Ukraine news/Current

25 Oct. Artillery and mortar shelling by UAF continues. One DPR soldier was killed, another wounded. A civilian was wounded in Trudovskoe, western Donetsk

24 Oct. Despite the recent Normandy format meeting, there is no progress on prisoners exchange, and Ukraine is backtracking on 'all-for-all' agreements reached already. Contact group meeting is delayed till 9 Nov.

Big problem is that crimes such as intentional shelling of residential areas and systematic violations of Minsk agreements are done with impunity for those who order the crimes. They are not concerned that their soldiers or 'separ' civilians are killed. There is no solution (apart from breaking Minsk and starting war). As a a midway and most likely futile step, DPR prosecutor office started a criminal case against UAF officers accused of shelling Donetsk.

Givi categorically denied Ukrainian rumors that he plans to leave DPR (all details of his presumed 'leave' are fake too).

23 Oct. DPR was shelled 446 times in the past day. Two civilians, a mother and son (1985 d.b.), were wounded in western Donetsk.

22 Oct. SBU forced Belorussian plane to return to Ukrainian airport, with threats to call for fighter jets if order not followed, to detain an Armenian anti-Maydan activist. He was charged with 'organizing mass disturbances'; according to his attorney he was trying to calm things down instead.

Several dozens pensioners protest on Maidan, Kiev, against unafordable utilities costs. One complaint it now costs 5 times more than ever before, another that in her case heating costs more than her pension. Earlier a pensioner jumped the bridge in Kiev, survived; it is speculated that living costs may be a factor.

21 Oct. In the past week, DPR was shelled 3161 times by Ukraine; 12 DPR soldiers were killed, 5 civilians and 9 soldiers wounded. 898 people are in Ukrainian detention, 488 missing - DPR ombudsman; MoD, map.

19 Oct. Putin: Statement for the press following visit to Berlin- Eng. Russ. Merkel-more details, Tass.

Poroshenko claimed that Russia agreed to an 'armed police mission by OSCE' in Donbas. (Not agreed with LDPR, not in Putin comments. Peskov confirmed, but needs further work.)

Motorola was buried in Donetsk with military honors. Many people came to pay respects,. His bodyguard, Goga (Zhenia) was buried yesterday.

4 DPR soldiers killed and 3 wounded in the past day-Basurin

18 Oct. DPR was shelled 253 times in the past day. Two DPR soldiers were killed by Ukrainian shelling in the south. Opolchenie woman fighter Tatyana "Viva" was killed by Ukrainian sniper; survived by 12 years old daughter.

Poroshenko: Germany France, Ukraine agreed to a meeting in Normandy format "to induce Russia to fulfill the security part of the Minsk agreements." Russia agreed too. Peskov: Kiev does not intend to fulfill Minsk, and tries to shift the blame on Russia.

17 Oct. Ukraine shelled Leninskoe and Sakhanovka from 8 a.m., and started an attack, with forces up to a company. Firefight and casualties reported.

Igor Kolomoisky was presented a medal for his personal contribution to the Dnipropetrovsk region and Ukraine.

16 Oct. Motorola was killed  in explosion in an elevator of a multi-flat house where he lived with his family. One opolchenie bodyguard was killed too. His wife and children were not hurt. More on separate page

After several days of clashes in the area, OSCE finally arrived to Kominternevo (video), to record violations. Basurin: we did not occupy Vodianoe (nearby, in buffer zone), and it even does not make sense military as it is in fire line from higher ground. He complained that OSCE did not make photographs of craters, determining direction by an eye, and that they lowered down the caliber of shells in his opinion; but he is grateful they arrived at all.

15 Oct. Ukraine shelled DPR 608 times in the past day. 3 DPR soldiers were killed and 3 wounded.

14 Oct. After artillery strikes from 152 mm artillery, Ukraine attacked DPR positions near Leninskoe village in the south-incoming reports. Opolchenie member 'Sklon': situation is close to critical, Ukraine stopped observing ceasefire, there are clashes in many places. (Repeats that DPR damaged an Ukrainian helicopter).

DPR Basurin shows unexploded Ukrainian 'NATO-made thermobaric munition adapted for Soviet RPG-7 grenade launcher' -'John Connor' report and photographs. Bulgaria (a NATO member) make those GTB-7S for example. Lethal NATO weapons are not supposed to be there.

Today is Ukrainian day of 'defender of the fatherland', moved by Poroshenko from the Soviet date in February. This day is also traditional day of formation of UPA (Ukrainian Insurgent Army), which fought against Soviets and Poles and collaborated with Nazi Germany in WW2.

DPR ombudsman: 5 soldiers and one civilian, a woman, were killed in the past week; 5 civilians and 5 soldiers were wounded.

13 Oct. Briefly on Zakharchenko press conference: security situation deteriorated, and not just near Novoazovsk and Kominternovo. Also Debaltsevo, Peski, Yasinovataya, very difficult situation near Dokuchaevsk. We see attempts of UAF to conduct reconnaissance-in-force. Further separation of forces in 9 more places is just not on right now, it did not even occur in Luganskoe yet. Their insolence has no limits, UAF takes our desire for peace as weakness. Their losses yesterday and a recent failed attempt to attack us from a helicopter near Krasnogorovka (it was shot down but landed on Ukrainian territory) prove the opposite- Press conference text (in Rus.); English extract; video fragment. (Ukraine denied helicopter downing).

Russia ends oil pipeline service agreement with Ukraine

12 Oct. Ukrainian military opened fire at Kominternovo village in the south of the DPR and attempted seizure of the nearby territory -DAN news, DoNi news (Eng). UAF attack was not successful. According to Basurin, who called this attack 'a madness', 2 DPR soldiers were killed, 5 wounded, and (according to him) over 15 UAF soldiers were killed and 25 wounded.

Highlights from Ukrainian oligarch Firtash interview:
 * The war is no longer popular in Ukraine. If USA will continue present policies, in about 5 years from now Ukrainians will fiercely hate America and Americans...In their mind, they will link all their troubles, rising prices, unemployment, failed reforms, and everything else with USA. There will be no nation which hates the US more. This is just a matter of time.
 * We, together with Ukrainian Academy of Sciences, leading European experts, have developed a modernization program for Ukraine, up to the year 2025. 300 billion $ of investments is required for the economy to start working again.

11 Oct. Ukraine shelled DPR 462 times. One civilian, a woman, was killed,another wounded, in continued shelling of southern villages Sahanka/Segreevka and Leninskoe.

10 Oct. DPR situation report DoNi news, Engl). DPR was shelled 314 times in the past day, back to pre-ceasefire level. Opolchenie and locals report overnight shelling in numerous locations along the separation line.

LPR 'takes control & lands' Ukraine's USA military RQ-11B light drone.

9 Oct. Two DPR soldiers were killed and one captured by an Ukrainian RSG in the south, near villages Sahanka and Leninskoe. That was preceded by Ukrainian shelling; it is reported that OSCE failed to attend or intervene. Video from the scene in Sahanka shows mortar shelling; 2 women were wounded as a result (Basurin).

Ukraine cancelled planned separation of forces at Stanitsa Luganskaya, LPR. No new date was provided.

8 Oct. Ukraine opened fire on the village of Stahanka in the south. One civilian, a woman, was wounded.

7 Oct. DPR was shelled 1352 times by Ukraine in the past week-DAN news. DPR Human Rights Ombudsman detailed weekly situation report. 6 DPR soldiers were killed, 6 soldiers and 1 civilian were wounded. Total number of killed in DPR since the start of the conflict is 4120, according to their information. As of 6 Oct., there were 10,666 objects of infrastructure destroyed, including 5721 residential houses. Separation of forces in Petrovskoe reported, on the third attempt (see also 1 Oct.) OSCE and JCCC were present.

SBU detained the former opolchenie member from Brazil Rafael Lusvarghi in Borispol airport, Kiev. According to 'a well known journalist Alexander Vasiliev', quoted by Rusvesna, he was on a Western airline flight to Moscow, and the plane landed to make an arrest. Apart from another pro-opolcheie source, there appears to be no independent reports with this particular detail, however the arrest itself is shown on SBU video.

6 Oct. In the past day, DPR was shelled 130 times by Ukraine, according to Basurin (video). Names of Ukrainian +commanders responsible were provided, again. One DPR soldier was killed.

5 Oct. School number 77 in Makeevka was damaged by an explosion, according to residents reports. According to Basurin, it was caused by an explosion of fuel tanker truck, which hit a mine. One DPR soldier was killed, and another wounded in the explosion. According to Basurin, the mine was located on the road itself, and installed by Ukrainian reconnaissance and sabotage group. As a result of powerful explosion, windows in several schools in the city were blown off. Electric power station was damaged and the pit mine "Sheglovskaya-Glubokaya" lost power. Workers of the pit mine were rescued.

4 Oct. Documentary Welcome to Donbass! -interview with Zakharchenko, video (English captions), directed by Di Matteo & Benignetti. Some direct talk here. (Does this sort of talk once upon a time; a bit of show off; no real change, still waits for Minsk to work out; but also frustration that it is not working and prospects dim).

Russian MoD gave a warning that a provocation is planned by SBU against Russian officers in peacekeeping role at JCCC; this also appeared on RU MoD Facebook page.

Victoria Nuland is visiting Moscow to discuss Ukraine with Vladislav Surkov, in the background of breakdown of US-Russian cooperation in Syria and heightened tensions overall.

DPR was shelled 126 times in the past day-Basurin (report), (video). Still no progress on separation at Petrovskoe.

Ukrainian public opinion poll, by political parties. Poroshenko block is behind Timoshenko/Batkovshina and not too far ahead from the Opposition Block, former Party of Regions (ex. Yanukovich).

3 Oct. DPR was shelled 90 times by Ukraine; at least 9 houses in Yasinovataya were damaged. A 122 mm shell launched by Ukraine had a direct hit on an apartment in Yasinovataya; the shell fragments were shown by Basurin at the press conference (video). The residents survived as they were on a different side of the building at the time.

2 Oct. Primaries elections took place in DPR, in 514 local districts, and 1098 total candidates. International observers, including Johan Bäckman (wiki), were present. No agreement with Ukraine presently on the actual elections. 370.5 thousand people participated. Current mayor of Donetsk was (preliminary) re-elected with some 83% of the vote.

Two DPR soldiers were killed, 1 wounded, due to Ukrainian shelling.

1 Oct. Separation of sides is attempted in Petrovskoe, so far hitting a snag. JCCC: order for Ukrainian troops to withdraw was not issued. Video (1 Oct., OSCE present); Ukraine does not confirm readiness to withdraw on the video. Out of 3 agreed separation zones, it only happened in one, in Zolotoe (LPR).
 * Another separation of sides attempt at Petrovskoe was made on 3 Oct., but Ukraine did not follow through, and DPR forces than returned back. After that, shelling in that area by Ukraine was reported. Video (OSCE present) shows that DPR withdrawal occurred, than reversed, as Ukraine did not do it on their side.

The famous Italian journalist Giulietto Chiesa visited Donetsk and was interviewed about "Donbass, Democracy and the order of things".
 * Interesting, calm interview, agree or not...

Two Ukrainian members of the crew survived when their US -made UAE Navy vessel HSV Swift was hit by Yemen’s Houthi fighters, reportedly with a Chinese-made anti-ship missile. 30 Sept. DPR was shelled 863 times by Ukraine in the past week; 2 DPR soldiers killed, and 3 were wounded (1 civilian and 2 DPR soldiers). DAN News/Basurin and DPR Human Rights ombudsman Darya Morozova.

Israel’s President Confronts Ukrainians With Their Past, Foreign Policy, September 30, 2016
 * Rivlin:  Many collaborators to the crimes (in WW2) were Ukrainians. And among them, the fighters of the OUN.

28 Sept. Brit charged with two terrorism offences linked to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, The Sun. Believed to be the first terrorism charges brought in the UK relating to the conflict. He is said to be in the 'international brigade' on the side of oplochenie. Protests took place in St. Petersburg, Russia (reported on Oct. 8).

Ukraine shelled DPR 204 times in the past day-Basurin. Names of Ukrainian commanders giving such orders provided.

Provocateurs from Ukraine make a video recording describing their plans to attack munition depots; have noting to do with DPR.

25.9 Number of violations by Ukraine raised, DPR was shelled 130 times in the past day, including 35 artillery shells. Zaitsevo, Ozeryanovka near Gorlovka, Alexandrovka west of Donetsk, and northern Donetsk were hit DAN news, DNI news (Eng.) DPR complained to OSCE and JCCC representatives.

23.9 DPR was shelled 423 times in the past week, a reduction from past averages. Report with daily graphics in DAN news report.

Possible supplies of lethal weapons from the United States to Ukraine will adversely impact the process of peace settlement in Donbass-Denis Pushilin, TASS (Eng.). Russia expressed concern as well.
 * ''The US House of Representatives passed the Stability and Democracy for Ukraine Act which allows a possibility of sending lethal weapons to Ukraine, but it still requires the US Senate's approval

21.9 A framework agreement on the disengagement of warring parties in Donbass was signed in Minsk. A security zone will be created in three disengagement sections: Zolotoye, Petrovskoye and Luganskaya. TASS (Eng.), DAN news. Signed by Zakharchenko, Plotniskki, OSCE, Russia, Ukraine.

20.9 Plotniskii announced that a coup in LPR was foiled. Something was supposed to happen to cause indignation in Ukraine, and have Ukrainian army enter and save locals from 'separatists', according to him. He also says that something similar was planned in DPR. All of that attributed to some internal enemies possibly with connections in Russia (video) (text).
 * 24.9 Media reports quoting Sergey Rahno from LPR prosecution office: former LPR prime minister Gennady Tsypakov committed suicide by hanging after his arrest related to the coup.  Colonel of People Militia Kiselev, and former Parliament leader Karyakin also said to be involved.
 * Member of "Prizrak" battalion (of late Mozgovoi) denied that the battalion has anything to do with the coup or is under investigation. Twiiter account formerly belonging to Prizrak information team and said to be hacked later published an appeal claiming LPR plans a 'mop-up' operation against the battalion.
 * Said to be some unhappy Cossaks
 * 'Sparta' battalion (Motorola) was dispatched to LPR from DPR to prevent the coup.

19.9 OSCE SMM chief Alexander Hug visits Zakhrachenko. Possibly for such an occasion, DPR was shelled 'only' 47 times in the past day-DAN news (for a show or not, let it just drop to zero).

Evgenii Zhilin, a founder and leader of Ukrainian anti-Maidan movement "Oplot", founded in Kharkov in 2010, was shot and killed in a Moscow restaurant. Another man at the same table was seriously wounded. According to a preliminary version, a contract killing is suspected. The killer managed to escape.

17.9 Prisoner exchange, 4 DPR civilians exchanged for two Ukrainian servicemen accused of sabotage. Two of the civilians were described as 75 years old woman and her 50 years old son, officially released by Mariupol court some one and a half weeks ago but disappeared after that and held illegally in a cellar. One Ukrainian prisoner is described as "SBU colonel Yurii Suprun" -DAN news. The other Ukrainian prisoner, Vladimir Zhemchugov, was hit by a land mine. He is interviewed by Graham Phillips right before the exchange; he appears to recover, with clear signs of old injury on his face but reasonably OK now; he and the journalist argue each defending their attitudes and accusing the other of being zombied. Zhemchugov angrily says that he came to defend his country, while the journalist is "Putin propagandon" (propagandist made into insult). Some shouting but the dialogue between the too is not happening.
 * According to Pavel Gubarev VK page, Evgenii Kosyak, one of the prisoners given to DPR is a former assistant head of SBU investigations for the Donetsk region, and participated in having Gubarev arrested/ On the linked video, Kosyak tells that he worked in Mariupol as a jurist and was arrested for "assisting DPR"; says he tried to help to have (arrested) Russian citizens exchanged.

DPR was shelled 53 times in the past day, calmer than before but still not quiet -DAN news. In frequently shelled Zaitsevo, near Gorlovka, a house on Geroicheskaya St. is destroyed by a direct hit 91years old woman lived there. House is shown and woman interviewed on video.

16.9 UAF command post in Krasnogorovka, Yasinovataya region, has exploded for an unknown reason, according to report (shown on a map).

Four DPR soldiers were killed in the past week, 5 people wounded (2 soldiers and 3 civilians); one civilian disappearance was reported-DAN news. Weekly Russvesna update, with number of violations graphics, maps, etc. Multiple ceasefire violations, provocations by UAF listed in the report, including several failed Ukrainian reconnaissance and sabotage group attempts.

Ukraine shelled Zaitsevo, near Gorlovka, 90 years old woman was wounded

Italian journalist Valentina Petrini, Italian public TV channel RAI 2, visits Donbass -report and two videos, (in Russian and Italian, and some English). First video starts with opolchenie showing her a water heating facility, near residential high rises. It was constantly targeted by Ukraine, and residential buildings were hit in overshots too. 3 people were killed in one of the buildings they have visited. They look into a room where a woman was killed and a child shell-shocked, through damaged building wall. Go to front lines near Zaitsevo after that, stay overnight, through Ukrainian anthem and some shelling. In the second fragment, a Russian-speaking war journalist gives her a quick intro to events from recent history, Maidan ( emergence of 'Nazi', 'Bandera', Russian language suppression, etc.), shooting of a peaceful march in Mariupol, Odessa Trade Union massacre, bombing of city administration in Luhank, 2 June 2014 --looked into and discussed by us on other pages but not well known or shown by mainstream media in the West. For the reason that those events are not shown and suppressed in the West, unimaginable in case they happened say in Western Europe, the Russian-speaking journalist feels that 'we are not part of the West'.

15.9 DPR was shelled 518 times in the past day, artillery, mortars, tank guns used DAN news, DONI news (Eng.)

Territory of two pit mines was shelled by Ukraine, resulting in loss of power and endangering lives of 289 miners under ground. They were rescued.

14.9 DPR stopped Ukrainian break-through attempt near Donetsk, one DPR soldier was killed. Order is said to be issued by Zakharcheno to stop fire from any weapon at 0:00 on Sept 15.

DPR was shelled 589 times, 6 civilians were wounded. Houses in multiple locations damaged-DAN news, DoNi (eng.). There was a talk that DPR/LPR unilaterally started (another) ceasefire, followed by later talk that Ukraine joined that ceasefire, quoting Steinmeier, to start on Sept. 15. Some German-French visit 'to Donbass' (apparently to Ukrainian-held Kramatorsk) is planned on the 15-th-TASS (Eng.).

13.9 According to DPR, Ukraine attempted reconnaissance-in-force near Gorlovka. The attempt was repelled, 3 DPR and 10 UAF soldiers were killed, according to DPR. Prior to the attack, Ukraine is said to ask for 'silence regime', under the pre-text of de-mining work.

12.9 DPR detained a juvenile group said to be recruited by Ukrainian special services member (named as Igor Ritzko, call name "Almaz"). The group is accused of sabotage acts in the republic- DAN news, DONI news (Eng.)

Over 23,000 houses damaged in Donetsk republic since start of war, DONI news (Eng.)

11.9 DPR was shelled 229 times in the past day (approaching pre-ceasefire levels) -DAN news. Ukraine opened mortar fire at the western suburb of Donetsk, in the vicinity of Yasinovataya and the village of Sakhanka in the Novoazovsky district -DoNi news (Eng.)

10.9 UAF shelled Spartak settlement, north of Donetsk, using 122 mm artillery and mortars. Fighting in Avdeevka industrial zone is reported. 97 mortar shells fired by UAF on Mineralnoe settlement near Yasinovataya.

Attempted provocation near settlement Krutaya Balka, by reconnaissance and sabotage groups of special operations forces of the UAF 73rd special purpose maritime center, to bombard the settlement and UAF units. The action was aimed at provoking a response, and recording 'ceasefire violations by DPR' by lined-up for the task journalists. As a result of this failed provocation UAF lost two wounded soldiers and was forced out back to Ukrainian territory.

9.9 According to DPR, 526 violations of ceasefire in the past week by Ukraine. Weapons banned by Minsk used by Ukraine 264 times.

08.09 Mortar shelling of DPR overnight, 30 mortar shells were fired

07.09 DPR soldier was killed when UAF shelled Trudovskie settlement, Petrovskii district of Donetsk. It is believed that an anti-tank grenade launcher was fired from positions of 'Donbas-Ukraine' battalion in Ukrainian-held Marinka -DAN news

TASS: The head of the National Council of Ukraine on Television and Radio Jury Artemenko believes that "Inter" TV channel is itself is to blame for being attacked by radicals (videos) "You have to admit, what happened is just a consequence, and the reason is your programming concept." Today they set you on fire, and if you will not not come to your senses, you may be shot tomorrow. And no one will do anything".  In the end, parliamentary committee on freedom of speech condemned the attack.
 * On September 4, radicals entered "Inter TV" building, used fire extinguishers to disorient guards and employers. Lots of smoke is seen on camera after that. Exit was blocked. Fake demonstrators outside were used to distract attention, help attackers, and eventually cover arsonists escape from the building. Extinguishers and spray were used against employees. Some liquid was poured on the counter near the entrance and set on fire. Couple of female employees were pushed out from the exit, while other employees escaped to upper floors, roof and balcony to get fresh air. Eventually firefighters arrived. Several people required medical attention, but no reported casualties. "Inter" is part of "U.A. Inter Media Group" holding, Firtash and Levochkin are the owners.
 * For more, see Arson attack on Inter TV -- Petri Krohn (talk) 23:07, 7 September 2016 (UTC)

06.09 Poroshenko: political solution, ie constitutional changes, elections law in Donbas, will not happen until there are 'right conditions', security situation, 'withdrawal of Russian troops and equipment', 'Ukrainian control of the border. Once again, changing the agreed sequence of steps in Minsk agreements and propaganda added. RIA article illustrates levels of fulfillment of Minsk agreements as viewed by both sides.

05.09 DPR was shelled 49 times by Ukraine in the past day, despite the announced ceasefire. 122 mm artillery, 82 and 120 mm mortars, BMP guns, grenade launchers, small firearms were used-DAN news

François Hollande:
 * ''In Ukraine, we must continue the Minsk process, address current bottlenecks, including the implementation of the special status, the security situation and the lack of trust between the parties. We agreed to organize in the coming weeks a summit between Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine.

Putin: No alternative to Normandy format, may have to interact with Poroshenko. But the point is not to meet for the sake of meeting, but to have some positive developments, on the road towards settlement. I am under impression that nobody wants to meet for the sake of meeting, except maybe Prooshenko. Don't know, have not talked to him for a long time. Russian transcript; English transcript forthcoming

04.09 DPR was shelled 37 times in the past day-DAN news. This is considerably less than before this latest period of calm announced, yet again, as many times in the past, not a full stop.

03.09 Ukraine starts large scale training for reservists, to prepare for for possible mobilization of reservists in case of 'an open aggression' -TASS.

02.09 Despite supposed ceasefire, several mortar shells were fired by UAF on Donetsk, Petrovskii district and near mine pit "Oktiabtskaya'

01.09. Ceasefire was agreed from 00:00 on 1 of September. In the past day, DPR was shelled 139 times by Ukraine, but in the night of 1 September ceasefire was 'in general' observed. Later in the day, at 18:35, a civilian was wounded by an Ukrainian sniper in Alexandrovka settlement, Petrovskii district of Donetsk -DAN news

Videos
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

Official Ukrainian sources

 * ATO press releases and maps
 * Official website of Ukrainian president
 * National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine
 * Verhovna Rada

Ukrainian media

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