" with "store-bought" weapons, followed by regular troops into Ukraine," Komakhidze notes.

   "The latest terrorist attack in Kharkiv indicates Russia's intention to prepare grounds for invasion, to destabilize the region, and sow panic," the blogger writes.

   "The news from the Azov direction are not comforting either. The transfer of Russian military equipment and weapons, including heavy MLRS is underway in the direction of Novoazovsk from the Rostov region. At the same time there is an intensification of the subversive groups and artillery shelling in Mariupol and the surrounding area. In occupied Crimea, on the northern administrative border, where, according to our information, a rotation of 382nd marine battalion has been conducted, there is a redeployment of fresh forces," Komakhidze concluded.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  5:44 AM PST

Ukraine agrees on arms-supplying deal with UAE - Herashchenko

   (Zik) --- During his visit to the United Arab Emirates, Pres Poroshenko agreed on military cooperation with UAE to supply weapons and military equipment to Ukraine, interior minister’s adviser Anton Herashchenko writes in Facebook Feb. 24.

   “The items and amounts of supplies cannot be disclosed,” he said.

   Unlike Americans and Europeans, Arabs do not fear Putin’s threats about the nuclear war if weapons are provided for Ukraine, he said.

   They may also have a grudge against Putin for cutting in half the price of oil and creating general instability which affects the development of the UAE, Herashchenko believes.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  5:39 AM PST

Ukrainian border guards report four drones flying into Ukraine from Russia

   KIEV, February 24 (Ukrinform). --- Terrorists continue to use aerial reconnaissance drones. For the past day, 13 episodes of drones were reported, including four drones flying over from Russia.

   Ukraine's border control service stated the news on its website.

   "In total for the Donbas conflict zone, 13 drones were observed over the towns of Kramatorsk, Mariupol, Sartana, Velyka Novosilka, Donetsk and Starobilsk, four of them invaded the airspace of Ukraine from Russia," the statement noted.

   No overnight shelling and attacks on the border control service of Ukraine by the terrorists was reported. However, the situation in regions of the anti-terrorist operation remains tense.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  5:33 AM PST

Rebels threaten OSCE monitors

   (Zik) --- Donbas rebels not only threaten OSCE monitors but also hamper their activities, Ukraine army spokesman said Feb. 24, Interfax-Ukrayina reports.

   “Pro-Russian rebels brazenly threaten OBSE monitors. Feb. 22, when the monitors were at the rebels’ outpost in the Kiev rayon, Donetsk, one of the separatist leaders threatened to kill them,” the spokesman said.

   According to the OSCE report, the rebels jammed the OSCE drone operating near the Donetsk airport.

   “The use of electronic jamming against the monitors shows that pro-Russian forces do not abide by the Minsk agreements and international law,” he stressed.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  4:24 AM PST

Russia continues to supply weapons to terrorists redeploying military equipment to the demarcation line - NSDC

   (Censor.NET) --- Russia continues to supply military equipment to the Donbas terrorists. The enemy is conducting covert regrouping of the equipment and manpower.

   This was announced at the daily briefing of the ATO representative Colonel Andrii Lysenko, Censor.NET reports.

   "A covert redeployment of military equipment and manpower of the enemy closer to the demarcation line is underway, primarily at the Mariupol direction. The illegal armed groups are building up forces and means at the Donetsk direction near Pisky village, and at the Luhansk direction in the towns of Stakhanov and Brianka.

   "The Russian Federation continues to supply weapons and military equipment to the illegal armed groups, and provides practical assistance in their maintenance," he said.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  3:51 AM PST

One soldier killed, seven wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, February 24 (Ukrinform). --- One Ukrainian serviceman has been killed and seven have 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 Tuesday.

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

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  2:01 AM PST

In case of no de-escalation of violence in Donbas, Russia will be faced with complete international isolation – Merkel’s adviser

   (Censor.NET) --- Commissioner of the German government for cooperation with the Russian Federation Gernot Erler warned the Russian Federation against establishing a "buffer state" in the Eastern Ukraine, and threatened the Kremlin with isolation.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing Deutsche Welle.

   "After the offensive of the pro-Russian separatists on Debaltseve last week, the issue of "Novorossia" is once again on the agenda. If there is further seizure of territory like Debaltseve, a viable buffer state may appear, as it has been called for by the so-called Eurasians in Russia for a long time," he said.

   Merkel's adviser stated that Russian President Vladimir Putin should finally announce the goals he pursues in Ukraine. However, Erler believes that Russia is facing a complete international isolation if it does not make an effort to de-escalate the violence in the Donbas.

   "The capture of each new city across the control line which was agreed in Minsk is a large-scale provocation of the signatories Minsk Agreement, including the Russian president. Capture of Debaltseve is a demonstrative violation of these agreements," he said.

   He noted that rather than influence the militants it controls in the Ukrainian territory, the Kremlin, on the contrary, proves the "necessity" of their actions. "Instead, President Putin has publicly defended these actions during his visit to Budapest," the German government commissioner said.

   According to Erler, now the question is whether Debaltseve was a last offensive attempt of the terrorists, or is it only a tactical pause to gain time and prepare for attacks on other sections of the front.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  1:55 AM PST

Ukraine puts pro-Russian TV channels off air

   (Zik) --- Ukraine Security Service says that openly pro-Russian channels that engaged in anti-Ukrainian propaganda have been put off the air.

   “Practically all anti-Ukrainian channels have been closed down,” SBU’s investigations department head Vasyl Vovk said, UNIAN reports Feb. 23.

   By contrast, broadcasting by Ukrainian channels expanded in oblasts Luhansk and Donetsk as well as in the bordering oblasts Kharkiv and Zaporizhya, the official said.

Tuesday, February 24, 2015  12:15 AM PST

Ukrainian guerillas destroy 3 APCs, 1 tank and 30 Russian troops in Debaltseve

   (Zik) --- The Shadows, a Ukrainian guerilla group, operating in the Debaltseve area has destroyed 3 armoured personnel carriers, one tank and about 30 Russian troops, nbnews.com.ua reports Feb. 23.

   Between Feb. 10 and Feb. 15, during the fighting with the Russian troops near Debaltseve members of The Shadows guerilla group destroyed 3 APCs, 1 tank and about 30 Russians servicemen, Oleksandr Hladky wrote in Facebook.
   According to Ukraine army, the rebels lost 1,300 servicemen dead during the final stages of the onslaught on Debaltseve. 

Military expert: Russian snap military drills could turn into assaults on Baltic capitals

   (Business Insider) --- The Baltic states are becoming increasingly unnerved by the growing number of

Russian soldiers   Marko Djurica/Reuters

Russian military drills close to their borders, Damien Sharkov of Newsweek reports,

   Since the start of the Ukrainian crisis,  Russia has been staging military drills close to the Baltic regions at an increasingly common pace. 

   Martin Hurt, the deputy director of Estonia's International Centre for Defense and Security,  believes that the increased frequency of the drills is meant to lull Europe into a false sense of security as the exercises become increasingly normal. 

   “My take would be that the Russian authorities want to raise the readiness of their forces and also make European nations more relaxed to a new norm where the Russian Air Force often conduct snap exercises,” Hurt told Newsweek.

   “A realistic scenario against the Baltic would be a 'normal' Russian snap exercise that without notice turns into a quick assault on one or several of the Baltic states’ capitals," Hurt continued. "Such an attack would have greater probability of success than the hybrid scenario we saw in Crimea." 

   A Russian invasion of the Baltic nations of Lithuania, Latvia, and Estonia  would either lead to a continent wide war as NATO would be forced to respond to Russia's attack, or, in the absence of a NATO response, a Russian invasion would shatter the defensive alliance. 

   The Telegraph reported on February 20 that General Sir Adrian Bradshaw, deputy commander of NATO forces in Europe and one of Britain's most senior generals, warned that Russian snap exercises could lead to a possible invasion of NATO territory. 

   Bradshaw warned that the drills could be used “not only for intimidation and coercion but potentially to seize NATO territory, after which the threat of escalation might be used to prevent re-establishment of territorial integrity."

   The Baltic's are not alone in fearing the potential of Russian aggression beyond Ukraine. Sweden and Finland, neither of which are members of NATO, are also planning on expanding their defense cooperation against the backdrop of Russian tensions, Reuters reports. 

   Aside from snap military drills, Russia has taken to provocative military demonstrations against NATO countries throughout Europe and North America. Most recently, Russian bombers flew close enough to British airspace to necessitate the scrambling of two British Typhoon fighters.  

   Newsweek notes that " in the first ten months of 2014,  40 Russian military vessels had been spotted near Latvian waters, compared to only one in 2010. "

   The provocations, according to Tom Nichols, a professor at the US Naval War College and a senior associate at the Carnegie Council on Ethics and International Affairs, are "not normal, it is not typical even of Soviet actions during the Cold War ... It clearly comes from the very top as an expression of Putin's foreign policy."

   As a best case scenario, the continuation of Russian provocation and snap military exercises could prove to be nothing more than bluster to distract from Moscow's activities in Ukraine. At its worst, the provocations and drills could be an ongoing strategy to inure the West to Russian militarism in order to cloak a future invasion of the Baltic. 

Ukraine War Update - 23 February 2015

Monday, February 23, 2015  7:34 AM PST

Azov regiment soldier tortured by the terrorists buried in Odesa.

   (Censor.NET) --- On Monday, Odesa residents said their last good-bye to their compatriots, soldiers from the Azov volunteer regiment Mykola Troitskyi (call sign Akela) and Oleksandr Kutuzakyi (call sign Kutuz), who were killed in fighting near Shyrokyne, the Donetsk region, on Feb. 15.

   This was announced by Censor.NET citing Dumskaya.

   Oleksandr's family insisted that his coffin was kept open in order for everyone to see the soldier's face scarred by the terrorists after his death.

Monday, February 23, 2015  12:32 AM PST

Latvian Prime Minister supports initiative to invite UN peacekeepers to Donbas

   KIEV, February 23 (Ukrinform). --- Latvia supports the possible deployment of the UN peacekeeping forces in eastern Ukraine.

   Latvian Prime Minister Laimdota Straujuma said this after a meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held on Sunday in Kiev, Delfi reported.

   During the meeting the parties discussed the settlement of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Poroshenko noted that the UN peacekeeping forces deployment in eastern Ukraine is supported by the U.S. and the UK, and he intends to ask France for its support. The Latvian prime minister, in turn, stressed that everything possible should be done to establish a truce in the east of Ukraine.

Monday, February 23, 2015  12:18 AM PST

Poland endorses Poroshenko's initiative for peacekeeping mission to Donbas

   KIEV, February 23 (Ukrinform). --- Poland will always remind France and Germany that they have taken particular responsibility in the settlement of the conflict in Donbas and implementation of the Minsk agreements.

   President of the Republic of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski stated this during the meeting with President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the press office of the President of Ukraine reports.

   "We support the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but we will always remind France and Germany that they have taken particular responsibility," Bronislaw Komorowski said.

   The Polish President endorsed the initiative of the President of Ukraine to invite the peacekeeping mission. In addition, the parties discussed and agreed to intensify cooperation between Ukraine and Poland in defense and energy fields.

Monday, February 23, 2015  12:15 AM PST

Ukrainian guerillas destroy 3 APCs, 1 tank and 30 Russian troops in Debaltseve

   (Zik) --- The Shadows, a Ukrainian guerilla group, operating in the Debaltseve area has destroyed 3 armoured personnel carriers, one tank and about 30 Russian troops, nbnews.com.ua reports Feb. 23.

   Between Feb. 10 and Feb. 15, during the fighting with the Russian troops near Debaltseve members of The Shadows guerilla group destroyed 3 APCs, 1 tank and about 30 Russians servicemen, Oleksandr Hladky wrote in Facebook.
   According to Ukraine army, the rebels lost 1,300 servicemen dead during the final stages of the onslaught on Debaltseve. 

Monday, February 23, 2015  12:07 AM PST

Instructions on terrorist act in Kharkiv came from Russia - SBU

   (Censor.NET) --- The trail of the terrorist attack committed during the peace march in Kharkiv leads to Belgorod, Russia.

   This was stated by Advisor to the head of the SBU Markyian Lubkivskyi, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

   Responding to a question whether he could confirm that Moscow is behind the attack in Kharkiv, Lubkivskyi said: "I can confirm it." "Moreover, the portable rocket launcher was received by the gang leader in Belgorod. And the instructions were received from the Russian Federation," he added.

   Lubkivskyi reminded that four people suspected of committing the attack have been arrested. The advisor to the head of the Security Service said that the investigation is being conducted. "We clearly see that the trail leads to Belgorod, the Russian Federation. The action had been planned for a long time, and it was aimed at killing people," the adviser to the head of the SBU said.

Sunday, February 22, 2015  23:50 PST

Poroshenko thanks the Visegrad Group countries for support

   KIEV, February 23 (Ukrinform). --- President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko assesses relations between Ukraine and Slovakia as strategic and very important.

   The President stated this at the meeting with Slovak president Andrej Kiska, who had arrived in Kiev to participate in commemoration of the anniversary of the Revolution of Dignity in Ukraine.

   "We have strategic and very important relations between our countries," the President's press office quotes his words.

   In this context, the President stressed the close cooperation with the countries of the Visegrad Group.

   Poroshenko also noted the importance of creating energy hub with participation of Slovakia in order to ensure additional gas supply to Ukraine and expressed content with the level of cooperation in the given sphere. He also thanked Slovakia and other countries of the Visegrad Group for the support of the European integration of Ukraine, practical assistance on the way of reforms and humanitarian aid in the treatment and rehabilitation of Ukrainian servicemen wounded in the ATO area.

Sunday, February 22, 2015  23:12 PST

Militants fire at Ukrainian military 44 times despite 'ceasefire'

   KIEV, February 23 (Ukrinform). --- Russian-terrorist forces continue to violate the ceasefire, they carried out 44 firing at positions of ATO forces.

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

   "Militants continue to carry out armed provocations, including the use of heavy military equipment. On February 21, the enemy carried out 44 shelling of Ukrainian military positions," Lysenko said.

   At the same time Lysenko pointed out that, in general, over the past twenty-four hours the intensity of the fighting in the anti-terrorist operation area has decreased. In particular, from 22:00 on February 21 to 07:00 on February 22 there was not a single shelling of Ukrainian positions.

Sunday, February 22, 2015  17:13 PST

Russia Gave Artillery Weapons To Ukraine Rebels Trying To Take Strategic Mariupol Port, Ukrainian Military Leader Says

A woman walks past a burned-out a store at a residential
sector affected by shelling in Mariupol, a city on the Sea
of Azov, eastern Ukraine Feb. 3, 2015. Reuters

   (IBT) --- Russia allegedly is providing artillery weapons to rebels in Ukraine trying to take Mariupol, a strategically important seaport. Col. Viktor Shidlyukh, the deputy commander of Ukrainian forces defending Mariupol, said the rebels recently started using the artillery weapons for the first time, the Telegraph reported. 

   The weapons appear to be "air burst" artillery, which uses a delayed charge to detonate the shell before it reaches the ground, showering the target with shrapnel. Military officials claim Russia provided the weapons to the rebels amid a ceasefire agreement that has largely been ignored after Ukrainian troops lost the town of Debaltseve last week.

   Russia has said it is not helping the rebels while Ukrainian officials say Russian troops are fighting in Ukraine. A military train transporting 60 armoured vehicles including tanks reportedly arrived in the town of Amvrosiivka from Russia Saturday.

   Mariupol is home to 500,000 people and is the biggest government-held city in the two rebellious provinces. The city has braced for a separatist invasion for months, with roadblocks and checkpoints at every entry road.

   “Right now, we are building a strong defense line around the city. And it would help to build another defense line,” Mariupol Mayor Yuriy Khotlubei told the Washington Post. “It won’t be that easy for them to get into the city.”

   Residents said they were prepared to defend Mariupol from the rebels. “I will stay and fight, if the war comes to my city,” said Anatoly Bezruchko, 62. “You can’t just live to eat and sleep. You have to defend your homeland.”

   U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry said Saturday Western leaders were weighing new sanctions against Russia because of the ceasefire violations. "In the next few days I anticipate that President Obama will evaluate the choices that are in front of him and will make his decision as to what the next step will be," Kerry told a news conference. "There are serious discussions taking place between us and our European allies as to what those next sanctions steps ought to be and when they ought to be implemented."

Sunday 22 February 2015  9:21 AM PST

Three Chechen battalions fighting on Ukraine side in Donbas

   (Zik) --- The co-founder of the Ukrainian-Chechen-Ingushs friendship society, Ahmed Alihadzhiev, said at the meeting to commemorate the deportation of Chechens and Ingushs, that 3 Chechen battalions are fighting for Ukraine in Donbas, UNN reports Feb. 22.

   The sidekicks of Chechnya Moscow-installed leader Kadyrov and Ossetians who are fighting for separatists and are bankrolled by Russia have nothing to do with the Chechen people, he said.

   “71 years ago, the Chechen people were deported by force to Kazakhstan. 500,000 of Chechens and Ingushs died during the deportation. Their survivors could return to their homeland 13 years after the deportation,” he said.

Sunday 22 February 2015  8:21 AM PST

40 soldiers killed at Debaltseve bridgehead brought to Dnipropetrovsk region hospital

   (Censor.NET) --- Today, on Feb. 23, bodies of 18 Ukrainian soldiers killed during the battle for Debaltseve bridgehead were brought to the morgues of the Dnipropetrovsk region.

   Censor.NET informs citing the press service of the Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration.
   "Today at 5:00 a.m., 18 bodies were brought from Artemivsk town. Basically all of them are unidentified. They are Ukrainian soldiers who died near Debaltseve. Perhaps some of them were from the 128th Brigade or the 40th Battalion of Territorial Defense, but we will know for sure after they are identified by their relatives," an employee of the Administration said.
   "I just got a call that 23 more dead soldiers are on their way from Debaltseve ", he added.

   According to updated information, 40 bodies of Ukrainian soldiers were brought to Dnipropetrovsk throughout the day.

Ukraine War Update - 22 February 2015

Sunday 22 February 2015  7:08 AM PST

SBU prevented two more terrorist attacks in Kharkiv: Terrorists wanted to fire man-portable rocket launcher at civilians.

   (Censor.NET) --- The SBU prevented several terrorist attacks in the city of Kharkiv.

SBU Chairman's adviser Markiian Lubkivskyi wrote on Facebook, Censor.NET reports.
   "As we have already reported, the Security Service of Ukraine detained four persons who may be involved in preparing and committing terrorist crimes in the city of Kharkiv, including explosion, which killed two and injured eight citizens," he writes.
   "I would like to inform you that a series of terrorist attacks on Feb. 22 was prepared in Kharkiv. In particular, the counterintelligence department in cooperation with the Office of the SBU in the Kharkiv region managed to prevent a terrorist act of the Kharkiv Partizans terrorist organization. Four persons were caught while trying to fire PRO-A Shmel man-portable rocket launcher at a club where ATO soldiers and volunteers often gather, as well as at one of the city's shopping malls. Other sabotage and terrorist activities were also planned.

   The withdrawn Smel was produced in Russia. According to the detainees, it was received by the leader of the group in Belgorod (Russia). Due to the explosion and attempts to commit other acts of terrorism, the Security Service of Ukraine announced the highest level of antiterrorism awareness in Kharkiv. Security forces are conducting extern and large-scale counter-terrorism measures in close cooperation," Lubkivskyi writes.

Sunday 22 February 2015  6:01 AM PST

Kharkiv On Security Alert Following Deadly Blast At Peace March

   (RFE/RL) --- Officials in Ukraine say they have detained four Ukrainian citizens in connection with an explosion in the eastern city of Kharkiv that left two dead and 11 injured.

   Police say the people killed in the February 22 explosion were a police officer and a civilian. Four of the wounded were also police officers.

   Oleksandr Turchynov, head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, said a "counterterrorism operation" has been launched in Kharkiv in response to the incident.

   The bomb struck a peace march that was being held to mark the first anniversary of the overthrow of former President Viktor Yanukovych.

   An official with Ukraine's SBU state security service was quoted as saying the four people who were detained "underwent instruction and received weapons" in the Russian city of Belgorod.

   Kiev and its Western allies have repeatedly accused Moscow of direct aid to separatist fighters, including through the supply of weapons, soldiers, instruction, and other equipment. 

   A Kharkiv prosecutor was quoted by Interfax as saying the bomb was "filled with shrapnel." A local SBU official said a similar weapon had been located and disarmed in Kharkiv on February 19.

   Kharkiv is located more than 200 kilometers from the front line.

   "Today is memorial Sunday, but on this day terrorist scum revealed its predatory nature," Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko said on Facebook.

   Poroshenko led the march in Kiev, joined by thousands of other participants, as well as the presidents of Poland, Lithuania, Germany, Georgia, and the European Union. 

   Ukraine's parliament voted to oust Yanukovych on February 22, 2014, after months of protests in Kiev. 

   A month later, Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region.

   Armed rebels then took over parts of two regions bordering Russia -- Luhansk and Donetsk -- triggering a conflict that has killed more than 5,600 people.

   A fresh peace plan including a cease-fire and a weapons pullback was signed on February 12. 

   The Ukrainian military says it will not start withdrawing heavy weapons from the front line in the conflict with Russian-backed separatists because the rebels have not completely ceased fire.

   Under an agreement brokered by the leaders of Germany and France, government forces and rebels were to cease fire on February 15 and begin pulling back heavy weapons no less than two days later, creating a security zone at least 70 kilometers wide.

   Ukrainian military spokesman Anatoly Stelmakh said on February 23 that while hostilities have lessened in recent days after separatist forces took the strategic town of Debaltseve, rebels shelled government troops twice overnight.

   Another spokesman, Vladyslav Seleznyov, said in a televised briefing that because "the positions of Ukrainian servicemen continue to be shelled, there cannot yet be any talk of pulling back weapons." 

   Stelmakh said Ukraine would begin the withdrawal when "the enemy stops firing on our positions." 

   Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said the rebels were pressing on with attacks on government forces nearby the city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov. 

   With 500,000 people, Mariupol is the biggest government-held city in the regions of Donetsk and Luhansk.

   Its capture could allow the rebels to create a land bridge from Russia to Crimea.

   Lysenko said a military train carrying 60 armoured vehicles including tanks had arrived in the town of Amvrosiivka from Russia on February 21. 

   A convoy of military equipment had later crossed the border near Novoazovsk, east of Mariupol.

   He said fighting was in progress at the village of Shyrokyne, east of Mariupol.

   "Our soldiers are holding their positions," Lysenko said, adding that there had been a total of 44 attacks by separatists across the conflict zone in the past 24 hours.

Sunday 22 February 2015  5:26 AM PST

Anti-terrorist operation started in Kharkiv: four participants on the explosion detained

   (Censor.NET) --- Due to the terrorist act in Kharkiv which killed one police officer and one activist, and wounded five police officers and four activists, the highest level of terrorist threat was introduced in the city and the anti-terrorist operation began.

   This was announced by the NSDC secretary Oleksandr Turchynov, Censor.NET reports citng the NSDC press service.

   According to Turchynov, a controlled explosive device of directed action has been used during a peaceful march commemorating those killed in Euromaidan a year ago.
   The NSDC secretary announced that the Security Service of Ukraine together with the Interior Ministry launched the anti-terrorist operation, "in the course of which four participants of the explosion were detained, and weapons, including a grenade launcher, were seized."

   "The anti-terrorist operation goes on," he said adding that, according to SBU information, the group that committed the terrorist act was trained in Belgorod, Russia. "This is another evidence that the terrorist campaign conducted in Ukraine has the same commissioners and organizers as the one in the east of our country," the NSDC secretary noted.

Sunday 22 February 2015  3:36 AM PST

European leaders who arrived to Kiev for Dignity march examine captured military equipment from Russia.

   (Censor.NET) --- President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski, President of Lithuania Dalia Grybauskaite, President of the Slovak Republic Andrej Kiska, and President of the European Council Donald Tusk have already arrived to Kiev to participate in Dignity march.

   The president's press secretary Sviatoslav Tseholko wrote on Twitter, as well as Samopomich MP Hanna Hopko on Facebook, Censor.NET informs. Dignity march will take place today in Kiev commemorating those killed on Maidan square last winter.

Sunday 22 February 2015  3:19 AM PST

One soldier killed and three wounded over past 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- One Ukrainian soldier was killed and three were wounded in the ATO zone on Feb. 21.

   Censor.NET reports citing Andrii Lysenko, speaker of the NSDC Information Analysis Center.
   "One soldier died and three more were wounded," he said.

   According to Lysenko, the militants shelled the ATO forces positions 44 times on Feb. 21.

   Earlier it was reported that no troops died and 40 Ukrainian soldiers were injured in the ATO zone on Feb. 20.

Sunday 22 February 2015  2:26 AM PST

Residential area took a direct hit as terrorists shelled Avdiivka all night long

   (Censor.NET) --- Direct hits at residential houses and infrastructure objects are reported in the town of Avdiivka.

   Head of the Donetsk Department of the Interior Ministry Viacheslav Abroskin writes on Facebook, Censor.NET informs.
   "Avdiivka. Terrorist artillery shelling lasted all night long. Innocent civilian people are dying. Direct hits at residential houses and infrastructure are reported," Abroskin writes.
   He also gave some information about the people killed in yesterday's shelling of Avdiivka.
   It was reported earlier that Brevno cafeteria took a direct hit yeserday at 11:45 a.m., killing three civilian men.
   Raspolov Mykhailo, born 1983, an employee of the cafe;
   Tereshchenko Victor, born 1976, a visitor;
   Hanykin Andrii Ivanovich, born 1975, a visitor.
   "The terrorists deliberately destroy our cities and kill civilians," Abroskin added.

Sunday 22 February 2015  1:30 AM PST

One Azov soldier killed and five wounded in two clashes with terrorists in Shyrokyne village

   (Censor.NET) --- The terrorists attacked the village of Shyrokyne in the Mariupol sector seven times over the past 24 hours.

   The terrorists shelled the village by small arms, mortars, rocket-propelled grenades, and tanks. Two clashes happenned on the streets of the village, Censor.NET reports citing the Azov battalion's page on Facebook.
   As a result of the clashes, one soldier died and five more were injured. In addition, terrorists' aerial reconnaissance in the Mariupol sector became more active. 11 'DPR" drones were spotted.

Could Russia attack the UK?

   Is military exercise a chilling forewarning of dramatic events to come?

   According to comments made by the former head of the Royal Air Force (RAF), Sir Michael Graydon, the UK could not sustain an attack from Russia. Other RAF personnel have also claimed that a Putin-led attack on the United Kingdom would completely saturate the defenses of Britain. The comments come in the context of an incident which occurred on Thursday, during which RAF Typhoon fighter jets were scrambled to intercept two Russian long-range bombers. This occurred just off the coast of the southern British county of Cornwall.

UK Vulnerable

   Russia has naturally stated that the flight was simply a planned patrol, and that it has not violated any aspect of international law. The British prime minister, however, was moved to comment that Russia was “trying to make some sort of point,” but other military personnel have suggested that the threat to the UK mainland is much more serious.

   Graydon stated in an interview with the British tabloid the Daily Mail that he doubted whether it would be possible for the UK to sustain a “shooting war” against Russia. He stated that the capabilities of the United Kingdom is roughly half what it was previously, and that Russia was probably engaging in these reconnaissance missions in order to monitor the defenses in Britain.

   The former member of the RAF hierarchy went on to suggest that the mission Russia had engaged in probably revealed to them that the UK is by no means as sharp in this area as it once was. Graydon stated that it would be clear to the Russians that they knew they were engaged in a provocative act, and that it could be a timely one from a Russian perspective considering that Western air defense is relatively minimal compared to its past might.

   Other RAF personnel suggested that the situation is even more grim.

Ukraine War Update - 21 February 2015

Saturday, February 21, 2015  8:19 AM PST

18-year-old girl tripped a mine in Luhansk region – Moskal

   (Censor.NET) --- 18-year-old local girl tripped a mine near the 29th stronghold between Novotoshkivka and Donetsk.

   Censor.NET reports referring to Hennadii Moskal, Head of the Luhansk Regional State Administration.

   "The girl tripped a mine in a forest belt. It was a trip-wire mine. Ukrainian soldiers brought the injured to the Lysychansk hospital, but it was a fatal wound," Moskal said.
   The press service asks locals not to wander around for fear of danger from mines. Sappers have to examine the area initially. For this reason, it is forbidden to gather wood and to hunt in the Luhansk region.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  5:56 AM PST

We are dealing with harsh, cynical, insidious and mendacious aggressor - Turchynov.

   (Censor.NET) --- NSDC secretary Oleksandr Turchynov has opened ‘the Presence’ exhibition at Mykhailivska Square in Kiev.

   "There are evidences of Russia's aggression against Ukraine, evidences of crimes against humanity displayed at the square," Turchynov said, Censor.NET informs, referring to the NSDC press service.
   During his speech Turchynov recalled that Russia has issued a medal for the Crimea occupation on Feb. 20, 2014. "Russian snipers have killed our heroes at Maidan on Feb. 20, 2014. That is the date they have decided to start the war against Ukraine. We are dealing not only with harsh and cynical, but insidious and mendacious aggressor, lying throughout the world about Russia's non-participation in the war against Ukraine", Turchynov said.

   NSDC secretary stressed that, there is a captured or destroyed Russian military equipment from the Donbas displayed at Mykhailivska Square: Smerch missiles from Kramatorsk city, cars destroyed by Grads from Mariupol, a truck from so-called Russian 'humanitarian convoy'.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  4:42 AM PST

Ukraine sends request for weapons to U.S. - Avakov

   KIEV, February 21 (Ukrinform). --- Ukraine awaits the U.S. decision in response to a request for weapons supplies.

   Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs Arsen Avakov said this to journalists, according to RBC-Ukraine.

   "There is such a request. We expect the U.S. to take relevant decision. I believe that such a decision will be taken. This will provide us a deterrent value," Avakov said.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  4:14 AM PST

One soldier killed, 40 wounded in Donbas in past 24 hours

   KIEV, February 21 (Ukrinform). --- One Ukrainian serviceman has been killed (within the last couple hours) and 40 have 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 Saturday.

   "In past 24 hours militants continued to fire at ATO positions along the contact line," he said.

   According to Lysenko, armed provocations by militants remain the most intense in the Yasynuvata area of the Donetsk region, near the settlements of Pisky, Opytne, Vodiane and Tonenke.

   Militants actively use mortars, rocket artillery and tanks, he added.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  3:55 AM PST

German President to visit Kiev

   KIEV, February 21 (Ukrinform). --- The President of Germany will visit Kiev to take part in commemorative events dedicated to the first anniversary of the Ukrainian Revolution of Dignity.

   This was reported by the administration of the federal president, according to an Ukrinform correspondent.

   "On February 22, German President Joachim Gauck along with other heads of state and government will attend the celebrations dedicated to the anniversary of protests in the Ukrainian capital, which will be a manifestation of solidarity with the Ukrainian democracy movement," reads the statement.

   Hauk is going to visit Ukraine at the invitation of the Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  3:28 AM PST

Terrorists build up military presence for possible attack on Mariupol

   (Censor.NET) --- The militants build up military presence at the Mariupol sector for possible attack on the city.

   Andrii Lysenko, speaker of NSDC Information Analysis Center announced today at a briefing, Censor.NET informs, referring to UNIAN.

   "The militants build up military presence at the Mariupol sector for possible attack on the city," Lysenko said.
   It was reported earlier that terrorists continue to shell villages near Mariupol city.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  2:58 AM PST

40 soldiers injured over last 24 hours

   (Censor.NET) --- 40 Ukrainian soldiers were injured during the ATO, on Feb. 20.

   Censor.NET reports citing Andrii Lysenko, speaker of NSDC Information Analysis Center.

   "40 soldiers were wounded, no one was killed" he said.
   Medical care was provided to the wounded.
   It was reported earlier that two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and three were wounded in the ATO zone on Feb. 19.

Saturday, February 21, 2015  12:08 AM PST

Terrorists shelled Avdiivka. Three civilians killed

   (Censor.NET) --- The militants continue to shell the town of Avdiivka in the Donetsk region.

   Head of the Donetsk regional police department Vladyslav Abroskin wrote on his Facebook page, Censor.NET reports.

   "'Brevno' cafeteria took a direct hit. Three civilians were killed. Information is being specified. Police is working at the scene," Abroskin wrote.

Friday, February 20, 2015  23:44 PST

NATO discusses large-scale Russia’s attack

   (Censor.NET) --- Nato’s deputy commander of forces in Europe British general Sir Adrian Bradshaw told an audience at the Royal United Services Institute that Nato had to maintain a cohesive system of deterrence on its eastern borders, something that would require help from the EU. He said Nato was pushing ahead with plans for a very high readiness joint taskforce, “in order to convince Russia, or any other state adversary, that any attack on one Nato member will inevitably lead them into a conflict with the whole alliance”.

   Censor.NET reports citingThe Guardian.
   In his speech, Bradshaw described Russia's tactics as a "hybrid combination", using fast-generated conventional military forces as well as "subversion by a number of means, both military and non-military".
   Talking of "an era of constant competition with Russia", Bradshaw said that the alliance needed to develop both fast-reacting conventional forces and capacities to counter Russian efforts at coercion and propaganda, as seen in Ukraine.

Friday, February 20, 2015  23:04 PST

15 enemy drones spotted along frontline as terrorists continue to attack

   (Censor.NET) --- The militants’ reconnaissance attempts intensified in the ATO zone on Feb. 20-21.

   Censor.NET reports citing the ATO press center.
   According to the report, 15 enemy drones were spotted along the frontline yesterday and last night. The Army shot down the enemy drone near Pervomaiske village in the Donetsk region.
   At the same time, according to the ATO headquarters, the terrorists cut down their attacks during the last night.
   "But the enemy continues to use Grad rocket systems and artillery. Vodiane and Stepne villages were shelled with Grad rocket systems, while the villages of Shyrokine, Peski, Vodiane and Avdiivka town were fired from mortars and artillery. The militants attacked the ATO forces' positions and civilians ten times during the night," the statement reads.

Friday, February 20, 2015  22:53 PST

Captured Russian military equipment were brought at Mykhailivska Square.

   (Censor.NET) --- ‘The Presence’ exhibition will be opened today at Mykhailivska Square in Kiev. There will be Russian military equipment, captured in the Donbas, displayed.

   Adviser to the head of the SBU Markian Lubkyvskyi wrote on Facebook, Censor.NET informs.
   "Mykhailivska Square does not sleep at the night, neither Volodia Kadyhrob. He is organizing 'The Presence' exhibition. There is a lot Russian military equipment: tanks, Grad rocket systems, IFV's and APC's... You are welcome to visit Mykhailivska Square today, on Feb.21 at 1 p.m. Look at it, remember it, know it," Lubkyvskyi wrote.

Friday, February 20, 2015  13:38 PST

Militants do not stop attacks against Ukrainian soldiers. Most activity is recorded near Donetsk – ATO press center

   (Censor.NET) --- Firing at the positions of the Ukrainian troops and peaceful towns continues in the anti-terrorist operation area.

   This is reported by Censor.NET citing the ATO press center.

   "The statement notes that "over the past day, the enemy attacked the forces of the anti-terrorist operation 41 times.

   "The enemy shows the most activity at the Donetsk direction. The enemy tanks shelled Opytne three times, Grad systems shelled Avdiyivka and Pisky twice and artillery and mortar strikes were carried out against Avdiivka, Pisky, Vodiane, and Opytne.

   "At Mariupol and Luhansk directions the criminals used small arms, mortars and rocket-propelled grenades against the villages of Shyrokyne and Sokolnyky.

   "Near the village of Lozove in the Debaltseve area, our strong point was fired upon with small arms six times.

   "Meanwhile, after regrouping our troops are equipping a new line of defense near Artemivsk."