Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

In pursuance of the decisions of Wales NATO summit to launch new trust fund to support the strengthening of Ukraine's defense continued implementing measures Trust Fund to modernize and improve the efficiency of national control systems, improving its interoperability with relevant NATO by providing expert technical and financial assistance on the use of modern information and communication technologies, automation of management activities and provide digital communication.

Thus, during the last week in the framework of the NATO Trust Fund to modernize the management and communication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine delegation of NATO experts in Ukraine.The purpose of the visit was to conduct the next stage of research automation system of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and determine potential targets and structures to implement the pilot project within the Regional Programme NATO air safety.

Foreign experts visited one of the radio engineering battalions of the Air Force of Ukraine and facilities of the State Air Traffic Service Enterprise Ukraine.It is worth recalling that in 2014 launched five new NATO Trust Fund for the benefit of helping Ukraine on critical areas of security and defense sector, one of which is NATO Trust Fund to modernize the management and communication of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.

The budget fund formed by contributions from contributors (UK, of Denmark, Canada, Germany, Latvia, Lithuania, Turkey) and is about 2 million.The key regulatory instrument in this area is a Memorandum of Understanding between the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the Organization for information and communications regarding NATO cooperation on C4ISR under the NATO "Partnership for Peace". This document determines the principles of implementation the NATO Trust Fund, which was signed on 24 April 2015 and ratified by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine of July 1, 2015.

One Ukrainian soldier killed, six wounded in ATO area in past day| Ukrinform

KYIV, August 14 /Ukrinform/. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed; six 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, six soldiers were injured over the past day," he said.

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Russian proxies attack Ukrainian troops 95 times overnight : UNIAN news

The combined Russian-separatist forces shelled Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 95 times on August 13, using banned weapons, namely Grad multiple rocket launchers, the press center of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) wrote on Facebook on Friday.

"The Russian proxies started firing Grad multiple rocket launchers at about 22:00 Kyiv time on ATO fortified positions near the villages of Talakivka, Pavlopil, and Starohnativka close to the Ukrainian-controlled city of Mariupol. They also fired 152mm artillery systems on Starohnativka and Talakivka. From 18:00 to midnight, the militants attacked the village of Novotroitske twice, using 120mm mortars," the report says.

The enemy launched attacks with Grad rockets on the town of Avdiyivka at 23:00 Kyiv time and on the village of Opytne at 23:30 and 23:35 Kyiv time. In addition, at the end of the day, they fired 152mm artillery systems on the villages of Vodiane, Kamianka, Novobakhmutivka, and Pervomaiske.

"At about 22:00 Kyiv time, the occupiers started firing mortars and 152mm artillery systems on ATO forces in the village of Zaitseve in the Artemivsk sector. It is worth noting that the enemy continues to shell civilian buildings, deliberately destroying infrastructure in Donbas. At 17:10 Kyiv time, the militants started using grenade launchers and heavy machine guns to shell the village of Shyrokyne, and at 21:52 Kyiv time they were firing Grad rockets on Avdiyivka and Opytne," the press center said.

"From midnight to 06:00 Kyiv time on August 14, the Kremlin-backed mercenaries were using banned artillery nine times. They fired Grad rockets on ATO forces in Vodiane four times and in Opytne three times. In addition, they used multiple rocket launchers once to shell the town of Krasnohorivka and the village of Zaitseve," the press center said.

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SBU detains subversive group in Kharkiv, prevents explosion on railway : UNIAN news

A subversive group has been detained in Kharkiv region as they were laying explosives on the railway stretch, aiming to blow up an incoming train, according to the press secretary of the Security Service of Ukraine Olena Hitlyanska, an UNIAN correspondent has reported from a briefing at the SBU.

Photo from UNIAN
SBU officers have detained a group of three saboteurs, one of whom was an employee of Ukraine’s state border guard service, said Hitlyanska

The terrorists have been searching for strategically important objects in the area to conduct diversions and also collected information on the location of Ukrainian Army bases and military equipment, on civil activists and law enforcement officers.

Saboteurs planned to blow up a train carrying military equipment on the eve of Independence Day.

"Alpha" [SBU special force] team detained the organizer of a terrorist group right after the explosives with the 2.5 kg of TNT capacity had been laid under the rails.

Read alsoSBU Chief: separatism threats in five "hot spots" across UkraineDuring a search, the schemes of vital infrastructure objects in the area were revealed; also the lists of law enforcement officers and pro-Ukrainian activists; a grenade launcher, grenades and about a thousand rounds.

 

[Hindustani78]

As the press center of ATO, from 18.00 on August 14th and midnight Russo-terrorist troops concentrated shelling positions in Ukrainian Donetsk direction.At the end of the day under fire 120-millimeter mortars were 5 times our bases in Krasnohorivtsi. Around 21.00 on Avdiyivka, and at 22.00 - on villages Novoselivka, Novomyhaylivka, Novobahmutovka Water and beat the enemy artillery caliber 152 mm.From 21.50 terrorists once again fired a "Grad" on the part of Abakumov mine in Nevelsk, sand, and water questionnaire.

Also from 22.00 to 22.25 on our positions in the village of Pervomayskaya worked hostile artillery caliber of 152 millimeters and the "city".In the area of Mariupol, in the evening, two gunmen with rocket launchers and once with 120-millimeter mortars pounded the Talakivtsi.In Artemovsk direction, 18 hours before midnight, under fire by enemy artillery positions were ATU forces in Dzerzhinsk, Leninsky and Sanzharivtsi. And about 20.30 occupiers of tanks and 120-millimeter mortars pounded the village Zaitsev.In addition, purposefully destroying the infrastructure of Donbass, at 22.25 on residential neighborhoods Avdeevki, and at 23.45 - on Pavlopolyu criminals beat of "Grad".

Overall, during the last day the enemy 175 times violated the ceasefire. 25 times militants used guns, 64 - mortars, 19 - rocket systems of volley fire BM-21 "Grad", 93 - small arms and grenade launchers.After midnight today, August 15, gang continued shelling our positions mainly in Donetsk area. And at 03.16 the "city" once again beaten by ATU forces in Pervomayskoye.
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AFP: Three civilians killed as east Ukraine shelling flares up - read on - uatoday.tv
Military reported record shelling by Russian-backed militants in east Ukraine combat zone

Three civilians have been killed in east Ukraine as government forces claimed Saturday that shelling by pro-Russian separatists hit a record high since the start of a tattered truce in February.

Authorities in Ukrainian-controlled territory along the frontline told AFP that shelling over the past day had killed two civilians and wounded 15 more.

Meanwhile pro-Moscow separatist officials on the other side said that bombardments had claims the life of one local resident and left three injured.

Ukraine's army reported coming under the heaviest level of artillery and rocket fire since the two sides signed a February truce deal that has been repeatedly broken since.

"Over the past 24 hours we recorded the highest level of firing by the illegal arms groups for the past six months," military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said, adding that two soldiers had been wounded.

 

[Hindustani78]

Washington Post: At Point 18 in eastern Ukraine, the war grinds on, night after night - read on - uatoday.tv
12:39 Aug. 16, 2015


Ukrainian army company of 110 soldiers defends the right flank of largely deserted village of Pisky

The staccato of machine-gun fire begins at dusk, just as the sunflower fields here turn orange with the setting sun.

A Ukrainian army company of 110 soldiers defends the right flank of this largely deserted village, less than a mile outside of separatist-controlled Donetsk in eastern Ukraine and close to the city's strategically key airport.

The unit — 7th Company of the 93rd Brigade — is headquartered in a partially destroyed two-story house known only as Point 18. In the front yard are Point 18's defenses, a series of trenches and firing positions that start at the house's garage and extend a hundred yards into the farmland beyond. The trenches are six feet deep and shored with felled birch trees and wood panels to keep them from turning into a morass when it rains.

 

[Hindustani78]

firefighters extinguish fire at a house destroyed by night-long shelling in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine. A night-long artillery exchange in eastern Ukraine bet

 

[Hindustani78]

At one of the grounds of Odessa region was held Readiness artillery units of the Naval Forces of Ukraine with the performance of live firing that worked out in cooperation with the ship and naval aviation groups.As the head of Missile Forces and Artillery Commander Naval Forces of Ukraine Colonel Alexander Suk, artillery units successfully completed tasks: conditional enemy targets were destroyed, the aim of firing achieved.

The preparation of military personnel to the "March of Independence"18 August at the bar of Antonov held a rehearsal of military personnel who participate in the events dedicated to the Independence Day of Ukraine.

In rehearsal was attended by Deputy Presidential Administration Andrei Taranov, Minister of Defense of Ukraine Colonel-General Stephen Poltorak, leadership of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, Ukraine National Guard and the State Border Service of Ukraine.We recall that in the celebration of Independence Day on August 24 in Independence Flight 2000 will be attended by 300 personnel, including members of ATU students of universities and the Ministry of Defence of Ukraine and other law enforcement agencies and military lyceum named after drummers. I.Bohuna.For a few days, having marched main street of the country, the soldiers will give guests a holiday positive emotions.

Together with representatives of 28 separate mechanized brigade operational command "South" volunteers from Odesa preserved and restored damaged in the fighting in the east technique. Repairman restored one of the anti-missile systems, which has been preserved for 10 years. Now the machine is completely restored two shots and is able to destroy the enemy tank.At local volunteers found a forum for electricians and welders who agreed to help for free in this important case. Details for undercarriage installation in normal volunteers sought Auto.

And in a week the equipment was ready for running at a military firing range.Along with fighting vehicles Military volunteer detachment repairs and trucks, which transported soldiers and cargo in the area ATO. In the two months was recovered 11 vehicles. One anti-tank crews complex "Storm" has distinguished himself during Debaltseve. Then Ukrainian soldiers destroyed two tanks terrorists, and they remained intact.Meanwhile, the South-Ukrainian nuclear scientists volunteers upgraded to 79 paratroopers brigade two separate air GAZ-66, two UAZ-469 and BTR-70, which came from areas ATO.During the handover ceremony of the repaired vehicles paratroopers in gratitude volunteers handed diplomas and tilnyky. It should be noted that for several months the workers South-Ukrainian NPP restored and modernized over 40 pieces of equipment.

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One Ukrainian soldier killed in ATO area in past day| Ukrinform

KYIV, August 18 /Ukrinform/. One Ukrainian serviceman was killed; another one was wounded in ATO area in past 24 hours.

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

"One Ukrainian serviceman was killed, one soldier was injured over the past day," he said.

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Five Russian citizens allegedly involved in international terrorism detained in Kyiv| Ukrinform


KYIV, August 18 /Ukrinform/. In one of the capital city districts Alpha Special Forces unit from the Security Service of Ukraine have detained five citizens of the Russian Federation that have been part of an international terrorist organization.

The press-service of the SBU reports.

"One of the detained is wanted by Interpol. Last year, he had been detained in a European country,, but he had escaped from custody after attacking the guards," the SBU noted.

Security Service officers have seized handguns, ammunition and a grenade that were found in the suspects' possession. The officers found blueprints for making improvised explosive devices and components for them - the timer, micro elements, circuits, power sources in their rented apartment. These suspects are being checking for their possible role in preparing of terrorist acts in Kyiv.

A criminal investigation has been started regarding the detained Russian citizens; they were declared suspects in committing criminal actions. A court has ruled to hold them in custody.

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Two civilians have been reported dead in Sartana near the strategic port city of Mariupol as a result of the latest shelling by militants. Several more people, including a 10-year-old girl, were taken to hospital with wounds, according to Ukraine Today.
Fighting also flared elsewhere along the frontline: at least one man was killed here near the separatist stronghold of Donetsk.

Ukrainian officials said earlier this week that in the just in 24 hours, two Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and seven wounded by the Russian-terrorist forces.

 

[Hindustani78]

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Militant 'Ninja' detained by Ukraine's Security Service - read on - uatoday.tv
Aug. 18, 2015
Terrorist acts in Kramatorsk prevented

UNIAN: The militant from the self-styled Interior Ministry of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic terrorist organization (DNR) sought out the separatist supporters from among the residents of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk district, according to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU).

The SBU together with the Military Prosecutor's Office detained a militant from the so-called DNR, who has been plotting terrorist acts in eastern Ukrainian town of Kramatorsk.

As reported at the SBU, the terrorist with nom de guerre 'Ninja' took part in seizing the premises of local authorities in April-July 2014. Also, the arrested militant was a member of a terrorist group, a self-styled "Interior Ministry of the DPR," and participated in armed confrontations with the Ukrainian forces in Donbas.'

By order of the "DPR" leaders, he arrived in Kramatorsk in July, 2015, attempting to create a terrorist sabotage network, seeking for the separatist sympathizers from among the residents of Kramatorsk and Slovyansk district, observing the locations of deployment of the Ukrainian troops, and infrastructure objects across the region.

Reuters / Monday, August 17, 2015
A man cries as he inspects debris while standing outside his damaged house, which according to locals was caused by recent shelling, in Donetsk, Ukraine, August 17, 2015. Fighting flared between Ukrainian government forces and Russian-backed separatists in two separate parts of eastern Ukraine overnight with several civilians killed by shelling, Ukrainian police and separatist sources said on Monday. REUTERS/Alexander Ermochenko

 

[Hindustani78]

The Russian-baked terrorists continue to violate the ceasefire | Міністерство оборони України

According to the ATO press center, at the end of the day the situation in the ATO region remained stable. Shelling our positions with artillery decreased. However with a provocative purpose, the militants used small arms.

At the same time, the worst situation was in the area of Donetsk, where illegal armed groups attacked Ukrainian positions in villages Opytne, Pisky and Krasnohorivka using 120 mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicle, grenade launchers, small arms and artillery.

Also the terrorists used MLRS BM-21 “Grad” shelling Avdiivka.

In total, over the day of Aug. 18, Russian-backed terrorists violated Minsk agreements for 82 times. Four times the militants used artillery, 32 — mortars, 63 — rocket launchers and small arms.

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Wednesday, Aug. 19, KYIV — The United States of America officially donated a $7.6 million dollar expeditionary military field hospital to Ukraine’s Airborne Forces to help enhance their ability to treat soldiers injured in ongoing operations in eastern Ukraine.

Colonel Carol Northrup, Defense Attaché at the U.S. Embassy in Kyiv, presented the facility on behalf of the Government of the United States at a ceremony in Zhytomyr, Ukraine. Colonel Andrii Verba, Director of the Ministry of Defense Military Medical Dept, and Yaroslav Lahuta, Deputy Governor of Zhytomyr Oblast, accepted it on behalf of the Government of Ukraine.

Known in the United States as the Expeditionary Medical Support System (EMEDS), the field hospital is a light, lean, resuscitative care facility that can be forward deployed to provide rapid medical support for a broad range of military operations.

It can be used to treat wounded soldiers, stabilize patients, and prepare casualties for medical evacuation to facilities that can provide a higher level of care, as well as provide primary care, dental services, and force health protection.

The facility is designed to be manned by 30 medical/medical support personnel. It can provide care for up to 3,000 troops. It consists of 4 tents, takes about 24 hours to erect, and can operate in an austere environment for up to 10 days until resupply.

Currently U.S. military personnel are training their Ukrainian counterparts on how to make full use of the facility.

 

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[Hindustani78]

The situation along the boundary line of the parties in the Donetsk region remains extremely difficult and tends to escalate. Pro-Russian militants openly used forbidden weapons Minsk agreements caliber over 100 mm on civilian populations and locations.
Night on August 17th was another proof of the fact of illegal armed terrorist groups. In the period from 22.04 to 22.25 hours horde of militants struck effort from the receiver of the artillery caliber 152 mm artillery households in peaceful villages and Sartana Lebedinskoye, in the suburbs of Mariupol.As a result of shelling Sartany two residents were killed, six people were injured.

The girl, born in 2005 doctors had to amputate the foot, her mother is in serious condition. Overnight in place fire crews worked six ambulances. Damage received 52 buildings, five of which direct hit destroyed. Damaged six sections of the gas pipeline, water supply, power lines.

At 05.00 am, August 16, in the village Zaitsev during the shelling of 120 mm mortars in the direction of NP Gorlovka, burned a house and killed a civilian woman.

 

[Hindustani78]

A year ago in the Battle of Makeyevka in the Donetsk region, during the shelling of the BM-21 "Grad" during the search and strike action killed truskavchanyn officer 25 separate Dnepropetrovsk Airborne Brigade Lieutenant Sergey Shevchuk.He was a faithful Homeland citizen, persistent and courageous officer.

He took part in operations in Amvrosiyivtsi, Zelenopilli, Shatarsku, Kramatorsk, Saur-Grave, Debaltseve. For heroism and courage found in the defense of state sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, loyalty to the military oath, he was posthumously awarded the Order of Bogdan Khmelnitsky 3 degrees.

Small marine tanker Naval Forces of Ukraine "Fast" for the first time after the relocation of the ARC went to sea for sea trials, the definition of maneuver element and improving marine vessel crew training.The basis of the tanker crew "Fast" make up a large military crew exploration ship of the Naval Forces of Ukraine "Slavutich" (the ship is caught in the Crimea), who spent a large amount of repair work."Fast" was the sixth vessel to ensure the Ukrainian Navy, technical readiness which renewed this summer. During this summer also renewed support vessels "Donbass", "Shostka", "borsch", "Novoozerne", "BUK-239".

In fact the shelling on August 17 near the town of Mariupol Sartana military leadership sector in collaboration with other security agencies immediately sent for the village demining group of military engineers and specialists for emergencies.Also, the Armed Forces of Ukraine took part in the analysis of construction debris in areas hit mines and shells, repair damaged homes and the evacuation of citizens to safety.In order to prevent the spread of false information to the local coordinators of civil-military cooperation conducted explanatory work among the population in fact pro-Russian militants shelling the village.

 

[Hindustani78]

August 19, Kirovograd mourning. In Znamyanka with military honors at the funeral held senior telephone operator post office 17 separate infantry battalion of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Kateryna Sox. She heroically gave their lives for Ukraine, performing combat missions near the town of Gorlovka.Say goodbye to heroin, known among soldiers as the "Cat", the central square Znamianka got her comrades, the military garrison Kirovograd, heads of regional and local authorities, hundreds of people.

26-year-old Catherine Noskov held contract military service in combat units in February this year, has decided to voluntarily depart the zone holding ATO. On the front she met her love - also military. They married in March this year.

Sworn brothers called him "Professor." This callsign Alexander Nadtoka deserved for what is directly related to science and teaching. He -kandydat historical sciences, associate professor of ancient and new history of Ukraine Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv. So the man went to defend the state, that is, straight from the walls of this famous institution.

Today 43-year-old Alexander - hranatometnyk in one of the divisions of 79th separate airborne brigade, who along with his friends here already several months in a row direction protects Mariupol zone ATO. And he does it, according to commanders, very professional, as it should "Professor".

Shelling abates near Donetsk - ATO Headquarters| Ukrinform

KYIV, August 19 /Ukrinform/. The militants did not used heavy weaponry near Horlivka and Svitlodarsk, Donetsk region, over the past 24 hours. However, the snipers intensified, and the mortar attacks were also recorded.

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

"The stable situation near Svitlodarsk and Horlivka maintains. Not a single case of use of heavy weapons by the militants was recorder along this line. At the same time it should be noted the intensification of the enemy snipers who shell our field fortifications near Luhanske village. The ATO forces came under mortar fire twice in the village of Zaitseve, neat Horlivka," Lysenko said.

Meanwhile, the number of attacks of the illegal armed groups near Donetsk, including with the usage of heavy weapons, fell during the past day.

 

[Hindustani78]

Updated: August 20, 2015 15:39 IST
Four Ukrainian servicemen killed, 14 wounded in past 24 hours: military - The Hindu

Four Ukrainian servicemen have been killed and 14 wounded in fighting with pro-Russian rebels in the past 24 hours, military spokesman Oleksander Motuzyanyk said on Thursday.

Increased violence in separatist parts of east Ukraine in the past two weeks has raised concerns a six-month-old ceasefire could be crumbling.

 

[Hindustani78]

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Russian-backed terrorists ignore Minsk agreements and shell Ukrainian positions | Міністерство оборони України

According to the ATO press center, the dynamics of armed provocations by illegal armed terroristic groups is decreased. The terrorists have significantly reduced the number of attacks on the ATO positions with heavy armament, mainly using the small arms.

At the same time, the worst situation was in the area of Donetsk, where illegal armed groups showed greatest activity. From 6 pm and up to midnight, Aug. 19, the terrorists constantly shelled the villages Maryinka, Opytne, and Pisky.

Up to 7 pm militants twice attacked the ATO forces in the village Krasnohorivka with 82 mm mortars. In addition, at 9 pm and in midnight terrorists shelled Opytne, using the armament of the infantry fighting vehicle.

In Luhansk region at 8 pm the militants attacked our military personnel from grenade launchers and anti-aircraft guns in the villageShchastya.

Near Mariupol at 6.05 pm militants shelled Starohnativka with 82 mm mortars.

In total, over the day of Aug. 19, Russian-backed terrorists violated Minsk agreements for 67 times.

After midnight, Aug. 20, the militants continued fire activity near Donetsk.

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bservers recorded attacks by militants Starohnativka settlement, which were conducted from 20.10 hours to 21.53 hours on August 16 and August 16 22.20 hours to 01.17 hours of 17 August.Suffered damaged house at ul. Lenin, 23 (partially damaged), a storeroom at the address.

Lenina 35 (destroyed).Also in the shelling of livestock farms and farms with sheep in the aforementioned locality (according to the owners of these objects) killed two cows, 11 sheep and seriously injured three cows and five sheep. Harm suffered industrial premises, destroyed the roof storage of grain and broken windows premise a sheep farm.The shelling killed and wounded among civilians there

.Also, documented part of the rocket MLRS BM-21 "Grad" with the nomenclature number that was issued by the Armed Forces of Ukraine positions in area towns Starohnativka August 13 at 21.45 with the village style.All data transferred SMM OSCE.The photo STSKK - documented facts shelling the village Starohnativka.Ruslan Semeniuk, press officer of the Ukrainian side STSKK

 

[Hindustani78]

First-year cadets of the Military Academy of Odessa are the primary military training. The classes of live firing they check their own psychological readiness to continue military careers. Under the terms of the practical exercises, future officers should double grenades hit an armored combat vehicle that passes over their trenches.

Among the main objectives of the training - not only to bring to students the basic methods for combating enemy armored vehicles, but also give them the opportunity to experience the realities of the modern battlefield, gain self-confidence and ability to win dominant in resources enemy

Highly mobile airborne troops are always ready for combat missionsMembers of 25 separate airborne brigade highly mobile airborne troops of the Armed Forces of Ukraine continues to engage in combat training in the area of ATU.Winged infantry in the area ATU constantly hold diverse classes. For example - carrying boxes of ammunition, transporting a wounded soldier, tug of war, running for short distances in full ammunition in a gas mask, march with weapon at a distance of not less than 5 kilometers more.

Four Ukrainian volunteers freed from militant captivity in Donetsk : UNIAN news

Four Ukrainian civil volunteers have been freed from militant captivity in the occupied city of Donetsk and have already left for home, according to Vasyl Budyk, an adviser to the Ukrainian Deputy Defense Minister.

A group of negotiators helped to free four volunteers and returned to Donetsk to continue talks on the release of Ukrainian hostages / Photo from facebook.com/Budik.v.v
"The release of the volunteers is the result of long-lasting and intense negotiations conducted by the group of Viktor Medvedchuk [a pro-Russian politician involved in the Minsk peace talks. He is chairman of the Ukrainian Choice political organization, also headed ex-President Leonid Kuchma's administration in 2002-2005] with representatives of the DPR and the LPR [two self-proclaimed republics in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, the Donetsk People's Republic and the Luhansk People's Republic, respectively]. The guys will be able to see their families today due to the negotiators' efforts," Budyk wrote on Facebook.

UN personnel were also engaged in the negotiations, he added.

The group of negotiators returned to Donetsk to continue talks on the release of Ukrainian hostages and prisoners of war.

As UNIAN reported earlier, 2,852 people were released from militant captivity in the past 12 months.