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The health minister of the "Lugansk People's Republic" was killed by a bomb allegedly dropped on the regional administration headquarters by a Ukrainian government warplane on Monday, a spokesman for the unilaterally proclaimed republic said.
"Our minister of health, Natalya Arkhipova, was killed because of the bombing of the building of the regional administration by the air force," the spokesman told Interfax. "Apparently, she was standing on the front door porch speaking to another woman during the air raid."
Earlier, the press service denied that anyone in the "Lugansk People's Republic" leadership had been hurt and said five civilians had died and several militia members had received serious wounds. The head of the regional administration's health department confirmed there had been an explosion inside the headquarters and said at least two people had been killed.
"The casualties are still being counted, but two people have definitely been killed," Pavlo Malysh told Interfax. Police claimed to have no knowledge of the origin of the blast, but the "Lugansk People's Republic" militia claimed that a Ukrainian warplane had dropped a bomb on the building.
Kiev masses troops around Lugansk – LPP leader (Video)
Militia fighters in the Lugansk region has said that the Ukrainian government forces started bombing Lugansk, as reported by Interfax agency.
"A Ukrainian military bomber has dropped a bomb into the center of the city, which blew up close to the building of the Lugansk regional state administration where the Lugansk People's Republic administration is based. There are numerous deaths and injuries among militiamen and civilians," a representative of the LPR militia headquarters told Interfax on Monday.
Meanwhile, a major fire broke out inside the regional administration building, an Interfax correspondent said. There are ambulances and firefighting vehicles nearby. At least five people have been injured. Some people could still be inside the building.
The Kiev authorities are massing troops around Lugansk, but local self-defense forces are ready to repulse the aggression, President of the Lugansk People’s Republic Valery Bolotov said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, Ukrainian troops loyal to Kiev opened fire on the town of Rubezhnoye, not far from Lugansk, every five-to-ten minutes, local residents report on the Рубежное.org.ua web portal.
Kiev-controlled militants of the so-called National Guard used percussion bullets in an attack on Rubezhnoye, a spokesman for the local self-defense volunteer corps told the RIA Novosti news agencies.
"There have been skirmishes and gunfire. The enemy continues to mass troops and hardware. They constantly change locations and sometimes line up in battle array," Bolotov told reporters in Lugansk.
The self-defense forces have had time to prepare for a possible enemy attack and "have several fully and combat-ready units", he said.
In the middle of April, the coup-installed Kiev government launched a military operation in the southeast Lugansk and Donetsk regions to punish them for not recognizing the new government’s legitimacy.
Russia demands an immediate end to the punitive operation in southeast Ukraine, which has already claimed dozens of lives.
Lugansk People’s Republic to hold parliamentary election in September 14 – LPP premier
The self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPP) is planning to elect its parliament on September 14, LPP Prime Minister Vasily Nikitin said on Wednesday.
"A parliamentary election may presumably be held on September 14. That’s the date proposed by me," Nikitin told reporters in Lugansk.
Parallel local elections may also be held on September 14, he said.
After the May 11 independence referendum, the LPP formed an interim parliament.
Shoot-out between Ukraine's military and local self-defense takes place in Kramatorsk
Shoot-out between Ukrainian military and self-defense forces occurred on Saturday at the airport in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, according to the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. Civilians and Ukrainian military were not injured during the shooting, the statement says, Interfax reports.
Ukraine's Lugansk declares itself sovereign state
"A Ukrainian military bomber has dropped a bomb into the center of the city, which blew up close to the building of the Lugansk regional state administration where the Lugansk People's Republic administration is based. There are numerous deaths and injuries among militiamen and civilians," a representative of the LPR militia headquarters told Interfax on Monday.
Meanwhile, a major fire broke out inside the regional administration building, an Interfax correspondent said. There are ambulances and firefighting vehicles nearby. At least five people have been injured. Some people could still be inside the building.
The Kiev authorities are massing troops around Lugansk, but local self-defense forces are ready to repulse the aggression, President of the Lugansk People’s Republic Valery Bolotov said on Wednesday.
On Tuesday night, Ukrainian troops loyal to Kiev opened fire on the town of Rubezhnoye, not far from Lugansk, every five-to-ten minutes, local residents report on the Рубежное.org.ua web portal.
Kiev-controlled militants of the so-called National Guard used percussion bullets in an attack on Rubezhnoye, a spokesman for the local self-defense volunteer corps told the RIA Novosti news agencies.
"There have been skirmishes and gunfire. The enemy continues to mass troops and hardware. They constantly change locations and sometimes line up in battle array," Bolotov told reporters in Lugansk.
The self-defense forces have had time to prepare for a possible enemy attack and "have several fully and combat-ready units", he said.
In the middle of April, the coup-installed Kiev government launched a military operation in the southeast Lugansk and Donetsk regions to punish them for not recognizing the new government’s legitimacy.
Russia demands an immediate end to the punitive operation in southeast Ukraine, which has already claimed dozens of lives.
Lugansk People’s Republic to hold parliamentary election in September 14 – LPP premier
The self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPP) is planning to elect its parliament on September 14, LPP Prime Minister Vasily Nikitin said on Wednesday.
"A parliamentary election may presumably be held on September 14. That’s the date proposed by me," Nikitin told reporters in Lugansk.
Parallel local elections may also be held on September 14, he said.
After the May 11 independence referendum, the LPP formed an interim parliament.
Shoot-out between Ukraine's military and local self-defense takes place in Kramatorsk
Shoot-out between Ukrainian military and self-defense forces occurred on Saturday at the airport in Kramatorsk, Donetsk region, according to the Defense Ministry of Ukraine. Civilians and Ukrainian military were not injured during the shooting, the statement says, Interfax reports.
Ukraine's Lugansk declares itself sovereign state
Ukraine's self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic on Monday declared itself a sovereign state following a referendum on the status of the region, People's Governor of the Lugansk region Valery Bolotov said.
"We have chosen our own path of independence from tyranny and bloody dictatorship by Kiev junta, from fascism and nationalism. We have chosen the path of freedom and the rule of law," Bolotov said in an address to residents of the Lugansk region.
According to Lugansk officials, some 90 percent of the voters supported the region's drive to secede from Ukraine and become an independent sovereign state during the referendum on Sunday. The move comes shortly after the Donetsk region declared its independence from Kiev earlier in the day and said it would ask Moscow to join Russia.
"We, the people of Donetsk People's Republic, after the results of the referendum held on May 11, and on the basis of the Donetsk People's Republic's sovereignty declaration, announce that the Republic, from now on, is a sovereign state" according to the will expression of the residents of Donetsk People's Republic, and to re-establish the historical justice we ask the Russian Federation to consider the request of the Republic to join Russia," Co-Chairman of the government of self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, Denis Pushilin said in his adress to the citizens. The Sunday's referendum in the Donetsk region saw about 90 percent of the population voted to break free of the Kiev authorities.
The referenda in the two Ukrainian regions were organized by federalization supporters who refused to recognize the legitimacy of the new government that came to power following the February ouster of President Viktor Yanukovych. Commenting on the results of the vote Moscow said earlier this day that it respected the will of the people in Ukraine's southeastern Donetsk and Lugansk provinces and hoped the regime in Kiev would do the same.
Donetsk People’s Republic declare itself sovereign state - official
Donetsk People's Republic (DNR) has proclaimed itself an independent state as a result of a referendum, Denis Pushilin, Chairman of the Donetsk People's Republic council, says. "We, the people of Donetsk People's Republic proclaim the independence of DNR following the results of the referendum held on May 11, and the manifest of the independence of DNR.
Following the will of the people of DNR, who wish to restore historical fairness, we ask the Russian Federation to let DNR integrate with Russia," Pushilin told on Monday.
"Moscow respects the will of citizens of the Donetsk and Lugansk areas and hopes that the further fulfillment of the results of the referendum will be held peacefully through a dialogue between the representatives of the Ukrainian government, Donetsk and Lugansk," Russia's press service says.
More than 96 percent of voters backed the region's independence from Ukraine.
Donetsk leaders to address border issues first, stick to hryvnia for time being
The authorities of the Donetsk people's republic (DPR) said their first priority after the May 11 referendum over the region's self-determination will be to defend and equip their borders.
"First of all, we are facing the task of defending and equipping our borders. We need to secure full control over armed groups and military bases located in the region, courts, prosecutor's offices and so on. We need to drive all forces of the enemy out of the republic," co-chairman of the DRP government Myroslav Rudenko told Interfax.
"We will not [stop using] hryvnia for the time being so as not to ruin our economy. At any rate, for now this is a transition period, and after that we shall see," Rudenko said.
People of Donetsk region came to referendum because people had reached their wits' end - Yanukovych
Viktor Yanukovych said he understands the decision made by the people of Donetsk region to come to the referendum and vote for their independence.
"Why did an overwhelming majority of citizens who live in Donetsk region come to the referendum and vote for any other state system except for a system in which you can call your citizens terrorists and kill them with impunity? Because the people of Ukraine have reached the limit of their patience," Yanukovych said in a statement possessed by Interfax.
"Dissidents were persecuted in Germany then and now whole cities in Ukraine are experiencing a blockade only because the people are defending their viewpoint, which is different from that of the ruling regime," Yanukovych said in a statement obtained by Interfax.
"Today's Ukraine is reminiscent of Germany under Hitler. Hitler then designated an enemy represented by dissident intelligentsia, Jews, Gypsies, etc. They were blamed for all the problems of German society and the propaganda played its role some time later," the document says.
Speaking about the tragic events that occurred in Odessa on May 2, Yanukovych compared them to crimes committed by fascists.
"A normal person shudders at the sight of the burned dead bodies of the people who were martyred in Odessa. However, we see an unimaginable thing now: some people who are brainwashed by propaganda were able not only to accept this killing, but even rejoice in it. It's ordinary fascism," Yanukovych said in his statement.
Viktor Yanukovych has urged the authorities in Kiev to immediately withdraw troops from the Donetsk, Lugansk and Odesa regions and stop killing their own people.
"Immediately withdraw mercenaries and troops from the territory of the Donetsk, Lugansk, Odessa and other regions, stop the violence and terror against your own people. Citizens see every day what you are doing to your country, you have passed the point of no return," Yanukovych said.
Yanukovych said he is convinced that the new Kiev administration is to blame for the deaths of the people on Kiev's Maidan in February 2014.
He calls on all citizens to "look at all events preceding the referendum in the southeastern regions of Ukraine closely and objectively and give them a fair and balanced evaluation."
"Some people have probably not realized it yet, but reasonable people understood a long time ago that the blood of the 'heavenly hundred' is also on the hands of the new administration [:] I know it like no one else. Neither myself nor any members of my administration issued any orders to open fire on peaceful citizens on February 18-20," Yanukovych said.
"Those who are behind the coups understood that the authorities, whose heroes from Berkut were wounded and killed and who gave their lives to defend constitutional order and peace, would not issue a command to return fire," he said.
"Then those monsters who came to power made a horrible decision to open fire on 'their' activists and the police simultaneously to make the 'sacral sacrifice' to the revolution that they had promised. I couldn't believe it,but they did it. Hence the wounds to people's backs and shots fired from behind caught on some recordings," he said.
Yanukovych believes that this is the reason for "the persistent unwillingness to investigate the shooting on the Maidan."
"The bullets have still not been seized, the witnesses and the wounded police officers and activists have not been questioned. The location of the snipers have not been determined yet and the trees hit by bullets [:] have all been cut down," the statement says.
Yanukovych said that "this junta I responsible for the killing of the 'heavenly hundred' and the killings in Odessa, Kharkov, Mariupol, Slavyansk, and Kramatorsk."
"And they won't stop because they understand that they have crossed all possible borders and punishment for them will be inevitable," Yanukovych said.
Referendum in two eastern Ukrainian regions shows that their residents want freedom – Duma Speaker
The referendum in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions indicates that residents of the southeastern regions of Ukraine want freedom and protection of their rights, Russian State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said, according to Interfax.
"The referendum shows their wish to defend their rights, essentially, their wish to be free," Naryshkin told reporters on Monday when asked to comment on the outcome of the referendum.
Naryshkin said the results of the referendum clearly show the opinion of millions of Ukrainians who live in the Lugansk and Donetsk regions, "the opinion that their rights are massively violated in the current state system."
World should recognize Donetsk, Lugansk referendums - Russian MP
The referendums on the status of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions demonstrate the choice of local residents and the world should recognize it, Federation Council member Sergei Tsekov (Crimea) said.
"Unfortunately, the self-proclaimed authorities of Ukraine did not let [the regions] hold their referendums in a calm atmosphere, but, clearly, the vote demonstrated the will of people in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
The referendums have totally convincing results: we saw how enthusiastic people were about the referendum and how many of them came to polling stations," Tsekov told Interfax on Monday.
People in the southeast of Ukraine took part in the referendum although it was held against the backdrop of armed clashes, which meant they were confident of their choice, the parliamentarian said.
"If the world unwaveringly supports democratic values and wishes peace and accord in Ukraine, it should recognize the referendums and do its best to assist Ukrainian regions and the center to sit down and agree on their future," Tsekov said.
Crimean first vice-premier hails Donetsk, Lugansk referendums outcomes
The Donetsk and Lugansk regions have held referendums on their status in spite of Kiev's resistance. The Donetsk referendum's outcomes demonstrate the choice made by people, Crimean first deputy prime minister Rustam Temirgaliev said.
"People in the Donetsk and Lugansk have chosen independence although the self-proclaimed Kiev "authorities" tried to thwart the referendum. Some 89% voted "for" in the Donetsk region alone! We are now expecting self-determination of the Odessa and Kharkov regions," Temirgaliev wrote on Facebook on Monday, Interfax reports.
Residents of Ukraine's southeast confirmed their right to independence at referendum - State Duma deputy
Russian State Duma Deputy Speaker Sergei Neverov (United Russia faction) said the people of the southeastern regions of Ukraine have confirmed their right to live in an independent republic where the authorities do not conduct punitive operations against civilians by voting at the referendum.
"The people have defended their right to a referendum!" Neverov told Interfax on Monday, referring to the referendums held in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine on Sunday.
"By defending their right to self-determination, the residents of the Donetsk and Lugansk regions have confirmed their wish to live in an independent, free and peaceful republic that is independent of the Kiev junta," he said.
Neverov pointed out that the Kiev administration has used weapons against residents of the southeastern regions using the Ukrainian army and armed radical nationalists.
Neverov believes the referendum was a reaction to the events that are now taking place in Kiev. "It's a consequence of the recent policies of the Kiev administration, the Kiev junta, who has launched a real punitive operation against the citizens of the southeastern regions."
Neverov said radical nationalists, "who are essentially bandits," were given firearms and they were used against civilians and Kiev also used armored vehicles, aviation, and artillery in the so-called anti-terrorist operation.
"All these things were used against unarmed citizens. There are dozens or even hundreds of casualties among them," Neverov said.
Neverov called on Western politicians in Europe and the United States to finally try to objectively assess the events in Ukraine, to "open their eyes and see that the 'anti-terrorist operation' conducted in the southeastern regions is really a punitive operation, a mass killing of civilians," adding that the referendum is a reaction to this punitive operation, Interfax reports.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_12/Ukraines-Lugansk-declares-itself-sovereign-state-4343/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_12/Ukraines-Lugansk-declares-itself-sovereign-state-4343/
Donetsk referendum is under way, most active voting in Maruipol - local elections commissioner
The majority of polling stations in Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk region are operating normally, people are voting in a referendum on the region’s future status, Boris Litvinov, the chief elections commissioner of the Donetsk People’s Republic, told reporters on Sunday. A queue to the polling districts has been formed in Mariupol. Many people want to vote in self-determination of the Donetsk region referendum on Sunday morning, Rossiya-24 TV channel correspondent reports.
"The referendum began. Voting is under way. Of course, there are some problems, but the majority of polling stations are working," he said.
As many as 1,527 polling stations were organized in the Donetsk region. Due to communications problems, there is no full information about the situation in a number of polling districts, Litvinov acknowledged.
At least 118 stationary and 12 mobile polling stations are operating in the region’s capital Donetsk.
All the polling places opened in the town of Artyomovsk and 35 stationary and five mobile polling stations opened in Kramatorsk.
People in the neighboring Lugansk region also went to polls on Sunday to vote in a similar referendum organized by federalization supporters. Turnout at the referendum on the status of Lugansk region at 9.00 local time (an hour after the polls opened) was estimated at 22 percent, the organizers said to RIA Novosti.
Kiev used troops, armor and heavy artillery against federalization activists in both regions in a fierce attempt to disrupt the vote. Dozens of civilians were killed.
Polls open in referendum in Ukraine's Donetsk, Lugansk regions
Voting began in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions at 8:00 am local time on Sunday, May 11, in a referendum on those regions' status. There is only one question on the ballot sheets: Do you support the state independence of the Donetsk People's Republic in the Donetsk region or the Lugansk People's Republic in the Lugansk region?
More than 1,500 district elections commissions have been organized across the Donetsk region. They will stay open from 8:00 am (12:00 am GMT) till 10:00 pm local time (03:00 am GMT) with the exception of Slavyansk where voting will end at 6 pm (11 pm GMT) for security reasons.
More than 3.1 million ballots have been printed for the referendum in the Donetsk region.
Earlier, the Central Elections Commission of the Donetsk People's Republic announced that the referendum would be declared valid irrespective of the turnout.
In the neighboring Lugansk region with a population of 2.4 million, polling stations in the mining towns of Alchevsk and Popasnaya will stay open until 11 pm local time (04:00 GMT) to enable the miners working night shifts to come and vote.
About 1.7 million ballots by the number of the region's eligible voters were printed and delivered to all of the region's polling districts. More than 1,610 polling stations were organized across the region. The Lugansk Central Elections Commission is headquartered in the region's administrative center, Lugansk.
The Lugansk People's Governor Valery Bolotov announced earlier that the outcome of the vote would be valid under any turnout.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_11/Donetsk-referendum-is-under-way-most-active-in-Maruipol-local-elections-commissioner-2975/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_11/Donetsk-referendum-is-under-way-most-active-in-Maruipol-local-elections-commissioner-2975/
Video - Kiev Neo-Nazis Authority fire live shots at unarmed people in Mariupol
Armored vehicles used in assault on Mariupol police HQ in Ukraine - eyewitnesses
The self-defense forces in Mariupol claimed that a Ukrainian law enforcement contingent has made use of military hardware while storming the city police department. "Armored vehicles have approached the city police department. The building is being shelled. It is an old building with thick walls which cannot be crushed by gunfire," a spokesman for the self-defense command told Interfax.
He said, citing immediate reports, that several dozen police officers remain inside the building. They refused to fulfill Kiev's orders. Information about casualties is being verified, he said.
Local media reported, meanwhile, that the city police department and military garrison are being stormed. Military hardware is approaching the city from the airport. Streets are being closed for traffic and local residents have been denied access to this part of the city.
"The sound of shooting can be heard in the center of Mariupol," says a posting on the 0629.ua website.
"Eyewitnesses also said that attempts are being made to seize the Mariupol police department and military garrison. Bursts are fired with automatic rifles in the center, according to the city medical services. Four people have been hospitalized with gunshot wounds," the website said.
Causalities being checked after assault on Mariupol police HQ - local self-defense
A Ukrainian law enforcement contingent has tightened the grip around the Mariupol police department headquarters, a spokesman for the city self-defense forces told Interfax. Fighting is on, reports about casualties are being checked, he said. "Police officers refused to fulfill Kiev's orders and to guard the City Council building, seized by the Ukrainian law enforcement personnel on Thursday.
The Kiev authorities made the decision to storm the building. Policemen are returning the fire. The law enforcement contingent keeps a tight grip on the building," he said.
The spokesman also said that reports about casualties are being checked. "One man as a minimum was killed outside the police department building. He was wearing civilian clothes. No one is approaching the scene to take the body away," the spokesman said.
Mariupol police HQ being stormed - self-defense forces
Self-defense forces in Mariupol said Ukrainian law enforcement units had attempted to seize the city police department building and that policemen had been detained for disobeying Kiev's orders.
"People wearing camouflage are storming the building of the city police department. A bus has arrived bringing along soldiers from a military base outside the city. Police officers who refused to obey Kiev's orders are being detained," a spokesman for the city self-defense forces told Interfax.
He said there were casualties. The street where the police department is located has been cordoned off, he said.
No confirmation of this report from other sources is available.
Mariupol reports about shooting downtown - self-defense forces
Shooting was heard in the center of Mariupol, the headquarters of the self-defense of the city has informed Interfax.
"Unknown persons opened fire at the building of the City Department of Internal Affairs in the center of Mariupol," a representative of the self-defense forces said. He said that there was no information about dead or injured people yet. Interfax do not possess confirmation of this information from other sources.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_09/Armored-vehicles-used-in-assault-on-Mariupol-police-HQ-in-Ukraine-eyewitnesses-0853/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_09/Armored-vehicles-used-in-assault-on-Mariupol-police-HQ-in-Ukraine-eyewitnesses-0853/
Western backed regime, Radicals shooting at people inside Odessa's burning building caught on camera
A video uploaded to Youtube on May 3 shows a person firing at the burning Trade Unions House in Odessa. 46 people perished in that horrific accident, over 200 were injured.
If you missed Part 1 click here
If you missed Part 1 click here
A man wearing a bulletproof vest is keeping a close eye on what is happening in the building and apparently firing several times at people caught in the fire.
In another video he introduces himself as sotnik (self-designation of Maidan group leaders in Kiev) Mykola saying he is unarmed and hurt when judging by the footage he is not.
The Trade Unions House in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa was set on fire after clashes broke out between federalization activists on one side and fans of the Odessa and Kharkov football teams, who were joined by Euromaidan activists, on the other.
Kharkov residents demand perpetrators of Odessa massacre to be brought to justice
Hundreds of people are rallying near the Lenin monument in Svoboda (Freedom) Square in central Kharkov, eastern Ukraine, in an action led by People's Governor of the Kharkov region Vladimir Varshavsky, to demand punishment for responsible for Friday's tragedy in the southern city of Odessa.
The participants include activists of the South-East and Borotba movements and of Labour Kharkovshchina, Russian Community of Kharkov and other organizations.
People are laying flowers and lighting candles in memory of the Odessa victims.
Activists are holding posters reading "Odessa – Hero City!", "Kramatorsk, We Are with You! Down with the Junta!", "Odessa – 21st -Century Khatyn", and other slogans. The demonstrators are demanding that the perpetrators of the Odessa carnage, including ultra-right radicals from Kharkov, be brought to justice. They are calling for a boycott of the May 25 presidential polls and for holding a referendum on Ukraine's federalization and the status of the Russian.
Although this is an unauthorized rally, police are not intervening.
Traffic along the adjoining streets has been blocked and two nearby metro stations have both been shut.
On Saturday, the Kharkov District Administrative Court upheld a request by the City Executive Council to ban all mass events on Sunday.
OSCE, Council of Europe should immediately make objective assessment of Ukrainian events - Moscow
The Russian Foreign Ministry is calling on the OSCE and the Council of Europe to urgently respond to the tragic developments in southeast Ukraine. "At a time when Ukrainian punitive squads are conducting their operations in Eastern Ukraine cleansing some communities and blocking others, the West has imposed an actual information blockade on the tragic developments taking place in that country," the ministry commentary issued in relation to the latest developments in Ukraine says.
"It is symptomatic that even in OSCE circles nobody knows that blood is shed and troops are shooting at unarmed people in Ukraine. What freedom of speech and freedom of the press can one be speaking in such conditions?" the report posted on the ministry website says.
"We demand that the relevant institutions of OSCE and the Council of Europe immediately give an objective evaluation of the developments in Ukraine," the ministry said, Interfax reports.
Ukraine saw Friday the bloodiest violence since the February overthrow of President Viktor Yanukovych, with dozens killed in clashes across the country. The highest casualty toll was reported in the southern Ukrainian city of Odessa where 46 people died and over 200 were injured, RIA reports.
Clashes broke out between federalization activists on one side and fans of the Odessa and Kharkov football teams, who were joined by Euromaidan activists on the other.
Pro-Kiev radicals blocked the anti-government protesters in the Trade Unions House and set the building on fire. Some burned to death, while others suffocated or jumped out of windows. A two-day national mourning has been announced in the country.
Moscow earlier described Kiev's actions as a punitive operation that ruins last hope for implementation of Geneva accords on de-escalation of Ukrainian crisis.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_04/Horrible-crime-Radicals-shooting-at-people-inside-Odessas-burning-building-caught-on-camera-8956/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/news/2014_05_04/Horrible-crime-Radicals-shooting-at-people-inside-Odessas-burning-building-caught-on-camera-8956/
The Ukrainian Ministry of Internal Affairs confirmed Friday that 38 people had been killed in a fire in a trade union building in the southern Ukrainian port city of Odessa. "38 people died as a result of the fire in the trade union building in Odessa. 30 of them were asphyxiated by smoke and 8 died when jumped out of windows in an attempt to save their lives," the statement by the ministry said. 50 people, including 10 police officers reportedly sought medical aid.
The ministry said that the fire had been already contained. Violent clashes erupted this Friday in Odessa, which previously took no active part in the unrest that swept a number of eastern Ukrainian cities.
As of late Friday four people were confirmed dead and 37 injured in clashes between supporters and opponents of federalization, as well as football fans Local media earlier reported that the unrest in the center of the city died down.
But football fans moved later to the Kulikovo field where the tent camp of anti-government activists was. The camp was surrounded and set on fire and federalization supporters were forced to shelter in the trade union building which was also set ablaze later.
An investigation into the rioting is underway. A criminal case was initiated. Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov announced that a special commission headed by Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema had been sent to Odessa.
At least four Ukrainians killed in Odessa violence, building set on fire
At least four men were killed in running battles between pro-Russian and pro-Kiev activists in Odessa on Friday, and the trade union building in the centre of the southern port city was set on fire, regional police said. Police said in a statement another man had been killed, bringing the death toll to at least four in some of the worst violence in the largely Russian-speaking Black Sea port.
Four people were killed in clashes in the centre of Ukraine’s Black Sea city of Odessa on Friday, local media reported.
According to the First National TV Channel, three of the four clash victims died from gunshot wounds.
Three policemen were wounded, including deputy chief of the Odessa police department Dmitry Fuchudzhi, local media quoted police spokeswoman Tatiana Khmelnitskaya. Apart from that, three journalists, whose names were not made public, were also injured in clashes.
Unrest in Ukraine: one person killed in Odessa clashes
One person died on Saturday from a gunshot injury sustained during mass clashes between supporters of federalization and pro-Kiev unitarists in Grecheskaya Street in Ukraine’s port city of Odessa. A spokesman for the Odessa regional police department confirmed the fatality. The wounded protester had been given first aid at the scene but died from a gunshot wound in his right lung before the ambulance arrived.
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Anti-Kiev protesters clash with pro-unity demonstrators in Ukraine's Odessa, one injured
Pro-federalization activists in Odessa clashed with united Ukraine supporters, as well as with law enforcement officers who tried to break up the fight, local agency Dumskaya.net reports. Members of the Right Sector, "Self-Defense" and Maidan activists, as well as football fans from Kharkov and Odessa who participated in "For the unity of Ukraine!" march clashed with federalization proponents as soon as the event started, agency reports.
Gunshots and loud pops could be heard near Sobornaya square, and both sides are pelting each other with rocks.
Police officers desperately attempt to break up the antagonists, and the agency’s correspondent spotted blood on the pavement.
Eventually the police received reinforcements, yet both sides keep fighting the officers.
Gunfire was heard in Odessa's downtown as two rival rallies met, police having failed to draw them apart. Over 2,000 protesters pelted each other with Molotov cocktails and smoke grenades. Pavements were dismantled to get the stones for the fight, like it was done in Kiev during the Maidan protests.
As the fire brigade arrived at the scene, the driver was forced out of the vehicle by the enraged football fans and had to flee, as a live stream showed.
At least one person has been seriously injured in the stand-off, reports Interfax. The football fans also say in Twitter that one person from their group was killed, but this is yet to be confirmed.
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About 1,500 young men wearing masks and Right Sector armlets armed with chains, clubs and shields tried to stage a march along Odessa’s central streets, chanting "Glory to Ukraine", "Death to Foes", "Stab Moskals" (Moskal is an ethnic slur for Russians used in Ukraine), an correspondent reported from the site.
They were met by activists from the Kulikovo Pole (Kulikovo Field) movement, who spoke against what they call the usurpation of power in Ukraine, for a referendum on federalization of the country and granting the Russian language the official state language status. Police failed to prevent clashes, which have spread to Deribasovskaya Street and Grecheskaya Square. A number of people have been injured. Policemen are using their shields to take injured people from the site of clashes. People are building barricades in the central streets in Odessa.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_05_03/Kramatorsk-in-eastern-Ukraine-stormed-by-pro-Kiev-forces-38-dead-in-Odessa-after-radicals-set-ablaze-Trade-Unions-House-5483/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_05_03/Kramatorsk-in-eastern-Ukraine-stormed-by-pro-Kiev-forces-38-dead-in-Odessa-after-radicals-set-ablaze-Trade-Unions-House-5483/
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_05_03/Kramatorsk-in-eastern-Ukraine-stormed-by-pro-Kiev-forces-38-dead-in-Odessa-after-radicals-set-ablaze-Trade-Unions-House-5483/
Slavyansk protesters negotiate swap of their allies for detained observers
The supporters of federalisation in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk are negotiating a possible exchange of their allies arrested by the Kiev authorities for the European military observers detained by the local militia, the UNN news agency reported on Thursday, May 1. The military observers "remain in Slavyansk. We have created comfortable conditions for them and are on friendly terms with them. Of course, they want to go home and we are engaged in relevant talks with the Kiev authorities. We hope that we will be able to exchange them for our allies seized by Kiev," the agency quoted Vyacheslav Ponomarev, the people’s mayor of Slavyansk, as saying.
The protesters are also holding three Ukrainian Security Service officers who were detained last Friday, April 25, along with the military observers from the Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE).
"They are also here. They are feeling well and we will try to exchange them too," Ponomarev said.
Ponomarev told Bild Online on Wednesday, April 30, that the observers would not be released any time soon.
"OSCE representatives will make one more visit today and we will hold further talks," he said. "We are engaged in a good dialogue, but I do not think the release will take place today or tomorrow."
Ponomarev also said that the Russian leadership was not exerting any pressure in this situation.
The European military observers detained by militia in the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk were not who they claimed to be and reported a false purpose of the visit, Ponomarev said earlier.
The detainees said they "have come on a sightseeing tour" but had a map marking the militia’s positions, he said.
"When they asked about the purpose of their visit, they said they had come for a sightseeing tour. In other words, they gave false information from the very beginning," Ponomarev said, adding that they had a map indicating the militia’s positions.
"Let me tell you that the map alone would be enough to speak about spying," he said.
"The military were on our territory without our permission and were detained of course," he said.
"What we should do with them we will know after we have determined who they are and what brought them here," Ponomarev said, adding that the detainees were being held in "normal conditions". "One of the military officials has diabetes, but we have necessary medications and food [for him]."
Ponomarev said the supporters of federalisation were ready to exchange the detained military for their comrades being held by the Kiev authorities.
"The Kiev junta is holding our comrades. But we are ready for an exchange if there is such a chance," he said.
Yevgeny Gorbik, a spokesperson for the supporters of federalisation, told reporters that the detained military observers had been engaged in intelligence activities.
"The humanitarian group of the [OSCE] mission has denied any relation to them… They [observers] had intelligence agents, cryptograms, and notebooks with secret notes", Gorbik said. "A Bulgarian officer had a notebook with notes in Russian which confirm his intelligence activities and speak of a meeting with agents," he added.
"No charges have been brought against them so far. But they’ve ended up in a company that calls into question the legitimacy of their activities," Gorbik said, adding, "The investigation is underway to find out what they were doing and where".
On April 25, supporters of federalisation in Slavyansk, a city in the south-East of Ukraine, detained a bus with passengers, with unarmed military observers from OSCE countries among them. The observers are staying in the east of Ukraine at the invitation of the Kiev authorities.
The OSCE confirmed to ITAR-TASS that these were not members of the Special Monitoring Mission or the election observation mission but had been sent to Ukraine by individual OSCE member states in accordance with the Vienna Document on confidence- and security-building measures.
Tense standoff: unarmed Slavyansk vs Ukrainian tanks. LIVE UPDATES
On the night of Friday, head of the MIA of Ukraine appointed by the Verkhovna Rada, Arsen Avakov, stated that the special operation of the Ukrainian security forces in the Southeast of the country had not been suspended because of the exercises of the Russian military near the border.
The special operation will be conducted in several stages, Deputy Secretary of the National Security Council, Viktoriya Siumar said on Thursday on the air of the Gromadsko Telebachanne (Public Television) TV channel.
Human rights defenders of the Amnesty International have called for an independent and impartial investigation of the events in Slavyansk, where force was used against supporters of federalization on Thursday.
Kiev resumes special operation in Slavyansk, deaths reported. LIVE UPDATES
- Interfax news agency said the Russian military chief in a phone conversation told his American counterpart that Ukraine had deployed a "substantial group of forces" near the Russian border, including troops whose purpose was to conduct sabotage.
- Russian aircraft have repeatedly breached Ukraine's airspace in the past 24 hours, a Pentagon spokesman said according to Reuters.
- Several shots have been heard in the center of the Slavyansk, RIA reports. Earlier, the "People's Mayor" of the city Vyacheslav Ponomarev warned that members of the Right Sector have infiltrated the city, alongside a group of armed youth, 18-25 years old that could harass the local population.
- Situation with detained group to be resolved "by morning", people’s mayor of Slavyansk Ponomaryov said, according to RT.
- Meanwhile, the "people’s mayor" of Slavyansk, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, said that a vehicle containing OSCE representatives has been stopped because it contained officers of the General Staff of Ukrainian Armed Forces and munitions. "It is true that we have detained the bus, as there we immediately found forbidden bullet shells and other munitions. We are currently sorting out who are these people driving inside it,"Ponomaryov told Interfax by telephone.
- Anti-govt activists in Slavyansk detained military observers who had been traveling with OSCE mission, AFP reports.
- Russia's foreign minister told his German counterpart on Friday that all violence in Ukraine must be halted, "primarily the use of the (Ukrainian) army and armed radical nationalists in southeastern Ukraine," the Russian Foreign Ministry said. In a telephone conversation, Russia's Sergey Lavrov and Germany's Frank-Walter Steinmeier agreed that an Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe mission should play an active role in efforts to defuse tension in Ukraine.
- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon warns that any attempt to settle political differences by military means in Ukraine will be a grave mistake,his spokesman said on Friday, RIA reports.
- Protesters in Ukraine's eastern city of Slavyansk stopped a bus carrying OSCE monitors because there were Ukrainian military personnel among other passengers, local militia leader said Friday, RIA reports.
- Kiev has called on Moscow to invalidate the Russian Federation Council's resolution entitling the president to use the armed force outside of Russia and stop military exercises near the border with Ukraine, Interfax reports.
- The Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) has forcedly sent back to Russia two Russian citizens, representatives of the LifeNews TV channel, and informed them that they are banned entry to Ukraine for three years, Interfax reports.
- Gunmen from the Ukrainian Right Sector nationalist movement have put up a checkpoint on the road connecting Transdniestria with Odessa, checking vehicles, the vice speaker of Moldova’s breakaway republic, Sergei Cheban, said in an interview published by local media on Friday, TASS reports.
- Ukraine plans to reduce its presence in the executive committee of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS) and recalls its Plenipotentiary Representative in the CIS Coordination Institutes Ivan Bunechko, RIA reports.
- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry believes it would be premature to talk about the UN's intention to send its peacekeepers to Ukraine, Interfax reports.
- Moscow is angered by the increase in the number of incidents with Russian journalists in Ukraine and reiterates its request for the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, to pay attention to the massive repression against the media, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Friday.
- In the past months almost 2,000 people from Ukraine entered Belarus, Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko said.
- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has criticized Moscow's statements on the possibility of sending Russian peacekeepers to Ukraine, Interfax reports.
- Leader of the radical movement "Right Sector" Dmitry Yarosh demands that acting Kiev authorities should immediately begin mass arming of Ukrainians, RT reports.
- Tension in the south-eastern Ukraine is growing. After the announcement of the second phase of the military operation, the army equipped a checkpoint on the road to Slavyansk. Not only Ukrainian soldiers, but also camouflaged snipers are on duty on the mentioned checkpoint. Representatives of the "EuroMaidan" demanded the deportation of the British journalist who published this information.
- Militants of the "Right Sector" are trying to infiltrate Slavyansk, militia commander said, RIA reports.
- Russia, Ukraine and the EU will determine a date on April 28 for talks on gas issues, a representative from Russia's Energy Ministry told Interfax.
- State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said he believes the operation conducted by the Kiev authorities in the southeastern regions of Ukraine is a crime against civilians.
- "The government of Ukraine will continue to adhere to the idea of fulfilling the Geneva agreements. We will conduct a constitutional reform and we are calling on Russia to fulfill what it promised, but never took a single step," acting Ukrainian PM Yatsenyuk says.
- Chairman of the Ukrainian parliamentary committee for national security and defense Vladimir Litvyn has emphasized the importance of holding the presidential election in a single round, Interfax reports.
- Ukrainian presidential candidate Valeriy Konovalyuk believes early elections to all branches of power and the creation of power centralization mechanisms can take the country out of the current political crisis, Interfax reports.
- LifeNews journalists Yulia Shustraya and Mikhail Pudovkin were deported from Ukraine, LifeNews reported on its website on Friday.
- The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry said Friday it had lost contact with a group of military experts from the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) operating in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk Region, RIA reports.
- Ukrainian parliamentarians are demonstratively dodging the consideration of a draft memorandum on national unity proposed by the Party of Regions, containing constructive proposals on stabilization of the situation in the country, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
- There is not enough time for organizing a nationwide referendum on May 25, Andriy Magera, deputy head of the Ukrainian Central Elections Commission, said, Interfax reports.
- An International Criminal Court prosecutor has started a preliminary inquiry into crimes committed before and during the removal of Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych from office, Interfax reports.
- The council of representatives of territorial hromadas (communities), political parties and public organizations of the Donetsk people's republic has approved the wording of the question for a referendum on May 11, 2014, Interfax reports.
- LifeNews journalists Yulia Pustoplesnova and Mikhail Pudovkin have been detained by unknown individuals in Donetsk, LifeNews reported on its website on Friday.
- The Russian Defense Ministry is prepared to discuss the crisis in Ukraine with the Pentagon, although it has not received a request for such talks, Gen. Maj. Igor Konashenkov said Friday, RIA reports.
- Odessa: Grenade attack suspected behind roadblock blast that injured seven people
- Kindergartens, schools and shops are closed in Slavyansk because of the special-forces raid.
- The first deputy chief of Ukraine's Security Service, Vasily Krutov, has said that there will be no storming of Slavyansk in the Donetsk region because such a measure may result in civilian casualties, Interfax reports.
- "Vladimir Putin and Angela Merkel exchanged opinions on the critical situation in Ukraine and the unwillingness of the Kyiv administration to fulfill the Geneva agreements of April 17, 2014. Vladimir Putin sharply condemned the attempts made by the Kiev regime to use the army against civilians in the southeastern regions of the country," the Kremlin press service said, RIA reports.
- The possibility of sending an international peacekeeping contingent to Ukraine is not being discussed today, Russian presidential aide Yury Ushakov said at a press briefing on Friday, Interfax reports.
- Armed clashes are underway at the eastern Ukrainian Kramatorsk airfield, with shots being heard in the area, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Friday.
- The Russian Defense Ministry is surprised by the media reports citing US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel saying he is allegedly trying to organize a phone conversation with Russian Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu on the de-escalation of the situation in Ukraine, Interfax reports.
- Peacekeepers may be deployed in Ukraine only with the UN Security Council permission, while the Federation Council has exercised its powers regarding the Armed Forces and allowed the Russian president to send troops to that country, Federation Council Defense and Security Committee Chairman Viktor Ozerov said in an interview with Interfax.
- Sergey Pashinsky, acting head of the Ukrainian presidential administration, said a decision has been made to block access to the city of Slavyansk, Donetsk region, with troops as part of the second stage of the operation there.
- There is people’s movement against Kiev, rather than Russian troops, in Donetsk - Estonian media
- Ukrainian troops are currently carrying out the second phase of the special operation in the east of the country; its goal is to surround the city of Slavyansk completely, the Acting Head of Presidential Administration of Ukraine Serhiy Pashynsky said on Friday. "In the framework of the anti-terrorist operation the second phase was launched 20 minutes ago. The goal [of the second phase] is to surround the city of Slavyansk completely, in order to isolate the problem. Currently the operation is going on," Pashynsky said.
- Kramatorsk: Mi-8 helicopter explodes - reports, video
- The organizers of the Kiev regime's crackdown on protesters in eastern Ukraine should be made to answer for their "bloody crime", Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
- Currently, there is little probability that Ukrainian law enforcers will storm the building of the Donetsk regional administration, but the security of the building was tightened, Deputy Head of the Donbass militia, Sergey Tsyplakov, told RIA Novosti. He added that many citizens possess legally registered firearms and can use it in case of bringing of troops into the city.
- The acting Prime Minister of Ukraine has also accused Russia of longing for a third world war by means of creating a conflict that can spread to the rest of Europe, Reuters reports with reference to the live broadcasting of the meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
- Kiev is waiting for Moscow’s official response to their request to clarify the purpose and terms of the military exercises near the Eastern borders of Ukraine, the Verkhovna Rada-appointed Prime Minister, Arseniy Yatsenyuk, said at a session of the Cabinet of Ministers.
- Odessa: The Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine believes that it was a grenade that had exploded inside a checkpoint in the Odessa region this night. “A grenade has probably been thrown inside the perimeter. At the moment, all the wounded in moderately grave condition were hospitalized. There is no threat to their lives,” the report of the Department says.
- Meanwhile in Poland: 1st contingent of US troops lands for military exercises
- Kramatorsk: Clashes are apparently occurring in eastern Ukrainian Kramatorsk airfield that is under the Ukrainian army's control, and gunshots are heard, Ria Novosti Correspondent said on Friday. According to preliminary information, activists struck one armored personnel vehicle there.
- Slavyansk: A bus column with people in military uniform is moving towards the city of Slavyansk, the center of pro-federalization protests in eastern Ukraine, eyewitnesses have told RIA Novosti.
- Ukraine PM accuses Russia of wanting to start 'a third world war'
- "US propaganda power has always been aimed at and continues being aimed at distorting the picture of what is happening in Ukraine, smearing the Russian Federation and smearing those who protest against the illegitimate actions of powers trying to ban the Russian language," Lavrov said.
- Supporters of federalization are gathering near building of regional administration in Donetsk. A few dozens of people have gathered near the building of the state institution; fund raising for the needs of the national militia of Donbass is underway since this morning, a RIA Novosti correspondent reports.
- The West is not only maintaining dividing lines in Europe, but is moving them toward Russian borders, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
- "Today, this is just a retaliatory action [special operation], that has already left many victims. Some 160 tanks, 250 infantry fighting vehicles, and other heavy equipment, aviation are fighting their own people. This is a bloody crime, for which those who pushed the army to commit it will answer, I am certain, and they will be brought to justice", Russian FM Sergei Lavrov said.
- State Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin said he believes the operation conducted by the Kiev authorities in the southeastern regions of Ukraine is a crime against civilians. "They [the new Kiev administration] are responsible for casualties, first among law enforcement officials, and now civilians in the southeastern part of Ukraine have been hurt. The operation conducted in the southeastern regions of Ukraine cannot be regarded as anything but a crime," Naryshkin told reporters in St. Petersburg's Tavrichesky Palace before a meeting of the legislators' council on Friday.
- The Kiev authorities deliberately conduct the special operation stage-by-stage and do not suppress the resistance in the South-Eastern regions, political scientists interrogated by RIA Novosti believe. On the one hand, Kiev does not possess enough forces to suppress the supporters of federalization; on the other hand, Kiev does not want to give Moscow reason to commit troops.
- Gorlovka: Meanwhile, the second victim, whose body was found in a river in Slavyansk together with the body of the Deputy of the Gorlovka City Council, Vladimir Rybak, was identified in the Donetsk region, ex-Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Yuriy Lutsenko said on the air of one of the Ukrainian TV channels. The deceased was a student from Kiev.
- Odessa: An explosion occurred at a checkpoint in the Odessa region, near the 7th km of the Ovidiopol road, UNIAN reports with reference to the regional Directorate of the Ministry of Internal Affairs. The details of the incident are being investigated.
- Slavyansk: Angry residents of Slavyansk have prevented an RT reporter from writing a report about a Ukrainian security forces’ attack at a checkpoint on the outskirts of the city. When journalist Graham Phillips was talking about the events at the checkpoint, two militiamen got into the shot. One of them said that the checkpoint had been robbed.
- Russia will act solidly on the de-escalation of the Ukrainian conflict on the basis of the Geneva Accords, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
- Slavyansk: Slavyansk self-defense forces say they freed US reporter Ostrovsky several days ago.
- Odessa: Seven wounded as gunmen hurl bomb in the Ukrainian Black Sea port city of Odess
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_04_25/Tense-standoff-unarmed-Slavyansk-vs-Ukrainian-tanks-LIVE-UPDATES-1154/
Hundreds of pro-federalization protesters gather in Ukraine's Donetsk.
Several hundred pro-federalization protesters gathered Sunday in front of the regional authority building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk, a RIA Novosti correspondent has reported.
The protesters, most of them members of the self-defense forces, have come to discuss the political future of the country.
People are taking pictures of the barricades set up around the building. Eastern Ukrainian cities Donetsk, Kharkov and Luhansk - have been swept by pro-federalization rallies since March.
To suppress protesters the current Kiev government launched a major anti-terrorist operation. The decision was strongly condemned by Russian officials who claimed the use of force was an extremely unpleasant turn of events.
In a bid to de-escalate the conflict, top diplomats from Russia, Ukraine, the United States and the European Union approved a set of measures in Geneva Thursday, including a call for constitutional reform.
Kiev has suspended the active phase of the special operation and taken on responsibilities to disarm militants.
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Slavyansk mayor asks Russia to send peacekeepers in wake of deadly night attack
Head of the self-defense units of Ukraine's eastern town of Slavyansk, Vladimir Ponomaryov, who was appointed Slavyansk mayor by the town's residents, has asked Russia to send peacekeepers to eastern Ukraine to protect civilians from National Guard and Right Sector militants.
"They kill our people. They don't talk to us but just kill," Ponomaryov said at an emergency press conference in the wake of last night's armed clashes on the outskirts of Slavyansk.
"The town has actually been besieged by the Right Sector," he said.
Only Russia can protect civilians from the Right Sector, Ponomaryov said, that's why he decided to ask Russian President Vladimir Putin to send peacekeepers to the eastern Donetsk and Lugansk regions, the RIA Novosti news agency reports.
Moscow is outraged by the armed incident that occurred Saturday night in Slavyansk in which innocent civilians died as a result of an attack by Right Sector militants, the Russian Foreign Ministry says. "The Russian side is enraged by the militant provocation which is an indication of the reluctance of the authorities in Kiev to bridle and disarm nationalists and extremists," a ministry statement says.
"It is surprising that the tragedy occurred after the signing on April 17 in Geneva of the final statement of the four-sided meeting of representatives of Russia, the USA, EU and Ukraine which calls for refraining from any violent actions, intimidation or provocations. The Russian side insists on the strict fulfillment by the Ukrainian side of its commitments concerning the de-escalation the situation in southeast Ukraine," the ministry says, Interfax reports.
"The Eastern ceasefire was violated in Slavyansk on April 20. As a result of an armed attack by the so-called Right Sector innocent civilians died. Local residents seized the vehicles of the attackers in which they discovered arms, aerial maps of the area and Right Sector paraphernalia," the statement says.
Military crackdown on protesters in Ukraine's southeast.
It has been reported earlier that the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday suspended the transfer of weapons from Crimea to Ukraine in an effort to prevent Kiev authorities from using them against pro-federalization protesters in southeastern regions of the country, RIA reports.
Military crackdown on protesters in Ukraine's southeast.
Ukrainian coup-imposed authorities have launched a military operation against the federalization activists in eastern Ukraine. Protesters say, the troops including APCs and warfighters are storming the airfield in the Ukrainian Kramatorsk. Wounded have been reported.
- At least 300 supporters of the federalization of Ukraine came to the rally to the regional administration building in Donetsk.
- Throughout Ukraine the tariff on cold water will almost double. Dmitry Grigoriev, a forecast member of the National Commission made the following statement after the meeting in Kiev, according to RIA Novosti.
- Ukrainian servicemen opened fire on the militia in Kramatorsk, three were wounded, told supporters of federalization to RIA Novosti. According to them, in the area of Pchekino in Kramatorsk militia tried to break the car convoy of several BMD that was going to the airfield, which was held since the evening by the Ukrainian military. They wedged into the column and blocked the way to the closing machine. Ukrainian military opened fire. One militia was wounded in the shoulder and two were wounded in the legs.
- Part of Donetsk police sided with the protesters, said Rada appointed Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema.
- By speaking about "maintaining law and order" in the southeastern regions of Ukraine, the United States essentially support Kiev’s war against its own people, Russian Foreign Ministry officials said.
- An arms depot owned by the Right Sector radical ultranationalist organization was discovered on Wednesday in the southwestern Ukrainian city of Odessa, local media reported.
- Locals blocked a column of ten armored troop carriers belonging to the armed forces loyal to Kiev regime in Pchelkino village near the town Kramatorsk, in Donetsk region.
- Pro-federalization activists in Donetsk region are planning a referendum for May 11 where one would be asked to vote on whether one wanted the region to be an independent state, remain part of Ukraine, or become part of Russia. A central election committee is being set up in Donetsk city to organize the plebiscite, Interfax reports.
- The Donetsk volunteer militia have confirmed that the Ukrainian troops sent in to the region have refused to shoot their fellow countrymen and essentially demonstrated solidarity with the Donbas protestors.
- About 60 Ukrainian servicemen from the crews of armored combat vehicles sent to the town of Kramatorsk as part of a military operation to quell federalization protests in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday sided with protesters.
- Russia's position on Ukraine does not reach European citizens as it comes across 'concrete wall' of Western censorship, Putin's press secretary said
- Federalization supporters remove Ukrainian flag from the local council's building in Novoazovsk and raise the flag of the Donetsk People's Republic, local residents report on social networking sites.
- The self-defense forces of Slavyansk (the Donetsk region, Ukraine) claim that a battle is under way between militiamen and armed people in the outskirts of the town.
- Crucial railway in Ukraine’s Donetsk region blocked by unknown people, TASS reports.
- "It was with a sense of profound bewilderment that we heard another statement by French Minister of Foreign and European Affairs Laurent Fabius on Ukraine, posted by him on Twitter, in which he lays full blame for the escalation of tensions there solely on Russia," the ministry said in a commentary posted on its website.
- The Ukrainian crisis should be resolved by complying with the February 21 agreement, and not by accusing Russia of escalating the situation, the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
- Acting Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Koval has headed to eastern Ukraine, where special operations against pro-federalists are occurring , in order to study the situation, First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaly Yarema said on Wednesday. "We got information in the Verkhovna Rada (parliament) that the defense minister has left [for eastern Ukraine] and will report on the current situation there," Yarema said.
- A column of armored vehicles has entered the town of Slavyansk, and servicemen are considering siding with the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic, acting Slavyansk mayor Vyacheslav Ponomaryov told TASS.
- Ukrainian Army servicemen sent by Kiev to Slavyansk are switching sides, the Donetsk leadership said. "According to the latest information, a subdivision with five or six armored vehicles has taken our side, we are specifying now," a militia leader, who asked not to be named, told Interfax on the telephone on Wednesday. The leader said he had just arrived to Donetsk from Slavyansk, where he spent the entire night.
- Pro-federalization activists in Ukraine’s southeastern city of Donetsk say more than 50 military armored vehicles of the Ukrainian Army have been spotted in the region and are now closing on the city.
- Anti-Maidan activists, who took the building, are negotiating with police, so the law enforcement authorities leave the building.
- "It has been decided to hold a special operation and to take the city council building in Donetsk," self-defense forces representative said.
- The Donetsk city council building was seized by supporters of federalization for Ukraine, the Donbass self-defense forces told Interfax.
© Photo: vk.com/vkramatorske - The "Anti-Maidan" in Odessa has announced the People’s Republic of Odessa and urged residents to block traffic in the city. "From today, the Odessa region becomes the People’s Republic of Odessa, where the power belongs to the people living in its territory," a statement on the official website of the "Anti-Maidan" reads. Activists urged city residents to block traffic in Odessa, having pointed 153 places on a special map on Yandex, where people should block traffic. It is planned to block the traffic for all kinds of transport, except ambulances. "At 16:00 tomorrow, Odessa must get blocked! Literally," the appeal reads. "Everybody who has not yet realized that the war had come to our houses should not go to work tomorrow," the activists of the "Anti-Maidan" said.
- The flag of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic is waving on the Zhdanivka city council. Protesters stated that city authorities “are on their side.”
- The protesters continue controlling administrative offices in eight cities of the Donetsk Region, Ukrainian media report on Wednesday.
- Commissar of the Eastern Front public and patriotic movement, Nikolai Solntsev, has said that the supporters of Ukraine federalization in Donetsk are expecting a mopping-up operation in the city and the region.
- Pro-federalization protesters armed with weapons have entered the Donetsk city council, the council members told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
- Tanks of Ukrainian army appeared on the streets of Kramatorsk
- They jointly disarmed the APCs and drove them towards the village of Ivanovka, the report says.© Photo:
- According to the portal, first the local activists blocked the APCs, then they were joined by a group of people wearing camouflages.
- Ukraine federalization supporters have seized six armoured personnel carriers that have been involved in a special operation in Kramatorsk, the Donetsk-based OstroV Internet portal reports with reference to its correspondent in the city.
- Ukraine has been increasingly demonstrating humanitarian catastrophe symptoms, Federal Migration Service chief Konstantin Romodanovsky said according to Interfax. "I said 45-60 days ago that I could see humanitarian catastrophe symptoms. I believe I am not the only one who sees them now," Romodanovsky said. "For the past two months we have been witnessing an increase in the number of Ukrainian citizens seeking various kinds of statuses, which will allow them long stays in Russia. These are refugees and displaced persons," Romodanovsky added.
- The Russian Federal Migration Service is bracing up for a possible surge of refugees caused by the events in eastern Ukraine. "Definitely, we are taking certain measures. I have ordered to intensify these preparations," Federal Migration Service chief Konstantin Romodanovsky told Interfax. "We have some reserves for reinforcing our personnel operating in border areas if that is necessary," the FMS chief added.
- The protesters made a number of unsuccessful attempts to penetrate into the airfield premises on Tuesday.
- Servicemen stationed at the Kramatorsk airport claimed they were besieged by approximately 300 protesters on Tuesday but their numbers reduced by now
- Moscow will continue to insist on the incumbent Kiev authorities' respect for popular demands made in southeastern Ukraine, the launch of negotiations and the end to the military operation against the protesters, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said.
- The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed profound concern about the operation of Ukrainian security services in southeastern Ukraine.
- The UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon said in an interview with the REFORMA Mexican newspaper that he was not going to send peacekeepers to Ukraine.
- "The Russian president noted that the sharp escalation of the crisis resulted from the irresponsible policy of Kyiv, which had been ignoring the lawful rights and interests of Russian-speaking residents of the country. He stressed the impressibility of the regime's use of the Armed Forces to suppress protests of the civilian population of southeastern Ukraine," said the Kremlin press service.
- The irresponsible policy of the incumbent Ukrainian authorities has led to the escalation of the crisis in southeastern Ukraine, Russian President Vladimir Putin told Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu on the phone.
- The UN Security Council will hold a meeting at 16:00, New York time, on Wednesday (midnight Thursday, Moscow time) to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine's east, an official at Lithuania's UN Mission, which called the UNSC meeting, told Itar-Tass.
- Group of masked men attacked civil protection management team in Gorlovka, said the city administration. There are broken doors, smashed phones in the Department of Civil Protection. Presumably, intruders were searching for weapons.
- Polish Foreign Minister, Radoslav Sikorskiy, has said that Warsaw agrees fully with the military operation in eastern Ukraine, RIA Novosti reports. He believes the Kramatorsk actions against “armed people” who “occupy airports” to be in line with the law.
- Russian President Vladimir Putin during a telephone conversation with Chancellor Angela Merkel said that the sharp escalation of the conflict in Ukraine puts the country on the brink of civil war, states the press service of the Kremlin.
- Russia urges its international partners to denounce anti-constitutional actions of the so-called Ukrainian authorities in Ukraine’s southeastern regions, the Russian Foreign Ministry said on Tuesday, adding that such actions were fraught with a catastrophe, Itar-Tass reports.
- In Slovyansk federalization supporters of Ukraine are preparing for a possible offense from military units that are under the control of Kiev, said Acting Mayor of the city.
- Under Lugansk local residents stopped the advance column of armored vehicles of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. As reported by Inter channel, six armored vehicles and cars with howitzers were coming from Dnepropetrovsk.
- The US should take measures to influence the authorities in Kiev towards the normalization of the crisis in the south-eastern Ukraine, which has developed as a result of provocative lines of Western countries, aimed at undermining the legitimate authority in the country and undermining the normal interaction between Ukraine and Russia, said in an interview on Tuesday with RIA Novosti Deputy of the Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov.
- Security Service of Ukraine has decided to initiate a criminal case against the mayor of Sloviansk on charges of separatism.
- Ukrainian presidential candidate, leader of the Batkivshchyna party Yulia Tymoshenko announced on Tuesday the creation of a "National Resistance Movement." It was stated by the press service of the party, Interfax reports.
- A column of Ukrainian armored vehicles stopped by self-defense forces on their approach to Lugansk is heading from the border to its base.
- Putin says Russia expects a clear condemnation by the United Nations and international community of "Kiev's anti-constitutional actions in eastern Ukraine", RIA reports.
- The UN chief has called on all sides in the Ukrainian crisis to make every possible effort to defuse the tension in the country, RT reports.
- According to the ministry and sources cited by RIA Novosti, routes in and out of Kramatorsk are being controlled by the Ukrainian armed forces. However, some 100 anti-government protesters are still holding barricades inside the town.
- Russia says UN Human Rights report on Ukraine is one-sided and politicized, seems fabricated, Foreign Ministry stated.
- Ukrainian presidential candidate Mikhail Dobkin demanded to stop the criminal orders of the resolution on the use of force in Ukraine.
- Moscow and Washington share the stance regarding the importance of a diplomatic resolution to the situation in Ukraine, US diplomacy representatives said.
- The Ukrainian military and the anti-government activists have started negotiations at the Kramatorsk airfield, which had been stormed by the armed forces earlier, RIA Novosti reports.
- UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon condemned the attacks of radical Ukrainians on presidential candidates. Yesterday in Kiev the radicals attacked two Ukrainian presidential candidates Mikhail Dobkin and Oleg Tsarev, who had expressed support of the pro-federalization movement.
- NATO is convening a session of the North Atlantic Council to discuss proposals on boosting the defense capabilities for European allies, Interfax reports.
- The Donetsk office of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has opened a criminal case against the mayor of the town of Slavyansk, Nelya Shtepa, on separatism charges, the SBU spokesperson told Interfax on Tuesday.
- Moscow is deeply concerned about the reports of casualties in the military operation in eastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry commissioner for human rights, democracy and the rule of law Konstantin Dolgov said.
- The Ukrainian Defense Ministry has said that none of the Ukrainian troops has been injured as a result of a special operation at the airport in Kramatorsk.
- A Ukrainian general leading the operation against protesters in the east of the country has warned that activists who refuse to lay down their arms will be "destroyed." "They must be warned that if they do not lay down their arms, they will be destroyed," General Vasily Krutov, first deputy head of the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) told reporters, as cited by AFP.
- People's militia is forming in Slavyansk, acting deputy mayor said, TASS reports.
- A spokesman for the east Ukrainian volunteer militia, Pavel Petrov, says that the battle near Kramatorsk began after local residents tried to enter the local army base and persuade the Ukrainian troops to switch to the side of the self-defense forces, Interfax reports.
- The coup-imposed Ukrainian authorities have moved to forcefully suppress the protests in southeastern Ukraine, the Russian Foreign Ministry has said in a statement, condemning Kiev’s military action. The legitimate demands of the residents in eastern Ukrainian regions have been ignored by Kiev, the ministry said, TASS reports.
- Peacekeepers will not solve any problem in Ukraine but will only mothball the crisis, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said on Tuesday. "The peacekeeping contingent will not solve anything,” he said. “Unfortunately, it will only mothball the problem."
- Activists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk are calling on the people to gather at the regional administration building in connection with the looming military operation by Kiev, RT reports.
- Between four and eleven people have been killed in a battle at the airport in Kramatorsk, a correspondent of the Rossiya 24 television channel said.
- Fighters from the radical organization called Right Sector and foreign mercenaries were involved in the storming of the airport in Kramatorsk, a self-defense representative from the Donetsk regional town told Interfax by phone.
- The Ukrainian law enforcement authorities have taken under control the Kramatorsk airport, previously seized by federalization supporters, Verkhovna Rada Chairman, acting Ukrainian President Turchynov said.
- "The actual authorities (in Ukraine) must acknowledge reality and start working for their country instead of waiting for some mandates, including the United Nations," Russian PM Medvedev said.
- Self-defense forces of Ukraine's Lugansk region have stopped a column of armored vehicles approaching the regional center, regional council deputy Yuriy Khokhlov told Interfax on the telephone.
- Shots are being fired at the airdrome near the city of Kramatorsk and one fighter plane has been shot down, witnesses report from the scene, TASS reports.
- As a result of a battle, the Ukrainian military has seized control over the airport in Kramatorsk held by supporters of Ukrainian federalization, a local self-defense representative told Interfax. At the same time, Kramatorsk proper remains under the control of self-defense forces, local self-defense representative said.
- Head of the Donbas volunteers military Sergei Tsyplakov said the battle continues near the Kramatorsk airport. "There is shooting near the airport building in Kramatorsk. Two of our people sustained arm injuries. They were ambushed and fired upon," Tsyplakov said on the Rossiya-24 television channel on Tuesday.
- The Ukrainian army has blocked all the roads leading to Slavyansk with armored vehicles, RIA Novosti reports citing anti-government activists.
- Russian PM Medvedev hoped the Ukrainian government has "enough brains" not to further escalate the conflict.
It has been reported earlier that the Russian Defense Ministry on Tuesday suspended the transfer of weapons from Crimea to Ukraine in an effort to prevent Kiev authorities from using them against pro-federalization protesters in southeastern regions of the country, RIA reports.
At the very moment, the eastern city of Slavyansk is being raided by Ukrainian troops, the head of the Donbass people’s militia, Sergey Tsyplakov, told RIA Novosti. "Currently there is a major attack on Slavyansk, armored personnel vehicles are entering the city… there are lots of troops.Our men are getting ready to defend [the city]," he said.
Ukrainian troops are storming an airfield in the eastern city of Kramatorsk, said anti-Maidan activists, RIA reports.The activists added that several people were injured. Ukrainian troops approached the military airfield in armored personnel carriers between the eastern cities of Kramatorsk and Slavyansk, the people’s militia located at the airfield told RIA Novosti on the phone.“They started negotiating with the people’s militia, which is in control of the airfield.The shooting started unexpectedly. There are injured among the people’s militia, and there may be deaths,” they said. Other members of the militia have blocked the entrance to Kramatorsk and are ready to defend the city, the activists added.
Gorlovka administration buildiung is under protesters' control
Protesters took over Gorlovka police building
Protesters are becoming more active on the streets
Protesters storm Gorlovka police department
Hundresds of protesters gathered outside Gorlovka city administration shouting "Berkut", "Donbas!"
Screenshot: livestream
Screenshot: livestream
Protesters in Donetsk demand holding a referendum
Photo: RIA Novosti
Photo: RIA Novosti
About 150 opponents of the Euromaidan tried to enter a police building in the town of Gorlivka in the Donetsk region on Monday morning, according to the Donbas News portal. The police have barricaded themselves inside the building, the portal said. The activists blocked Lenin Prospect, traffic there has stopped.
Read more: http://voiceofrussia.com/2014_04_14/Ukraine-crisis-Kiev-calls-for-full-scale-antiterrorist-operation-in-south-east-LIVE-UPDATES-0336/
Ukrainian servicemen opened fire on the militia in Kramatorsk, three were wounded, told supporters of federalization to RIA Novosti. According to them, in the area of Pchekino in Kramatorsk militia tried to break the car convoy of several BMD that was going to the airfield, which was held since the evening by the Ukrainian military. They wedged into the column and blocked the way to the closing machine. Ukrainian military opened fire. One militia was wounded in the shoulder and two were wounded in the legs. The car managed to go through towards the airfield. The victims hae received medical help.
Ukraine on brink of civil war, US partly to blame for bloodshed - Yanukovych
Ukraine is a foot in the door to civil war, ousted President Viktor Yanukovych said in his address from the Russian city Rostov-on-Don, where he has been residing for over a month after fleeing Kiev amid protests. "During my time in Kiev, we never used such methods against radicals or extremists,"the former President added.
Viktor Yanukovych who considers himself Ukraine’s legitimate president believes that the country can be saved from split only with holding a referendum. Yanukovych clarified that first the Ukraine should hold a referendum, then adopt a new Constitution and after that conduct a parliamentary election.
Ukrainian power ministries made a decision on a special operation in the east of the country after meeting with CIA Director John Brennan, Viktor Yanukovych said on Sunday. Yanukovych considers himself Ukraine’s legitimate president. A source close to Ukrainian power ministries told RIA Novosti earlier that Brennan arrived in Kiev on Saturday and met with security officials before the Ukrainian Interior Ministry announced the beginning of an operation against supporters of federalization in Eastern Ukraine.
At his press-conference in Rostov-on-Don Yanukovych claimed that the CIA director met with Avakov and Turchynov in Kiev. These contacts were followed by a decision to carry out military actions. Thus, the CIA also bears responsibility for the situation in the Ukraine, Yanukovych said.
Viktor Yanukovych believes that the US bears its portion of liability for unleashing a civil war in the Ukraine.
The US has a direct bearing on the latest events in the Ukraine, Yanukovych said, adding that apart from intruding in the events in the country, the US forever gives instructions what should be done and how, Yanukovych said.
Ukraine Video of former Berkut operatives joining up with pro russia'n forces in Donetsk
Ukraine Video of former Berkut operatives joining up with pro russia'n forces in Donetsk
Russia urges UNSC, OSCE to consider situation in Ukraine as soon as possible.
Moscow is set to bring up crisis situation in the South-Eastern regions of Ukraine during emergency sessoins of the UN Security Council and OSCE. "We demand that those appointed by 'maidan' who overthrew the legitimate president of Ukraine to immediately cease the war against their own people and fulfil all of their obligations according to the Treaty of February 21," says the statement of the Russian Foreign Ministry, according to Itar-Tass.
Crisis in Ukraine: tensions in the country's East continue. LIVE UPDATES
"The Western sponsors of maidan, especially those who attested to the aforementioned Treaty, and their US backers, must reign in their unruly charges, force them to cut all ties with neo-Nazi and other extremist groups, cease using armed forces against the Ukrainian people and immediately begin a sincere national dialogue based on equal participation of all of the country's regions, in order to implement a radical constitutional reform as soon as possible," Russian Foreign Ministry statement elaborates.
"It is the West that now has the ability to prevent the civil war in Ukraine," it adds.
Ukraine's acting president orders launch of 'full-scale anti-terrorist operation' in eastern Ukraine
Ukraine's acting President Alexander Turchinov said that he had ordered to launch a 'full-scale anti-terrorist operation' in eastern Ukraine. The country's armed forces will take part in the operation.
The national security and defense council of Ukraine "decided to begin a full-scale antiterrorist operation involving the use of Ukrainian military assets," says the statement of the appointed by Ukrainian parliament interim president of Ukraine Aleksander Turchinov, posted on the parliament's official website.
Turchinov also noted that Kiev "is willing to consider granting more authority to the regions, including a sweeping self-government reform, as well as 'renewal' of the local authorities," according to Itar-Tass.
Ukraine's acting president gives ultimatum to federalization proponents in the east
Alexander Turchinov, interim president of Ukraine appointed by the country's parliament, presented activists, who rally in the eastern regions of the country in support of federalization, ultimatum ordering them to vacate seized administration buildings by Monday morning, according to RIA Novosti.
Rallies of those supporting federalization, are being held in the eastern regions of Ukraine since March – in Donetsk, Kharkov and Lugansk activists demand referendums on the status of their home regions to be held. On Saturday the protests swept to several other cities of Donetsk region – Slavyansk, Mariupol, Yenakievo, Kramatorsk and a number of small townships.
"Those who did not fire at our law enforcement elements, who would surrender their weapons and vacate seized administration buildings by Monday morning, will be granted immunity from prosecution for their actions by the decree I signed personally," Turchinov said during his address to the people of Ukraine on Sunday.
Read more:
Read more:
Photo of Putsch Interior Minister, Avakov, guarded by. German military or Right Sector ?
Arsen Borysovych Avakov (Ukrainian: Арсен Борисович Аваков; born January 2, 1964) is a Ukrainian politician, member of the Ukrainian parliament since 2012 (the seventh convocation) and Minister of Internal Affairs. He is now the President of “Renaissance” Charity Foundation” Kharkiv Regional Charitable Organization, Chairman of Kharkiv Regional Organization of “All-Ukrainian Union “Batkivshchyna” (“The Fatherland”), Member of Kharkiv Regional Council of the 6th convocation from Bloc Yulia Tymoshenko fraction, Head of Supervisory Board of “Investor” JSC. He was spotted above with German military man.
Kiev authorities begin battle against Ukrainian people - military expert
In the Donetsk Region the Kiev authorities have started a war, not an anti-terrorist operation, as they say, against the Ukrainian people, whom one can characterize as a crime against humanity, the chief editor of the "National Defence" magazine Igor Korotchenko says.
The supporters of the federalization process have already announced that they have suffered losses: one person was killed and two injured. The nationalists from the Right Sector in Slavyansk have also lost two of their supporters.
"What is going on in Slavyansk today offers proof that the Kiev regime has started a war against its own people. An antiterrorist operation should be carried out only against terrorists, while in Slavyansk it is being conducted against the local residents who merely demand the right to decide the fate of their country. Thus what is currently underway in Slavyansk is a mopping-up operation with the use of force as well as commando units, armored vehicles and helicopter gunships - the operation that is aimed against the peaceful civilians," Korotchenko told RIA Novosti.
The Russian expert believes that the Ukrainian officials, including the Chief of the Ukrainian Security Service Valentin Nalivaichenko and Ukrainian Interior Minister Arsen Avakov, who are issuing these orders, are committing a "crime against humanity" and that from the point of view of international law they should be classified as war criminals.
"Efforts should be made to make Nalivaichenko and Avakov appear before The Hague-based International Criminal Court (ICC), for which of great importance is to obtain the documented evidence of the crimes that are being committed by them on the territory of eastern Ukraine. And for this it is necessary to set up an authoritative international commission, which could start the investigation of the developments in Slavyansk as soon as possible," Korotchenko stressed.
Protesters put up tents outside police department in Ukraine's Slavyansk
The police department of the town of Slavyansk in Ukraine's eastern Donestk region and the local office of the Ukrainian National Security Service (SBU) are being controlled by representatives of the Donbass people's volunteer corps, a local newspaper, Slavgorod, reports.
A pro-federalization rally is under way in Slavyansk in support of a regional referendum and against the late May presidential election. "People are showing no intention of going home. They are putting up tents outside the police department," the newspaper says. Men in masks and camouflage patrolling an area near the SBU building allow no photographing or filming.
Rallies held in Ukraine's Zaporizhzhya.
Pro-federalization and anti-federalization were held in Zaporizhzhya on Sunday. Pro-federalization activists holding Russian flags and flags of the Communist Party filled a street several kilometers from the central square and started their own rally. Demonstrators with Ukrainian flags have arrived at the street where pro-Russian demonstrators have gathered, and set up a camp. Police formed a line dividing the opponents.
Ten injured in clashes in Kharkov
Ten people were injured in cashes between supporters and opponents of Ukraine's federalization on Sunday, Interfax reports. "Ten were injured, according to immediate reports. None of them was injured seriously, or hospitalized," Kharkov's vice mayor, Svetlana Horbunova-Ruban, told an Interfax correspondent on Sunday. A policeman was injured in the scuffle, the regional police department said. Reports said earlier that clashes erupted between supporters and opponents of Ukraine's federalization after a rally, staged by supporters of Ukraine's unity.
Pro-federalization protesters say three dead in Ukraine's Slavyansk
Protesters rallying in support of federalization said one their activist and two members of the ultra-nationalist Right Sector group were killed in the operation in east Ukraine's town of Slavyansk on Sunday. A total of three people have been killed: two from the so-called Right Sector and one on our side, Nikolai Solntsev, an activist of the protest movement, told, RIA reports.
Crisis in Ukraine: tensions in country's east continues. LIVE UPDATES
Two other pro-federalization protesters were injured, he said adding that protesters in neighboring Donetsk were preparing to transport the injured people from Slavyansk to the local hospitals.
Earlier reports said some 150 armed men from the radical Right Sector movement had arrived in Slavyansk to participate in the special operation against pro-federalization protesters.
At least two killed, five wounded on both sides during police raid in eastern Ukraine
Read also: EU, Kiev have no idea how to deal with protests in Eastern Ukraine - scholar
Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said the operation launched by the country's security forces Sunday against protesters in the east Ukrainian town of Slavyansk has led to the deaths and injuries on "both sides."
Avakov said on his Facebook page one officer of the Security Service (SBU) was killed and five others, including the head of the SBU anti-terrorist center, were injured in the operation. He also said there were victims among the pro-federalization protesters, without giving further details. Media reports said at least one civilian was killed, RIA reports.
Ukraine's Security Council may impose state of emergency in country's east
An extra meeting of Ukraine's National Security Council has finished in Ukraine's capital Kiev. The meeting was presided by Ukraine's Acting President Alexander Turchinov and lasted about three hours. Russian ITAR-TASS news agency, with a reference to the Ukrainian parliament's press service, says that the meeting's participants discussed ways to normalize the situation in Ukraine's east. The press service does not reveal any further details or the results of the discussion.
Read also: Mariupol city council taken over - media reports
According to unofficial information, heads of Ukraine's eastern regions, which are now gripped with protests, took part in the meeting. Besides, several media sources say that the meeting's participants discussed the possibility of imposing a state of emergency in the country's east.
During the meeting, the building of the Ministry of Defense, where it took place, was picketed by several dozen activists, who were demanding decisive measures to solve the problem of unrest in the country's east. They also said that the Security Council should have gathered for such a meeting already several weeks ago.
Western Ukraine's law enforcers storm Slavyansk
The law enforcement units involved in a counter-protest operation in the eastern Ukrainian town of Slavyansk are from western Ukraine, Russia's RIA Novosti news agency reports quoting a Ukrainian law enforcement official, who spoke on conditions of anonymity.
Read also: CIA's head has come to Ukraine to instruct power agencies - unofficial source
On Sunday morning, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov wrote on his Facebook page that an operation against federalization supporters in Slavyansk was being launched and all the elements of the country's law enforcement bodies were taking part in it.
"The units storming Slavyansk, absolutely all of them, are from western Ukraine," the source said.
Operations begin in three cities in east Ukraine to knock protesters out of seized administrative buildings
The new Ukrainian authorities have reportedly launched counter-protest operations in Slavyansk, the Donetsk region in eastern Ukraine, and two other cities to knock federalization supporters out of the administrative buildings they seized the day before.
Speaking on Monday morning, Arsen Avakov, who was appointed the country's Interior Ministry after the late February coup in Kiev, wrote on his Facebook page that forces of the Interior Ministry and the Ukrainian National Security Council were taking part in an anti-protest operations, which, he claims, was launched way Slavyansk and two other cities swept by pro-federalization protests.
A total of two combat helicopters are patrolling the airspace over the city of Slavyansk in the east-Ukrainian Donetsk region, an Itar-Tass reporter said in an eyewitness account from the place where, according to a notice posted on Facebook by Ukraine's acting interim Interior Minister Arsel Avakov, an anti-riot operation had begun to suppress the protests, the participants in which demanded federalization of the country.
Once in every five minutes, a helicopter would appear in the sky over. Block posts had been put up on the streets.
In the meantime, an action of protest continued near the building of the city police department that was seized by the protesters the other day. Barricades had been put up there and people several armed people in fatigues were guarding them.
UN chief deeply concerned about continuing tensions in Eastern Ukraine
Spokesperson for the UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon has issued a statement voicing deep concern over the continuing deterioration of tensions in the eastern regions of Ukrainian where thousands of protesters demanding federalization of the country have been seizing buildings of law enforcement agencies. "The Secretary-General is deeply concerned about the deteriorating situation in Eastern Ukraine and the growing potential for violent clashes," the statement says.
"The Secretary-General stresses that further disturbances will not serve the interests of any side. He therefore appeals to all sides to work towards calming the situation, adhere to the rule of law and exercise maximum restraint."
The statement says that Ban Ki-moon calls again for urgent and constructive dialogue to deescalate the situation and address all differences.
"The United Nations stands ready to continue to support a peaceful resolution to the current crisis facing Ukraine," the document says.
Mariupol city council taken over - media reports
After a Sunday rally for the formation of the Donetsk republic unidentified people have taken over the city administration in Mariupol, Donetsk region, the Mariupol website reports.
"The building of the Mariupol City Council has been seized," the report says.
Before that about 1,000 people rallied in support of the formation of what they call the Donetsk republic, according to Interfax.
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VIDEO - Ukraine's Opposition leader Petro Simonenko roughed up by Svoboda ultranationalists
Exposing the U.S. Corporate Interests Behind Ukraine Coup
Behind the U.S.-backed coup that ousted the democratically elected president of Ukraine are the economic interests of giant corporations – from Cargill to Chevron – which see the country as a potential “gold mine” of profits from agricultural and energy exploitation, reports JP Sottile.
On Jan. 12, a reported 50,000 “pro-Western” Ukrainians descended upon Kiev’s Independence Square to protest against the government of President Viktor Yanukovych. Stoked in part by an attack on opposition leader Yuriy Lutsenko, the protest marked the beginning of the end of Yanukovych’s four year-long government.
That same day, the Financial Times reported a major deal for U.S. agribusiness titan Cargill.
[A screen shot of U.S. Assistant Secretary of State for European Affairs Victoria Nuland speaking to U.S. and Ukrainian business leaders on Dec. 13, 2013, at an event sponsored by Chevron, with its logo to Nuland’s left.]
Despite the turmoil within Ukrainian politics after Yanukovych rejected a major trade deal with the European Union just seven weeks earlier, Cargill was confident enough about the future to fork over $200 million to buy a stake in Ukraine’s UkrLandFarming. According to Financial Times, UkrLandFarming is the world’s eighth-largest land cultivator and second biggest egg producer. And those aren’t the only eggs in Cargill’s increasingly-ample basket.
On Dec. 13, Cargill announced the purchase of a stake in a Black Sea port. Cargill’s port at Novorossiysk — to the east of Russia’s strategically significant and historically important Crimean naval base — gives them a major entry-point to Russian markets and adds them to the list of Big Ag companies investing in ports around the Black Sea, both in Russia and Ukraine.
Cargill has been in Ukraine for over two decades, investing in grain elevators and acquiring a major Ukrainian animal feed company in 2011. And, based on its investment in UkrLandFarming, Cargill was decidedly confident amidst the post-E.U. deal chaos. It’s a stark juxtaposition to the alarm bells ringing out from the U.S. media, bellicose politicians on Capitol Hill and perplexed policymakers in the White House.
It’s even starker when compared to the anxiety expressed by Morgan Williams, President and CEO of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council — which, according to its website, has been “Promoting U.S.-Ukraine business relations since 1995.” Williams was interviewed by the International Business Times on March 13 and, despite Cargill’s demonstrated willingness to spend, he said, “The instability has forced businesses to just go about their daily business and not make future plans for investment, expansion and hiring more employees.”
In fact, Williams, who does double-duty as Director of Government Affairs at the private equity firm SigmaBleyzer, claimed, “Business plans have been at a standstill.”
Apparently, he wasn’t aware of Cargill’s investment, which is odd given the fact that he could’ve simply called Van A. Yeutter, Vice President for Corporate Affairs at Cargill, and asked him about his company’s quite active business plan. There is little doubt Williams has the phone number because Mr. Yuetter serves on the Executive Committee of the selfsame U.S.-Ukraine Business Council. It’s quite a cozy investment club, too.
According to his SigmaBleyzer profile, Williams “started his work regarding Ukraine in 1992” and has since advised American agribusinesses “investing in the former Soviet Union.” As an experienced fixer for Big Ag, he must be fairly friendly with the folks on the Executive Committee.
Big Ag Luminaries
And what a committee it is — it’s a veritable who’s who of Big Ag. Among the luminaries working tirelessly and no doubt selflessly for a better, freer Ukraine are:
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Video: Fist Fight Breaks Out in Ukraine's Parliament
KIEV (Reuters) - Deputies in the Ukrainian parliament brawled in the chamber on Tuesday after a communist leader accused nationalists of playing into the hands of Russia by adopting extreme tactics early in the Ukrainian crisis.
Two deputies from the Svoboda far-right nationalist party took exception to the charges by communist Petro Symonenko and seized him while he was talking from the rostrum.
His party supporters rallied to his defense and a brawl broke out with deputies from other parties joining in and trading punches.
Symonenko stirred nationalist anger when, referring to pro-Russian protesters who seized buildings in eastern Ukraine, he said nationalists had set a precedent earlier this year by seizing public buildings in protest at the rule of ousted President Viktor Yanukovich.
Now, he said, armed groups were attacking people who wanted to defend their rights by peaceful means.
"You are today doing everything to intimidate people. You arrest people, start fighting people who have a different point of view," he said, before being pulled away from the rostrum by the Svoboda deputies.
Symonenko did not appear to have been hurt in the brawl involving other deputies. But one deputy later resumed his seat in the chamber with scratches on his face clearly showing.
The communists backed Yanukovich and his Regions Party through the three months leading up to him fleeing the country on February 21 after more than 100 people were shot dead by police snipers in Kiev.
Video - People of #Kharkov attack bus full of Putsch repression forces as they are not welcome in the East
Tanks heading for Ukraine’s Lugansk on Kiev order.
Self defense squads from Ukraine’s south-east are getting ready for an armed attack. One of the self defense activists Yury Germes told Russian news outlet 'Lifenews' that tanks were on their way to Lugansk right after the negotiations with Ukraine’s interior ministry.
"Citizens are all wound up. Lugansk residents are demanding a referendum on self-determination. It was hard to negotiate with the interior ministry representatives. We’ve just got info on six armored vehicles and soldiers heading for Lugansk. We will not give in. There must be a referendum!" According to the activist, the self defense squads got the update from the militia scattered all around Ukraine’s south-east.
"Citizens are all wound up. Lugansk residents are demanding a referendum on self-determination. It was hard to negotiate with the interior ministry representatives. We’ve just got info on six armored vehicles and soldiers heading for Lugansk. We will not give in. There must be a referendum!" According to the activist, the self defense squads got the update from the militia scattered all around Ukraine’s south-east.
On April 7 Lugansk protesters seized Ukraine’s security service building and is still controlling it. The basic demands that they put forward are holding a cross-region referendum and Ukraine gaining the status of a federation.
Kiev pursues wrong policy - Donetsk mayor
Donetsk mayor Alexander Lukyanchenko has blamed Kiev for pursuing the wrong policy, saying it is the reason behind protests in the southeast of the country. "New Ukrainian authorities do not quite understand what is happening in Donetsk now," Lukyanchenko said on Tuesday. "Indeed, the seizure of administrative buildings is illegal and bad. Separatist slogans that were voiced in city squares are unacceptable. Yet all these problems are a consequence of the new authorities' incorrect policy, their unwillingness to look into the problems to understand them," the mayor's press office quoted him as saying.
A recent statement by parliament-appointed Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk did not contain "specific proposals" to improve the situation, such as the measures to protect the Russian language, ensure election of governors or explain the delegation of powers in decentralization procedure.
Lukyanchenko said "the answers to these questions were needed yesterday."
"I'm hoping the government and the parliament will hear people in Donbas (Donetsk and adjacent regions) and southeast. If they don't, and if people do not get answers to their questions, they will continue to hope for the protection of the neighboring state," the mayor said.
He noted that the new authorities "should understand that negotiating with people implies discussion of the accumulated problems, the problems that did not emerge overnight."
"Only then will people be able to say that Donbas is (part of) Ukraine," he said.
US meddling with Ukraine’s internal affairs by dispatching mercenaries to southeastern regions - expert
The deployment of mercenaries by the US-based private company Greystone to southern regions in Ukraine is a continuation of Washington’s interference in Ukraine’s internal affairs, Igor Korotchenko, editor-in-chief of the Russian National Defense magazine believes. The dispatch of Greystone soldiers to Ukraine may be financed by Ukrainian oligarchs and organized in coordination with the US State Department, Korotchenko explains.
Thus, we are talking about the continuation of the US policy of military intervention in Ukraine and a preparatory stage for a massacre in southeastern Ukraine’s, the expert said.
Considering that Ukraine’s security services have shown their obvious incompetence, foreign mercenaries are supposed to suppress the protests in the southeastern part of the country.
According to the RIA Novosti, Greystone is one of the biggest private security companies in the West and is closely associated with US intelligence agencies. The agency is used in situations when the deployment of US security forces is inappropriate. Mercenaries working for Greystone are notable for their cruelty in combat missions, so they won’t have any problems mopping-up southeastern Ukraine, Korotchenko said.
Greystone is a private security company registered in Barbados, according to open sources. It boasts "protective security and training solutions to customers in challenging environments.
The Russian Foreign Ministry earlier voiced concerns over the buildup of Ukrainian forces in the southeastern part of the country involving some 150 American mercenaries from Greystone, dressed in uniforms of the Ukrainian special task police unit Sokol. Moscow called this move a violation of Ukrainian law.
Ukraine's recruiting foreigners to restore order may be attempt to suppress civil protest - Moscow
Media reports claiming that the Ukrainian leadership wants to recruit personnel from private foreign military companies "in order to maintain law and order" may suggest that the Kiev regime wants to suppress civil protest and discontent, the Russian Foreign Ministry said. "Anyway, one can state that in the absence of support from the Ukrainian population, the Maidan government has only one option if it wants to remain in power - to mobilize any support possible from foreign sponsors, including foreign mercenaries," the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a commentary.
"Among the candidates for the role of gendarme is the company Greystone Limited, registered in Barbados, which is integrated with the Academi corporation," it said.
"It is an analogue, or, probably, an affiliate body of the Blackwater private army, whose soldiers have been accused of committing rigorous and regular human rights abuses in troubled regions," the ministry said.
"It looks as though this practice, if it really is implemented, goes against the Ukrainian laws that ban foreign citizens from working with private security companies," it said.
"Such initiatives demonstrate that those who have conquered their place in power in Kiev cannot guarantee minimal order or even their own security," the Foreign Ministry said.
"The question arises, what the price of this plan is and where the money will come from. To what extent will the burden of spending on highly-paid foreign specialists be shifted to ordinary Ukrainians who, in connection with the painful tax increase, including taxes on gas as the precondition for securing loans from the International Monetary Fund, will have to tighten their belts even stronger?" it said.
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Video from Donetsk just now - pro Russians rush to hand money over the barricades
Ukrainian parliament extends prison terms for separatism up to 15 years
The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday passed a bill tightening criminal punishment for separatism, including violent actions aimed at changing the constitutional regime and seizure of power.
The bill, which was approved by 231 votes, five more than it needed to get passed, extends prison terms for those involved in the above crimes up to 15 years plus property confiscation.
Deliberate actions aimed at altering the national or administrative borders of Ukraine will bring sentences of up to 12 years plus property confiscation. Treason charges will bring sentences of between 14 and 15 years and up to life imprisonment plus property confiscation.
Longer sentences of 14-15 years have been imposed for subversive and spying activities
The bill followed mass unrest in southeast Ukraine where thousands of people are rallying in support of the federalization of the country.
To become law, the bill has to be signed by Acting president Alexander Turchynov.
Kiev opts for tough actions in response to peaceful demonstrations in Eastern Ukraine
Kiev’s nationalist authorities are threatening to resort to repressions in an answer to the peaceful protest moods. Planning a "cleanup operation" in eastern Ukraine, Maidan president Alexander Turchynov even cancelled his visit to the Conference of Speakers of the EU Parliaments in Lithuania. The Kiev authorities have already arrested hundreds of peaceful demonstrators in eastern Ukraine and are determined to give a "tough answer to regional separatism", as Turchynov said. Meanwhile, the demonstrators are demanding referendums on federalism and the recognition of Russian as a regional language, not secession.
In other words, they want Ukraine’s state structure to resemble that of the US or Germany.<
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Russian Foreign Ministry is concerned about additional army forces(US Greystone ) arriving to east of Ukraine.
Russian Foreign Ministry is concerned that additional Ukrainian army forces are arriving at the east of Ukraine. Among the army forces there are also representatives from the US Greystone organization, says the official statement on the Ministry's page in Facebook.
According to the Ministry, additional internal forces and the National Guard of Ukraine with the participation of the illegal armed militants "Praviy Sector" are arriving to the southeastern regions of Ukraine, including Donetsk.
According to the Foreign Ministry, they are designed to suppress protests of the inhabitants of southeast of the country against the policy of the Kiev authorities.
"The fact that there are about 150 American experts from the private military organization Greystone, disguised as soldiers unit Falcon brings additional concern," said in a statement.
Foreign Ministry also stressed that members of this provocation should take full responsibility for creating a huge threat to the rights, freedoms and lives of innocent citizens of Ukraine, for the stability of the Ukrainian state.
"We call for immediate cease of any military preparations, that could lead to unleashing the civil war" the statement adds.
EU policy towards Ukraine a failure, but Russia determined to continue dialogue – Foreign Ministry
Moscow says that the EU policy towards Ukraine is “short-sighted and a failure” but Russia does not plan to give the dialogue, the commentary of the Department of Press and Information of the Russian Foreign Ministry says in view of a number of statements that were made by the EU Foreign Policy Chief Catherine Ashton and the EU Commissioner for Enlargement and European Neighborhood Policy Stefan Fule.
“Judging by statements made by Catherine Ashton and Stefan Fule, Brussels is assessing the Russia-EU consultations about the economic consequences of the Association Membership Agreements (AMA), signed by the European Union with Eastern Partnership countries only as a means to explain their “advantages” for Russia, ruling out all possible corrections of these agreements within the Eastern Partnership Program, which has already discredited itself,” the report of the Foreign Ministry says.
Fule explains the decision on the signing last month of the political part of the Ukraine –EU Association Membership Agreement by the fact that the current Ukrainian “government” should assess all its economic consequences, especially, for eastern Ukraine, and also by the fact that the European Union “needs more time for the continuation of relevant consultations with Russia,” the commentary of the Russian Foreign Ministry says.
Of interest here is the fact that the EU made Viktor Yanukovych and his government responsible for not informing Russia and ordinary Ukrainians about the consequences of the AMA agreement, Russia’s Foreign Ministry said.
Rallies in eastern Ukraine prove its gov't needs to consider federalization - Russian FM
The events in eastern Ukraine prove the need to hold a constitutional reform in the country and to federalize it, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement posted on its website, Interfax reports. "Russia is closely watching the events that are unfolding in the eastern and southern regions of Ukraine, in particular in the Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions," the document said.
"As Russia has said repeatedly, it is hard to count on long-term stabilization of the Ukrainian state without a real constitutional reform in Ukraine, in the framework of which the interests of all regions of the country are guaranteed via federalization, its non-aligned status is preserved, and the special role of the Russian language is stipulated," the Russian Foreign Ministry said.
A referendum on the future of Ukraine’s eastern Donetsk Oblast should be held no later than May 11, says a resolution that was issued Monday by legislators of the Donetsk regional council, which declared the formation of a sovereign and independent Donetsk People’s Republic and transformed itself in the Council of the Republic earlier on the same day. "The deadline for holding the referendum was coordinated with the Luhansk Oblast and Kharkiv Oblast," a legislator participating in the session said.
Video: Pro-Russian activists storm Security building in Lugansk, Ukraine.
Ukraine parliament to consider law on making criminal liability for separatism harsher.
Ukrainea's parliament, Verkhovna Rada, on Tuesday will consider legislation that would make criminal liability for separatism harsher, and will also examine the issue of banning the activities of a range of political parties and social organizations, acting President Alexander Turchinov said.
"Tomorrow, one of the first things the Ukrainian Verkhovna Rada will do is consider the harshening of criminal liability for separatism and other crimes against the state," Turchinov said. He also said that the issue of banning the activities of a number of political parties and social organizations would also be discussed, RIA Novosti reports.
Legislature of just proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asks Putin move in peacekeepers
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Legislature of just-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic asks Russian president to move in temporary peacekeeping contingent.The legislators also passed a decision on holding a referendum on whether or not the region should join the Russian Federation. It will be held no later than May 11, TASS reports.
If you missed Part 1 click here
Regional legislators proclaim Donetsk People's Republic - media
The members of the regional legislature in Ukraine’s industrial center of Donetsk have proclaimed the city Donetsk People’s Republic, local mass media reports.
At the moment, according to TASS, a session of the regional legislature is in progress. The deputies plan to declare a referendum on the issue of joining Russia.
A rally by civilians is in progress in front of the building of the Donetsk Regional city administration. The Russian state flag hoisted in front of the building on Sunday has been replaced with a larger one.
Protesters seize building of Ukrainian Security Service's Donetsk dep’t
Protesters have seized the building of the Ukrainian Security Service's Donetsk department. Donbass "people's militia" activists reported in social networking media that the building's "perimeter had been reinforced and archives, documents and physical infrastructure were being examined."
Pro-Russian activists had earlier seized the building of the regional administration. The police launched an inquiry under part 1, article 294 of the Ukrainian Criminal Code (mass disturbances) under the procedural supervision of the Donetsk regional prosecutor’s office.
The Donetsk regional prosecutor's office said that the Donetsk police had been working on the "liberation of the Ukrainian Security Service’s building."
"A group of aggressive young men broke into the department of the Ukrainian Security Service at 3:30 a.m. on April 7 and seized the premises without putting forward any coherent demands. A criminal case was opened under part 1 article 294 (mass disturbances)," the report said.
Ukraine cannot stabilize without federalization - lawmaker
Stability in Ukraine is unattainable without federalization, State Duma International Affairs Committee Chairman Alexei Pushkov said.
"The events in Donetsk and other cities of eastern Ukraine show that stability is impossible without federalization, especially as Kiev does not possess financial assets," Pushkov tweeted on Monday.
Pro-Russian activists in Kharkov awaiting reinforcements from Donetsk, Lugansk
Pro-Russian activists who have occupied the building of the Kharkov regional administration are awaiting reinforcements from Donetsk and Lugansk. Pro-Russian protesters entered the building of the Kharkov regional administration on Sunday. It took them ten minutes to get inside. People on the street greeted with cheers and whistle the appearance of a man carrying the Russian flag in a second-floor window. They shouted, "Bravo" and "Police and People Together". Earlier reports said the storm of the Kharkov regional administration began on Sunday night.
"We must hang on for 24 hours. Reinforcements from Donetsk and Lugansk will arrive within a day. We have spoken to both. We just have to hang on for 24 hours," activist Yehor Lohvynov told his associates in the building.
"We are tasked to get organized: be quiet, peaceful and calm and avoid marauding. Only the Ukrainian Eastern Bloc and the Civil Defense of the Region will stay inside, there will be no strangers here," he said. Lohvynov declared local deputies illegitimate.
"Deputies were summoned but not a single person showed up, not a single one: So, neither of them is legitimate, no one has appeared and reported: As soon as we get help, we will start appointing our people," he said. In his words, main officials will be appointed "in a direct vote of all Kharkov residents held on the square."
There are many people wearing masks inside the Kharkov regional administration's building and some of them are also wearing helmets, according to Interfax. Activist Serhiy Yudayev warned journalists they must not ask those people to take off their masks.
"Any requests to take off a mask will be viewed as provocation," he added.
Ukraine: pro-Russian protesters declare ultimatum to authorities in Donetsk, urge for referendum
If MPs do not convene before 23:59 pm local time on 6 April and do not pass a resolution on holding a referendum, residents of the Donbass Region will declare them illegitimate. Residents of the Donbass Region demanded that regional MPs return to their seats and hold a session to discuss the issue of conducting a referendum.
According to a LifeNews correspondent working on the site, both law enforcers and protesters are behaving calmly.
Activists established their own checkpoint at the entrance to the local administration building and check the documents of those who intend to enter the building. The activists also insist that police officers leave the building.
Over a thousand Donbass Region residents are staying in the square. They are playing the guitars, singing songs and setting up tents.
Ukraine: pro-Russian protesters seize gov't buildings in Donetsk, Lugansk, Kharkov
Several dozen pro-Russian protesters broke through police lines on Sunday and entered the regional administration building in Ukraine's eastern city of Kharkov, an AFP reporter at the scene said. The activists raised a Russian flag over the building after similar protests in the eastern cities of Donetsk and Lugansk. An AFP reporter said police did not use force against the demonstrators, whose numbers outside the building swelled to about 2,000 people.
The protesters stormed regional government buildings in the industrial hub of Donetsk and security service offices in nearby Lugansk, waving Russian flags and demanding a Crimea-style referendum on joining Russia.
Around 1,500 people protested in Donetsk on Sunday before breaking into the regional administration building, where they hung a Russian flag from a second-floor balcony, a Reuters witness said. Protesters outside cheered and chanted "Russia! Russia!".
In the Lugansk protest, Ukrainian television said three people had been injured. Police could not confirm the report.
Talking to the crowd over a loudspeaker, protest leaders in Donetsk said they wanted regional lawmakers to convene an emergency meeting to discuss a referendum on joining Russia.
Residents of Ukraine's Donetsk and Kharkov rally to join Russia
About 500 people from pro-Russian political parties and organizations are holding a rally at Lenin Square in the Ukrainian city of Donetsk this Saturday. Many of the rally's participants are demanding that Donbass (a region in Ukraine, known for its coal production, where Donetsk is one of the largest cities) should become a part of Russia. Simultaneously, two rallies are being held in Kharkov's Liberty Square in support of a referendum on Ukraine's federalization.
Some are carrying Russian white-blue-and-red flags with "The Donetsk Republic" written on them, Interfax-Ukraina news agency reports.
After the rally, the participants plan to march along Artyom Street (Donetsk's central street) to the city council's office, which is not far from Lenin Square.
Kharkov, Odessa, Donetsk regions demand autonomy for southeastern Ukraine
Demonstrators at a pro-Russian rally in central Kharkov on Sunday called for the establishment of an autonomous republic consisting of southeastern Ukrainian provinces. The meetings in Kharkov were followed by big Ukrainian cities such as Dotetsk, Odessa and Lugansk. The demonstrators urged the southeastern Ukrainian provinces to unite against Kiev.
"We are the successors of the republics of Donetsk-Krovoy Rog and Odessa. We are not the surviving remnants of the Bandera forces. We have been and will be the pillar of our country," Yuri Apukhtin, a Civic Forum leader, told the demonstrators.
He urged the southeastern provinces to unite, create a coordination committee and campaign against the Kiev putschists as a single front.
"We see our place in Ukraine in a historically-shaped southeastern autonomy," Apukhtin said.
An agreement has been reached with the leaders of similar protests in Donetsk and Lugansk to coordinate joint efforts, he said.
The protesters demanded the release of well-known activist Ignat Kromskoy, who had been put under house arrest "on charges of organizing mass riots" for taking part in the March 1 action to drive away maidan supporters who had come from Kiev and other regions and seized the regional administration’s office.
Participants in a similar rally in Luhansk demanded federalization and protested against the suspension of Russian TV channels in the Lugansk region. Several demonstrators wiped their boots on a Ukrainian national flag.
What is Russia waiting for ? Get your forces in and protect the Eastern people. F**k this west problems too much.
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