Civil war in Ukraine: News & discussion

[Hindustani78]

Militants ravaged the whole street of Vodiane village by large-caliber artillery



Vodiane village, which is located not far from Mariupol, was attacked by Russia-backed militants with artillery of a 152mm and 122mm calibre along with mortars of a 120mm calibre, Ukrainian Anti-Terrorist Operation HQ reports. For three days, from October 12 till 14, more than 700 mines and shells hit the residential area. The fire-raid came from surrounding villiages of Leninsky, Zaichenko and Kominternove, controlled by militants, who were supposed to have removed any heavy weapon from there if they were to implement Minsk agreements.

Officers of the Ukrainian Joint Centre of Control and Coordination recorded numerous explosions from mines and shells, destruction of the residential sector and infrastructure in Vodiane.

"Due to the powerful and cynical attacks 6 houses were completely destroyed and 10 houses received significant damage. The power line was cut. Militants destroyed almost all the houses on the street in this village," report reads.

Observers also report one victim. A local old lady born in 1938 was injured, she was evacuated to a hospital in the city of Mariupol. At the time of the shelling 11 people lived in Vodiane village. Despite the risks they stayed in their houses and were not able to get to a safe place.

"All these criminal violations of the ceasefire regime and the use of the banned types of weapons by militants were carefully documented by Ukrainian serviceman. They handed over all photo materials to the representatives of special monitoring mission of OSCE in Ukraine," observers say.

As reported, despite all peace talks and agreements militant weapons are not silent in Donbas warzone. Heavy and deliberate shelling of civil residencies and infrastructure seems to be a typical Russian tactics. In summer even OSCE SMM was caught in mortar shelling in government-controlled village of Vodiane. Same tactics we can see in Syria, where Putin's deeds already called war crimes by European leaders.

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Mariupol sector remains a hotspot on Donbas conflict zone map

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 29 times in the past 24 hours, including 20 in the Mariupol sector, six barrages in the Luhansk sector, and three in the Donetsk sector, according to the press center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.



In the Mariupol sector, the enemy used 122mm cannon artillery systems and mortars of both calibers in the villages of Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Lebedynske. The militants also fired from 120mm and 82mm mortars and infantry fighting vehicles near the village of Talakivka, as well as grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions in the town of Krasnohorivka.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired 82mm mortars toward the village of Stanytsia Luhanska, as well as grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms near the town of Zolote, and the villages of Novo-Oleksandrivka and Orikhove. In the Donetsk sector, the occupiers opened fire from 82mm mortars in the village of Verkhniotoretske. Additionally, they fired from infantry fighting vehicles, grenade launchers, heavy machine guns and small arms in the town of Avdiyivka and the village of Luhanske.

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Ukraine reports of three wounded servicemen overnight


Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the conflict zone in the past 24 hours, the country's Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko said on Tuesday, October 18.

Four more servicemen suffered from contusion, but Kyiv managed to avoid casualties, Lysenko said.

At the same time, Ukraine reported 28 attacks overnight, with the most intense combat taking place near Mariupol, where the Russian-backed separatist forces shelled government forces 20 times.

The situation in the Luhansk region was less violent as only 6 shootings occurred in the area.

After militants recently vowed to avenge the death of their comrade Motorola, concerns were raised over possible escalation in the Donbas warzone.

‘Regarding the death of one of the combatants – it hasn't changed the situation on the front line in any way', Lysenko reported.

Touching upon the withdrawal of the troops planned in Stanytsia Luhanska, the spokesman said disengagement remains impossible over constant attacks from the separatists.

Only after seven days of solid ceasefire the sides can start to withdraw their forces, Lysenko explained.

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Alleged spies were recruited by Ukraine, separatists say

Three Ukrainian citizens have reportedly been ‘convicted' to 13, 15 and 18 years in prison in the militant-held Donetsk region, Ukrainian news agencies report.

They are accused of ‘espionage', the so-called supreme court head Eduard Yakubovskiy claimed, alleging that the individuals ‘were recruited by Ukraine'.

Yakuvovsky claimed, that one of the ‘spies' was a Ukrainian serviceman.

Earlier Kyiv said that the militants hold more than 100 people prisoners.

The sides have been negotiating about the exchange of the POWs, but the talks have lately come to a grinding halt.

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17:29
Two militiamen killed in shelling in southern DPR (Part 2)

15:48
Motorola to be buried with military honors in DPR territory on Wed - source

 

[xenon54 out]

Motorola to be buried with military honors in DPR territory on Wed - source

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/politics/donbas-warlords-feuds-infographics-789219.html

Motorola's funeral. Donetsk, Ukraine, October 19, 2016 (AP Photo)

More and more militants become victims of infighting

The recent killing of Arsen Pavlov aka Motorola is just the latest in a long row of deaths in Donbas occupied territories. One by one, warlords are being killed while fighting for the loot and in a race for power.

On October 16, Motorola was blown up in his own house - in an elevator. It was the end of a series of assassination attempts.

Some militants, like Plotnytsky, manage to survive the shootings and blowing up of their cars, others are not so lucky.

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http://uatoday.tv/society/volunteers-uncover-more-russia-s-high-end-weapons-in-ukraine-789094.html
Social media images provide irrefutable evidence of Russian armour and equipment used in Donbas war

Activists, bloggers and volunteers working for InformNapalm team have uncovered more evidence of Russia sending its newest weapons and armour to support militants in eastern Ukraine.

Using social media images recklessly published on the internet by Russian soldiers and mercenaries, the investigators identified Russia's modernised BTR-80 armoured personnel carrier. The Russian-made vehicle was upgraded with a PL-1 [ПЛ-1] laser searchlight and the TKN – 4GA-01 [ТКН-4ГА-01] aiming device, both produced exclusively by Rostov Optical and Mechanic Plant.

The volunteers point out that the re-designed model has never been exported to Ukraine, and cannot be a war trophy captured from Ukrainian Armed Forces or bought in – an explanation Russian officials like most when asked how Russian most advanced weapons end up in Ukraine.

Fresh paint on the armour points to the fact, that the vehicles have been received from Russian patrons not long ago.

The same modernised BTR-80 armoured personnel carrier is seen on images of recently killed militant leader Arseny Pavlov (aka Motorola) taking part in a military parade in Donetsk.

BTR-80 of captured from Russian invaders was showcased in February 2015 in central Kyiv as part of the ‘Presence' exhibition which aimed to show Russian weapons used against Ukrainians.

Despite Moscow's ongoing insistence it has no troops in Ukraine, evidence of the country's involvement is mounting.

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http://uatoday.tv/crime/ukrainian-army-repelled-mortar-fire-into-hnutove-checkpoint-789034.html

One Ukrainian soldier was killed, another wounded overnight

There have been 57 militant attacks overnight. The numbers are provided by Ukraine's ATO HQ. According to the report, one Ukrainian soldier was killed and another one wounded.

During the past 24 hours, Russian proxies have directed their fire towards the Donetsk and Mariupol sectors. Shyrokyne, Vodiane and Lebedynske were shelled with large caliber artillery and mortars. Elsewhere the areas of Povlopilya, Krasnohorivka and Maryinka were attacked with machine gun fire, grenade launchers and small arms.

44 cases of provocations took place in the Mariupol direction, 10 cases in the Luhansk sector and 3 in the Donetsk.

Separatist forces have also opened fire on the checkpoint "Hnutove". As Ukrainian border guards inform, militants applied up to 30 mines of 120 caliber mortars. No injuries among civilians reported.

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Ukraine had to withdraw from Debaltseve in February 2015 due to Russian attacks in a blow to freshly-signed Minsk agreements


Ukraine insists on the return of control over the strategic railway hub of Debaltseve in Donetsk region, held by the Russian-terrorist forces, ahead of the meeting of the Normandy Four leaders in Berlin Oct 19, according to Darka Olifer, the spokesperson of Ukraine's envoy to the Trilateral Contact Group, ex-president of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma.

'The Ukrainian side drew special attention to the provisions of the Memorandum of September 19 2014, which, among other things, provides for Ukraine's control over Debaltseve,' Olifer posted on Facebook following a videoconference of the contact group with the participation of terrorists' representatives.

'The document also provides for stopping the armed units of both sides along the contact line, which has been formed as of September 19, 2014 – the provision breached by the separatists. Also, they failed to fulfill the provision clearly specifying a ban on the deployment of heavy weapons and military equipment in the vicinity of settlements of Komsomolske, Kumachove, Novoazovsk, and Sahanka,' she said.


As reported earlier, on October 18, during his visit to Norway, Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a telephone conversation in a trilateral format with the participation of French President Francois Hollande and German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

The parties agreed to hold a meeting of heads of state in Normandy format in Berlin October 19. The Russian president's spox Dmitry Peskov confirmed Putin's participation in the negotiations 'to coordinate positions'. According to Peskov, it is too early to talk about any specific agreements.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/377722.html
Seven ceasefire violations were recorded in the conflict area in Donbas on Wednesday, the anti-terrorist operation headquarters' press center said.

"In the Mariupol sector, Ukrainian units were shelled five times. The adversary fired small arms in Maryinka and heavy machineguns and grenade launchers of various systems in Slavne and Shyrokyne, while the 122mm conventional artillery was used in the shelling of Vodyane," the headquarters' press center said on its Facebook page.

The Ukrainian positions in the Donetsk sector, particularly in Avdiyivka, were shelled twice as Kyiv's adversary opened fire from grenade launchers, large-caliber machineguns and small arms there, it said.

In the Luhansk sector, no violations of the regime of calm were recorded on Wednesday, the headquarters said.

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interfax ru

20:45
DPR reports nearly 600 violations by Kyiv over past 24 hours, 4 militiamen killed

17:37
Twenty-three prisoners who were in Donbas arrive in territory controlled by Ukraine

14:20
One Ukrainian soldier killed, one injured in Donbas in past 24 hours - Defense Ministry

11:45
Crimean parliament calls 'Motorola' killing in Donetsk terrorist attack

11:35
Donetsk bids farewell to 'Motorola'

11:07
Unexploded phosphorus cluster bomb found on Horlivka outskirts - town authorities

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/news/30-attacks-in-conflict-zone-overnight-789604.html

Mariupol sector remains to be the hot spot

The Russian-backed separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 30 times in the past 24 hours, including 21 in the Mariupol sector, four barrages in the Luhansk sector, and five in the Donetsk sector, according to the press center of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, UNIAN reports.

In the Mariupol sector, the occupiers fired heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Pavlopil, Lebedynske, Slavne, Shyrokyne and Starohnativka, as well as 82mm and 120mm mortars in the town of Krasnohorivka.

They also used 122mm and 152mm cannon artillery systems in the village of Vodiane.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force opened fire from grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms near the villages of Novozvanivka and Novo-Oleksandrivka, as well as 82mm mortars in the village of Stanytsia Luhanska.

In the Donetsk sector, the militants fired from machine-guns, grenade launchers and infantry fighting vehicles on the Ukrainian military in the village of Luhanske, and 82mm and 120mm mortars in the town of Avdiyivka.

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Poroshenko says disengagement should continue, OSCE reiterates impossibility of monitoring previous withdrawal sites

Normandy Four leaders agreed to withdrawals of Ukrainian troops and Russian-backed separatists in four new areas at the frontline of the fighting in the Donbas region, Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko told journalists after the meeting in Berlin.

"We've agreed that after the troops are disengaged at three previously selected areas - these are Zolote, Petrivske and Stanytsia Luhanska - monitoring posts of the OSCE should be set up there to work 24/7. After that, we'll start talks on four other areas for disengagement," Poroshenko was quoted as saying by Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

The Ukrainian side had also insisted that Debaltseve should be among the next four areas for disengagement, the president added.

Meanwhile, the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission reiterated on Thursday that they have restricted access to the withdrawal zone in Petrivske-Bohdanivka due to the absence of security guarantees.

"Today again only limited access for OSCE SMM to Petrivske/Bohdanivka disengagement area – UAF, "DPR" have failed to guarantee SMM's security [possible mines]. SMM is ready/able to monitor, but needs access," reads the statement posted on the official Facebook page of OSCE on Thursday morning.

The day before the ATO (Anti-Terrorist Operation) headquarters once again said the withdrawal from Stanytsia Luhanska – the third planned area – was not possible due to heavy militant fire.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/putin-there-are-no-ukrainian-hostages-in-russia-789929.html

Minsk peace deal implies release of only those held in occupied Donbas, says Putin's press secretary

Vladimir Putin says no Ukrainian prisoners of war are held on the territory of Russian Federation, according to the Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov.

Putin strongly opposes the proposal by his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko to include persons kept in Russia into the list of those subject to the POW exchange in Donbas, Peskov added.

"In this context, the Ukrainian president said that there were some detainees in Russia, but this statement drew a strong objection from the Russian president," Peskov was quoted as saying by Russian TASS news agency.

He described Kyiv's approach as unacceptable and out of place.

"Of course, it [exchange of prisoners as a part of Minsk agreement] is only about the release of persons kept in Ukrainian territory and in Donbas," Peskov said.

According to Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) 111 Ukrainian citizens are being held prisoner in the militant-occupied areas of eastern Ukraine, 9 captives have been smuggled to the Russian Federation.

After more than 5 hours of late-night talks in Berlin on October 19, the leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France, and Russia agreed to draft a 'road map' which would help to implement the 2015 Minsk peace agreement for eastern Ukraine.

No official documents were signed.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russia-agrees-upon-armed-osce-mission-to-donbas-kremlin-789934.html

Moscow says 'yes' to armed monitors, 'no' – to returning Debaltseve to Ukraine

Russian President Vladimir Putin has agreed to the deployment of the armed OSCE police mission to the conflict region of eastern Ukraine, the Kremlin's spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday, October 20.

‘Armed mission, OSCE police mission… Call it what you want. Putin has ‘generally' agreed to the deployment of such a mission. He said it was necessary to use German OSCE chairmanship to step up the development of this question', Peskov said.

Concerning Ukraine's demand that Russia return militant-held Debaltseve under Kyiv's control, Peskov said Moscow ‘absolutely disagrees'.

‘When it comes to Debaltseve, the situation is that the agreements reached earlier are interpreted differently by the sides. Russia absolutely disagrees, and the issue remains uncoordinated, the work on it will continue at the level of ministers and aides', Peskov stated.



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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-nazi-detained-in-norway-790014.html

Yan Petrovsky was a mercenary in Donbas, fighting for pro-Russian forces


29-year-old Yan Petrovsky, a militant from Rusich battalion of pro-Russian forces, detained in Norway - reports NRK. Police established that he has ties with far-right movement in the country. Petrovsky has lived in Norway since 2004 after Russia annexed Crimea and started the turmoil in Donbas, Petrovsky went to take part in military actions.

He boasted about his military experience in social media. On one of the photos, he poses near a burning body of a Ukrainian soldier.

The mercenary was detained according to the immigration law. He is accused of violating it by staying for too long outside the country.

Petrovsky is also considered a threat to Norway state. Now the court decides whether Petrovsky will be deported from Norway.

Separatist leaders earlier held ‘demonstrations' in Donetsk and Luhansk against the armed OSCE mission.


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18:44
Almost 500 attacks registered in DPR in past 24 hours, 6 buildings destroyed - Basurin

18:09
Zakharchenko to be invited by State Duma to attend special meeting on Donbas problem

17:37
Militia not to leave Debaltseve - DPR

15:52
Russia against transfer of Debaltseve under Kyiv control, work on this matter will continue - Kremlin

13:56
Withdrawal near Stanytsia Luhanska postponed - LPR

 

[Hindustani78]

'Russian invader', killed near Donetsk, handed over to his cronies for burial

Ukrainian troops handed over the body of killed Russian mercenary to Kremlin-backed militants at "Maryinka" checkpoint in Donbas, Anti-Terrorist Operation HQ informs. The operation which was the part of the humanitarian project of the Armed Forces of Ukraine ‘Evacuation 200' was commenced despite yesterday's shelling of the checkpoint by militants, HQ stressed.

Ukrainian military press service called the deceased militant ‘another Russian invader'. It is known that he was in his 40s and heavily armed with assault rifle with grenade launcher attached. The man was killed on October, 17th while attacking the Ukrainian positions in the village of Vodiane.

The body was found on a battle scene after Ukrainian fighters repelled the attack. He had no documents, only a notebook with a bullet hole through it, which implied his Russian origin. It consists of tactical schemes of small units order of battle and ideological notes with the reasoning of war against Ukraine and even the whole world. There is no word there on ‘people's republics of Donbas', but only about ‘sacred mission' and ‘spiritual exclusiveness' of Russia, which allows it to attack another country and ‘take culture there'.

"Sacred Mission of Russia – is to preserve the [Russian] culture, restore and develop her own example showing the world how to live as a creator, educating the younger generation not only about themselves but also about their homeland – State. Russia is the spiritual center of the planet," the notes read.

"Analyzing records in the notepad, a few pages were, with virtually no corrections are purely military terms and information on fighting, the impression that it was a well-prepared piece of material provided by Kremlin curators to speak in front of TV cameras or to other deceived people who came to Donbass to protect the "spiritual center of the planet" from Banderites," ATO press-center states.

With the Ukrainian Military handing over of the body, they are aiming to return dead militants to their families for burial and getting possible help from the country, which send them here, Ukrainian military explained.

"In this case, despite the fact that people fought against our country, Ukraine is following Christian principles and international standards, so the body after appropriate examination was passed for further burial to the relatives without delay," press-center stressed.

As reported, on the same day this militant was killed, a Russian warlord was blown up in his house's elevator in Donetsk. A month ago Russian army colonel Osipov was killed in Luhansk.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/mariupol...r-of-russian-aggression-turchynov-790734.html


Secretary of National Security and Defence Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov says the number of shellings significantly increased in the past two weeks

Over 3000 shells and mines were fired towards Ukrainian positions over the last week, reports National Security and Defence Council (NSDC). The main part of shellings happened in Mariupol region. NSDC Secretary Oleksandr Turchynov held a meeting with the ATO military leadership to discuss the situation.

According to Oleksandr Turchynov, the situation in the ATO zone remains tense, especially in the Mariupol direction: "The largest number of provocations and intensity of attacks are carried out near Marinka, Krasnogorivka, Vodyane, and Shyrokyne". "Even during the negotiations of the Normandy four, attacks on Ukrainian positions by the Russian aggressor did not stop", - Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine stated adding that during his stay in Vodyane and on the Ukrainian positions closest to Kominternovo, which is occupied by the aggressor, the Russian artillery was continuously firing our positions.

"Such actions of Russian-terrorist groups prove the deceit and manipulation in Putin's statements during international negotiations on the ceasefire, and clearly delineate the boundaries of his "sincere desire to resolve the conflict", - Mr. Turchynov said.

Secretary of the NSDC of Ukraine also emphasized that we cannot exclude that the peace initiative of the Russian party "is just a disguise for the intensification of military confrontation".

"The Ukrainian military are ready for any pace of developments. Positions on the contact line are fortified and winterized. All the attempts of Russian-terrorist groupings to break through our defense line are doomed", - the NSDC Secretary stressed.


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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/378242.html

No Ukrainian soldier has been killed, but one was injured in hostile shelling in the special operation zone in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko has said.

"Over the past day as a result of active hostilities no one of our military men died, but one was wounded in Avdiyivka. This happened as a result of enemy attacks," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Friday.

Lysenko said the enemy had used mortars and light weapons to open fire on Ukrainian positions in the Stanytsia Luhanska area on the Luhansk track. Additionally, military provocations were registered in Triokhizbenka and Novozvanivka. A total of nine attacks on Ukrainian positions were registered on the Luhansk track, including one from heavy weapons.

Lysenko said the enemy continues opening fire on the Avdiyivka industrial zone area on the Donetsk track, using mortars and 152 mm howitzers.

Attacks were also registered in Luhanske and Novhorodske. A total of six attacks were registered on the Donetsk track, including four using heavy weapons.

On the Mariupol track, attacks continue on the front section Krasnohorivka-Maryinka, and also in Taramchuk and Shyrokyne.

A chain of military provocations by the enemy was registered virtually on the entire frontline, Lysenko said. A total of 26 attacks on Ukrainian positions, including 13 using heavy weapons, were registered on the Mariupol track.

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21:50
DPR reports that 9 militiamen, 1 civilian killed in past 10 days

 

[Hindustani78]

Ukrainian artillerists take part in command-and-staff exercises Frontier-2016 on the military range Divycky some 75 km southeast of Kiev, Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/news/grad-is-back-in-conflict-zone-791024.html
Militants used multiple rocket launcher to shell government forces, Kyiv says

Update: Three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in combat against the Russian-backed separatist forces in the past 24 hours. According to Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman, Andriy Lysenko, the government forces took no losses in the fighting.

Story: The Russian-backed separatist forces attacked the positions of Ukrainian soldiers 39 times overnight, using the Grad artillery for the first time in several months. This is according to the press-center of Ukraine's Anti-Terrorist operation.

The multiple rocket launcher was used to shell the government forces at Troitske village in the Luhansk region. In addition, the combatants mounted attacks with 122-mm artillery, violating the ceasefire in the region 12 times overall.

The Mariupol sector continues to be a hotspot, where intense shooting has been going on quite a while. 18 attacks were registered there in the past 24 hours, and high-caliber artillery was used again.

Another 9 violations of the truce occurred in the Donetsk sector, where the militants attacked Ukrainian servicemen with mortars, machine guns, grenade launchers and infantry vehicles. A tank fired at the servicemen in Avdiivka.

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[Hindustani78]

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/378411.html

22.10.2016
European partners during talks in the Normandy Four format in Berlin have supported Ukraine's position regarding the need for progress in the release of hostages, therefore this question will be the key one in the negotiations on the so-called "roadmap," in particular at the talks of the Trilateral Contact Group in Minsk, First Deputy Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine, Ukraine's representative in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group Iryna Gerashchenko has stated.

"The humanitarian issue sounded rather emotionally at the last meeting in Berlin, although two-thirds of which were devoted to security issues, ceasefire regime, withdrawal of weapons, Ukraine's Debaltseve. For the first time it was so topical issue, because, as a rule, earlier security and the political block were discussed," she wrote on her Facebook page.

According to her, the Ukrainian side raised the question of releasing hostages and access of the International Committee of the Red Cross to prisons in the occupied territories and in the Russian Federation.

 

[Hindustani78]

17:18 Oct. 23, 2016
http://uatoday.tv/crime/militants-s...ple-left-without-gas-supply-photo-791499.html

Talakivka village belongs to the ‘gray zone', so no Ukrainian Army positions located there

Russia-backed militants attacked the village of Talakivka in Donetsk region with heavy mortars and artillery. The settlement belongs to the so-called ‘gray zone' between the positions of warring parties, so there are no Ukrainian forces there.

Head of the National Police Department in the Donetsk region Vyacheslav Abroskin revealed the details: "The attack was reported at 9:55 a.m. No one was hurt but only by pure luck. Civilian houses were partially destroyed by shrapnel. Gas pipeline and power lines are damaged. Around 4500 Talakivka residents were left without gas supply. Police officers and employees of the Emergency Ministry are working on site."

Later he wrote on Facebook about the weapon used by attackers: "Fragments found during the inspection suggest that the militants attacked, using 122 mm artillery shells".


In turn the press officer of Mariupol sector of Ukrainian defense Oleksandr Kindsfater stressed that the shelling of civil population was intentional.

"The positions of Ukrainian military are 5 km away from the Talakivka village (the village itself is near the ‘gray area'), so an err in shots was impossible," Kindsfater told the UNN agency.

As reported, shelling and bombing of residence areas and civilian infrastructure is a typical Russian tactic also used in Syria, which has already been called a war crime by numerous world's top officials.

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http://uatoday.tv/press/hackers-pro...n-mercenary-motorola-impasse-news-791779.html

Messages from Motorola's phone indicate he was worried Russia might kill him

The Russian mercenary, Arseny "Motorola" Pavlov was killed on October 16, 2016, by a bomb planted in the elevator of a Donetsk apartment building in which Motorola resided with his second family.

Motorola became infamous for his admissions of executing Ukrainian prisoners of war, which is recognized as a war crime by the Geneva Conventions. Pavlov's admissions of war crimes, his criminality, his uncontrollability, and his prominent public profile led many observers of the war in eastern Ukraine to believe that Russia's intelligence services would assassinate him, just as they have assassinated or attempted to assassinate, many of DNR and LNR warlords of a similar profile. The most compelling reason for such an assassination is that Motorola was living proof of the Russian military's war crimes in Ukraine.


It has also been argued that Ukrainian security services had a motive to assassinate Pavlov, to prevent him from executing more Ukrainian prisoners. However, there has been no evidence that Ukrainian security services have conducted any high-level assassination in the Russia-occupied area of the Donbas.

Furthermore, there is no reason to believe that the assassination of Motorola would necessarily stop the execution of Ukrainian POWs, because Russian and pro-Russian actors other than Motorola have been known to carry out torture and execution of Ukrainian POWs.

A third hypothesis is that Motorola may have been assassinated by rival commanders or gang leaders. While this is possible, given Motorola's public profile, it is unlikely that any DNR/LNR warlords would have carried out such an effort without Russia's approval.

Obozrevatel reports the following details, regarding hackers' findings on Motorola's assassination:

Activists of the cyberalliance of Ukrainian hacker groups, "CyberJunta," FalconsFlame, RUH8, and Trinity found evidence that Russian terrorist Arseny Pavlov, nicknamed "Motorola", was killed by Russian security agencies. This information is reported by InformNapalm, to whom the hackers gave the detailed archives, obtained from the gadgets of Pavlov and his spouse.

The hackers have also reported that they have access to, and fully control, the personal gadgets of other members of the Sparta battalion, and the entourage of Alexander Zakharchenko. As the evidence, they presented data from correspondence intercepted from Motorola and his wife's Viber on the eve of the murder.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-...day-mariupol-sector-affected-most-791814.html

No sign of ceasefire in Donbas

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 35 times in the past 24 hours, including 20 in the Mariupol sector, nine barrages in the Luhansk sector, and six in the Donetsk sector, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Mariupol sector, the Russian-backed militants fired heavy machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms on the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine in the town of Maryinka, and the villages of Shyrokyne, Talakіvka and Taramchuk.

In addition to these types of weapons, the enemy used 82mm mortars in the town of Krasnohorivka and the village of Pavlopil.

In the Luhansk sector, the occupiers opened fire from grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms on the Ukrainian positions near the villages of Novozvanivka and Novo-Oleksandrivka, as well as 82mm mortars in the village of Krymske and the town of Schastia.

In the Donetsk sector, Russia's hybrid military force fired 82mm mortars on the Ukrainian defenders in the village of Luhanske, as well as grenade launchers, machine guns and 120mm mortars in the town of Avdiyivka.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukraine-...-conflict-zone-over-past-24-hours-791989.html

No soldiers were killed as militant forces launched 35 attacks

No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but seven were wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at a regular press briefing on Monday.

The confirmed enemy losses stand at 6 dead and 6 wounded, Lysenko added.

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 35 times in the past day - 20 in the Mariupol sector, nine barrages in the Luhansk sector, and six in the Donetsk sector – including four artillery attacks.

Lysenko specified that almost 100 mortar shells were fired on Ukrainian positions in the Donetsk sector, namely in Luhanske and Avdiivka.

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[Hindustani78]

Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 40 times, artillery was used in Avdiyivka


http://uatoday.tv/politics/night-shelling-in-donbas-ukraine-reports-four-wounded-792549.html

Four Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in the Anti-Terrorist Operation zone in Donbas overnight, Ukrainian TSN news service has reported, citing its own sources.

All wounded soldiers sustained fragmentation wounds and taken to hospitals. Non of their injuries are life threatening.

According to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters, combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 40 times in the past 24 hours, including 24 in the Mariupol sector, three barrages in the Luhansk sector, and 13 in the Donetsk sector.

In the Mariupol sector, militants fired heavy machine guns, grenade launchers and small arms on ATO forces in the villages of Hnutove, Vodiane and Hranitne, as well as anti-aircraft guns, machine guns and 82mm mortars near the towns of Krasnohorivka and Maryinka, and the village of Pavlopil. They also fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Shyrokyne.

In the Donetsk sector, the occupiers opened fire from machine guns on the defenders of the village of Luhanske. They fired 120mm mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms near the village of Zaitseve. Additionally, they used 122mm cannon artillery systems against the Ukrainian soldiers in the town of Avdiyivka.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military force used machine guns and 82mm mortars near the village of Novo-Oleksandrivka. In addition, enemy snipers and grenade throwers were active in the village of Stanytsia Luhanska.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/378870.html
25.10.2016
No Ukrainian servicemen were killed in the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) zone in Donbas in the last day, however, six soldiers were wounded, Defense Ministry speaker for ATO issues Andriy Lysenko has said.

"There were no killed in action among Ukrainian military, six were wounded in action," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Tuesday.

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25.10.2016
Some 109 Ukrainian citizens are held hostage as of today, while 495 people are reported missing, adviser to the chief of the SBU Security Service of Ukraine Yuriy Tandit has said.

"As of today, 109 persons are listed as hostages, they are illegally kept in occupied areas in Luhansk and Donetsk regions, and another nine people are in Russia. And it is important to not to forget about the 495 missing who we will be seeking. In any case it is very important to find them all," Tandit told journalists in Kyiv on Tuesday.

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[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/politics/stoltenberg-russia-still-has-its-troops-in-donbas-792804.html

Moscow has a special responsibility to make sure that the Minsk agreements are fully implemented, says NATO chief


NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has assured that the Alliance will continue to support Ukraine, and called on Russia to fulfill the Minsk agreements aimed at resolving the situation in the east of Ukraine, according to an UNIAN correspondent in Brussels.

Speaking at a press conference on the eve of the meeting of NATO Defense Ministers in Brussels on Tuesday, Stoltenberg said that he had assured President Poroshenko that NATO would provide "strong political and strong practical support to Ukraine".

According to Stoltenberg, practical assistance is provided through trust funds; the Allies are also encouraged to provide support on a bilateral basis, and a comprehensive package of assistance for Ukraine was adopted at the NATO summit in Warsaw.

"Then we support Ukraine by calling on Russia to make sure that the Minsk agreements are fully implemented. And Russia has a great responsibility because Russia continues to support the separatists in Donbas. They [Russia] continue to be present and therefore they have a special responsibility to make sure that the Minsk agreements are fully implemented," Jens Stoltenberg said.

In this regard, he noted that the ceasefire must be respected, all weapons should be withdrawn, and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission should have full access for monitoring.

According to Stoltenberg, NATO welcomes the adoption of a roadmap for the implementation of the Minsk agreements during recent talks in the Normandy format. "I can assure you that we will continue to call on Russia to seek peaceful negotiated solution based on the Minsk agreements and we will continue to support Ukraine and support the Minsk agreement."

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/six-servicemen-wounded-in-eastern-ukraine-792844.html

Militant weapons are not silent in Donbas war zone

No Ukrainian servicemen were killed, but six were wounded in fighting in eastern Ukraine in the past 24 hours, Ukrainian Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at a regular press briefing on Tuesday.

The situation in Donbas war zone was far from secure over the past day as Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions 40 times.

Especially 'hot' was in the Mariupol sector where militants fired 120mm and 82mm mortars, grenade launchers and small arms on the Ukrainian fortified positions near the village of Shyrokyne.

Additionally, the Russian-backed illegal armed groups used 122mm cannon artillery systems against the Ukrainian soldiers in the town of Avdiyivka.

The UN Human Rights Office has recorded almost 10,000 conflict-related deaths and more than 22,000 injuries among Ukrainian armed forces, civilians and members of the armed groups since the conflict began in mid-April 2014.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russia-s...-of-ukrainian-political-prisoners-793664.html

Stanyslav Klykh and Mykola Karpiuk were sentenced earlier this year to 22,5 and 20 years in Russia's high-security prison

Russia's Supreme Court has rejected the appeal filed by the defense team of Ukrainian prisoners Stanyslav Klykh and Mykola Karpiuk, who were sentenced earlier this year to 20 and 22.5 years behind bars for involvement in the Chechen war of 1994-1995 and fighting alongside Chechen separatists. Supreme Court ruled.

Supreme Court ruled that the verdict delivered by a Chechen court should stay in place.

The two Ukrainians deny their guilt. Human rights activists also dismissed the charges as totally fabricated, and emphasized that the defendants were tortured into false confessions.

Ukraine's Justice Ministry had sent a number of papers to Russia requesting the extradition of Ukrainian citizens.

Earlier this month human rights activists reported that Klykh's mental health has sharply deteriorated after reported tortures.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/30-violations-to-the-delicate-ceasefire-overnight-793814.html

According to Ukraine's ATO HQ, Russian-backed militants opened fire mainly concentrating in the Mariupol sector


Ukrainian army positions have been shelled by mortars in Vodyane, Krasnogorivka, Hnutove, Taramchuk and Maryinka.

Large caliber machine guns and grenade launchers have also been active in these towns as well as in the Avdiivka industrial zone. In a separate case, Separatists have used artillery to shell the town of Bohuslavske, Luhansk region.

Only one Ukrainian soldier has been reported injured over the past day in the ATO zone.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/379248.html
Almost 500 Ukrainian women and 68 children have been killed and over 150 children have been wounded amid Russian aggression in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, in over two years, Chairperson of Ukraine's Vekrhovna Rada and Ukrainian envoy for humanitarian issues at Minsk peace talks Iryna Gerashchenko said at a UN Security Council meeting on Tuesday.

"Over the past two years, 495 Ukrainian women were killed in Donbas. Let me mention a young woman, Olena Lafazan, who was killed in an attack on [the Ukrainian-controlled city of] Mariupol while she was trying to cover the daughter with her body. I'd like to mention Klym Klymenko's young mother, who saved the boy, having shielded him with her body during an attack on [the Ukrainian-controlled town of] Kramatorsk in February 2015. Some 68 children have been killed and 152 children have been wounded since the beginning of the armed conflict," she said in her speech prepared for UN Security Council debate on women and posted on Facebook.

In her words, women and children are most vulnerable at this war. According to recent data, there are 1.7 million internally displaced persons in Ukraine. Of them, there are about 900,000 women and 236,000 children.

Gerashchenko also said that 2,130 members of the Armed Forces of Ukraine have been killed since the beginning of Russian aggression, among them were two women. What is more, 1,937 children have been orphaned, 1,213 women have become widows, 1,975 women have lost their sons. Another 142 women have still been waiting for the release of their family members from captivity in the occupied areas in Donetsk and Luhansk regions.

"This is symbolic of the war in Donbas – Russian men have been fighting against Ukrainian women and children, killing and maiming them, taking them captive. Conflicts are always accompanied by outbreaks of violence against women and girls, and sexual violence is used as a weapon of war. We are aware of the facts of human trafficking in the temporarily occupied territories, as well as sexual abuse and exploitation, the use of minors in military actions that are incompatible with human rights standards and are not acceptable in the modern world," she said.

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Ukrainian EOD specialists have cleared about 30 ha of territory and about 1,5 km of roads, neutralized 1,868 mines, UXOs this month.

Totally, since the beginning of the hostilities in the east of Ukraine the EOD units have neutralized more than 126,700 mines, UXOs and cleared more than 896 km of roads and 17,6 km of railways.

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18:45
DPR stands against delivering OSCE armed mission to Donbas

14:55
DPR reports 2 women injured in Ukrainian Armed Forces' shellings of Donetsk outskirts

13:12
One Ukrainian serviceman injured in Donbas - Defense Ministry

 

[Hindustani78]

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/escalation-in-donbas-militants-double-number-of-attacks-794049.html
12:07 Oct. 27, 2016

Ukrainian army positions withstand more than 70 attacks including fire from cannon artillery systems

Combined Russian-separatist forces attacked Ukrainian army positions in eastern Ukraine 72 times in the past 24 hours, including 43 in the Mariupol sector, 15 barrages in the Luhansk sector, and 14 in the Donetsk sector, according to the press service of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In the Mariupol sector, the militants opened fire from small arms and rocket-propelled grenades near the villages of Hnutove, Talakivka, Hranitne and Starohnativka. They fired 82mm mortars, machine guns, grenade launchers and tank shells on the units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine near the town of Krasnohorivka and the village of Pavlopil. The enemy also used 120mm mortars, infantry fighting vehicles and sniper fire toward the town of Maryinka and the village of Taramchuk. Additionally, the Ukrainian positions near the villages of Shyrokyne and Vodiane were attacked with the use of 122mm and 152mm cannon artillery systems.


In the Donetsk sector, the occupiers used anti-aircraft guns, grenade launchers, machine guns and infantry fighting vehicles in the villages of Maiorsk and Novhorodske, as well as 82mm and 120mm mortars, and the rest of the arsenal of weapons of smaller caliber on the Ukrainian positions near the village of Zaitseve, Butivka coal mine and the town of Avdiyivka.

In the Luhansk sector, Russia's hybrid military forces fired machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and small arms near the town of Zolote, and the villages of Triokhizbenka, Krymske, Novo-Oleskandrivka and Troyitske. In addition to these types of weapons, the militants used 82mm mortars in the village of Novozvanivka.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russia-s-new-humanitarian-convoy-arrives-half-empty-794129.html

Moscow again sends its trucks to eastern Ukraine in violation of internationally accepted procedures


Russia's 57th so-called humanitarian convoy has illegally crossed the Ukrainian border.

In total 46 trucks, allegedly carrying aid for the citizens of the devastated Donbas region, came to Ukraine through Russian border checkpoints of "Matveev Kurgan" and "Donetsk."

Ukrainian Border Guard Service spokesman Oleh Slobodian said Russia traditionally violated all existing international norms and standards provided for sending humanitarian cargos.

Ukrainian interdepartmental group was not allowed to perform any control functions, and only observed the clearance procedures visually.

"A characteristic feature of this ‘aid convoy' was that trucks for the nth time came half-empty. This once again confirms the pretentiousness of this ‘aid' and, indeed populism of this action," said the Border Guard Service representative.

He added that only 35 vehicles contained some cargo while other 9 trucks came as escort vehicles.

Moscow claims it only transports food and medical supplies while Ukrainian authorities note every time a convoy crosses the border, the Russian-backed separatist forces increase their attacks.

Kyiv suspects that the white-painted trucks are used to bring weapons, munitions and anti-tank grenades as well as to take back to Russia bodies of killed servicemen and mercenaries.

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http://uatoday.tv/crime/moscow-court-upholds-arrest-of-ukrainian-journalist-794329.html
Roman Sushchenko is charged with espionage

The Moscow City Court has dismissed the appeal of defense team of a Ukrainian journalist Roman Sushchenko, according to a UNIAN correspondent in Moscow.

The judge announced his decision after the hearing held behind the closed doors.

The Russian FSB detained Roman Sushchenko, a correspondent of Ukrinform news agency, in Moscow on September 30 labelling him a Ukrainian "intelligence officer" who allegedly "deliberately collected classified information on the activities of the armed forces and the national guard of the Russian Federation."

A court in Moscow has ruled to arrest the journalist on espionage charges until November 30. All court hearings in Sushchenko case are held behind closed doors.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/379686.html

The fire attacks have not stopped in Donbas over the past week, the map of hostilities has enlarged in the direction of Horlivka, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) Principal Deputy Chief Monitor Alexander Hug said.

One more week of instability passed, and the level of violence remains high in eastern Ukraine, the OSCE monitors are recording hundreds of breaches daily, he told a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday. The focal point remains the Avdiyivka-Yasynuvata-Donetsk airport triangle, but the geography of hostilities has expanded to the west and northwest of Horlivka, around Svitlodarsk and Debaltseve, Hug said.

The mission monitors have recorded over 90 blasts in Svitlodarsk controlled by Kyiv last Friday; 120 explosions near Horlivka controlled by the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) on Saturday, Hug said.

The use of multiple rocket launchers causes special concerns, it is impossible to avoid the hits into the houses of civilians due to their random use, he said, noting that the mission's video cameras had recorded multiple rocket launchers firing 27 missiles in Shyrokyne on Friday night, Hug said.

The Minsk Agreements are not being implemented, he said again.

The OSCE SMM comprises 689 monitors today, 580 of them are working in Donbas, Hug said.

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10:55
Militia shelling city of Toretsk - Ukrainian police

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/politics/all-alon...ions-from-international-community-794814.html

The United States is deeply concerned about the recent escalation in fighting in eastern Ukraine, the U.S. mission to the OSCE said in a statement issued on October 27.

The mission underscores that while artillery use doubled, Ukrainian forces reported coming under heavy fire from Grad rockets, and ceasefire violations have increased nine-fold since fighting surged around Mariupol, the combined Russian-separatist forces continue to deny access to OSCE monitors.

In over 19 separate incidents during the past week, the SMM confirmed that combined Russian-separatist forces restricted monitors' movements in and around Mariupol.

As a result, monitors were blocked from accessing a potential hub for Russian resupply of troops and equipment 50 kilometers northeast of Mariupol.

Despite combined-separatist forces' restrictions, the SMM continues to document evidence that Russia is sending troops and equipment into Ukraine.

On October 17, the SMM spotted a minivan with military license plates carrying personnel in camouflage as it crossed from Russia into separatist-held Ukraine. The minivan did not transit the border at an official crossing point, as would have been the case if it had been carrying a routine rotation of Russian officers to the Joint Center for Coordination and Control. Also last week, monitors spotted a bus with at least 20 persons in camouflage crossing from separatist-held parts of Ukraine back into Russia. Taken together with the ramp up in access restrictions, this evidence is indicative of Russia's continued and active support of combined separatist forces in Ukraine.

All along Ukraine's internationally-recognized border, Russia continues its subterfuge to cloak its activities from the international community.

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/there-are-those-in-osce-who-work-for-russia-ukraine-fm-794809.html

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin hinted that some OSCE SMM monitors from Russia pose risks to Ukraine. However, Kyiv has learned to avoid these risks, Klimkin said in an interview with Ukrainian channel 24.

‘Regarding the SMM, Russia is sadly present in the mission, but we have learned to make it so that the threats are not oriented at us', Mr. Klimkin said.

‘The road map is an order of steps and the guarantee that Russia will implement these steps. Of course, if we have the common will. I don't see that Russia has the will to move forward', Klimkin said.

‘Debaltseve is a fundamental condition', the Minister continued. ‘Debaltseve is the Russian attack during the Minsk negotiations. This town is important not only politically or militarily, but also emotionally. However, we have the line, which was dictated by the Minsk agreements in September 2014', he stated, adding that possible local election will not be held in Debaltseve.

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Ukraine's Foreign Ministry expressed strong protest regarding decision of the Moscow City Court to uphold the arrest of Ukrainian citizen Roman Sushchenko, detained in Russia in early October.

"Groundless detention of the journalist of the National News Agency of Ukraine in the Russian Federation under politically motivated and fabricated charges in espionage has become another notorious evidence of absence in this country of the legal system and the right for a fair justice," the MFA said in a statement.

"Denial of access to the court room of the Ukrainian consular official causes a particular indignation. This is another evidence of Russia's biased and unfair trial," the ministry added.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs demanded to immediately release Sushchenko and other citizens of Ukraine who have become hostages of Russia's aggressive policy.

On October 27 the Moscow City Court has dismissed the appeal of defense team of the Ukrainian journalist. Earlier, the Lefortovo District Court of Moscow has ruled to detain Sushchenko until November 30.

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http://uatoday.tv/news/ex-ukraine-s...an-national-guard-chief-in-crimea-794884.html
The relevant order signed by President Putin, media agencies say


Former Ukrainian colonel Stepan Gaidarzhyisky, who switched sides and joined Russia after it annexed Crimea, has been appointed the chief of the Kremlin's recently-formed National Guard on the peninsula.

This is according to Ukrainian news agency Krym.Realii, a branch office of Ukrainian department of RFE/RL.

Prior to the appointment Gaidarzhyisky was promoted to the rank of major general of the internal troops of the Russian Interior Ministry.

In February 2016 Ukrainian prosecutors initiated a criminal investigation against the former colonel, suspecting him of treason.

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The building is now to be handed over to groups involved in the Ukrainian army's operation in eastern Ukraine



A Russian cultural center has been evicted by the local council in Lviv.

Members of the Russian community and its Pushkin Society call the decision to evict them from Korolenko Street 1a in Lviv politically motivated. "This is an anti-Russian decision. We own the property and the authorities have no right to get rid of us," Albert Astachov, the society's chairman, told DW.

The cultural center dates back to the 1990s, when the regional government had originally designated the premises as a movie theater, as a place for Russian-language meetings, concerts, exhibits and readings. The Russian Pushkin Society has about 400 members, who pay a nominal fee to belong. The city has taken a symbolic rent of 5 hryvnia (about USD 0.20) every month since 1999.

This the regional council first took aim at, concluding that the building was being neglected. In Lviv, about 40 cultural organizations pay the city a symbolic rent, including Polish and Czech associations.

The rooms of the cultural center are characterized by the portrait of Czar Nicholas II and the ribbon of St. George. The black- and orange-striped ribbon is a Russian symbol of Soviet military courage during World War Two. It found renewed meaning for pro-Russian demonstrators during the Ukraine crisis in 2014. There are also Russian-language newspapers available to read at the center, and its website includes Kremlin-supported slogans such as, "The Crimea is ours."

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http://uatoday.tv/news/militants-suffer-painful-fiasco-in-avdiivka-795094.html
Seven combatants dead and almost 20 wounded in latest fierce battles for the town, Kyiv says

The Russian-backed separatist forces took heavy losses in its failed attack on the industrial zone in the government-controlled Avdiivka.

Kyiv said that at least seven militants had been killed and another 17 wounded in the battles.

‘Yesterday's aggressive actions have cost the enemy dearly. Enemy losses over the past day have been confirmed', Ukraine's Defense Ministry spokesman Andriy Lysenko said in a statement on October 28.

‘The lion's share of the losses was in the so-called 10th regiment and a separate assault battalion of the 1st Army Corps of the combined Russian-occupation forces', he added.

Mr. Lysenko claimed that the separatists had planned to push the Ukrainian forces back from their positions in the town. Russian commandment deployed several hundred militants from two different units to carry out the offensive, as well as several batteries of artillery, supported by drones.

‘After a powerful artillery fire from 82-mm mortars and 152mm howitzers, the invaders tried to storm our positions. Reinforcements arrived to repel an attack on the cutting edge of our defense. Clashes ended in our favor, and the enemy was forced to retreat in disgrace, having suffered losses,' Lysenko said.

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http://uatoday.tv/press/internation...nce-of-ukraine-war-foreign-policy-795169.html
The drones were repeatedly shot out of the sky by surface-to-air missiles. Suspending the program effectively blinds observers to numerous cease-fire violations


The European security organization tasked with monitoring deadly violence between government forces and Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine has lost its most effective surveillance tool in the conflict: long-range unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones.

The long-range drone program was crucial for spotting armed attacks, the stationing of prohibited weapons, and countless other cease-fire violations. But it was cancelled two months ago, Foreign Policy has learned, after several of the aircraft were targeted by surface-to-air missiles and military-grade electronic jamming.

"Long-range UAV operations were suspended in August following a series of hostile acts," said Natacha Rajakovic, a spokeswoman for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), the group authorized by world powers to observe the conflict. "The mission's UAV strength has been severely undermined"

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http://uatoday.tv/politics/russian-bombers-practicing-air-strikes-on-ukraine-intel-map-795304.html

"On October 26, using the obligations of the Republic of Belarus as an allied state, Russian combat aircraft worked out possible massive air strikes on strategic targets on the territory of Ukraine in the airspace of Belarus," Skibytskiy explained.

By his data, along the state border of Ukraine in the airspace of Belarus Ukrainian Intel noted plane of distant radar detection and guidance A-50U, which was monitoring airspace in the north-western part of Ukraine and guided strike aircrafts. Those were strategic bomber Tu-160, two log range jet bombers Tu-22M3, and two close range bombers Su-34, completing training missions along the state border of Ukraine with training missile and bomb strikes.

‘In 2015, Russia conducted such exercises near the border with the Baltic states. In these circumstances, the Russian Federation continues to consider the possibility of armed confrontation with NATO and with our state. For this Russia is enhancing its offensive capabilities on the North-West strategic direction in the Baltic region," press officer concluded.

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October 28, 2016

18:35
Contact Group on Donbas to hold videoconference on Saturday - DPR

13:20
One Ukrainian serviceman killed in Donbas in past 24 hours

KYIV. Oct 28 (Interfax) - The militia has fired small arms and grenade launchers on the Mariinka checkpoint in the Donetsk region, the Ukrainian State Border Service said on Friday.

The attack on the Mariinka checkpoint lasted for more than three hours on Thursday, the service said. The fire started at around 8:30 p.m. after the checkpoint had closed for the night. "The fire was coming from a belt of trees on the outskirts of Oleksandrivka. They fired small arms at first and used AGS-17 and RPG grenade launchers later," the service said.

No Ukrainian servicemen were hurt, it said.

Two attacks were observed in the same area several days ago, according to Kyiv.

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09:28
Ukrainian army twice attacks LPR territory in past 24 hours, militiaman injured

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October 28, 17:48 UTC+3
A military official reports two batteries of the Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts, a tank troop and a mortar platoon have been spotted moving to the contact line


"The deployment of manpower and military hardware to the line of contact testifies to the fact that the Ukrainian military command is getting ready to intensify hostilities,"

two batteries of the Akatsiya and Gvozdika self-propelled artillery mounts, a tank troop and a mortar platoon have been spotted moving in the direction of the town of Gorlovka. The Ukrainian military’s positions near the city of Donetsk have been reinforced by two batteries of self-propelled artillery mounts, a troop of 120 mm mortars and tanks. A Grad multiple rocket launchers platoon, a Nona-S self-propelled artillery gun, a mortar battery and up to a battalion of militants have been deployed to the suburbs of the city of Mariupol.


According to the Minsk Agreements’ Implementation Measures Package dated February 12, 2015, weapons of over 100 mm should be withdrawn so that there is at least a distance of 50 kilometers between the warring sides’ positions. The distance between the troops armed with multiple rocket launchers is set to be 70 kilometers, the troops armed with Tochka missiles should be deployed at least 140 kilometers away from each other. According to the additional document to the Measures Package agreed on in September, weapons of under 100 mm, tanks and mortars including 120 mm ones, should also be withdrawn.

 

[Hindustani78]

Reuters / Friday, October 21, 2016
A Ukrainian serviceman fires a 2S7 Pion self-propelled gun during military exercises near the village of Divychky in Kiev region, Ukraine, October 21, 2016. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

Reuters / Friday, October 28, 2016
Ukrainian servicemen fire BM-21 Grad multiple rocket launcher systems during military exercises near the village of Divychky in Kiev region, Ukraine. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko

55 attacks overnight, Ukraine said
http://uatoday.tv/news/fierce-attacks-rock-avdiivka-and-mariupol-795599.html

Last night government-held Avdiivka, 20 kilometers north of Donetsk, was rocked by heavy shelling that started around midnight.

The information about the attacks was confirmed by the locals in the town and neighboring Donetsk and Makiivka, as well as volunteers, according to the Ukrainian office of RFE/RL.


The people said the artillery targeted Avdiivka and the surrounding villages, in addition to the area of the Donetsk airport.

Witnesses pointed out the shelling came from the territories held by the Russian-backed separatist forces, namely Yasynuvata and Makiivka. The locals said the shelling was the heaviest as of late.

In the morning Ukrainian military reported of 10 attacks on the positions of the government forces in the Donetsk sector, which includes Avdiivka.

‘In the areas of Avdiivka and Troitske Ukrainian forces were shelled with 122-mm and 82-mm artillery, grenade launchers, infantry vehicles and assault rifles', the report said.

According to the statistics, the situation near Mariupol was just as intense, if not worse. Ukraine registered 28 attacks in the area overnight.

The hotspots once again turned out to be Shyrokyne, Vodyane, Pavlopil and other villages. High-caliber artillery was active there, as well as in the Luhansk region, where the militants opened fire 17 times, including the attacks on Stanytsia Luhanska, where the withdrawal of troops still hasn't started.

Overall the combatants targeted Ukrainian soldiers 55 times in the past 24 hours.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/380077.html

Monitors from the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) in eastern Ukraine have recorded significant growth in the number of ceasefire violations in Luhansk region, the mission's press service said in a statement shared with Interfax-Ukraine.

In particular, the SMM conducted 20 patrolling missions in the region on 26 to monitor the ceasefire observance, the movement and withdrawal of military hardware, and the general humanitarian situation.

"In Luhansk region, the SMM noted an increase in the number of recorded ceasefire violations, including almost 300 explosions compared with two on 25 October," the mission said in a statement.

"Positioned on the government-controlled side of the Zolote-Pervomaisk disengagement area, the SMM heard six explosions assessed as mortar (82mm) rounds, and a ten- and a twenty-minutes long exchange, respectively, of automatic-grenade-launcher, heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, all 3-5km south-east (outside the disengagement area)," it said.

"Positioned at the 'LPR' [the self-proclaimed Luhansk people's republic] checkpoint on the edge of the Zolote-Pervomaisk disengagement area, the SMM heard, in about two hours, 190 undetermined explosions, and more than 300 bursts and shots of recoilless gun (SPG), automatic-grenade-launcher, heavy-machine-gun and small-arms fire, 3-6 km north-north-east; and 97 undetermined explosions 5-15 km south-south-west and west (outside the disengagement area)," it said.

"While in 'LPR'-controlled Kadiivka (formerly Stakhanov, 50 km west of Luhansk), the SMM heard five explosions assessed as artillery rounds, 15 km north-west of its location," it said.

"Positioned 2 km west of government-controlled Dmytrivka (43 km north of Luhansk), the SMM heard two explosions assessed as tank rounds, 2 km east. The SMM assessed the explosions as live-fire exercise at the Dmytrivka training area," the SMM said.

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http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/380107.html
A Ukrainian soldier was killed and seven were wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone yesterday, spokesman for the Defense Ministry for ATO Andriy Lysenko has said.

"As a result of active hostilities one Ukrainian soldier was killed and seven were wounded," he said at a briefing in Kyiv on Saturday.

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President Petro Poroshenko, Minister of Defence of Ukraine General of the Army of Ukraine Stepan Poltorak, with veterans of the Second World War, ATO participants and senior officials took part in the ceremony of commemoration of the deceased on the occasion of the 72nd anniversary of expulsion of Nazis from Ukraine.

The Head of State laid flowers near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier on the Square of Glory in Kyiv.

The attendees paid tribute to the deceased with a moment of silence. The military orchestra performed the National Anthem of Ukraine.

 

[Hindustani78]

http://uatoday.tv/crime/russian-pro...s-massive-artillery-fire-reported-795899.html
11:36 Oct. 30, 2016

No ceasefire in Donbas, militants attacking in Mariupol and Donetsk directions

During the last day of the Russia-backed forces commenced 53 attacks and fire raids on Ukrainian army positions, Anti-Terrorist Operation HQ informs.

Tensed situation reported on Mariupol direction – 28 militant attacks took place here. Enemy used mortars of all kinds here and artillery of 122mm calibre.

In Donetsk area 15 attacks recorded. Besides of all kinds of light arms Russian proxies used heavy mortars and 122mm howitzers here.

10 armed provocations were noted in Luhansk area. Militants repeatedly used the 82mm medium mortars here.

There is no data on losses at the moment, but on previous 24 hours Ukraine suffered one soldier killed and seven wounded in Donbas. On that day fierce attacks rocked Avdiivka and areas near Mariupol. On Friday Defense Intel informed about Russian bombers practicing air strikes on Ukraine.

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Ukrainian troops stationed in the villages of Shyrokyne, Lebedynske, Talakivka, Hnutove and Vodiane were shelled with the use of banned 120mm mortars. The occupiers used 82mm mortars and banned 122 artillery systems to fire on Ukrainian-held areas close to the town of Krasnohorivka and the village of Troyitske. Large-caliber machine guns, grenade launchers and small arms were engaged to shell areas close to the village of Starohnativka and the town of Maryinka.

15 attacks in the Donetsk sector. In particular, ATO positions close to the village of Verkhniotoretske and the town of Svitlodarsk came under fire from machine guns and small arms, while banned 120mm mortars were used to shell the town of Zalizne (formerly Artemove).


The occupation forces used not only 82mm and 120mm mortars, grenade launchers, machine guns and small arms, but also 122mm artillery systems, which are banned by the Minsk peace agreement on Donbas, to shell the town of Avdiyivka. Ten barrages were reported to have been mounted in the Luhansk sector on Saturday. Ukrainian troops near the village of Stanytsia Luhanska were shelled with the use of small arms, while the village of Bohuslavske came under grenade and machine gun fire. What is more, militants used 82mm mortars along with small arms and grenade launchers to attack the village of Novozvanivka.