Ukraine news/Current

23 Apr. There are many reports of continued Ukrainian shelling. Residents' made video here, "The Trudovskye (settlement) woke up feeling that they were being bombed." Next day: "You can check your watches by Ukrainian shelling"

22 Apr. The 2021 Donbass Crisis‎ may be over. Russia withdraws troops from the border after president Putin's speech.

At least 3 NATO military-transport planes arrived to Ukraine in the past 3 days, at least 6 from 2 to 12 April -interfax.ua

Putin responded to Zelenskii's invitation to meet in Donbass, inviting Zelenskii to discuss bilateral ties in Moscow, and saying that matters concerning LPR and DPR need to be discussed with LPR and DPR first. In addition, Kozak offered to have a Normany 4 (ie Germany, France, Russia, Ukraine) +LPR and DPR meeting in Donbass. The latter was rejected by Ukraine, as Ukraine will not talk to LPR and DPR (either in error or through pressure). Ukrainian official Reznikov threw a fit about LPR and DPR names used at all, portraying it as de-facto recognition. (It is well known what are the actual positions). Same official: "During the war, the president cannot go to the capital and meet with a person who is a representative of the aggressor country. It seems to me that this is a bit strange proposal" (it is well known that no war is declared between Ukraine and Russia; is this about the war with Donbass?).

21-22 Apr. OSCE SMM: 52 Ukrainian tanks "beyond withdrawal lines but outside designated storage sites" (and 11 for L/DPR).

21 Apr. Two DPR soldiers are killed by Ukrainian shelling.

US Senate bill has 300 mln$ per year in new military assitance to Ukraine, a program to encourage foreign donations of excess military equipment, and priority in gaining US excess military equipment.

21 Apr. Russian President Vladimir Putin delivered his annual address to Russia’s Federal Assembly. It was speculated that Putin will announce changes to Russia's Ukraine policy, pending approval of an emergency session of the Federation Council to be held on April 23rd (although some, including patriotic opposition figures, were sceptical). In the end, the speech was mostly on domestic issues, such as post-covid support for families and businesses, and various domestic projects and initiatives. While there were some foreign policy items, such as coups being unacceptable, changes in the posture were rather subtle, and desire to not burn the bridges was empasised, while warning was given not to cross (not specified) red lines. It ended with briefly reporting on increased readiness of the armed forces.

17 Apr. Russian FSB said that a Ukrainian consul in St. Petersburg "was caught red-handed" receiving classified informatiom from law enforcement databases. In unrelated developments of diplomacy, US Ambassador was "advised" to travel to USA for consultations in the process of counter-sanctions announcment, and Lavrov said this to further the diplomacy. (All that does not sound too enchanting).

Lukashenko makes comments on planned assassination of him and his family. Belarus earlier released videos of conversations of alleged conspirators and footage of arrests made. 14 Apr. Claims appeared about plans to create US/NATO bases in Ukraine; it is further claimed that summit proposal may have to do with diverting attention and winning time for those plans. Factual basis is unclear. Meanwhile, Prague was proposed as venue; with above caution, seemed like a good one. (Before the diplomatic row, that is).

13 Apr. Russian DM Shoigu: ''US troops are being deployed from mainland North America across the Atlantic to Europe. There is a movement of troops in Europe to the Russian borders. The main forces are concentrated in the Black Sea and the Baltic region. "In total, 40 thousand servicemen and 15 thousand units of weapons and military equipment, including strategic aviation, will be concentrated near our territory." ...In the past 3 weeks, Russia deployed to its western borders two armies and three formations of the Airborne Forces, "for checks of the combat readiness". It is planned to complete the checks in the next 2 weeeks.

5 Apr. At least 3 Hercules planes arrived from the West to Ukraine. (Blogger Donetskii. Flightbox: 06-6161, MC136 / RCH136, landed 7h 38m ago, Kiev (KBP / UKBB)- Ramstein (RMS / ETAR), Monday, April 5 2021,  03:05 EEST Departed). One similar plane arrived to Kiev earlier, and another to Lvov.

DPR reports a brief firefight on Apr. 4 with Ukrainian RSG group near Shumy. A body of Ukrainian soldier Igor Baitalo, 1995 DoB is found on a minefiled; Ukrainian side did not collect the body or announced the loss; DPR asks to do so.

"Ukraine will look for another city instead of Minsk for negotiations on Donbass."

4 Apr. According to Kravchuk, Ukraine will not participate in the negotiations of the contact group unless the Donetsk People's Republic excludes from its delegation a public expert, journalist Maya Pirogova, who was convicted in absentia by a Ukrainian court for her activities in the structures of the DPR. (Unclear what are her crimes, apart from working with DPR; charge of "terrorism" is reported).

LPR spokesman: ''according to the information we received, on the banks of the Seversky Donets River in the area of Nikolayevka settlement a civilian was wounded by an unknown explosive device dropped by militants of the 80th brigade (UAF) using a UAV (drone). As a result, he received multiple shrapnel wounds of moderate severity and was taken to a hospital, where he was provided with qualified medical care.''

3 Apr. DPR: Ukrainian drone attack killed a child, 2016 DoB, in Alexanrovskoe settlement; a woman is wounded in the same attack. Katia Katina report, with the boy's photo and video interview of his grandmother.

Ukrainian activist and lawyer Tatiana Montan is present at boy's funeral, and confirms that his death is not a fake. Relatives say on the video that explosive device was dropped by Ukrainian drone. They also say that story about ailing grandfather having some IED is fake. There are photos from the site. Impact imprint on cement, round small holes on a water bucket, broken glass seen. Relatives said that OSCE did not visit. Relatives said boy lost leg(s) and arm(s), and was killed soon after exiting the house to play in the yard. Another report, linked by Katina, shows more detailed photos; presents an opinion that device flew from above as there is 360 degree spread of fragments, and as the only viable alternative to drone offers a version that Ukrainian or pro-Ukrainian persons fired a mortar at the house of strongly pro-Russian family. The house is apparently some 15 km from the separation line, according to other pro -LDPR reporting.

Peskov comments, KP, Kommersant.

Russia opens a criminal investigation.

UN and JCCC officials visit Vladik's family home. Grandmother says that officials recorded information but did not provide an assessment. She says she wants to receive expert opinion as she is hurt by theories, and there were no weapons and 'no war' at their home.

2 Apr. LPR reports Ukrainian shelling (mortars, grenade launchers), resulting in a firefight. One LPR soldier is killed. According to LPR sources, Ukrainian military planes arrived to Chuguev, Kharkov region, and a helicopter is deployed towards the separation line.

In Zaitsevo, near Gorlovka, two residential homes are reported on fire (video report), minutes after the area came under Ukrainian fire from a heavy machine gun "Utes".

1 Apr. DPR announces its first ever draft ("200 men will join the corps").

US, Canada, UK Defense Attaché met with Ukrainian Min. of defense Taran, deputy. Min. defense Petrenko, Polishchuk, commander of the combined forces lieutenant general. Naev and col. Budanov.

Ukrainian MoD and some Western MSM reports claim US and NATO backing for Ukraine.

"Readout of Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff Gen. Mark A. Milley’s Phone Call with Ukraine’s Chief of the General Staff Lt. Gen. Ruslan Khomchak"

Secretary Blinken’s Call with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Kuleba

Western MSN: "U.S. military’s European Command raised its watch level from possible crisis to potential imminent crisis — the highest level — in response to the deployment of the additional Russian troops" (noted, this reports on watchcon level, not defcon or redcon).

After many reports providing photo-visual evidence of additional Ukrainian heavy armor deployments, reports appear on additional Russian troops deployment to the Crimea and to the Ukrainian border.

26 Mar. Ukraine claims that 4 of its soldiers are killed and two wounded in Shumy settlment, blamed on pro-Russian/LDPR forces (noted, full circumstances are unclear, report is disputed, in particular by commenters suspecting landmine explosion; I could not find relevant material in OSCE reports on 27 or 29 March where it would be xpected; people are killed on a regular basis, on both sides, and reports of similar-sized casualties by LDPR forces do not result in war promotions).

24 Mar. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky signs Decree No. 117/2021, essentially declaring war on Russia

23 Mar. DPR: two soldiers are killed by Ukrainain shelling near Donetsk airport

22 Mar. DPR: A civilian is killed in Alexandrovka by Ukrainian sniper shot.

20 Mar. Commentary describes "Kravchuk plan", said to be de-facto capitulation of the republics with no special status and Ukraine taking control of the border before the elections. It is said that Ukraine tries to obtain Germany and France backing of the plan, with military moves towards separation line to drive home the message. Moscow does not agree to the plan and indicates that it will raise the stakes and will support the republics if Ukraine attacks. With all this, situation is dangerous and may escalate out of control.

Blogger Donetskii commentary reminds that Ukraine used tensions to supress opposition figures in Ukraine (Medvedchuk and others), and to move its forces into the conflict zone, no matter what will happen with diplomacy. He asserts that all those back and forth escalations and ceasefires do not resolve the conflict and do not serve interests of the people (while he does not want a full blown war, either).

18 Mar. Daily, numerous reports on Ukrainian shelling (mortars, AGS, small arms, occasional artillery). Resumed despite "stricter measures" around February, with no end in site, and with many reports on heavy arms moved towards the separation line.

17 Mar. Opolchenie: one soldier is killed today, under Gorlovka.

13 Mar. There is increasing speculation about a planned Ukrainian attack on Donbass; in particular stream of reports of heavy weapons (including heavy artillery and air defense) moved in daytime to the front line, open-sourced report of 8 Bayraktar drones in Ukrainian possesion, etc.

12 Mar. DPR soldier is killed by Ukrainian shelling.

10 Mar. DPR. One DPR soldier is killed, another is wounded by Ukrainian fire. DPR said it returned fire.

It is noted that pro-Ukrainian bots spread on social media fake messages claiming that Russian military teams entered L/DPR.

5 Mar. DPR. Three DPR soldiers are killed and one wounded by Ukrainian sniper shots to the head. One of those killed is Varnavskii Roman. In the absence of international response, DPR forces returned fire. Ukrainian losses are reported.

3 Mar. DPR police officer Voina V.I. is killed by Ukrainian sniper when his group responded to a call saying that a group of children was seen in the grey zone between Ukraiian and DPR forces.

26 Feb. Ukrainian forces fired eighteeen 82-mm mortar shells on Donetsk state plant of chemical products and the adjacent territory; a DPR soldier was killed by shelling.

25 Feb. LPR soldier is heavily wounded by Ukrainian sniper fire near Nizhnee Lozovoe

Heavy shelling of northwestern Donetsk is reported, Yelenovka was shelled earlier.

Heavy weapons shelling of Gorlovka is reported.

23 Feb. DPR. Ukrainian shelling in multiple areas is reported, at least 4 residential houses damaged

22 Feb. A civilian man is wounded by Ukrainian fire in Alexanrdovka, west of Donetsk

21 Feb. Zaitsevo in Gorlovka shelled once again, a direct hit on empty residential house.

20 Feb. At least six opolchenie soldier (Gorbachev Vladimir, Shepetki Evgenii, Alekseev Valery, Petrenko Sergey, Syrovatsky Dmitry, Pyatak Vladimir) killed by Ukrainian mortar shelling near Gorlovka, and 3 wounded, (two, by the official report) shortly after Ukrainian leadership authorised local commanders to open fire without higher-ups approval. Unconfirmed reports claim that more were killed. War correspondent Kotenok: "On situation in Gorlovka. Our losses: 5-200, 3-300, a dugout (blindazh) was smashed. Fire corrected from the drone. From 2 am to 5 am it (Ukrainian fire) flew here." Another oplochenie/Strelkov unconfirmed report claims that losses of the "3 battalion of the 3 brigade is from 2 to 11 killed; either reconnaissance and sabotage group or murder" (Bezler on 21 Feb: 20 killed; that figure is denied by Evgenii Skripnik "Prapor" who tells about 7 killed and scores wounded, after a rescue group arrived and better account made); and that "at minepit Glubokaia, 7 -200 and 4 -300" (see also 1, 2); it is unclear whether reports are accurate and whether it has intersection with Kotenok report (who is a well-established war reporter). Opolchenie and official DPR sources say that DPR responded and "supressed enemy fire"; it is claimed that 11 Ukrainian soldiers were killed.
 * DPR later acknowledged that 7 DPR soldiers were killed and 6 wounded on that day near Gorlovka.

OSCE drone is reported in L/DPR airspace.

20 Feb is Ukrainian "day of memory of the heavenly hundred"

17 Feb. Ukrainian mortar and BMP-1 guns fire is reported south of Donetsk, 21 mortar shells fired. More Ukrainian shelling is later reported, 20 AGS grenades and 20 BMP-2 gun shots fired on Abakumov minepit area near Donetsk,and two mortar shells fired on Luganskoe village.

DPR head Denis Pushilin and Leonid Kracvchuk, former Ukrainian president and head of Ukrainian delegation at the contact group, appeared together and had some exchange on a Russian TV show. That may be the first such direct contact ever, at least in public (but little was agreed on...)

15 feb. Attempted assasination attempt on DPR commander Sergei Popov, call name "Dlinnyi". An explosive devices was planted in his vehicle and exploded when he was taking his daughter to a school. Both survived, with commander receiving multiple wounds to his legs, and daughter shell-shocked.

11 Feb. Opolchenie reports arrival of Ukrainian troops and heavy armor in areas near separation line, discuss concerns on prospects of a large scale Ukrainian attack. 6 Feb. DPR: "For the first time since the commencement of the Complex of Additional Measures (July 27, 2020), Ukrainian militants launched an artillery strike from 122-mm artillery, shelling residential areas of Staromikhaylovka settlement in the Donetsk direction, firing 12 shells. Against this background, we reserve the right to provide an adequate response to the actions of Ukrainian punishers to protect the population from Ukrainian terror. "

2 Feb. Ukrainian president Zelenskii signed a decree blocking three Ukrainian opposition TV channels NewsOne, Zik, 112 from broadcasting, financial transactions, cultural exchanges, transfer of intellectual rights and technology. Prior to this, US indicated "robust U.S. economic and military assistance to Ukraine", and support on "preventing disinformation" after the decree was signed.

29 Jan. Margarita Simonian in Donetsk: "Mother Russia, take Donbass home" (5:14,2:07). Peskov: Donbass joining Russia is not on the Kremlin's agenda. (Commenters: split on meaning).

23 Jan. DPR soldier is killed near Staromikhailovka by a munition dropped by Ukrainian drone.

22 Jan. One DPR soldier is killed and another wounded by Ukrainian shelling

Highlights from the past
30 Apr. U.S. Confirms Delivery Of Javelin Antitank Missiles To Ukraine

Poroshenko announced end of ATO and start of 'joint operation of armed forces', which is aimed at 'defending territorial integrity' and will only end 'when the last piece of Ukrainian land is liberated, including Crimea', which is somehow supposed to happen by 'political-diplomatic means'.

Videos

 * Family of 7 home hit by shelling in Donetsk, published 11 May 2017
 * DPR Sakhanka: life goes on under shelling, 11 Oct. 2016
 * 'Suburbia of life', about the effect of the war on life in small villages and towns. Shelling, destruction, economic hardship. Slow running, in Russian. Sept. 29, 2016.

More videos on talk page

Photos

 * Recent history in a nutshell in those photos to the right:


 * Aftermaths of Ukrainian shelling of the village Zheltoe (Yellow), LPR, 29 Nov. 2016 lug-info.

OSCE

 * SMM Ukraine

Official Ukrainian sources

 * ATO press releases and maps, Ukraine Crisis Media Center(google search; sample schedule search).
 * At about 30 April 2018, replaced by Ukrainian 'joint forces operation' (Facebook).
 * Official website of Ukrainian president
 * National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine
 * Verhovna Rada

Ukrainian media

 * Newsone.ua
 * Strana.ua
 * 112.ua
 * TSN
 * inter.ua
 * kyivpost.com
 * dumskaya.net (Odessa, pro goverment)

DPR and LPR

 * DPR: DAN news (Eng).; DPR MOD, Russ.; DPR ombudsman, Russ.
 * DPR MoD
 * LPR: lug-info (Eng).
 * Donbass international news agency, DoNi news (Eng.)

Agreements

 * 22.7.15 Under-100 mm weapons withdrawal was agreed Poroshenko statement: ' I hope it will be the real beginning of the ceasefire'.
 * 12.2.15 Two documents were agreed: on measures on implementing Minsk protocol (English language PDF here).