Civil War in Ukraine: Western Empire vs Russia

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Babchenko Monetizes His Fake Death, Asks 50,000 USD For Exclusive Interview
05.06.2018
As Kiev’s official story over the faked murder of Arkady Babchenko from the hands of “Russian intelligence” is collapsing, the “killed” TV channel 112 had attempted to invite Babchenko for an interview. However, the “victim” of the Kremlin’s spies responded by saying that he does not more attend TV shows for free and an exlusive interview with him will cost at least 50,000 USD, better 60,000 USD.

Later, the conversation was confirmed by Babchenko himself. He worte in his Facebook that he’s now facing a complicated period of life. So, if some media outlet wants to make content with him, further claimed that the Russian state-run TV channel promised to pay him for an interview this amount. However, he rejected this suggestion. Babchenko concluded that he’s still ready to sell his interview that the only concern of the new victim of “Russian agression” in Ukraine is how to make money from his fake death.

It looks that the only concern of the new victim of “Russian agression” in Ukraine is how to make money from his fake death.

I'm sure - Mr. Babchenko is an outstanding citizen and a pillar to the Community? When does he get nominated for a Peace Prize? ;-):shock:

07.06.2018 - NATO Ex-Chief: Russia Could Defeat Ukraine in 'Several Days'
NATO Ex-Chief: Russia Could Defeat Ukraine in 'Several Days'

It would take Russia just a few days to defeat Ukraine, NATO’s former secretary-general Anders Fogh Rasmussen said in an interview on Wednesday.

"It would take Russian troops several days to overrun Ukraine," Rasmussen told Germany’s Die Welt newspaper.

Ukraine dropped its non-aligned status in 2014, opening the door for potential NATO membership. The following year, President Petro Poroshenko signed a military doctrine stipulating the need to match NATO standards by 2020 and promised a referendum on accession

Despite Kiev’s efforts, NATO officials have repeatedly stressed that the Eastern European nation needed to implement a wide range of reforms before pursuing the Alliance’s membership.

On Monday, Russian President Vladimir Putin told the Austrian ORF broadcaster that Ukraine’s neutral military status is important for Russia’s security, but it is the Ukrainians, who ultimately have to decide whether the country should become a member of Alliance.

Since the outbreak of the Ukrainian crisis in 2014, NATO has been boosting its presents in Eastern Europe citing Russia's alleged interference in Kiev’s internal conflict as justification for their actions.

In turn, Moscow has repeatedly denied the unsubstantiated allegations of involvement in Ukraine, warning that amassing troops and military equipment on its borders is a provocative action that violates past NATO pledges, and can lead to regional and global destabilization.


Jun 6, 2018 - UKRAINE DOUBLE-TALK: ”We’ll beat Russia’s superior military with our superior weapons”
UKRAINE DOUBLE-TALK: ''We'll beat Russia's superior military with our superior weapons" - Fort Russ

KIEV – Ukraine will “crush” Russia not through the strength of its military personnel, but through its “powerful” high-quality weapons, said Pavel Bukin, head of the Ukrainian military consortium Ukroboronprom.

Responding to the question made by journalist Aleksandr Podobry on whether the country has “powerful weapons” never before seen or used, Bukin replied affirmatively and said that “Ukraine is testing a cruise missile.” However, he did not reveal any details about the new missile.

According to the head of Ukroboronprom, the consortium is trying to “pay attention to projects that cause the most damage to the enemy in the short term.”

“It would be illusory to think that we can crush Russia through the military, so we will crush it through the quality of weaponry,” he said.

In April the Ukrainian construction company Luch presented the first images of the launch of the Ukrainian missile Olkha reaching its target. Russian experts have stated that the Olkha is a variant of the missile for the multiple Smerch rocket launcher still developed in the Soviet Union in the 1970s.

Meanwhile the Ukrainian political party UKROP (Ukrainian Patriots Association) prepared and sent to the government proposals on “the rejection of Russian aggression” in the Sea of Azov.

MPs called on the government to submit to Poroshenko a proposal to sever diplomatic relations with Russia. According to them, economic and cultural ties with Moscow provoke “aggressive” actions towards Ukraine.

The statement notes that the construction of the Crimea Bridge has hampered the work of the Ukrainian ports of Berdyansk and Mariupol and may lead to its closure.

“The impression is made that the Ukrainian authorities do not perceive the threat to the situation in the Sea of Azov region,” said the MPs.

The party also called on diplomats to propose to the UN Security Council the discussion of Russia’s “aggressive policy in the Azov Sea” and the introduction of sanctions against all Russian ports on the Azov and Black Seas.

In addition, the deputies proposed to the government to protect the waters of the Sea of Azov and the Straits of Kerch and carry out their maritime patrolling.


Jun 7, 2018 - NATO BEHOLD: Russia’s Astonishing S-400s in Crimea
NATO BEHOLD: Russia's Astonishing S-400s in Crimea - Fort Russ

In military drills currently being held in Crimea, Russian S-400 Triumph and Pantsir anti-aircraft systems have demonstratively repelled a seaborne attack from a virtual enemy.

After neutralizing their targets, the systems practiced the operational change of their launch positions.

“In the previous launch positions, the gunners installed pneumatic models mimicking the S-400 systems,” the head of Russia’s Southern Military District’s Press Service, Colonel Vadim Astafiev, explained.

In addition, as part of the exercises, virtual enemy ships launched projectiles against Bal and Bastion coastal systems, in response to which these simulated naval targets were attacked by Su-30SM fighters and Su-34 fighter-bombers.

These joint war games involving Russia’s Air Force, Black Sea Fleet, and air defense units have been launched in Crimea under the direction of Colonel-General Aleksandr Dvornikov. Some 6,000 military personnel, plus a hundred airplanes and helicopters, are participating in the maneuvers in Crimea.

Previously it was reported that Russia has decided to strengthen its Crimean anti-aircraft cluster with Pantsir-S1 air defense systems this year.

The Pantsir-S1 airborne and ground-based air defense system is designed to protect civilian and military installations from all air threats at any time and under any weather conditions. The system can also defend against surface and naval threats.

“All of the anti-aircraft missiles from the air and air defense armies in Crimea have been retrofitted with Triumph anti-aircraft missile systems and are expected to provide a Pantsir-S1 air defense systems division,” said Viktor Sevostyanov, commander of the 4th air and air defense arm of the Southern Military District.

Sevostyanov noted that the Triumph systems have already provenly their success in defense operations and providing cover for ships departing out to sea.

These Crimean war games are especially notable for several reasons.

Firstly, the neighboring Black Sea states of Bulgaria, Romania, and Turkey are all NATO members, and therefore could be staging points or participants in any NATO assault on Russia. However, Bulgaria and Turkey have a unique, evolving relationship with Russia which partially depends on Russia’s ability to successfully project a strong alternative for security that discourages these states’ further subservience to US-NATO operations in the region.

Secondly, a number of states around the world, such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Iran, Turkey, India, and others have expressed interest in or are already holding negotiations on purchasing S-400 systems from Russia. Russia’s showing off of its S-400’s in action in a potential conflict zone with NATO is an impressionable advertisement.

Thirdly, these Crimean war games are also an umpteenth demonstration that Ukraine and its (domestic and foreign) warmongers have no chance of overcoming Russia’s sophisticated defense of the Crimean peninsula which reunified with the Russian Federation following a popular referendum in 2014.

Almost needless to say, Russia’s Crimea-based military exercises are held in close proximity to US and NATO forces, and numerous experts have cited Crimea’s strategic significance as a major drive behind Russia’s integration and prioritization of the peninsula. With such impressive, multi-faceted drills, Russia is demonstrating that Crimea will not only not be surrendered, but is being trained as a major line of defense in any assault on the Russian World.

This is a major hallmark of Russia’s strategy of combining shows of force with offers of cooperation, such as with the advertisement of S-400’s to states who are weary of clinging to the declining US unipolar project’s military hegemony.

Published on Jun 6, 2018 (1:23 min.)
 
I'm getting the impression, that Babchenko, labeled "the Russian journalist" and the resulting fiasco of a fake death in Kiev was meant to demonize Russia and also act as a cover to conceal the activities of Ukrainian officials and their treatment and arrest of the head of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal - Kirill Vyshinsky?

08.06.2018 - Ukraine Security Service reveals Content of Vyshinsky's Safe Deposit Box
Ukrainian Security Service Reveals Content of Vyshinsky's Safe Deposit Box

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) said in its Thursday press release that it had found in a safety deposit box belonging to the head of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal Kirill Vyshinsky over $200,000, a gun and a contract of employment with Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency.

"During the authorized searches the law enforcement officers found in Vyshinsky's safety deposit box over $200,000, an object resembling FN M1905 pistol, and the direct contract of employment between the defendant in the case and Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency," the SBU press release said.

Commenting on the issue, the press service of Rossiya Segodnya said it was surprising that the SBU had not found a tank in Vyshinsky's safety deposit box during the searches.

Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev suggested, in turn, that the Ukrainian authorities tried to brutalize the image of the RIA Novosti Ukraine news portal head.

They are trying to portray Vyshinsky as a commissioner with a Nagant. Russia definitely does not arm journalists," Kiselev stressed.

On May 15, the SBU broke into the office of RIA Novosti Ukraine in Kiev. Vyshinsky was detained on charges of treason the same day. The SBU also accused him of supporting the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine's southeast. On May 17, a court in the Ukrainian city of Kherson ruled to arrest Vyshinsky for 60 days without bail.

Rossiya Segodnya Director General Dmitry Kiselev urged earlier the Ukrainian authorities to free Vyshinsky immediately and end their persecution of the media. Margarita Simonyan, the editor-in-chief of Rossiya Segodnya news agency and RT broadcaster, has stated that she thought what was happening in Ukraine was Kiev’s "revenge" for the recently opened Crimea Bridge.

The Russian Foreign Ministry classified Kiev's actions against RIA Novosti Ukraine as an "outrage." Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov stated that the actions of the Ukrainian authorities with respect to RIA Novosti Ukraine journalists were unacceptable, while the Russian Embassy has delivered two protest notes to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry urging to stop violence against media workers.

Russian President Vladimir Putin in turn, has stated that Vyshinsky was arrested directly for his professional activity and performance of his journalist functions. The Russian president stressed that Vyshinsky's arrest constituted an unprecedented and absolutely unacceptable policy of the Ukrainian authorities and expressed his hope that it would be adequately reflected in the reaction of the journalistic community and international human rights organizations.


04.06.2018 - Criminal Case Opened in Ukraine after Vyshinsky's Apartment Robbery - Lawyer
Criminal Case Opened in Ukraine After Vyshinsky’s Apartment Robbery – Lawyer

The Ukrainian police have wrapped up the inspection of a robbed apartment of RIA Novosti Ukraine portal head Kirill Vyshinsky, who is under arrest in Ukraine, and launched the criminal case to probe the incident, Vyshinsky's lawyer Andrei Domansky told Sputnik late on Sunday.

Earlier in the day, the lawyer said that Vyshinsky’s apartment in the Ukrainian capital was robbed. The criminal case was included to Ukraine’s register of pre-trial investigations, which is equal to a launch of a criminal case, according to the lawyer.

“The traces and evidence were confiscated, the neighbors were interviewed… the application was filed, the documents were included to the register,” Domansky said.

On May 15, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) broke into the office of RIA Novosti Ukraine in Kiev. Vyshinsky, head of the portal, was detained on suspicion of supporting the self-proclaimed people’s republics of Donetsk (DPR) and Luhansk (LPR), and treason. On May 17, a court in the Ukrainian city of Kherson ruled to arrest Vyshinsky for 60 days without bail.


03.06.2018 - Russia Calls for Immediate Release of RIA Novosti Ukraine Head Vyshinsky
Russia Calls for Immediate Release of RIA Novosti Ukraine Head Vyshinsky

Moscow is urging Kiev to immediately release the head of RIA Novosti Ukraine Kirill Vyshinsky and drop all charges against him, the Department of Information and Press of the Russian MFA said in a statement.

We demand that Vyshinsky be immediately released and that all charges be dropped," the statement read.

Vyshinsky had earlier renounced Ukrainian citizenship. According to the Ukrainian security service, the journalist also has Russian citizenship.

Vyshinsky's lawyer has said that petition on renunciation of citizenship will be submitted to the Ukrainian president’s administration on Monday.

Moscow Urges Proper Int'l Reaction to SBU Attempt to Recruit RIA Novosti Correspondent

The Russian Foreign Ministry has also called on the international community on Sunday to react properly to the attempt of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) to recruit RIA Novosti correspondent Irina Vysokovich.

"We are calling on the international institutions and community to react properly to the situation around I. Vysokovich," the statement read.

Vysokovich, a Ukrainian citizen, who has been covering the trial of RIA Novosti Ukraine news website head Kirill Vyshinsky, said on Saturday that the SBU had tried to recruit her, forcing to sign a document on her readiness to cooperate with the security service and provide information about the employees of the media outlet.

Rossiya Segodnya International Information Agency’s Director General Dmitry Kiselev called the SBU attempt to recruit the RIA Novosti correspondent yet another example of Kiev’s s disrespectful attitude to journalists.
 
09.06.2018 - Putin in Talks with Poroshenko Demanded to Free Arrested Journalists
Putin in Talks With Poroshenko Demanded to Free Arrested Journalists

Russian President Vladimir Putin and his Ukrainian counterpart Petro Poroshenko agreed Saturday that ombudsmen from both countries would visit prisoners in the near future, Poroshenko's press service said.

"It has been agreed that in the near future, the ombudsmen of the two countries will visit detained citizens," the statement read.

According to the Kremlin press release, Vladimir Putin has called for the immediate release of the Russian journalists arrested by Kiev.

"A special attention was paid to the humanitarian issues, including the swap of those detained. Vladimir Putin stressed the need for the immediate release of the Russian journalists arrested in Ukraine," the press release read.

Earlier in the day, the two presidents had a phone conversation.

On May 15, the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) broke into the office of RIA Novosti Ukraine in Kiev. Vyshinsky was detained on charges of treason the same day. The SBU also accused him of supporting the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in Ukraine's southeast.

Two days later, a court in the Ukrainian city of Kherson ruled to arrest Vyshinsky. During the hearings, Vyshinsky asked Russian President Vladimir Putin to do his utmost to secure his speedy release and asked Poroshenko to have his Ukrainian citizenship renounced.

Sputnik International Information Agency Director General Dmitry Kiselev has demanded that the Ukrainian authorities free Vyshinsky immediately and end their persecution of media. The Russian Foreign Ministry classified Kiev's actions against RIA Novosti Ukraine as an "outrage."

The situation with Vyshinsky's detention has also drawn the attention of international organizations. Harlem Desir, the representative on media freedom of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE), has expressed his concern over the SBU's actions and pledged to follow the developments surrounding Vyshinsky's arrest.


Jun 9, 2018 - Desperate Poroshenko Calls Putin as War Stakes Escalate
Desperate Poroshenko Calls Putin as War Stakes Escalate - Fort Russ

Translated by Jafe Arnold

On June 9th, Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko held a telephone negotiation during which, according to the Ukrainian administration’s report, the two leaders discussed the issue of Ukrainians imprisoned in Russia. This is the first direct phone conversation between the two leaders in a long time ever since Poroshenko’s provocative, undiplomatic slander of Putin and Russians froze the Normandy format and bilateral negotiations.

Over the past several years, multiple Ukrainian citizens – who have been identified as officers of Ukraine’s military intelligence (GUR) – have been arrested and imprisoned in Russia for plotting terrorist attacks. Although the imprisonment of these Ukrainian terrorists is high on the Ukrainian domestic political agenda, I believe that the real reason behind Poroshenko’s talk with Putin was something else. Poroshenko’s administration, as always, holds back and only orbi et urbi reveals the agendas of such telephone negotiations.

I suggest that the main topic of the talk was the military and political situation in Donbass and the Azov Sea. We can expect in the near future to see a “leak” in Ukrainian media about this, since, after all, the post-coup Kiev regime has proven itself incapable of keeping high state secrets.

The situations in Donbass and the Azov Sea is not merely alarming, it is fraught with war. To recall, since June 1st Ukraine’s navy has blocked the Azov Sea up to Russia’s borders for “artillery firing exercises.” This Ukrainian military blockade of the Azov sea line coast – which is controlled by the Donetsk People’s Republic – can be seen as part of the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ preparation for an offensive on Donbass, the goal of which, of course, is the complete extermination of the unrecognized republics.

Meanwhile, the Ukrainians continue to shell the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, including with guns prohibited by the Minsk Agreements. For example, DPR fighters have reported that 82 and 120 millimeter mortars have been fired regularly (several times daily). The LPR’s People’s Militia has also reported that the Ukrainian military has consistently pulled up military hardware and equipped its positions in the Slavyanoserbsk region for what is likely to be an attempt at breaking through parts of the contact line. According to soldiers in this sector of the frontline, Ukrainian military vehicles (BMPs and BTRs) and heavy artillery have been camouflaged and brought up to the frontline on a daily basis.

In the UAF’s rear, field hospitals have been set up, which is a clear sign of Ukraine preparing for war. Snipers have also been actively deployed, and it is at their hands that most Donbass military casualties happen. The DPR and LPR militaries have drawn attention to the high professionalism of the enemy snipers as evidence that they are Poles, Americans, and Canadians, not Ukrainians (whose snipers are much less skilled).

In response to ceaseless Ukrainian bombardments, the Donbass republics have declared that they are ready to pull up their own artillery and armored vehicles to the front line. This was stated by the leader of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, himself. However, this has evidently not been followed through with yet.

As for the political “icing on the cake” of a possible Donbass offensive, two of the Ukrainian state’s leaders, President Poroshenko and Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, have claimed that the Minsk Agreements are dead. On June 8th, Poroshenko himself said: “There is no such thing as a Minsk format for negotiations. [Ex-Ukrainian President] Kuchma does not take part in Minsk negotiations. There is only one format: the Normandy one.” It is difficult to interpret these words as meaning other than that Ukraine is officially refusing to adhere to the Minsk Agreements (not a single point of which has Kiev fulfilled).

Avakov’s June 7th statement was even more clear: “The Minsk process had a role to play, but now it is dead.” Avakov has since added that Donbass might be “liberated” over the course of a “police operation” involving 2,000 police forces. Of course, why this has not happened over the past four years of war in Donbass, which has involved all coercive ministries and agencies, was not explained.

I perceive such statements as being mainly for domestic consumption in the run up to the Ukrainian presidential elections. But it cannot be ruled out that Avakov is trying to earn the sympathy of the Americans by playing the role of the cowboy in the saloon. These infinitely unrealistic, but harsh statements of Avakov’s might be forging a reputation for him in the eyes of American hawks.

No less important news has come out of Russia. On June 5-8, Russia’s Southern Military District held war games which were a frank warning to Kiev that any attack on the Donbass republics is inadmissible. On June 7th, during his hotline with Russian citizens, Putin did something hitherto unheard of: the Russian President, who is famous for his caution, unequivocally warned Poroshenko that any attack on the Donbass republics during the World Cup would have “serious consequences for Ukrainian statehood.”

I believe that these words of Putin’s were what forced Poroshenko to initiate telephone communication and try to halt the rushing locomotive of Ukrainian militarism. Knowing Poroshenko’s style and motivation, and being conscious of the vassal relations between Ukraine and the US, I am sure that the Ukrainian pseudo-president does not want war. But he is literally being pushed towards it by much more radical forces and foreign geopolitics.

Amidst all these high stakes, the chances that even relative peace will be preserved are altogether slim.
 
The Hungarian-Ukrainian border has been known for its use by smugglers flying prohibited goods or illegal immigrants into the EU.

10.06.2018 - Mystery Ukrainian Plane on Hungary's Border Prompts Air Force to Scramble Jets
Mystery Ukrainian Plane on Hungary's Border Prompts Air Force to Scramble Jets

The Hungarian Air Force was put on alert late Saturday night after detecting a Ukrainian airplane which illegally entered Hungarian airspace, Hungarian media have reported, citing the country's defense ministry. According to the Hungarian military, the small plane passed into Hungary at about midnight without making any effort to communicate or coordinate with authorities.

The Air Force scrambled a pair of Saab JAS 39 Gripen fighter jets to intercept the intruder, which left the country's airspace after making several maneuvers.

The Hungarian-Ukrainian border is known to have been used to illegally smuggle goods and people into the EU country. In January, a helicopter full of migrants was detained after touching down in Hungary. In February, Hungarian police began rounding up Ukrainians who had illegally acquired Hungarian passports. Hungary's relations with its eastern neighbor deteriorated in 2017 after Kiev introduced an education law prohibiting minorities from studying in their national language beyond the grade school level. The education law scandal has prompted Budapest to undertake efforts to curb Kiev's integration into NATO and the EU.


Jun 11, 2018 - Putin DEMANDS Kiev Stop its War on Journalists
Putin DEMANDS Kiev Stop its War on Journalists - Fort Russ

On June 9th, Russian President Vladimir Putin agreed to a telephone conversation with his Ukrainian counterpart, Petro Poroshenko, in what Fort Russ’ guest analyst has called “Putin’s warning against war.” During the call, Putin stressed the need to immediately release Russian journalists detained in Ukraine, the Kremlin’s press office has since covered.

Vladimir Putin stressed the importance of the immediate release of Russian journalists detained in Ukraine, the Kremlin statement said: “The talks focused on humanitarian issues, including the exchange of detainees.”

As part of a long-running string of repression against journalists in Ukraine, on May 15th, the head of the news agency RIA Novosti Ukraine, Kirill Vyshinsky, was arrested in Kiev. Two days after his arrest, a Ukrainian court in Kherson ordered the journalist to be kept in detention for 60 days. The journalist’s defense made an appeal, but the court eventually rejected it.

Vyshinsky’s arrest has sparked much criticism from Moscow. Vladimir Putin called Vyshinsky’s arrest something unprecedented and Moscow sent a note of protest to Kiev, demanding to cease violence against journalists.

Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said the actions of the Ukrainian authorities with regard to journalists are unacceptable, while the Russian embassy handed two protest notes to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry calling for a cessation of violence against journalists.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe and the Council of Europe also expressed concerns about the arrest of the Russian journalist.

The apartment of the head of the Russian agency RIA Novosti, Kirill Vyshinsky – imprisoned in Ukraine since the middle of last month – has been broken into and police are “working at the scene”, lawyer Andrei Domansky said.

“The apartment was robbed, now the police are registering [the damage],” Domansky said.

On May 15, the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) raided RIA Novosti’s office in Kiev. Vyshinsky, the head of the portal, was arrested on suspicion of treason and supporting the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk (DPR) and Lugansk (LPR).

Security services also searched the homes of Andrei Borodin, head of Ukraine’s RIA Novosti news agency and Lyudmila Lysenko, a Ukraine-based RIA Novosti correspondent.


Jun 10, 2018 - Will peace come to the Donbass? Zakharchenko explains how
Will peace come to the Donbass? Zakharchenko explains how - Fort Russ

There are two developmental versions of the situation that could restore peace in Donbass, says the leader of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk, Aleksandr Zakharchenko.

“Ukraine will be governed by people with whom it is possible to sit down at the negotiating table,” he said in an interview with the Foreign Ministry.

According to the politician, the authorities in Donetsk are counting on Ukraine to surrender the entire territory of the Donetsk region.

“We want to liberate our land, and a referendum on independence was held here in 2014. And all the towns and villages that participated in the referendum – are the territory of the People’s Republic of Donetsk,” he added.

At the same time, in his opinion, it is possible there will be an escalation of the conflict during the World Cup. However, he says that “we are ready for any confrontations in the line of contact.”

Earlier, the other self-proclaimed republic – Lugansk – warned that the conflict in the region is on the brink of “a critical phase”.

Since April 2014, the Ukrainian government has carried out military operations against the self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR, respectively), which declared their independence from Ukraine after the coup in February 2014.

Following the escalation of the crisis in Ukraine, Western countries imposed sanctions against Moscow, accusing Russia of illegally reintegrating the Crimea and intervening in the conflict in Donbass. The Russian side, on the other hand, points out that reunification took place in a legal manner, in accordance with international law, through a referendum.

Meanwhile from the Ukrainian side, the only possible alternative to direct negotiations between Kiev and DPR and LPR – is more blood, death and disgrace, says the deputy of the Supreme Rada (parliament of Ukraine), Vadim Novinsky.

The statement was released by the parliamentarian on his Facebook account in response to the recent statement by the first deputy chairman of the Supreme Rada, Irina Geraschenko, in which she appealed “not to deal with puppets.”

At the same time, Novinsky regrets that in four years of the conflict, Kiev has done nothing to begin negotiations with the unrecognized republics. On the contrary, it made every effort to make the “fratricidal conflict become a prolonged and incurable wound in the body of Ukraine.”

The deputy stressed that the obstinacy of the Ukrainian authorities resulted in numerous deaths, tens of thousands of wounded people and millions of refugees. In addition, Ukraine not only lost its authority in the world, but also handed over sovereignty to its “strategic partners”, he opines. The parliamentarian said he was sure that only direct negotiations with Donetsk and Lugansk could prevent the division of the country.

“I really want Ukraine to preserve its integrity, and peace in the minds and hearts to triumph throughout our land, so there is no alternative to direct negotiations, or rather the alternative is blood, death and doom, something that Ukraine has suffered enough. “
 
ЛНР: спецназ в российской форме прибыл в оккупированный район
12.06.2018 - 15:40


LPR: special forces in Russian uniform arrived in the occupied area
12.06.2018 - 15: 40
The AFU in the zone of the so-called "operation of the United forces" ("OOS") plans to carry out provocations using military uniforms of the Russian model. This was announced today at a briefing in the Luhansk information Center by the official representative of the people's militia of the LPR Lieutenant Colonel Andrei Marochko.

"According to local residents, a group of servicemen of Ukrainian special forces units with Russian-style military uniforms arrived in the locality of Happiness on June 9-10. Also arrived, the group noticed special weaponry," said Marochko.

"In this regard, we expect a possible provocation aimed at accusing the people's militia and Russian soldiers of terrorist attacks and acts of violence against civilians" Luhansk region " — informed the Lieutenant Colonel.

"Ukrainian provocations can serve as a basis for a discrediting information campaign against the LPR and the Russian Federation," he added.

Earlier Marochko reported that the national police LNR does not exclude the possibility of provocations by APU in connection with the work in the area of so-called "environmental protection" of 16 representatives of the Ukrainian information agencies, designed to discredit the leadership of the people's Republic of Donbass.

Source: http://rusvesna.su/news/1528807247
 
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Ukraine earlier blacklisted United Russia and six other Russian political parties.

June 22, 2018 - Russian lawmaker comments on Kiev's new sanctions
Russian lawmaker comments on Kiev's new sanctions

By imposing new sanctions on Moscow, Kiev is trying to retain the West’s support but its decisions are ridiculous and will not affect the United Russia party, Deputy Secretary of the party’s General Council Sergei Zheleznyak told TASS.

"These strange and ridiculous sanctions that the so-called Ukrainian authorities have imposed on United Russia will affect neither our party’s activities nor our position on foreign policy," Zheleznyak, who is also a member of the Russian State Duma (lower house of parliament) Foreign Affairs Committee, said commenting on Ukraine’s expansion of sanctions against Russia. According to him, "these Ukrainian sanctions, which are inadequate from the legal standpoint, are nothing more but a desperate attempt to attract the West’s attention."

The senior lawmaker noted that United Russia was not active in Ukraine and did not have any assets in the country, moreover, it was impossible under the Russian legislation. "So Mr. Poroshenko has once again failed to impress the public by slamming doors," Zheleznyak stressed.

"The Ukrainian authorities have tried all the possible ways to attract the attention of their western sponsors but those seem to have grown tired of Kiev’s unpredictability, bloodlust and larceny," the lawmaker said. In his view, Kiev "is desperately trying to retain the West’s support by taking steps against Russia and intimidating the Europeans by citing the non-existent Russian threat, Russia’s alleged attempts to undermine Europe’s unity in regard to the Nord Stream 2 project and a threat that the EU is allegedly facing because of its cooperation with Russia."

Zheleznyak expressed regret that "in the past several years, Kiev has been unable to understand that by blacklisting Russian citizens and organizations, it will not make the country change its foreign policy." "We will continue insisting that Kiev put an end to its aggression against Donbass and implement the Minsk Agreements. We will also continue to provide humanitarian aid to people who are facing predicaments because of the Ukrainian authorities’ actions," he concluded.

Sanctions on Russian parties

Ukraine earlier blacklisted United Russia and six other Russian political parties, including the Liberal Democratic Party of Russia (LDPR), Rodina (or Motherland), the Democratic Party of Russia, the Agrarian Party of Russia, the Communist Party of the Russian Federation and the Patriots of Russia. Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko signed the expanded blacklist on Thursday.

Kiev said that those parties’ assets in Ukraine would be frozen and capital flight would be banned. Their licenses and other permissions on importing and exporting currency assets have been revoked and restrictions have been put on cash withdrawals using credit cards.


June 21, 2018 - Putin expresses concern to Poroshenko over casualties of bombardments in Donbass
Putin expresses concern to Poroshenko over casualties of bombardments in Donbass

The two leaders exchanged opinion over the implementation of Russia’s initiative for establishing a special UN mission in Ukraine.

In a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Pyotr Poroshenko Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed concern over growing civilian casualties of Ukrainian bombardments in Donbass, the Kremlin’s press-service said on Thursday.

"Putin expressed concern over worsening tensions in Donbass and growing civilian casualties as a result of more frequent bombardments by the Ukrainian military," the statement runs.

The two leaders exchanged opinion over the implementation of Russia’s initiative for establishing a special UN mission for the protection of the OSCE monitors in Ukraine.

"The theme was touched upon of exchanging persons held captive and visits by human rights commissioners from both countries to Russian citizens in custody in Ukraine and Ukrainian citizens in custody in Russia," the Kremlin added.


Back-dated May 19, 2018 - MAJOR: NATO Troops Killed in Donbass, War Provocations Suspected
MAJOR: NATO Troops Killed in Donbass, War Provocations Suspected - Fort Russ

Translated by Jafe Arnold

Over the past two days, a number of important developments have taken place in Donbass and Ukraine.

Firstly, on May 17th, a group of NATO troops from the US and Canada stepped into a minefield near Avdeevka, a move which ended in explosions and, according to DPR reports, deaths and woundings. This news was published by Russia’s leading news agencies, which is in itself an important development, since earlier such resources had been very cautious in speaking of NATO involvement in the war in Donbass. Most significantly of all, Rossiiskaiia Gazeta, the official organ of the Government of the Russian Federation, shared the news.

To briefly recap, Avdeekva is a small satellite town of Donetsk. Since the very beginning of the conflict, the town has been occupied by the Ukrainian Armed Forces. Avdeekva is known as an industrial giant, whose coke-chemical plant has worked throughout all four years of the war and been a major source of contention between oligarchs. The overwhelming majority of Avdeevka’s residents support the DPR, and one of Donetsk’s lines of defense runs right in front of the city. It is in this very city that Ukrainian troops and OSCE observers have been spotted collaborating during military operations.

Allow me to draw the reader’s attention to the fact that the DPR’s military intelligence reported at least two days before the minefield incident that the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ command is preparing a provocation involving NATO troops. It seems that they were deliberately sent into the minefield to blame Western troop deaths on DPR military sabotage. Such information was shared with journalists on May 15th by the speaker of the Donetsk People’s Republic’s army, Eduard Basurin.

But this story has another side. NATO troops, who are officially not supposed to be in Donbass, are undeniably, directly involved in the armed conflict. The US and EU’s constant accusations that Moscow is militarily and technologically aiding the Donbass Republics can now be rebutted by Russia’s foreign ministry. Moscow could now present evidence that the US and NATO are directly participating in the war.

The next piece of news is that also near Avdeevka, on May 17th, the commander of the DPR’s Pyatnashka international brigade, Oleg Mamiev, was killed. The backbone of Pyatnashka was made up of 15 fighters from Abkhazia, and the name “Interbrigada” was meant as a direct allusion to the international volunteer brigades from the Spanish Civil War. The unit was subsequently joined by many volunteers from North and South Ossetia, like Mamiev himself, who proved to be one of the most famous and authoritative Donbass commanders, a person who is spoken of with only the utmost respect. Mamiev was killed in the trenches alongside his soldiers.

In addition to these incidents, a number of events have taken place which would be difficult to fit into one article, but their significance can be expressed with one short word: war.

Ukraine is continuing to accumulate manpower and military vehicles and bring ammunitions up to the frontline. Kiev has essentially discarded its pretending to comply with the Minsk Agreements, and Avdeevka, Gorlovka, and the Svetlodarsk arch (near Debaltsevo) have been particularly “hot” as of late. Overall, things have been “hotter” in the DPR than in the LPR. Hence the differing assessments of the prospects of war from the two republics which I have shared in a number of articles for Fort Russ News.

Some of my friends in Donbass believe that the Americans and, as follows, the Ukrainians expect to play a long-term game. In other words, they want to wage a war of attrition. There is merit to this theory, but I nonetheless do not believe that the Ukrainians are capable of maintaining the status-quo for any significant period of time. Their resources and especially their patience are severely limited. Therefore, there are evermore grounds to believe that the war in Donbass will “wake up” again sooner or later.


Jun 21, 2018 - NATO has no chance to take Crimea, warns Russian Defense Minister
NATO has no chance to take Crimea, warns Russian Defense Minister - Fort Russ

MOSCOW – The Russian troops in the Crimea will give “no chance” to opponents who dare to attack the peninsula, Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said on Wednesday.

“A unique interdisciplinary group has been created and strengthened on the peninsula. Its modern state-of-the-art weapons systems do not give a chance to a potential adversary who dares to invade what is intrinsically Russian territory,” he said.

According to him, for Russia this peninsula “always played a role of special importance”. The minister also stressed that, over two and a half centuries, events in the Crimea have been vital to the country’s fate.
“The glorious victories of the Black Sea Fleet have made international history and became our pride,” he added.

According to him, today the Crimea “continues to play a critical role in protecting the country.”

The defense minister also drew attention to NATO’s activation south-west of Russia’s borders.

According to Shoigu, NATO’s actions require a symmetrical response from Russia to neutralize the challenges to national security.

“Since the beginning of the year, 13 large-scale maneuvers involving more than 40,000 military personnel and 2,000 units of military equipment have been organized by the Alliance in the strategic south-western region of Russia,” said the minister.

As a reciprocal measure, the minister proposed to “combine strategic containment actions by increasing combat capabilities of the Southern Military District of Russia.”

Although NATO has tried to indirectly attack Russia in Ukraine, South Ossetia and Syria, Moscow has resisted all these events successfully. This has seen the liberation of Crimea, the self-declared independence of Lugansk and Donetsk, the preservation of South Ossetia’s sovereignty and the successful resistance of Syria against NATO-backed jihadist forces. Russia has played a pivotal role on all these fronts, effectively frustrating the US-led NATO alliance as it has not been able to achieve its power projections and weaken the Eurasian giant.


Jun 21, 2018 - Donbass Drama: Poroshenko and OSCE “Wake Up” after Putin Warns of WAR
Donbass Drama: Poroshenko and OSCE "Wake Up" after Putin Warns of WAR - Fort Russ

Translated by Jafe Arnold

Yesterday, June 20th, in Rostov-on-Don I met with my colleagues from Stakhanov (Lugansk People’s Republic). The latter city is on the very front line in Donbass, literally within several kilometers of the Ukrainian army’s positions. According to my colleagues, the situation in the area remains tense. The Ukrainian Armed Forces shell the LPR’s People’s Militia and civilians’ homes on a daily basis, usually with mortars.

Yet there is one particular recent trend worth highlighting, and that is that OSCE Special Monitoring Mission observers have begun to more frequently record the Ukrainian side’s violations and call on Kiev to comply with the ceasefire. It is as if the “sleeping” OSCE observers, as Donbass people call them, have suddenly woken up.

However, this OSCE behavior has not found reflection in Ukrainian troops’ behavior, as the attacks have not ceased. Periodically over the past few weeks the intensity of Ukrainian attacks has reached critical points, even resembling the fire density of the hottest summer months of 2014. Even if their frequency is somewhat down, their intensity is up.

My friends from the LPR are of the opinion that full-scale war will not break out in Donbass in the near future, by which they mean the coming weeks. Of course, there is always the 1% uncertainty that the incompetent Ukrainian leadership will give the order for an offensive or be forced by foreign “friends”, such as the Washington hawks, to rush into battle. Nevertheless, war remains unlikely.

Meanwhile, information resources in the Donbass republics continue to claim the arrival of new Ukrainian troops and vehicles to the front line, which official Russian “propaganda” delicately calls the “contact line.”

Insider information on Ukrainian army plans has also appeared in the press. On June 19th, a Ukrainian journalist with accreditation and contact with the headquarters of Ukraine’s United Forces Operation in Kramatorsk (Donetsk region), got in touch with the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic and leaked information on UAF military facilities and operations. According to reports of this Ukrainian journalist’s leak, the UAF is in fact planning an offensive on both republics soon. The journalist passed along his knowledge of the Ukrainians’ attack plans. According to this source, the plan is to cut between the DPR and LPR’s lines of defense.

A number of observers in the military circles of the DPR have already expressed doubts as to this source’s credibility. Indeed, there are more than a few grounds to believe that we are dealing with disinformation by Ukraine.

However, Donbass and Russian media have reported the deployment of Ukrainian tanks and various artillery systems closer to the frontline. What’s more, the Operation United Forces headquarters has set up ammunition points close to the frontline. One such temporary ammunition depot was established near Konstantinovka and was subsequently blown up – it is unclear whether this was done by DPR artillery or the Ukrainians themselves in order to eliminate the traces of potential ammunition theft, which is a ubiquitous problem in Ukraine. The deployment of military field hospitals near the frontline and the distribution of a large number of night vision devices to UAF forces have also been reportedly sighted.

Again, it must be admitted that many observers have suggested that the Ukrainian army is not ready for any large-scale offensive operations. First and foremost, they are stuck with bad weapons and Kiev is in no position to arm its troops with modern weaponry in the required volumes, as the Ukrainian defense industry has continued to disappoint. Even the much-vaunted Ukrainian Oplot T-84 tank turned out to be a wreck. To recall, at the recent NATO tank biathlon in Germany (which was set up because US and NATO countries are afraid of competing in the original tank biathlons held by Russia), Ukrainian tankists came in 8th place.

Another argument against war being imminent is that the Ukrainian army would need huge amounts of ammunition, spare parts for military equipment and vehicles, rations, etc., which would also demand huge transportation and logistics operations. Ukrainian railways would be literally filled with columns of military supplies, which we have not seen.

According to military analysts, as things stand Ukraine has the capacity to wage a full-scale war for a maximum of two to three days. But Kiev must remember how Hitler’s invasion of the USSR ended when the Wehrmacht bet on a blitzkrieg and was not ready for war in Russian winter. It cannot be forgotten that many of Ukraine’s United Forces’ Operation’s officers learned from Soviet textbooks, graduated from Soviet military academies, and the head of Kiev’s operation in Donbass, Sergey Naev, even served in the Russian Army in the 1990’s. It is therefore unlikely that Ukraine’s military will opt to repeat the adventure of 1941.

In numerous articles and interviews for Russian media, I have repeated my argument that there will be no war in the near future. Why? Because Russia’s recent demonstrative war games successfully frightened the Ukrainians. The war games held in Russia’s Southern Military District, especially areas bordering the DPR, LPR, Ukraine, and in Crimea, together with Vladimir Putin’s hotline warnings on June 7th, have demonstrated to the Ukrainians that Russia is not joking around. If the Ukrainian army risks it all and goes on an offensive during the World Cup, it will be destroyed swiftly. Then Kiev will be next in line for liberation from the Nazi plague.

Today we also learned of Vladimir Putin and Petro Poroshenko’s latest phone negotiation, the official goal of which – if we believe the Ukrainian “president’s” press service – was, like the last call, discussing the fate of Ukrainian “political prisoners”, by which is meant Ukrainian terrorists arrested for preparing explosions at public events in Crimea.

It is difficult to say whether this stated goal was really the content of the negotiations. What is clear is that Poroshenko has received a warning from Vladimir Putin that Russia will defend Donbass from any Ukrainian invasion. Now Poroshenko is faced with fending off the attacks of the radical Nazi street movements in Ukraine who want war, and playing the part of a tough leader capable of communicating harshly and uncompromisingly with Putin. In reality, Poroshenko is more likely to call Putin to beg for guarantees as to his wealth and safety in the case of any war between Russia and Ukraine than he is to put up any courageous fight for Ukrainian terrorists.
 
США увеличивают поставки оружия Украине и Грузии
26.06.2018 - 19:27

Translation
US increases arms supplies to Ukraine and Georgia

26.06.2018 - 19:27
The United States is increasing arms supplies to Ukraine and Georgia, said assistant Secretary of state for Europe and Eurasia Wess Mitchell.

"We provide military assistance to Ukraine and Georgia, which Russia has recently threatened to use military force. We are increasing the supply of military means necessary for self — defense," Mitchell said at a hearing in the Senate.

According to the assistant Secretary of state, the US is helping both States "to improve their defensive capabilities."

США увеличивают поставки оружия Украине и Грузии
 
Rights Groups Demand Israel Stop Arming neo-Nazis in Ukraine

A group of more than 40 human rights activists have filed a petition with the High Court of Justice, demanding the cessation of Israeli arms exports to Ukraine.

They argue that these weapons serve forces that openly espouse a neo-Nazi ideology and cite evidence that the right-wing Azov militia, whose members are part of Ukraine’s armed forces, and are supported by the country’s ministry of internal affairs, is using these weapons.

Quote from Haaretz Israel-News

1.6248760.3204362304.png


An Azov militiaman with a Tavor rifle
(Azov YouTube channel screenshot)
 
Rights Groups Demand Israel Stop Arming neo-Nazis in Ukraine

A group of more than 40 human rights activists have filed a petition with the High Court of Justice, demanding the cessation of Israeli arms exports to Ukraine.

They argue that these weapons serve forces that openly espouse a neo-Nazi ideology and cite evidence that the right-wing Azov militia, whose members are part of Ukraine’s armed forces, and are supported by the country’s ministry of internal affairs, is using these weapons.

Quote from Haaretz Israel-News

1.6248760.3204362304.png


An Azov militiaman with a Tavor rifle (Azov YouTube channel screenshot)

Ukraine Attacks Journalists Who Reported Israeli Weapons Flow to Its Neo-Nazi Militia
 
CHAOS UKRAINE 18+: VIDEO of SBU and Neo-Nazis in major shoot-out - Fort Russ
Jul 26, 2018
Eurasia Headline News
CHAOS UKRAINE 18+: VIDEO of SBU and Neo-Nazis in major shoot-out
Circulating the web is a video, linked below (disregard the notice, click on the image to see the video) of a bloody showdown between neo-Nazi militants and the SBU special forces. It occurred during an attempt to disarm the next neo-Nazi formation at their base.

The record shows how the special forces unit of the SBU, under the cover of armored personnel carriers, approaches the wall of the Nazi building, covered by a camouflage net, it shows flags – Right Sector and Ukrainian bi-color. From the roof, a machine gunner aims at counterintelligence.

Then shots are heard, shouting which is addressed to “Bandera”, and in the next frames the SBU tries to find out from the seized “right-wing” who exactly shot. He declares that this is not him. It can be seen that the Nazi was beaten off-screen – his face in the blood, then continued to be beaten during the shooting.

The story of this clash could be related to the case that occurred on July 15, when the SBU special group went on assignment to disarm the Right Sector unit, but on the way the servicemen of the 23rd battalion of the 56th separate motorized infantry brigade were blown up on a controlled land mine.

This incident, which, in all likelihood, was not attributed to the army of the Donbass Republic or the LPR, provoked sharp bitterness in the confrontation between the military and neo-Nazis.

The exact time and place of the shooting is unknown. Background frames make it possible to say with confidence that they were filmed in the summer.
 
Как и год и два года назад многие ждали этого дня с серьезными опасениями по поводу возможных осложнений, которые, учитывая массовость мероприятия и настойчивое стремление властей максимально усложнить подготовку и проведение шествия, могли привести к жертвам. К счастью все прошло без серьезных происшествий.

В Крестном ходе в Киеве приняли участие не менее 200 тыс. верующих
В Крестном ходе в Киеве приняли участие не менее 200 тыс. верующих

Вот несколько эпизодов, иллюстрирующих действия украинских властей в связи с этим событием.

Ночной досмотр: СБУ задержали пять автобусов с паломниками в Киев (ВИДЕО)
27.07.2018 - 13:22
http://rusvesna.su/news/1532685067

Боятся угроз: украинские перевозчики отказывают верующим в поездке на Крестный ход в Киев (ВИДЕО)
27.07.2018 - 8:40
Боятся угроз: украинские перевозчики отказывают верующим в поездке на Крестный ход в Киев (ВИДЕО)

Это Украина: в Киеве заработают фильтрационные пункты на время мероприятий по случаю Крещения Руси
27.07.2018 - 12:41
Это Украина: в Киеве заработают фильтрационные пункты на время мероприятий по случаю Крещения Руси


В Киеве заминировали «Интер», транслирующий празднование Крещения Руси (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)
27.07.2018 - 12:11
В Киеве заминировали «Интер», транслирующий празднование Крещения Руси (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)

Translation
Like a year and two years ago, many people waited for this day with serious concerns about possible complications, which, given the mass nature of the event and the insistence of the authorities to complicate the preparation and conduct of the procession, could lead to victims. Fortunately all passed without serious accidents.

At least 200 thousand believers took part in the Procession in Kiev
KYIV, July 27. /TASS./ At least 200 thousand believers took part in The procession in Kiev on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia. Such data was published on Friday by the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (UOC), the organizer of the procession.
"At least 200 thousand laymen took part in the Religious procession," Metropolitan Anthony, the head of the UOC Affairs, told reporters, Recalling that last year about 100 thousand people were recorded.
The procession was held in a calm and joyful atmosphere. There were no incidents, except for the detention of one of the representatives of the radical organization "Brotherhood" (banned in Russia) near the government house, which began to shout anti-Russian slogans. The police immediately "invited" him to his bus.
Believers passed a procession from the Vladimir hill to the Kiev-Pechersk Lavra. This distance is 3.2 km from Participation, in addition to the clergy of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, was attended by representatives of all the local churches of world Orthodoxy, statesmen, ambassadors of Orthodox countries.
http://tass.ru/obschestvo/5409293

Here are a few episodes illustrating the actions of the Ukrainian authorities in connection with this event.

Night inspection: SBU detained five buses with pilgrims to Kiev (VIDEO)
27.07.2018 - 13: 22
On the night of 26 to 27 July, the SBU blocked the passage of five buses with the faithful of the Zaporizhzhya diocese of the UOC, who went to Kiev.
This is reported by the Information and education Department of the UOC with reference to witnesses.
Priest Alexander Mikitenko, a cleric of the diocese of Zaporozhye, Kamenka-Dnieper deanery s. blahovischenka, said that during a stop they were approached by four cars of a representation class.
"About ten employees of the SBU came out of the cars. They said that they had received a report about the mining of our buses.
These people in a rough form demanded from the priest of our column that they submitted to them, all left buses and gave the chance to them to examine to bomb experts who allegedly have to drive up", — he told.
The priest noted that for more than an hour and a half to them so anybody also didn't arrive.
"The staff of SBU made a half of the Protocol, interrogating me and when started shooting on a video camera, somewhere departed. Now stand away from us, for fear of the camera phone. And we stand on the roadside and wait for further instructions from the SBU", — he said.
After the representative of SBU finished drawing up the Protocol, and believers wrote the counter Protocol, they continued the way to the capital.
Source: http://rusvesna.su/news/1532685067

Afraid of danger: Ukrainian carriers deny a believer in the drive to a Procession to Kiev (VIDEO)
27.07.2018 - 8: 40
The owners of vehicles are forced to deny the faithful of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church, fearing threats from the authorities and radical nationalists. This is reported by the Information and education Department of the UOC. So, in the Nizhyn eparchy the representatives of "Freedom" was threaten to the local carriers that will burn their buses, if they moved believers of the UOC on a religious Procession in Kiev on July 27. Chernivtsi reported that at the moment the pilgrims can not find any company that would agree to take them to Kiev, as all owners of vehicles warned that they will take away the license, if they are taken to the capital of pilgrims. Carriers note that the instruction to block the trip comes from the transport administration located in Kiev. It is also known that similar problems were faced in Rivne, Odessa and a number of other dioceses of the UOC. "Recently, there have been difficulties with the organization in the mass transportation of believers. We have a thousand people who are ready to go there. We began to apply to transport organizations, but in one, second, third we were denied", — said the press Secretary of the Odessa diocese Sergei Lebedev. As reported by the Information and educational Department of the UOC, officials are massively blocking the participation in The procession of believers of the UOC, prevent to get To the procession to the capital from Zhytomyr, Zaporizhzhya and other regions.
Боятся угроз: украинские перевозчики отказывают верующим в поездке на Крестный ход в Киев (ВИДЕО)

This is Ukraine: in Kiev will earn filtration points during the events on the occasion of the Baptism of Russia
27.07.2018 - 12:41
First Deputy Minister of the interior Ministry of Ukraine Sergey Yarovoy said that during the events on the occasion of the 1030th anniversary of the baptism of Kievan Rus in Kiev will start filtering points.
The Maidan authorities are again trying to present the procession as a kind of terrorist threat and emphasize that "cynologists, bomb experts, police dialogue, TOR AND traffic police" will carry an enhanced service "for the safety of citizens."
And the head of the Main Department of National police in Kiev Andrey Krishchenko reminded that participants of the action can use the symbolics forbidden in Ukraine.
"Such people should be taken out of the crowd at once," he stressed.
The police will also be reinforced on the railway.
The head of the Ukrainian civil service on emergency situations Nikolai Chechetkin said that during the events in the capital will be involved 22 units of equipment and 120 personnel, and will be on duty reserves of 10 units of equipment and 50 rescuers. Columns with believers will be accompanied by foot patrols of specialists of gschs.
Source: http://rusvesna.su/news/1532684477

In Kiev mined "inter", which broadcasting the celebration of the Baptism of Russia (PHOTO, VIDEO)
27.07.2018 - 12: 11
The work of the Ukrainian TV channel "inter", which broadcasts the celebration of the 1030th anniversary of the Baptism of Russia, this morning tried to disrupt the message of mining. In any case, so says the police, who arrived in the morning to the building of the channel and cordoned off him. According to law enforcement officers, the call came to the remote on duty at 6: 05 in Kiev. The morning shift of the TV crew couldn't get to the jobs. Well, the bombs in the building, expected, was not. In any case, the police and explosives could not find it. At the same time, the building is still cordoned off, emergency teams are on duty on the site. Note that from 07: 00 live TV channel is broadcast under the name "Marathon to the day of the Baptism of Russia "Our faith".
В Киеве заминировали «Интер», транслирующий празднование Крещения Руси (ФОТО, ВИДЕО)
 
There was:
https://www.fort-russ.com/2018/08/economic-suicide-ukraine-to-shut-down-last-profitable-railway-with-russia/ said:
[...]
The closing of the Kiev-Moscow line would be a massive blow to the disintegrating Ukrainian economy, and this daunting announcement comes just on the heels of Kiev leader Poroshenko’s declaration that Ukraine will sue Russia for the “damages” of the war in Donbass, which Kiev initiated against the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics in spring 2014. Both the railway closure and the “Donbass lawsuit” can be seen as highly problematic political moves – not to mention suicidal economic gambles – aimed at satisfying the Kiev regime’s increasingly powerful yet growingly discontent radical “nationalist” base, and presenting fait accomplis to bolster Kiev’s faltering negotiation positions with its “European partners” and Moscow.

Indeed, this news is part of a long chain of incidents in which Ukraine has committed what experts have called “economic suicide” for the sake of “spiting” or “asserting independence from” Russia, which still remains Ukraine’s single biggest economic partner nearly five years after the US-NATO backed Maidan coup d’etat in Kiev brought a radical Russophobic regime to power. Ukraine has habitually tried to compensate for its unsustainable policies towards Russia with aid from European Union, United States, and IMF.

However, as leading experts on Ukraine such as Eduard Popov and Rostislav Ishchenko have argued, these countries and organizations are increasingly disinterested in keeping the failed Ukrainian state afloat, especially as the EU and US have to deal with their own crises.

If Ukraine goes through with severing its last railways with Russia, this will likely lead to heightened discontent with the Kiev regime among both ordinary Ukrainians and Kiev’s foreign patrons.
Heightened discontent and chaos might still be of use to some parties, even among discontented "foreign patrons".
Another find, a youtube, relates to speculations in 2014 about Ukraine becoming a New Khazaria is a video about a Ukrainian city Uman, (Умань), where people from Israel have begun to move to, since the tomb of rabbi Nachman is located there.
Uman: the Jews return | #INUKRAINE
 
It has been four years to the day since Sputnik photojournalist Andrei Stenin was killed while covering the bloody events of the conflict in Donbass.

06.08.2018 - Fallen in the Line of Duty: Sputnik Photojournalist Andrei Stenin Remembered
Fallen in the Line of Duty: Sputnik Photojournalist Andrei Stenin Remembered

In early August 2014, there were fierce firefights going on between the militia of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic and Kiev’s forces and affiliated nationalist battalions.

The events developed very rapidly that summer, with some territories trading hands several times a day.

In early August, Sputnik photo correspondent Andrei Stenin was in Donetsk and planned a trip to the town of Snezhnoye, where fighting was in full swing, with Kiev forces using artillery, tanks and rocket launcher systems against pro-independence militia.

"We saw Andrei the day he left; he said he was going to Snezhnoye. What he wanted to photograph there I do not know. He didn’t say much about his plans. I remember the car he got in, it was a blue Renault Logan… He got in and they left,” one of Stenin’s colleagues, Alexander, said.

He Often Disappeared, But Always Came Back

After some time, Stenin stopped communicating and the events unfolding near Snezhnoye inspired little optimism. The news that contact with one of the photojournalists had been lost quickly spread among journalists working in Donbass.

He didn’t know everybody – the specifics of a photojournalist's work are somewhat different from what writers and filmmakers normally do. Those who knew Andrei still tried not to panic.

“He often disappeared, but always came back. Anything could happen: he could have no way to move out or have found an interesting topic that he has to put on film. The battery in his phone is dead and there is no way to recharge,” were thoughts that Stenin’s colleagues had, seeking to calm themselves.

Meanwhile, some people started saying that Stenin could have been taken prisoner by Ukrainian forces – such things often happened.

International media started running “Free Andrew” photos and corresponding hashtags flooded social networks.

Stenin’s name could be heard in high places and mentioned by websites worldwide. International officials joined their Russian colleagues’ calls for Stenin’s release, but there was no word about Andrei’s whereabouts.

Terrible news

August 6, 2014 is the officially recognized date of Andrei Stenin's death. However, four years ago, people still hoped that he would return.

It wasn’t until August 20 that the terrible news finally arrived about a burned-out car, just like the one Andrei took when he left Donetsk, found in the vicinity of the town of Snezhnoye. Journalists found about 20 burned-out cars lying on the roadside.

"Some of them were crushed by a tank, some of them had human remains inside, we saw a GAZelle minibus torn apart, burning,” Alexander recalled.

Not far from it there was another car, riddled with bullets, with the bodies of three people still inside.

"We approached the Logan and saw the remains of three people inside and what was left of the lenses in the trunk. Andrei's shirt and a disposable syringe with anti-shock lay near Andrei's car. The car had been searched, along with those who were inside, and then burned,” Alexander continued.

Judging by available details, the journalists were able to recreate a picture of what had happened. The journalists had left Snezhnoye for Dimitrovka; they returned in the evening, taking a different route and came under small-arms fire.

The driver was apparently looking for cover away from the line of fire. The car swerved right, drove into a ditch and for some time was moving parallel to the road. However, no matter how much he tried, the journalists had no chances of survival when their unarmored car came under fire.

Four Years Later

Four years later, few traces of what once happened here still remain. Craters from explosions, once dotting the area, are hardly visible now and, trees have grown taller.

The earth mound to the east of the wooden cross which once served as a rampart, has become overgrown with grass and the walls of trenches and dugouts have begun to crumble.

Where the burned-out car once stood, there is a cross with bearing the names of the fallen journalists.

A local school now bears the name of Andrei Stenin, who was the fourth journalist to die in Donbass in 2014. Since then, much has changed when it comes to ensuring the security of media representatives and the general situation in the region.

Chances of being ambushed by Kiev forces are slim, a clear line of disengagement has appeared and dangerous areas are well- known.

Still, despite all the efforts to protect journalists, even now unarmed people wearing vests with the inscription "Press” are dying while performing their duties as journalists.


06.08.2018 - Russia Slams Kiev's Reluctance to Provide Info on Stenin's Murder in Ukraine
Russia Slams Kiev's Reluctance to Provide Info on Stenin's Murder in Ukraine

For years Kiev has been reluctant to provide information about Ukrainian servicemen responsible for the August 2014 murder of Russian photojournalist Andrei Stenin in the east of the country, the Russian Investigative Committee's spokeswoman told Sputnik.

"It is obvious that the Ukrainian side has detailed information about this incident. However, all the requests for legal assistance submitted by the Investigative Committee to the relevant Ukrainian authorities asking for information about the servicemen who may be involved in this crime have been met only by formal replies. Russia is also not aware of the results of Ukraine's investigation into the murders of journalists," Olga Petrenko said.

Stenin was killed while on assignment in the Donetsk region of eastern Ukraine on August 6, 2014, after his car was shot at and burned on a highway.


06.08.2018 - Memorial Service for Slain Rossiya Segodnya Journalist Stenin Held in Donbass
Memorial Service for Slain Rossiya Segodnya Journalist Stenin Held in Donbass

A memorial service dedicated to the fourth anniversary of the murder of Rossiya Segodnya Information Agency photojournalist Andrei Stenin is being held on Monday near the town of Snizhne in the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic at the site of the reporter's death, a Sputnik correspondent reported.

The event is being attended by the head of Snizhne's administration and head of the Donetsk Republic public movement's executive committee. The town's residents and militiamen who have participated in the hostilities in the area are also attending the ceremony.

There are about 50 people near the cross that was placed where Stenin died. At the end of the service, flowers will be laid near the cross.


06.08.2018 - Stenin Contest Names Best Young Photographers in 2018
Stenin Contest Names Best Young Photographers in 2018

Rossiya Segodnya Media Group has announced the winners and runners-up of the 2018 Andrei Stenin International Photo Contest.

First prize in the Top News category went to Justin Sullivan (South Africa) for his image Stand Off, in which a police officer points his gun at 3 occupants hiding under a table, and Luis Tato (Spain) for his photo series Kenya's Post-Election Turnmoil.

In the category My Planet, first place was awarded to Sergei Gapon from Belarus for his image Cranberry Heart of a shot from a drone, while the winning photo series was Alyona Kochetkova's How I Fell Ill, in which she chronicles her dramatic struggle against cancer.

In the Sports category, the winners were Taisir Mahdi from Iraq for his photograph The Desire for Life, picturing a young amputee playing football, and Andrea Alai from Italy for his photo series Ultras about the tifosi (fans) of Albenga Calcio from a small town in Liguria.

In the category Portrait. A Hero of Our Time, Israel's Oded Wagenstein took first place in singles with his image Rosebud showing a child from a Nenets tribe, while Iran's Shiva Khademi won with her series Gemini.

"Every year the contest expands its geography and has more and more applicants. In 2018, we received almost 6,000 images from 77 countries around the world, setting a new record. Young photo journalists have a very acute sense of what matters the most, and what is going on in the lives of people, countries, and the world in general. There were never as many images on social issues as this year. It is also pleasing to note the improving quality of submissions, as well as the fact that the contest has become so prominent within the community of photo journalists," Director of Rossiya Segodnya's Photo Service Alexander Shtol said.

The contest counts among its partners the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), one of the world's largest humanitarian organizations, as well as the Shanghai United Media Group and Al-Mayadeen pan-Arabic TV network.

Two Iranian photographers have received special prizes in the Humanitarian Photograph category established by the ICRC. Omid Vahabzadeh won the prize for his image Tehran Attack in which a two-year-old boy is being lifted into the Iranian parliament building after the June 2017 terrorist attack in Tehran. Younes Khani Someeh Soflaei won the prize for his series …And Life Rises about the everyday life of people affected by last year's earthquake in Kermanshah Province that killed almost 600 people and destroyed more than 30,000 buildings.

"Photography enables us to see and feel the diversity of the world in all its beauty, complexity and tragedy. In the contest submissions, we see the challenges today's world is facing, as well as its beauty. Most importantly, people are at the center of almost all images, showing their destinies, how they overcome challenges, and how they try to change life for the better. This year we awarded the ICRC special prize for photographs that tell stories of courage, patience and self-sacrifice," Head of ICRC's Regional Delegation in Russia, Belarus and Moldova Magne Barth said.

The special prize awarded by the Shanghai United Media Group and Al-Mayadeen TV went to Taisir Mahdi for his photograph The Desire For Life, which also won in the Sports category.

"Rossiya Segodnya is a strategic partner of Shanghai United Media Group, the parties advance comprehensive cooperation in practice. SUMG has partnered with the Andrei Stenin Press Photo Contest, organized by Rossiya Segodnya, for the third time and established a special prize. The media groups will also jointly organize an exhibition in Shanghai for the winners of the photo contest. In four years, the Andrei Stenin Press Photo Contest has become a platform where new names in photojournalism are discovered and criteria of press photography are formulated. SUMG is happy to contribute to the professional development and success of young photojournalists," President of the Shanghai United Media Group (SUMG) Qiu Xin, said.

"Al-Mayadeen TV considers it to be its duty to pay tribute to the memory of photojournalists who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty while capturing reality as it is. The Arabic TV channel supports the Andrei Stenin Press Photo Contest because of the sincerity and high professional level with which it carries out its mission of protecting human rights of the oppressed and always shows solidarity with a person," the Head of the board of directors of Al-Mayadeen TV Ghassan bin Jiddo, said.

The full list of contest winners and runners-up is available at stenincontest.com. The awards ceremony and exhibition of the winning works will take place on November 8, when the 2018 Grand Prix winner will also be announced.

About the contest:

The Andrei Stenin International Press Photo Contest was launched by Rossiya Segodnya under the aegis of the Russian Commission for UNESCO. Its main goal is to support young photographers and draw public attention to the challenges of modern photojournalism. This contest is a platform for young photographers; talented, empathetic and open-minded, they draw our attention to people and events around us.

In 2018, the contest jury included representatives from the world's leading news agencies: AFP (France), Anadolu Ajansi (Turkey), Notimex (Mexico), as well as world-class photographers and editors. The jury was chaired by Ahmet Sel, the Visual News Editor in Chief for the Anadolu Agency (Turkey).
 
Ukraine has suffered a great loss and a highly dedicated individual - for it's people! Rest in Peace Alexander Zakharchenko.

A blast occurred earlier on Friday in a restaurant several hundred meters from the residence of DPR President Alexander Zakharchenko, killing one and injuring three more.

31.08.2018 - Donetsk People's Republic Head Zakharchenko Killed in Bomb Blast
Donetsk People's Republic Head Zakharchenko Killed in Bomb Blast

A blast occurred earlier on Friday in a restaurant several hundred meters from the residence of DPR President Alexander Zakharchenko, killing one and injuring three more.

A lawmaker of the People's Council of the DPR confirmed reports about the death of DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko in a bomb explosion in downtown Donetsk on Friday.

"The DPR leader died in the explosion at Separ cafe," Vladislav Berdichevsky told reporters.

Addressing the death of the DPR head, Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said that Moscow considers the blast to be a terrorist attack carried out by Kiev.

"Instead of implementing the Minsk agreements and looking for means to settle the internal conflict, Kiev's party of war is implementing a terrorist scenario and is aggravating the already difficult situation in the region. Without fulfilling its peace promises, they decided to launch a bloody slaughter," Zakharova told reporters, also calling for an impartial investigation, monitored by the international community.

According to the government source, Zakharchenko died due to a severe head wound. The security source with the self-proclaimed People's Republic told Sputnik that DPR Finance Minister Alexander Timofeev was also wounded in the incident.

Zakharchenko joined the Donetsk militia following a coup in Kiev in 2014 and was elected leader of the Donetsk People's Republic in November 2014.
 
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