Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

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Russia-orchestrated militants in Donbas amount to 34,000 - Defense Ministry : UNIAN news

Armed militants in the occupied territories of Ukrainian Donbas are more like an army today, amounting to 34,000 troops, according to Petro Mekhed, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Defense - Chief of Staff, UNIAN correspondent reports.

REUTERS
“The illegal armed groups, which mainly operate in the first echelon of confrontation with the forces of the anti-terrorist operation, under Russia's strict supervision, have transformed into a real army, the size of which already exceeds that of some European armies. It already amounts to 34,000 troops,” said Mekhed at a hearing of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defense, entitled: "Territorial Defense of Ukraine in the conditions of a hybrid war”. “It has a significant amount of weapons and military equipment," Mekhed added.

As the deputy defense minister noted, military and terrorist activity remains an essential component of the conflict and is seen by Russia as a means of settlement of the situation in Ukraine [according to Russia’s interests]."

"In these conditions, to provide an adequate response to military and terrorist threats of a hybrid war, we make use of the Armed Forces, other military units and law enforcement agencies, formed according to Ukrainian legislation, in the anti-terrorist operation and territorial defense of Ukraine, which provides for stabilization of the contact line in Donetsk and Luhansk regions and prevents the conflict from spreading to the rear of the country," said Mehedi.

Donetsk Airport: New YouTube video shows ruins of symbolic Ukrainian complex - read on - uatoday.tv

Ukrainian forces defended the airport from Russian-backed forces for 242 days, against all odds

A new video showing the ruins of Donetsk International Airport in eastern Ukraine has appeared on YouTube, Ukrainian news agency TSN reports.

The video, uploaded on July 19, shows the utterly destroyed airport terminal - with only the supporting structures for the first and second floors left among the only structures left standing. The video also shows the road to the shattered airport.

Donetsk International Airport has been the focus of heavy fighting for months as Russian troops and militant units attempted to drive out Ukrainian forces from the complex. Ukrainian soldiers defended the airport area for 242 days, between May 2014 and January 2015, against all odds.

On Facebook, Ukraine's volunteer Azov Battalion claimed that Ukrainian servicemen had withdrawn, describing the months of fighting as ‘longer than the defence of Stalingrad and Moscow during World War Two'.

A Russia-backed fighter sits atop an armoured personnel carrier inside the destroyed building of Donetsk Airport just outside Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, June 9, 2015 (AP Photo)

 

[vostok]

Depardieu and Kusturica is now in the "black list" of Ukraine

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French actor Gerard Depardieu is included in the Ukraine in the "black list" of persons who, according to the current Kiev authorities represent a "threat to national security." This was reported by French newspaper Ouest-France.

Thus, from this day Ukrainian media is forbidden to mention the name of the actor and his film will not be shown in any cinema or on television.

As the newspaper notes, is now the Ukrainians will be deprived of the opportunity to see many of the classic masterpieces of French cinema, including "Going Places," "The Last Metro", "Under the Sun of Satan" and many others.

The list of banned Ukrainian activists art world there are about 600 names, among which were such personalities as Emir Kusturica and filmmakers Oliver Stone and American actor Steven Seagal.
Депардье и Кустурица попали в «черный список» Украины

 

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The Naval Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine held tactical exercises brigade of marines firing. Training takes place according to the plan of combat training at one of the training grounds that the Mykolaiv region

.Academic pursuits measures is to improve practical skills of commanders in decision-making compounds the situation that has arisen, the management subordinate units and fire during combat missions in the real world, practical skills personnel units in combat missions. In addition, the level of coherence tested units.-

Members of compounds demonstrating excellent skills. Formed this year the Marine Corps team is ready to perform assigned tasks, - the head of training chief of staff - first deputy commander of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, Rear Admiral Andrey Tarasov.

 

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In Kharkiv completed the cadets practice flight department of Kharkiv Air Force University named after Ivan Kozhedub. Cadet pilots acquire training aircraft L-39 "Albatros", the Mi-8 and navigators acquire practical skills to fly the aircraft AN-26.-

Throughout the study the students were able to learn well the theoretical part, which positively reflected now, during training flights - said brigade commander Colonel first class pilot Gennady Dubovik. - To date, the students already have sufficient skills and nalotnoho time to feel confident in the sky.

 

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In three days at one of the training area, which in Dnipropetrovsk, led by highly mobile airborne troops commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Colonel Michael Zabrodskoho, practical demonstration conducted research studies with live fire.

During the sessions, involving management of the Airborne Command, brigades, battalions commanders and artpidrozdiliv was field tested in day and night conditions at different weather conditions range of fire control self-propelled artillery battery air - Airborne Brigade.

 

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President Poroshenko during a working visit to Mykolayiv region examined the tactical exercises of the Naval Forces of Ukraine.At speedboat President accompanied Navy Commander Vice Admiral Sergei Hayduk out to sea and watching the landing of amphibious combined method on unequipped coast.

Studies conducted in the waters of Bug estuary in Mykolayiv with participation of sub marines, special forces, surface ships and boats

Ukraine Navy and naval aviation aircraft Navy, Air Force and the Army of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Worked out practical skills of personnel in a dynamic environment, as close to real all stages of amphibious landing on unequipped coast, capture and retention bridgehead.

Also worked out interspecific interaction from the sea and from the air.The purpose of training - training units of the Naval Forces in possible scenarios on the Seaside area, including Mariupol.

 

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President Poroshenko during a working visit to Mykolayiv region visited 235 Combined Arms Training Range, where he got acquainted with the work item management and leadership.

He noted that the past year was challenging for sailors. "Black berets Naval Forces of Ukraine, after almost a whole of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, in new places of deployment in a shorter period made resupply personnel, weapons and military equipment, combat training units organized and trained to use them," - said.

The President stressed the active role of Marines in the tasks in the area of anti-terrorist operations. "Acting on the direction of Mariupol, black berets his determination, willingness to win cemented defense of the city," - said Poroshenko.

 

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Members of Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident-2015" included in the active working rhythm. In the areas of training polygon International Peacekeeping and Security Centre began training with multinational brigade units created within the educational testing scenario.

The first week of training, soldiers from 18 countries will be prepared for an active phase "Rapid Trident-2015".The officers of the Joint Staff of the Multinational Brigade started working out decisions on NATO standards and procedures for conducting stabilization operations, and peacekeeping and security.

 

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One of the training places, which engaged July 21, participants of Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident - 2015" - patrolling the area. At this site classes of units of cadets of the Army Academy and Military Academy instructors spent officers of the national army of the Republic of Moldova. Instructors have focused on the practical component is exercise: the military is tasked to inspect the land belts, to arrest all suspects they meet.

One soldier killed in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform

KYIV, July 21 /Ukrinform/. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed; another one was wounded in ATO area in past 24 hours

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We lost one more Ukrainian serviceman for past 24 hours. One soldier was wounded," Lysenko said.

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21.07.2015 | 10:42
Two women severely wounded after shelling of Maiorske : UNIAN news

The combined Russian-separatist forces on Tuesday fired artillery on the residential neighborhood of the village of Maiorske in Donetsk region, resulting in two local women being severely wounded, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) wrote on its Facebook page on Tuesday.

REUTERS
The ATO forces provided first aid to injured women and evacuated them to the nearest hospital, the report says.

Also, a civilian vehicle was hit in an attack.

According to the press center, the militants have been "regularly conducting provocative shelling of peaceful settlements in order to intimidate the local population and discredit the Ukrainian military. However, civilians know that it is the pro-Russian gangs who are involved in the shelling of residential areas in Donbas".

 

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Illegal armed formations keep shelling Ukrainian army positions | Міністерство оборони України
Wednesday, July 22. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, yesterday, the pro-Russian armed formations completed about 80 attacks against the Ukrainian army positions.

Terrorists attacked Opytne with tank and mortars and Vodyane and Novhorodske with 120 mm mortars and tanks.

Militants opened provocative fire along the whole demarcation line such as near Mariynka, Pisky, Opytne, Vodyane, Staryi Aydar, Novhorodske, Krasnohorivka, Shyrokyne, Avdiyvka, Zolote, Mayorsk, Stanytsya Luhanska, Lozove, and Donetsk airport.

As of 06:00 a.m., July 22, the Russian-backed terrorists have attacked the Ukrainian govt positions near Opytne, Pisky, and Krasnohorivka.

Near Berezove, the terrorists used weapons forbidden by the Minsk agreements.

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Five Ukrainian soldiers injured in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 22 /Ukrinform/. No Ukrainian servicemen were killed; five soldiers were wounded in ATO area in past 24 hours.

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports.

"We had no losses, no fatalities, but five soldiers were injured over the past day," Lysenko said.

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During the Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident / Guardian Sabre 2015" units of the armed forces of Romania and the US, which are multinational infantry company "D" worked Action Unit repel sudden attacks of armed illegal armed formation.

Actions performed in two formats: on foot patrol areas, and at the traffic unit consisting of columns on armored HMMWV.The first exercise performed by the Romanian infantry platoon of soldiers under the command of Lieutenant Catalina Sava. Soldiers who serve as during training of illegal armed groups, staged a classic L-shaped ambush, divided into two groups. The first was to join the battle and distract the attention, the second - hit in the rear.

Advanced Watch Romanians time found one of ambush groups and joined the battle, captured a "prisoner" of the number of attackers. Several conditional "lehkoporanenym" platoon medic provided medical assistance.

 

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SBU seizes equipment of Russian security services to wiretap Maidan| Ukrinform

KYIV, July 20 /Ukrinform/. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) on July 18 seized a set of equipment that had been used for illegal wiretapping of telephone conversations of opposition leaders and activists during the Revolution of Dignity.

Head of the SBU Vasyl Hrytsak has reported this to the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko today, the SBU press service reports.

"In the course of the special operation, the SBU detained in Kyiv a group of people led by the acting employee, Lieutenant Colonel of the Central Office of the Security Service of Ukraine, engaged in illegal wiretapping. The SBU officers seized a modern special set to read off the data from mobile communication channels (GSM). According to operational information, the set was smuggled in Ukraine with the direct involvement of special services of the Russian Federation," reads the statement.

The equipment was sent for examination, including to identify what people were exactly wiretapped during the Revolution of Dignity and until the last moment, when the system was seized.

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Ukrainian border guards in Luhansk region down Russian-made drone : UNIAN news

Servicemen of the Ukrainian State Border Service in Luhansk region on July 22 downed an enemy drone, which was made in Russia, according to the service's media liaison office.

An enemy drone / Photo from dpsu.gov.ua
"The drone was spotted 1.5 km far from the border with Russia, heading for the Russian village of Ushakovka [in Rostov region] and the Ukrainian village of Harasymivka. The border guards had to use weapons to stop the collection of data by the drone about the deployment of Ukrainian troops," the office said.

An enemy drone downed in Luhansk region / Photo from dpsu.gov.ua
Having closely examined the downed UAV, they found out that it was made in Russia.

The downed drone turned to be Russian-made / Photo from dpsu.gov.ua

"Video surveillance equipment was fixed on it. It is being examined now. [The incident] has been reported to respective law enforcement agencies," the State Border Service said.

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DW: Ukraine agrees to 30-kilometer buffer zone - read on - uatoday.tv

Ukrainan President announces plans to introduce 30-kilometer demilitarized zone in Luhansk

The buffer zone, which was agreed between Ukraine's warring factions under mediation of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) and Russia, requires all tanks and artillery to be withdrawn from the region. The move aims to bring an end to the "permanent shelling."

Poroshenko tweeted confirmation of the demilitarized zone late on Wednesday afternoon: "Instructed the contact group to sign an agreement on the buffer zone, to ensure that militants are unable to bombard the peaceful civilians of Donbass!"

 

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Terrorists complete 86 attacks against Ukrainian positions | Міністерство оборони України
Thursday, July 23. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, yesterday, bandits completed 86 attacks against the Ukrainian army positions and 2 attacks against communities.

At 09:14 p.m. the terrorists shelled Novhorodske with 122 mm artillery.

The illegal armed formations attacked the Ukrainian positions near Avdiyvka, Novhorodske, Pisky, Leninske, and Opytne with 122 mm howitzers and 120 mm mortars.

There was a fighting near Opytne ended in the enemy’s failure.

This morning the bandits have attacked the Ukrainian govt positions near Rozsadka and Lozove with 120 mm mortars.

Terrorists have completed over 10 attacks against the Ukrainian army with small arms and mortars near Mariynka this morning.

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Seven Ukrainian soldiers wounded in east Ukraine conflict zone in last day - read on - uatoday.tv
Jul. 23, 2015
Ukrainian military spokesman reports no casualties over the last 24 hours

No Ukrainian soldiers were killed but seven were wounded in the Donbas conflict zone over the last 24 hours, head of the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) headquarters, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said at a briefing on Thursday.

"Over the last day, we haven't lost any Ukrainian soldiers, but seven were injured as a result of military clashes," Motuzianyk said.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions and civilian areas in eastern Ukraine 86 times in the last day.

 

[vostok]

French MP: We saw happy people who live in the Crimea and returned to Russia
Recently, in the Crimea, visited by the delegation of French parliamentarians that evening stroll along the promenade of Yalta, and talked to the Crimeans and guests of the peninsula, according to RIA "Novosti".
French MPs passed several kilometers through the city, accompanied by the Speaker of the State Council of Crimea Vladimir Konstantinov and a group of journalists, stopping to talk and be photographed with walking people. Some MPs even bought a T-shirt with the Crimean subjects.

"We are happy to see the people who live in the Crimea and returned to Russia. We talked with the young people here. Picture amazing difference to the fact that we show (the Crimea). I faced here with such cordiality. We have had a very different idea of the Crimea ", - said the deputy about his impressions of Marie Christine Dalloz.

According to the French delegation, they did not expect to see in Yalta such a large number of tourists. After a walk through the city deputies went to the Livadia Palace, where they staged a small tour.
Google translate.
Французский депутат: Мы увидели счастливый народ, который живет в Крыму и вернулся в Россию » Военное обозрение