Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

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Depardieu banned from entering to Ukraine for five years
Security Service of Ukraine has made a French actor Gerard Depardieu in the list of persona non grata in Ukraine for five years, according to Ukrainian media.
 ВЗГЛЯД / Депардье запретили въезд на Украину на пять лет

 

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One Ukrainian soldier killed in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 28 /Ukrinform/. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed; twelve 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.

"One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, twelve soldiers were injured over the past day," Lysenko said.
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Terrorists still violate Minsk Agreements | Міністерство оборони України
Tuesday, July 28. DONBAS — According to the press centre of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) HQ, over the past 24 hours the situation in the region is still tense. The Russian-backed terrorists completed 82 attacks against the Ukrainian army positions and 5 communities. The enemy used 152 mm and 122 mm artillery, mortars, Grad multiple rocket launchers, tanks.

Militants attacked the Ukrainian army positions near Stanytsya Luhanska, Mayorsk, Travneve, and Mykolayvka Druha.

The enemy opened the harassing fire near Chermalyk, Luhanske, Pisky, Opytne, and Mariynka.

As of 06:00 a.m., the militants have shelled the Ukrainian govt positions in Donetsk direction. The pro-Russian armed formations have attacked the Ukrainian army positions near Kurdyumivka, Travneve, Avdiyvka, Opytne, and Mariynka with artillery and mortars.

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U.S. delegationonvisitinUkrainianAFBrigade | Міністерство оборони України
Tuesday, July 28. KYIV OBLAST – Yesterday, the U.S. AF Command delegation led by Gen. Frank Gorenc, Commander, U.S. Air Force Europe, paid a visit to the Ukrainian AF brigade.

The Ukrainian delegation was chaired by Gen. Lt. Serhiy Drozdov, Commander, Ukrainian Air Force.

During a briefing its participants discussed the current situation in Ukraine and issues related to the U.S. support for Ukraine. They also spoke about further security cooperation between the AF of both countries.

“We consider cooperation with the Ukrainian Air Force as a priority for us and are ready to provide support for situation stabilization in Ukraine,” stressed Gen. Frank Gorenc.

Photos of Russian military base near Ukrainian border appeared on Internet - read on - uatoday.tv
Footage of 'transhipment base' for Russian contract soldiers is published

Ukraine's TSN media agency has received photographs of the 'Kuzminskiy' firing range located in the Russian region of Rostov.

The military base currently accommodates a few dozens of the latest Russian T-90 tanks and T-72 tanks (the latter were assembled in Ukrainian city of Khrakiv) as well as multiple launch rocket systems 'Tornado', self-propelled artillery 'Gvozdika' (Carnation), a great number of other military equipment, hundreds of servicemen and dozens of vehicles.

A two-kilometer zone around the base has restricted access, as the perimeter is secured with the armed servicemen.

"We saw a tank unit there. And an artillery unit consists of self-propelled guns, multiple launch rocket systems. I understand, servicemen are in the combat coordination mode. They are fulfilling some defensive or offensive actions," said military expert Konstantin Mashovets.


In addition, Foreign Intelligence General Mykola Malomuzh clarifies information by providing intelligence data. He says that earlier the base accommodated anti-aircraft missiles. It is possible, that it might have accommodated missiles used to down Malaysian airliner MH17 last year.

 

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There was a fighting yesterday near Shchastya | Міністерство оборони України
Wednesday, July 29. DONBAS – Yesterday, the situation was still tense in the region. Over the past 24 hours, there have been 80 attacks against the Ukrainian army positions. There were two fighting near Avdiyka and Shchastya.

Militants shelled the Ukrainian govt positions near Krasnohorivka, Avdiyvka, Pershe Travnya, Mayorsk, Mykolayvka, and Mariynka with cannons and mortars.

At04:30 p.m., under cover fire of 120 mm and 82 mm mortars and a tank, the Russian-backed terrorists (about 100 persons) attacked the Ukrainian army positions near Shchastya. The fighting lasted about three hours and ended in the enemy’s failure.

At 08:20 p.m.,about 30 militants tried to capture the Ukrainian post near Avdiyvka; the fighting ended in the enemy’s failure.

There are no casualties among the Ukrainian soldiers.

As of 06:00 a.m. the enemy has opened artillery fire against the Ukrainian army positions near Stepne, Novozvanivka, Troytske, Mykolayvka, and Popasna.

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On Wednesday, July 29, participants of Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident-2015" went from training to practical testing action scenario training. Recall established within multinational training team should undertake stabilization action within defense operation: strengthen the protection of state borders, Search steps to curb the separatists, which support and enhance the country's security services aggressor.In the "B" main force combat units and logistics of one of the battalions of the brigade made a tactical march in a certain area of responsibility. After establishing base camp and taking it under protection, multinational battalion proceeded to stabilization operations.Students of the Faculty of GVA and military intelligence "saddled" key roads near tasks. The purpose of work - thorough check of vehicles and control the movement of machinery. The most suspicious vehicles and their passengers carefully examined

 

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Захисники неба провели бойові стрільби на Маріупольському напрямі</strong></p> | Міністерство оборони України
Artillery anti-aircraft gun and the Armed Forces of Ukraine held the next stage of firing in the direction of Mariupol. As an educational target air defense troops used mines lighting, which used native weapons.According to the head of Colonel Victor firing Vyhovsky within two days firing off units learn new methods to combat enemy air targets.- During the exercises, we tried to create the conditions that may arise during the conduct of hostilities. So, to fulfill their tasks, the soldiers had to show ack best professional quality - said Colonel Victor Vyhovsky.

Two Ukrainian soldiers wounded in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 29 /Ukrinform/. No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but two soldiers were wounded in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas as a result of hostilities.

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on the anti-terrorist operation, Colonel Oleksandr Motuzianyk said this at a briefing in Kyiv, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"Fortunately, no Ukrainian servicemen were killed in past 24 hours, but two soldiers were wounded as a result of military clashes over past 24 hours," he said.

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Russia sends 2,000 officers-advisers to terrorists in Donbas| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 29 /Ukrinform/. Russian officer Vladimir Starkov, detained by the Ukrainian border guards at Berezove checkpoint (Donetsk region) said that about 2,000 Russian officers were documented as "advisors" to terrorists of the so-called Donetsk People's Republic and Luhansk People's Republic.

This is reported by the SBU press center.

As chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) Vasyl Hrytsak noted during the general briefing with Head of the State Border Service of Ukraine Viktor Nazarenko, "there is a clearly established mechanism of coordination and direct involvement of the Russia's Armed Forces staff in the Russian aggression against our country."

The SBU Chairman brought unquestioning evidence of Vladimir Starkov belonging to the personnel of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation.

A Russian army officer named as Major Vladimir Starkov, who was arrested by Ukrainian border guards at Berezove checkpoint (Donetsk region), accompanied an ammunition convoy from Donetsk to the village of Yasne, State Border Guard Service Chief Viktor Nazarenko has said.

 

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Four civilians reported killed in Ukraine fighting | Zee News
Last Updated: Thursday, July 30, 2015 - 15:57

Kiev: Four civilians were killed in intense shelling attacks between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russian rebels in the separatist east of the war-torn state, officials from both sides said today.

"Two civilians were killed as a result of shelling in Dzerzhynsk," about 50 kilometres (30 miles) north of the rebels' de facto capital Donetsk, representative of the region's Kiev-appointed administration's health department told AFP.

The city hall of the nearby town of Gorlivka reported two civilians killed and another four wounded, including two children.

It remained unclear which side was responsible for most of the casualties, with both Kiev's pro-Western forces and the fighters exchanging blame.

But monitors from the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe this week said the number of attacks reported to them by Kiev and Moscow generals responsible for orchestrating a pause in hostilities pointed to much of the fire coming from the rebel side.

The United Nations estimates the conflict has killed more than 6,800 people from April, 2014.

In February, a peace deal reached in Minsk called for the withdrawal of heavy arms from the frontline. The shellings continued, although the region in which daily attacks continue has grown smaller over time.

AFP

 

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Soldiers with the armed forces of Ukraine evacuate a destroyed BTR-80 armored troop transport July 27, 2015, as they conduct convoy operations training during Rapid Trident in Yavoriv, Ukraine. Rapid Trident is a long-standing U.S. Army Europe-led cooperative training exercise focused on peacekeeping and stability operations. More than 1,800 personnel from 18 different nations are participating in the exercise. Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk/Army

 

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Illegal armed formations violated ceasefire for 82 times | Міністерство оборони України

Thursday, July 30. DONBAS — The enemy still violates the ceasefire and uses the weapons forbidden by the Minsk agreements almost along the whole demarcation line.

The illegal armed formations shelled the Ukrainian army positions deployed near Donetsk and Artemivsk with 120 mm mortars, Triokhizbenka with tanks; Krasnohorivka and Mayorsk with 120 mm mortars.

The bandits still use artillery: they attacked Yasnobrodivka with 152 mm artillery, the Ukrainian govt positions near Leninske with 152 and 122 mm artillery systems; the Ukrainian army positions near Starohnativka with tank and artillery.

Totally, yesterday, the illegal armed formations have violated the ceasefire for 82 times while using the artillery, mortars, grenade launchers, and small arms.

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Captain Maxim Savchenko paratrooper was killed July 19, 2014 in the battle of Lisichanskiy, protecting the integrity of our state. He was only 25 years old. He was one of the first from Sumy who gave his life for our country.Order of "National Hero of Ukraine" Maxim handed father Sergey Savchenko.

At the awards ceremony attended by family and close Maximus, including his daughter Arina eighteen months that Maxim did not have time to see.The award "National Hero of Ukraine" was founded this year.

Everyone won this award receives a medal from silver 925 coin "Heavenly hundred" or "dignity revolution" and a bank card with funds. Silver award for ordinary people gather in 16 countries. Produces Award Prize founder Dmitri Schebrak.

During visit to Mariupol Deputy Defense Minister of Ukraine for European Integration Igor Dolgov met with the head of the sector "M" Major-General Igor Fedorov, who familiarized him with the work of staff and reported the situation in the sector is currently "M".

Also during the meeting dealt with the provision of military personnel and work with personnel.

Particular attention was paid to civil-military cooperation and military cooperation with local authorities.

 

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The main subject of massive Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident / Saber Guardian - 2015", which is a part of "Partnership for Peace", is to participate in international peacekeeping operations with peace.This year a record number of participants in training - more than 1,800 soldiers from 18 countries.

Military units, except Ukraine and the United States sent the Kingdom of Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Romania, Spain, Sweden, Turkey.According to the structure of studies at the Simulation Centre National Defence University of Ukraine.

Ivan Chernyakhovsky placed a mechanized battalion headquarters, which performs tasks Brigade, which leads stabilization actions in defense operations.

 

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At the military airfield Guards Military Transport Aviation Brigade of the Air Force of Ukraine, stationed nearby winery, within two days the crew aircraft AN-26 and Mi-8MT performed the task in simple and adverse weather conditions by day with the transition to night flying change. Also, crews performed AN-26 landing personnel.

Especially for landing on flights to the guards, pilots came a few dozen officers and contracted two special purpose units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Hmelnychchyny.Voyiny reconnaissance performed skydiving D-5 second series in the framework of hopping program in 2015. Landed from a height of five hundred meters and at speeds of 220-250 km / h.

Flying Air Force and workshops of Airborne training of military intelligence officers conducted the general tactical background where airmen perfected skill shipping by air landing behind enemy lines in the conditional, given the time, complexity of meteorological conditions.Spetspryznachentsi elements are practiced separation of aircraft landing equipment day and night, conditional capture and mining reconnaissance and sabotage groups critical infrastructure opponent and several other special tasks.

 

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The second day of the active phase of Ukrainian-American command and staff exercise involving troops "Rapid Trident-2015" in full swing. Continuing implementation scenario training units of a multinational brigade battalions blocked roads in a given area oblashtuvavshy mobile checkpoints and mobile boundaries. Platoon US Armed Forces took control of the building "teleradiotsentru": an important object in a "hybrid" war. Active steps taking place throughout the International Peacekeeping and Security Centre. But the most bitter battle with the "separatists" was held near the height of "Tartak", where the conditions of training was located televyshka.On the outskirts of the area occupied several positions Ukraine military marines. The commander of one of the "blocks" service contract serviceman Sergeant Yury Klimkin said that his work for the guys usual, because 80 percent of the units involved in the ATO where, in particular, had to perform similar tasks in combat conditions. Marines watched the targeted sectors and conducted inspection of vehicles.

 

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Four Ukrainian soldiers wounded in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 30 /Ukrinform/. No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but four soldiers were wounded in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in Donbas as a result of hostilities.

Spokesman for the Presidential Administration on ATO, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing, an Ukrinform correspondent reports. "Fortunately, no Ukrainian servicemen were killed in past 24 hours, but four soldiers were wounded as a result of military clashes over past 24 hours," he said.

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Militants' attack on Dzerzhynsk: two killed, gas pipe damage, blackouts : UNIAN news
30.07.2015 | 14:01

Two persons have been killed as a result of the shelling of the town of Dzerzhynsk, the Ukrainian Interior Ministry's Public Relations Department in Donetsk region reported on Thursday.

REUTERS
"At about 03:00 Kyiv time [on Thursday], the militants fired on the central part of Dzerzhynsk. Two locals, born in 1982 and 1956, were killed," the report reads.

According to the report, a gas pipeline was also damaged.

"Shells hit some districts in the town, having caused blackouts. Two coal mines were disconnected from the power grid, and more than 200 miners were trapped underground. They have been evacuated already," the report says.

According to law enforcers, investigators are now working on the scene. Information on casualties or damages is being verified.

As UNIAN reported earlier, the combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 82 times overnight, using banned artillery systems, mortars, rocket-propelled grenade launchers and small arms.

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Tymchuk: important freight from Russia heading for occupied Debaltseve : UNIAN news
A unit of about 90 well-armed and equipped troops of Russia's regular army, three armored personnel carriers, one armored reconnaissance and patrol vehicle, and five army trucks have arrived at the Debaltseve railway station to meet the freight.
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Army 1st Sgt. Leonard Porter carries a notionally wounded Marine to a casualty collection point Thursday during Rapid Trident training in Yavoriv, Ukraine. Sgt. Alex Skripnichuk/Army

This assured them soldiers of the State Special Transport Service of Ukraine, who perform tasks in the area of ATO on protection and defense of the bridges leading to the settlement.In particular, soldiers and railroad workers from Chernigov Novomoskovsk guard rail and floating bridges across the river Kazennyi Torez.When in the spring of 2014 militants destroyed road bridge at the entrance to the Slavic from Kharkov (Kharkiv-automobile communication Rostov-on-Don), the soldiers of the State Special Transport Service as soon as possible reduced floating near the crossing length of 65 meters, which was vital necessary for the population.

At the initiative of the Youth NGO "Patriotic Movement of Donbas" command and separate Airborne Brigade Airborne Forces of Ukraine jointly with Dymytrivskoyu City Council organized a tour for local journalists and patriotic youth Krasnoarmeyskiy district, Donetsk region to the location Airborne Brigade.Participants of the tour were able to watch the exemplary deployment of anti-aircraft installation ZU-23-2 and found her martial characteristics. Also note sightseers were presented anti-tank missile complexes "Fagot". Those interested could try themselves bring their own sight antitank complex on an imaginary target.

Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in ATO area in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, July 31 /Ukrinform/. Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed; seven 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.

"Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed, seven soldiers were injured over the past day," Lysenko said.

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Militants made more than one hundred attacks overnight| Ukrinform

KYIV, July 31 /Ukrinform/. The combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 105 times over past 24 hours.

This is reported by the ATO press center.

"From 18:00 on July 30 to midnight on July 31, the militants violated the ceasefire 46 times. At 18:00 Kyiv time, they fired infantry fighting vehicles, and at 19:15 Kyiv time they fired 120mm mortars on our positions near the village of Opytne in Donetsk region. In the same sector, the criminals had been firing 122mm artillery on ATO forces near the village of Vodiane from the city of Donetsk for about 20 hours. They also fired 152mm artillery on the village of Yasnobrodivka. From 22:00 on July 30 to midnight on July 31, the illegal armed groups fired tank shells on our fortified position in the town of Maryinka," the report says.

The militants were also active in the direction of Artemivsk. The enemy fired 122mm artillery, infantry fighting vehicles, 120mm mortars on ATO forces in the village of Luhanske. At about 22:00 Kyiv time, the militants also fired 120mm mortars on the village of Stanytsia Luhanska.

"Another confirmation of the militants' lack of principles was the shelling of the village of Hostre on July 30. At 20:25 Kyiv time, from the mine of Abakumova (the district in the city of Donetsk), the Russian invaders fired 152mm artillery on Hostre, endangering the civilian population of Donbas," the press center said.

After midnight, on July 31, the militants continued their armed provocations, using mainly small arms.

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OSCE cannot get close to border - Deputy Chief Monitor| Ukrinform

KYIV, July 30 /Ukrinform/. The OSCE SMM monitors in the ATO area continue facing movement restrictions, and still do not have access to a significant part of the Ukrainian-Russian border.

Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE SMM to Ukraine Alexander Hug said this at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"At a time when all the parties say that the SMM enjoys freedom of movement, monitoring and preparation of reports, according to the mandate, the reality tells a different story. We still face the daily problems while passing through checkpoints on both sides, resulting in regular delays or even a denial of access," Hug said.

As an example, he cited a case where the militants had not allowed observers to get to Debaltseve on Monday and banned the access to the storage of heavy weapons.

"We still do not have access to a large area of the Ukraine-Russia international border, in particular, in Luhansk region," Hug said.

 

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Arsenal of arms seized in a bus at checkpoint near Dnipropetrovsk : UNIAN news

Traffic police discovered grenades, grenade launchers and Kalashnikov rounds during a routine vehicle check in a bus at a checkpoint near Dnipropetrovsk today, on Juy 31, the regional police division’s press service has told UNIAN.

“During visual check in a passenger compartment of a bus, two RGD grenades, four F-1 grenades, five grenade fuses, two RPG grenade launchers, three smoke pots, 2,160 rounds of a 5.45 caliber for Kalashnikov rifle, and 1,894 rounds of a 7.62 caliber were discovered and seized,” according to the report.