Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)

Further Reading

• Ceasefire in eastern Ukraine expires Iran Press TV 30 Jun 2014 -- A ceasefire between Ukraine's government and pro-Russian protesters has come to an end without any immediate word about its extension.
• Casualties reported in fresh Ukraine clashes Iran Press TV 30 Jun 2014 -- Civilian casualties have been reported as the Ukrainian army and pro-Russia forces engage in fresh clashes in the east despite a ceasefire in the restive eastern regions.
• Ukraine President Ends Unilateral Cease-Fire VOA 30 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says he will not renew a 10-day unilateral cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, vowing instead to mount new attacks on pro-Russian rebels that he says 'will liberate our land.'
• Ukraine's Security Council deciding on southeast ceasefire extension VoR 30 Jun 2014 -- Independent Ukrainian parliamentary deputy Oleg Lyashko said he had met with President Petr Poroshenko on Monday to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine. 'I have just met with Poroshenko and I heard what I wanted to hear. The content of the president's decisions on the counterterrorism operation is what Ukraine is waiting for,' the lawmaker wrote on Facebook on Monday evening.
• Ukrainian army conducts artillery fire in Lugansk region for second day despite ceasefire - LPR VoR 30 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian army is holding artillery fire at the village of Metallist, the press office of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) said. 'The artillery fire at Metallist started yesterday and continued up until now,' the LPR press office said. 'This confirms yet again the fact that ceasefire, which has not ended yet, is not observed,' the press office said.
• 'Ukraine army opens fire on civilian sites in east' Iran Press TV 29 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian army has opened fire on civilian sites in the eastern regions of the country despite a ceasefire announced by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, Self-defense forces say.
• EU Leaders Join Ukraine-Russia Talks RFE/RL 29 Jun 2014 -- European Union leaders have held talks with the presidents of Russia and Ukraine as a truce between Ukrainian government forces and separatists neared its end.
• After EU-Russia-Ukraine talks Poroshenko orders Border Service to consult with Russian counterparts VoR 29 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko has instructed State Border Service head Mykola Litvyn, to hold urgent consultations with Russian Border Service officials to negotiate a mechanism of ensuring effective control over the Ukrainian-Russian border, reports Interfax.
• Russia: US Pushing for Ukraine Confrontation VOA 28 Jun 2014 -- Russia's foreign minister has accused the United States of encouraging Ukraine to challenge Moscow.
• Ukrainian troops ignore Poroshenko's statement on ceasefire - Lugansk People's Republic VoR 28 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian troops do not react to the statement on armistice between the conflicting parties until June 30 made by President Petr Poroshenko and act independently against the militias, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Lugansk People's Republic, Alexey Karyakin said at a press conference on Saturday. According to him, now it is difficult to predict, what the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) and the Ukrainian law enforcers will do after June 30.
• Right Sector fighters recruited into Ukrainian army battalion - Lugansk People's Republic VoR 28 Jun 2014 -- The radical organization Right Sector fighters are recruited into the Aydar battalion of the Ukrainian National Guard destroyed by the militia with its fighters, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR) Alexey Karyakin said at a press conference on Saturday.
• Slavyansk militia reports that fighting continues despite ceasefire VoR 28 Jun 2014 -- Hostilities are under way in the Donetsk region, despite the agreement on ceasefire, a representative of the Slavyansk militia told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
• Kiev military unit in Donetsk surrenders to militia VoR 28 Jun 2014 -- Another military unit located in Donetsk has surrendered to the militia, a representative of the authorities of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic told RIA Novosti on Saturday.
• Ukraine shells hit Russia territory: Moscow Iran Press TV 28 Jun 2014 -- Moscow says Ukrainian troops have fired three shells into the Russian territory, causing damage but no casualties.
• Ukrainian President Extends Truce In East RFE/RL 28 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has announced his government will extend by 72 hours a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine.
• Deeply concerned about eastern Ukraine, Ban welcomes extension of cease-fire UN News Centre 28 Jun 2014 -- Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon has welcomed the extension of a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and, with continued deep concern about the situation there, urged all sides to honour their commitments and work within a political process.
• UN refugee agency warns of 'sharp rise' in people fleeing eastern Ukraine UN News Centre 27 Jun 2014 -- Some 16,400 people fled their homes in crisis-riven eastern Ukraine during the past week, bringing the number of displaced within the country to 54,000, according the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR).
• Statement by the Secretary General on the signature of the European Union's Association Agreements with Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine NATO 27 Jun 2014 -- I welcome the signature of Association Agreements between the EU and Georgia, the Republic of Moldova and Ukraine. The Association Agreements, and the Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area, will significantly deepen the political and economic ties between the EU and its three Eastern partners.
• Ukraine, Moldova, And Georgia Sign EU Accords RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova have signed key economic and political accords with the European Union in Brussels.
• Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia Ink Association Deals with EU, Create Free-Trade Zone RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Georgia, Moldova, Ukraine and the European Union signed association agreements that foresee the creation of a free-trade zone with the EU during a summit in Brussels Friday.
• Ukraine, EU Sign Free Trade Agreement VOA 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko signed a landmark trade and economic agreement with the European Union in Brussels Friday, and said he would decide later whether to extend the unilateral cease-fire he announced a week ago in the military campaign against pro-Russian separatists.
• Russia to send humanitarian aid to eastern regions of Ukraine on June 28 VoR 27 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry said Friday it has notified Kiev about plans to send 60 metric tons of humanitarian aid to eastern regions of Ukraine caught in the fighting between the government forces and independence supporters.
• Donetsk People's Republic leaders ready to extend ceasefire until June 30 VoR 27 Jun 2014 -- The leadership of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) is willing to agree to Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko's proposal on extending the ceasefire.
• Uzbeks Adding To Ranks Of Ukraine's Pro-Russian Separatists RFE/RL 25 Jun 2014 -- Fresh evidence suggests that pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine are looking to Central Asia as a potential source of trained military fighters.
• 164,000 people displaced by Ukraine crisis: UN Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- The UN refugee agency says at least 164,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes, as tensions continue in the country's troubled eastern regions.
• Clashes kill 20 Ukrainian troops in troubled east Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- More than 20 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during clashes with pro-Russia activists in the troubled eastern regions, despite an ongoing ceasefire between the two sides.
• Ukraine signs agreement with EU Iran Press TV 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's new authorities have finally inked a free trade deal with the European Union (EU) following months of violent unrest and clashes over the issue.
• OSCE Observers Freed In Ukraine RFE/RL 27 Jun 2014 -- Four monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) who were abducted in May by pro-Russian gunmen in eastern Ukraine have been freed.
• Moscow Would Welcome Truce in Ukraine, Not Postponement of Ultimatum – Lavrov RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday Moscow would welcome a longer truce between the warring parties in Ukraine, but warned it should not resemble a "postponement of ultimatum."
• Ukrainian Interior Minister Says Army Ready for Tough Action in Eastern Regions RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian law-enforcement agencies are ready for tough action in the protest-hit eastern regions of the country once the ceasefire expires later on Friday, Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said.
• Kiev Failed to Discuss Constitutional Reform with East Regions – Lavrov RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian government has so far made no practical moves to discuss amendments to the country's constitution with the breakaway regions in eastern Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Friday.
• Number of Ukrainian Refugees in Russia Reaches 110,000 - UN RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Some 110,000 people have fled Ukraine to Russia this year, while 54,400 others have been displaced within the country, Melissa Fleming, chief spokeswoman of the UN High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), said Friday.
• Russia Seeks Common Ground with EU on Ukraine Association – Foreign Ministry RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- Russia expects the forthcoming expert-level consultations and ministerial talks with Ukraine and the EU on Kiev's association with the bloc will be a step toward reaching common ground, a deputy Russian foreign minister said Friday.
• Ukraine Split by Coup, Made to Choose East or West – Putin RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- An illegal coup orchestrated by forces outside Ukraine has caused a deep rift in Ukrainian society and forced the ex-Soviet nation to choose between Russia and the EU, Russian President Vladimir Putin said Friday.
• Kiev Mulls Next Step as Ceasefire Set to Expire RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The government in Kiev is considering its next step in the turbulent southeastern regions as the ceasefire between the Ukrainian government and independence forces expires Friday evening, a spokesman for Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council said.
• EU Gives Russia Three Days to De-Escalate Ukraine Crisis, Threatens Sanctions RIA Novosti 27 Jun 2014 -- The European Council on Friday said it would give Moscow three days to de-escalate the situation in Ukraine, or it will impose new sanctions against Russia, according to a statement published Friday.
• Explainer: What EU Accords Mean For Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova RFE/RL 26 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine, Georgia, and Moldova will take a step closer to the EU when they sign key accords in Brussels on June 27. Here are five things to know about what's at stake.
• Thousands Flee Eastern Ukraine as End of Cease-Fire Looms VOA 26 Jun 2014 -- Witnesses say thousands of Ukrainians fleeing violence in eastern Ukraine lined up late Thursday at a Russian border crossing in cars packed with personal belongings to cross into Russia.
• Interview: Ukraine FM Says Russia Has No Prospects in Crimea VOA 26 Jun 2014 -- Questioning the viability of long-term political and economic goals Russia has set for itself in Crimea, Ukraine's new foreign minister says that Moscow has no chance of implementing them on the annexed peninsula.
• Ukraine President Calls on Russia to Show Commitment to Peace VOA 26 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called on Russia Thursday to support his peace plan for eastern Ukraine with "actions, not words,' accusing Moscow of 'aggression.'
• Donetsk, Lugansk alliance parliament ratifies Union of People's Republics' constitution VoR 26 Jun 2014 -- The Parliament of the alliance of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics unanimously ratified a constitutional act proclaiming the creation of the Union of People's Republics (UPR). Earlier the constitution had been ratified by the respective parliaments of both republics.
• 10,000 Ukrainian citizens ask for refugee status, temporary asylum in Russia VoR 26 Jun 2014 -- Around 10,000 Ukrainian citizens asked for refugee status or temporary asylum in Russia, deputy head of the Federal Migration Service's department in Moscow Marina Kapustina said in a public advisory council on Thursday. 'More than 9,600 Ukrainian citizens asked for refugee status or temporary asylum,' she said.
• Pro-Russians agree to further peace talks Iran Press TV 26 Jun 2014 -- Pro-Russia protesters in eastern Ukraine have said they agree to take part in another round of peace talks with Kiev.
• Ukrainian President Calls On Russia To Support Peace 'With Deeds' RFE/RL 26 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called on Russia to support his peace plan 'with deeds, not words.'
• Ukraine's Luhansk, Donetsk Republics Ratify Union of People's Republics Constitution RIA Novosti 26 Jun 2014 -- The parliament of the union of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Luhansk republics ratified a constitutional act that proclaims the creation of the Union of the People's Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk during its first session on Thursday.
• Armored Vehicles Approaching Eastern Ukraine's Luhansk RIA Novosti 26 Jun 2014 -- A column of Ukrainian armored military vehicles has arrived near the eastern village of Zheltoe, approximately 20 kilometers from the city of Luhansk, the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic's Defense Ministry Press Secretary Alexei Toporov told RIA Novosti on Thursday.
• NATO Foreign Ministers agree on Readiness Plan, endorse support package for Ukraine NATO 25 Jun 2014 -- NATO Foreign Ministers on Wednesday (25 June 2014) agreed on plans to develop a robust Alliance Readiness Action Plan for the Alliance's Summit in Wales this September and endorsed a package of support measure to strengthen Ukraine's ability to defend itself. "The Summit comes at a time when security challenges are multiplying beyond our borders," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said. "Today we stressed the importance of our collective defence."
• Rasmussen presents NATO plan to bolster Ukraine's defense VoR 25 Jun 2014 -- NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen presented the alliance's plan to bolster Ukraine's defense capabilities during a meeting with Ukrainian Foreign Minister Pavel Klimkin on Wednesday, the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry's press service said in a statement.
• Kiev Says Ready to Sign 'Package Deal' for Russian Gas under Previous EU Proposals RIA Novosti 25 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine is ready to sign a package agreement with Gazprom based on proposals made by the European Commission, Ukrainian Energy Minister Yuriy Prodan said during his visit to Brussels Wednesday.
• Kiev Ready for Consultations with Moscow on Ukraine's EU Integration Bid - Yatsenyuk RIA Novosti 25 Jun 2014 -- Kiev is prepared to hold consultations with Moscow on Ukraine's European integration bid, Ukraine's Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Wednesday.
• Kiev Troops, Southeast Ukraine Independence Supporters Swap Captives RIA Novosti 25 Jun 2014 -- Kiev-backed forces and independence supporters from southeastern Ukraine have started swapping captives, Ukraine's acting Defense Minister Mykhailo Koval said Wednesday.
• Ukrainian army continues shooting during truce - Lugansk People's Republic VoR 25 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian authorities took advantage of the ceasefire to strengthen their positions and continue to bombard settlements of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic (LPR), Chairman of the Supreme Council of the LPR, Alexey Karyakin said on Wednesday. He noted that immediately after the announcement of the truce there were victims among the civilian population on the territory of the LPR as a result of shellings.
• Ukrainian military disarms people that seized oil refinery connected to Yanukovych VoR 25 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces have disarmed a group of people who broke into the grounds of the Dolinsky oil refinery (Kirovograd region), Interfax reports regional prosecutors as saying.
• 140 Ukrainian soldiers killed during special operation in southeast - Defense Ministry VoR 25 Jun 2014 -- More than 140 Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during a special operation in southeastern Ukraine since the middle of April, Ukrainian Defense Minister Mikhail Koval said on Monday.
• Russia calls off mandate to send troops to Ukraine Iran Press TV 25 Jun 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament has voted to call off a resolution allowing President Vladimir Putin to deploy troops to Ukraine.
• Russia's Upper House Rescinds Right To Intervene Militarily In Ukraine RFE/RL 25 Jun 2014 -- Russia's upper house of parliament has voted overwhelmingly to revoke authorization for Russian military intervention in Ukraine.
• Russian Parliament Revokes Permission to Send Troops VOA 25 Jun 2014 -- In Moscow Wednesday, Russia's upper house of parliament voted to withdraw permission for Russian troops to go into Ukraine, fulfilling a request made by President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday to cancel that permission.
• Separatists Down Ukrainian Military Helicopter VOA 24 Jun 2014 -- Pro-Russian separatists have shot down a Ukrainian military helicopter, just a day after the rebels announced a week-long truce in eastern Ukraine matching the cease-fire announced by the country's president.
• US offers to compensate Kiev losses after reduction of military-technical cooperation with Russia VoR 24 Jun 2014 -- The United States is weighing plans to expand military-technical cooperation with Ukraine and to compensate part of the Ukrainian defense industry's losses following the curtailment of Ukrainian-Russian military-technical cooperation.
• Ukrainian army carries out artillery strikes against self-defense in Slavyansk despite ceasefire VoR 24 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces continue to carry out artillery strikes against the militia's strongholds in defiance of the declared ceasefire, the defense minister of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic', Igor Strelkov, has said.
• Putin Suggests Revoking Permission for Use of Military Force in Ukraine RIA Novosti 24 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin suggested that the upper chamber of the Russian parliament, the Federation Council, cancelled its permission for a Russian military action in Ukraine, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Thursday.
• Independence Supporters Say Ukrainian Forces Continue Fighting – Donetsk RIA Novosti 24 Jun 2014 -- Representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) denied Tuesday Kiev's allegations suggesting independence supporters violated the ceasefire and accused instead the Ukrainian special forces of continuing fighting.
• Despite recent positive steps, Ukraine situation remains deeply worrying, Security Council told UN News Centre 24 Jun 2014 -- While there have been several steps recently to help de-escalate tensions in Ukraine, including a ceasefire that seems to be holding and the start of peace talks, the situation on the ground remains deeply worrying, senior United Nations officials reported to the Security Council today.
• Putin Wants To Revoke Mandate Sanctioning Use Of Force In Ukraine RFE/RL 24 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has asked the Federation Council to revoke the authorization it granted for military forces to intervene in Ukraine.
• EU Attempts to Punish Crimea for Reunification with Russia Unacceptable - Moscow RIA Novosti 24 Jun 2014 -- The European Union's attempts to punish Crimea for its reunifying with Russia is completely unacceptable, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
• EU Actions Undermine Partnership With Russia RIA Novosti 24 Jun 2014 -- The latest actions of the European Union cast doubt on the strategic nature of its relations with Russia, the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement Tuesday.
• Putin discusses Ukraine's peace plan with Merkel, Hollande People's Daily 23 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his support for Ukraine's peace settlement plan in a telephone conversation with German Chancellor Angela Merkel and French President Francois Hollande, the Kremlin said on Sunday.
• Russia backs national dialog in Ukraine: Lavrov Iran Press TV 23 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has announced that Moscow supports efforts aimed at launching a national dialog in Ukraine.
• EU Ministers Threaten Further Sanctions On Russia RFE/RL 23 Jun 2014 -- Several European foreign ministers are threatening further sanctions if Russia fails to both cooperate with Ukraine's proposed peace plan and halt interference in the country's east.
• Poroshenko's Plan B Stipulates Continuation of Military Action – Presidential Aide RIA Novosti 23 Jun 2014 -- A detailed plan B elaborated by Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko as an alternative to his peace plan for the conflict in the country's east details the possible continuation of military action against independence supporters, Presidential Aide Yuriy Lutsenko said Monday.
• Independence Supporters in Ukraine's East Unwilling to Recognize Kiev's Unilateral Ceasefire RIA Novosti 23 Jun 2014 -- Independence supporters in eastern Ukraine have refused to recognize Kiev's unilateral ceasefire, one of the leaders of the independence supporters said Monday.
• Ukraine Separatist Leader: Rebels Will Observe Temporary Cease-fire VOA 23 Jun 2014 -- A leader of the pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine says rebel forces will observe the unilateral cease-fire that President Petro Poroshenko declared Friday as the first step in a broader peace plan.
• Ukraine Volunteer Militia Deploys to East During Cease-fire VOA 23 Jun 2014 -- More volunteers with Ukraine's Donbas Battalion, a pro-government militia that recently merged with the National Guard, were preparing to deploy to the restive east Monday - in the middle of a temporary cease-fire declared just days earlier by the country's new president. The deployment comes at a time when they are technically not allowed to launch operations against pro-Russian separatist fighters.
• Ukraine's gov't, self-defense agree ceasefire till June 27 VoR 23 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian government and eastern militias agreed on Monday to a ceasefire, which will be in effect until 10 am on June 27 The former Ukrainian president, Leonid Kuchma, was speaking at a briefing after peace talks in Donetsk in which he had represented the government, Interfax reports.
• Ukraine army puts minefields outside Slavyansk, casualties among civilians reported VoR 23 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces have put minefields outside Slavyansk in eastern Ukraine's Donetsk region, said the defense minister of the Donetsk People's Republic.
v
• Putin Repeats Call for Political Compromise in Ukraine VOA 22 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Sunday again called for political compromise in Ukraine, saying a peace deal should ensure the rights of all Russian-speaking people in Ukraine's east.
• Putin Calls for 'Comprehensive' Dialogue With Ukraine VOA 22 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has called for a 'comprehensive' dialogue among all the conflicting parties in the crisis in eastern Ukraine that has killed hundreds.
• NATO praises ceasefire in Ukraine VoR 22 Jun 2014 -- NATO lauds the ceasefire in Eastern Ukraine and Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko's peace plan. The Alliance continues monitoring the situation and welcomes all initiatives on ceasing fire, a NATO official told TASS on Sunday. The situation in Ukraine and relations with Russia will be one of the priority issues of the upcoming NATO Council session at the level of foreign ministers scheduled for June 24-25.
• Truce rejected by Donetsk People's Republic VoR 22 Jun 2014 -- The self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) has rejected the truce, declared in compliance with President Petr Poroshenko's peace plan, reports Interfax. This announcement was made in a statement, signed by Igor Strelkov, leader of the militia of the 'Donetsk People's Republic,' and posted on Facebook by Donbass 'people's governor' Pavel Gubarev.
• Poroshenko ready for dialogue with Ukraine's east VoR 22 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko is urging people in the eastern regions to support his peace plan and settle issues through talks, the presidential press service reports.'The immediate and fast implementation of the peace plan will pave the way to political dialogue. I am inviting to this dialogue lawfully elected representatives of local self-governments, civil organizations and all others,' Poroshenko stressed in his message to the nation posted on the presidential website Saturday evening.
• Ukraine forces step up attacks in east: Lavrov Iran Press TV 21 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov says Moscow is concerned about Ukrainian forces' intensified military operations in the country's eastern regions.
• Separatists Reject Ukraine Cease-Fire VOA 21 Jun 2014 -- Pro-Russian separatists rejected a unilateral cease-fire declared by Ukraine's newly inaugurated president, casting doubt on the new effort to end the conflict in the country's east that has killed hundreds.
• Fighting continues in eastern Ukraine despite ceasefire - DPR leadership VoR 21 Jun 2014 -- The fighting continues in eastern Ukraine despite the temporary ceasefire declared by Ukrainian president Petr Poroshenko, the prime minister of the unilaterally proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Saturday.
• Ukrainian army to retaliate if federalization supporters break ceasefire - Poroshenko VoR 21 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko on Saturday threatened retaliation if the anti-government militia groups in eastern Ukraine breach the terms of the week-long unilateral ceasefire that he declared on Friday as part of his peace plan. Poroshenko issued the warning during a visit to Ukraine's chief military hospital in Kiev, where servicemen wounded in battle in the east of the country are being treated, the president's office said in a statement.
• Ukrainian army shell military unit near Donetsk, destroy radar stations VoR 21 Jun 2014 -- Radar stations were destroyed as a result of shelling of an air defence unit, located in Avdeevka, near Donetsk, the Donetsk Vesti newspaper reports with reference to a source in the military unit. According to the newspaper, Saturday morning, at 5 a.m. local time (2 am GMT), militiamen attacked the air defense unit located in Avdeevka.
• Seven Ukrainian soldiers killed in east Iran Press TV 20 Jun 2014 -- Seven Ukrainian soldiers have been killed during clashes with pro-Russia fighters in the volatile east, Ukrainian officials said.
• Ukraine Loses Seven Soldiers As Poroshenko Readies Peace Plan RFE/RL 20 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine says seven of its troops have been killed in heavy fighting with pro-Russian separatists in the country's east, as President Petro Poroshenko prepares to unveil his plan to quell the conflict.
• New Ukraine Foreign Minister Seen Bringing Sober Style To Kyiv Diplomacy RFE/RL 20 Jun 2014 -- One day after then Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych unexpectedly scuttled plans to sign an Association Agreement with the European Union at a Vilnius summit, his envoy in Berlin took to German radio to explain Kyiv's decision.
• US Imposes Sanctions Against Leaders of Self-Proclaimed Republics of Luhansk, Donetsk RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- Washington has added seven high-ranking officials from the self-proclaimed Republics of Donetsk and Luhansk to its list of individuals subjected to asset freezes and travel bans, the US Treasury Department said on its website Friday.
• Russia Sends Three Planes with Aid to Refugee Camps in Crimea, Rostov Region RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- Two of three Russian planes carrying humanitarian aid for Ukrainian refugees landed in Crimea and in the Rostov region on the border with Ukraine's restive Luhansk, according to the Russian Emergency Ministry's spokesman Alexander Drobyshevsky.
• Kiev Claims Operation to Close Border with Russia Nearing Completion RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian army is almost done shutting down its eastern border with Russia, according to Ukraine's Verkhovna Rada Chairman and former interim President Oleksandr Turchynov.
• Independence Supporters, Ukrainian Army Fighting Near Russian Border RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- Luhansk defense forces are currently engaged in fighting with the Ukrainian military near the border with Russia, a spokesperson for the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic told RIA Novosti.
• Russia Establishes Five More Centers for Ukrainian Refugees RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- Five more temporary accommodation centers have been established in the past 24 hours in southern and central Russia to receive refugees from Ukraine, a source in the Russian security services told RIA Novosti Friday.
• Ukraine's President Unveils Peace Plan; Clashes Continue VOA 20 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's new president unveiled a sweeping 14-point peace plan Friday designed to quell the violence in the restive east, as the government reported the deaths of seven soldiers and Russia resumed building up troops near the border.
• Ukraine's army terminates blockade of eastern borders - Turchynov VoR 20 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian military and border guards have completed the operation of blocking the country's eastern borders, according to Verkhovna Rada Speaker Alexander Turchynov. 'According to reports from the leadership of the Defense Ministry, with whom I've spoken this morning, our troops approached Izvarino, thus completing the operation of blocking the borders,' Turchynov said.
• No Russian troops near Ukrainian border - Putin's aide VoR 20 Jun 2014 -- Russian presidential aide Yuri Ushakov has refuted the allegations that Russia is moving troops towards the Ukrainian border. 'There is no enlargement [of the military contingent] there. There is only a certain saturation of the border factor,' Ushakov told a press briefing on Friday. He said that was done because the Russian administration was concerned about the border situation.
• Kremlin Says No Russian Military Buildup Near Ukraine, Only Enhanced Border Security RIA Novosti 20 Jun 2014 -- Moscow is surprised by allegations of a buildup of Russian troops near Ukraine, saying it is only taking measures backed by European leaders to better protect its border, a Kremlin spokesman said Friday.
• Anger, Threats in Ukraine's Capital Over Ceasefire Proposal VOA 19 Jun 2014 -- Separatists in Ukraine's restive east have rejected the government's offer of a unilateral ceasefire, and angry citizens in the streets of Kyiv have also given the idea a thumbs down. Many in the capital say they didn't stand for weeks in the bitter cold earlier this year to topple the former, Russia-friendly president - only for their new president to pander to Russian aggression.
• Pro-Russians lose fierce battle in Krasny Liman Iran Press TV 19 Jun 2014 -- Pro-Russia protesters in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region have reportedly lost a fierce battle with government forces.
• Clashes erupt in eastern Ukraine Iran Press TV 19 Jun 2014 -- A fierce battle has erupted between Ukrainian troops and pro-Russia protesters in Ukraine's troubled eastern regions.
• Russia expects full-scale ceasefire in Ukraine: Lavrov Iran Press TV 19 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov has said that Moscow expects the Ukrainian authorities to propose a full-scale rather than a temporary ceasefire in the country's southeastern part.
• UN Says Hundreds Killed, Detained In Ukraine RFE/RL 19 Jun 2014 -- UN monitors in eastern Ukraine say they've recorded a steady rise in killing, tortures and abductions by pro-Russian armed groups.
• No Humanitarian Corridors in Ukraine, Refugees Driven to Russia – Kremlin RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2014 -- No humanitarian corridors have been set up for those wanting to leave combat zones in eastern Ukraine, and people are being forced into Russia, Kremlin Chief of Staff Sergei Ivanov said Thursday.
• Ukrainian Army, Luhansk Forces in Hostage Swap Talks RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2014 -- Defense forces in Ukraine's eastern Luhansk province are negotiating the possible exchange of hostages with the army loyal to President Petro Poroshenko, according to the leader of the self-proclaimed Luhansk People's Republic (LPR).
• Ukrainian Parliament Relieves Outspoken Acting Ukrainian Foreign Minister of Duty RIA Novosti 19 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's parliament upheld the president's proposal to relieve outspoken Ukrainian Acting Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia of his duties Thursday. The proposal, which needed 226 votes for majority approval, was backed by 319 lawmakers.
• NATO Chief: More Russian Troops at Ukraine's Border VOA 19 Jun 2014 -- The head of NATO says Russia has resumed a troop build-up along its border with Ukraine, as Ukraine's president announced that he will sign an association agreement with the European Union.
• Revised draft resolution on Ukraine submitted to UN – Russian Foreign Ministry VoR 19 Jun 2014 -- Russia has submitted a revised draft resolution on Ukraine to the UN Security Council, TASS cites Russia's high-ranking diplomat has as saying.
• Russia surprised UN pays no attention to Ukrainian refugees' issue - Kremlin VoR 19 Jun 2014 -- Russian presidential chief of staff Sergei Ivanov says he is surprised at the fact that only Russia is rendering assistance to refugees from Ukraine, while international humanitarian organizations have still not joined these efforts.
• Ukraine's army using Su-25 fighter bombers as heavy fighting in Artemovsk underway - Donetsk militia VoR 19 Jun 2014 -- An intense military operation is underway in the town of Artemovsk in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, a local militia headquarters spokesman told Interfax on Thursday. 'The village of Zakatnoye, the town of Seversk and the outskirts of Artemovsk have come under fire. Militiamen are firing in response. Fierce fighting is underway using heavy military hardware on the part of Ukrainian government forces,' the spokesman said.
• Russia's Deputy FM welcomes Ukraine president's choice for new foreign minister VoR 19 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin welcomed on Wednesday the choice of Ukrainian president, saying Pavel Klimkin, proposed for the post of Ukraine's Foreign Minister, was a professional and a very experienced diplomat. 'We know Pavel Klimkin very well, as he was Deputy Foreign Minister of Ukraine, and after that ambassador to Germany,' Karasin said to Tass on Wednesday.
• UN cites total breakdown of law and order as 'climate of fear' grips eastern Ukraine UN News Centre 18 Jun 2014 -- With United Nations monitors reporting today that armed separatists have used killings, abductions and torture to instil a "climate of intimidation and fear" in eastern Ukraine, the world body's human rights chief urged all armed groups to put down their weapons, end the violence and begin the process of long-term reconciliation.
• Ukraine's Poroshenko to declare ceasefire in east Iran Press TV 18 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says he will soon order a unilateral ceasefire in the country's troubled east as part of a broader plan to end the bloodshed in the region.
• Poroshenko And Putin Hold Talks RFE/RL 18 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and his Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin have spoken about a possible ceasefire in eastern Ukraine where Ukrainian forces have been clashing with pro-Russian separatists.
• Ukraine's Poroshenko Promises Unilateral Cease-Fire RFE/RL 18 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has announced plans for a unilateral cease-fire in eastern Ukraine, where government forces are fighting pro-Russian separatists.
• Poroshenko's Right-Hand Man Emerges RFE/RL 18 Jun 2014 -- Every move that Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko makes is being examined as if under an electron microscope.
• Over 13,500 Ukrainian Refugees Staying in Russia RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2014 -- Russian authorities have estimated there are more than 13,500 Ukrainian refugees in Russia now, a security services source said Wednesday.
• Ukraine's Poroshenko Suggests Relieving Foreign Minister Deshchytsia from Post RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2014 -- President Petro Poroshenko has suggested dismissing acting Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia, the Ukrainian parliament said Wednesday.
• Poroshenko Says Ukraine at War, Southeast 'Brainwashed' RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko declared Wednesday his country was at war and said its army had been deliberately destroyed over the past years, according to Ukraine's UNIAN news agency.
• Poroshenko Ready to Negotiate with Leaders in East Ukraine RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2014 -- Petro Poroshenko is ready to negotiate with "people with authority" in the east of Ukraine, the Ukrainian president's envoy for conflict resolution in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions Irina Gerashchenko said.
• US Pledges $10m to Fight Ukraine Corruption VOA 18 Jun 2014 -- The head of the U.S. government's development agency has announced new financial support for anti-corruption initiatives in Ukraine. The visiting USAID chief said America stands by Ukraine in its quest to enact reform.
• Poroshenko's 'arms surrender' offer a trick - Donetsk People's Republic VoR 18 Jun 2014 -- A spokesman for the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR), Miroslav Rudenko, has rejected a proposal by Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko for self-defense fighters in the east of the country to surrender their arms. 'Poroshenko's proposal to surrender arms is simply a tactical trick,' he said. 'If people give in to it, a new purge will begin. We shall not surrender our arms,' Rudenko said.
• Martial law in eastern Ukraine to lead to increased levels of violence - Churkin VoR 18 Jun 2014 -- Imposition of martial law in eastern Ukraine is a wrong step and will lead to increased levels of violence, warned Russia's permanent representative to the UN Vitaly Churkin. 'If the current violence is not enough, the military situation seems to lead to its growth. This is the wrong thing to do' the diplomat said, commenting on the forthcoming Verkhovna Rada's appeal to President Petr Poroshenko.
• Spokesman for Donetsk Republic dismisses Poroshenko's statement as absurd VoR 18 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko's assurances about ceasefire 'have an absolutely absurd sounding', Alexandr Borodai, the Prime Minister of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said to ITAR-TASS Wednesday in a comment on a statement that Poroshenko made earlier on the same day. 'Poroshenko's statement is absurd,' Borodai said. 'He says he is stepping up his military operation now and mopping up the border, after which our people's guard must disarm itself voluntarily and without any prior conditions.'
• Russian Army Ready for Any Developments in Ukraine, World RIA Novosti 18 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Army is ready for any developments in Ukraine or anywhere in the world and Russian defense industry can quickly replace any imports, including those from Ukraine, Russia's Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said at a State Duma meeting behind closed doors.
• 10 killed, 10 wounded in Ukraine Kramatorsk shelling Iran Press TV 17 Jun 2014 -- At least 10 people have been killed and 10 more wounded after government forces shelled a residential area in Ukraine's troubled eastern region.
• Russia's Nationalist Fringe Takes Center Stage In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 17 Jun 2014
• Reverse Gas Delivery from Europe to Ukraine Could Reach 15Bln Cubic Meters - Yatsenyuk RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2014 -- The overall volume of reverse gas deliveries from the EU to Ukraine could reach 15 billion cubic meters annually, Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Tuesday.
• Ukraine Denies Using White Phosphorus in Slaviansk RIA Novosti 17 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian security forces have not used white phosphorous in bombing the civilians in the southeast of the country, Ukraine's Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said.
• Contacts with presidential settlement envoy impossible - Donetsk, Lugansk leaders VoR 17 Jun 2014 -- Leaders of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People's Republics are not ready in the current conditions to have any contacts with Irina Gerashchenko, who was appointed Ukrainian president's envoy for conflict settlement in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions.
• Three civilians killed by Ukrainian security forces in shooting in Slavyansk VoR 17 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian army continues shelling of Slavyansk, Donetsk region, and its suburbs; there are victims among civilians, the municipal Executive Committee has informed RIA Novosti. 'The shelling took place at night, and continued during the day,' a representative of the city authorities said.
• Ukraine's President Promises Peace Plan, Ceasefire VOA 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko says he will put forward a detailed peace plan that will include a ceasefire in the government's battle with pro-Russian separatists.
• Physical Gas Reverse to Ukraine From EU Impossible - Gazprom RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- European suppliers are unable to provide physical reverse deliveries of gas to Ukraine, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said Monday.
• Ukraine Threatens to Siphon off Russian Gas if Not Satisfied by Russian Price – Gazprom RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine said that if Russia refused to grant Ukraine a 'super-low' gas price, it would tap Russia's Europe-bound gas for free, Gazprom CEO Alexei Miller said at a meeting with the Russian Prime Minister Monday.
• Russia's Medvedev Says Kiev Creating Artificial Gas Crisis RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- The authorities in Kiev have created artificially the gas crisis that essentially affects the Ukrainian economy, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
• Ukraine Asks European Commission for Larger Gas Reversal as Russia Suspends Supplies RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- Head of Ukraine's Naftogaz Andriy Kobolev addressed the European Commission Monday with a request to increase reverse supplies after Russia had suspended all of its supplies for the country.
• Ukrainian Foreign Minister's Remarks 'Inadequate' - Medvedev RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian Foreign Minister Andrii Deshchytsia behaved inadequately when he shouted offensive remarks directed against the Russian president near the Russian embassy, Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Monday.
• Russia's Gazprom Sues Ukraine's Naftogaz over Gas Debt RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's Naftogaz unpaid debt for Russian gas giant Gazprom exceeds $4.4 billion, Gazprom Spokesman Sergei Kuprianov said Monday.
• Gazprom Implements Prepayment Delivery Scheme For Russian Gas to Ukraine Over Arrears RIA Novosti 16 Jun 2014 -- Russian gas giant Gazprom at 10:00 a.m. local time (06:00 a.m. GMT) implemented a prepayment plan for the delivery of Russian fuel to Ukraine's Naftogaz, according to a company statement on Monday.
• Ukraine Observes Day Of Mourning For Slain Soldiers RFE/RL 16 Jun 2014 -- June 15 was a day of mourning in Ukraine for 49 soldiers killed when pro-Russian separatists shot down a military transport plane.
• Russia Restricts Gas Supply To Ukraine After Deadline Passes RFE/RL 16 Jun 2014 -- Russia says it has restricted gas supplies to Ukraine after a payment deadline passed, but that supplies to Europe should not be affected.
• Scope of Ukraine's Refugee Crisis Remains Unclear VOA 16 Jun 2014 -- Lyudmila Denisenko endured weeks of deadly shootouts between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian insurgents in her home city of Slovyansk, the epicenter of the separatist conflict ravaging eastern Ukraine.
• Time Ripe for Ukraine Anti-Corruption Reforms VOA 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's new president, billionaire Petro Poroshenko, ran for office promising voters that he would institute reforms to end the kleptocracy seen during the regime of deposed President Viktor Yanukovych.
• DPR assumes control over Donetsk dep't of Ukraine's National Bank, State Treasury VoR 16 Jun 2014 -- Supporters of the Donetsk People's Republic on Monday assumed control over the department of the National Bank of Ukraine in the Donetsk region and the State Treasury.
• Ukraine's army opens mortar fire on community near Lugansk - self-defense VoR 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's government forces opened mortar fire on the Metallist community, located several kilometers from Lugansk, overnight to Monday, according to the press-service of the Lugansk People's Republic (LPR). The spokesperson added there were no immediate reports of casualties.
• Donetsk, Lugansk should hold early local elections - Poroshenko VoR 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko has called on Monday for early local elections to be held in Donetsk and Lugansk after changes are made to the Constitution and the hostilities in the region end. 'It is envisaged that straight after the passage of the peace plan and constitutional changes, Donetsk and Lugansk must hold early local elections to enable their local communities to elect their representatives and thus give them powers making them responsible for peace and welfare in their territory,' Poroshenko stated.
• Moscow refuses to deal with acting Ukrainian FM Deshchytsa - Lavrov VoR 16 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's Acting Foreign Minister Andrei Deshchytsa is perceived in Russia as a renegade. 'For us Deshchytsa is a renegade. By looking at him one recalls a good expression: if you do not know how to drink, then don't,' Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov told Russian reporters in Belgrade on Monday. Moreover, the Russian Foreign Ministry has demanded that the Ukrainian leadership take measures to guarantee security for the Russian diplomatic missions in Ukraine.
• Lavrov Urges Kerry To Rein In Kyiv's Offensive In East RFE/RL 15 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has urged U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry in a phone call to use his influence over Ukraine's leaders to convince them to suspend Kyiv's military offensive in the separatist east.
• NATO does not intend to deploy troops to Ukraine - NATO chief VoR 15 Jun 2014 -- NATO has no plans to deploy troops on Ukrainian soil, NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said on Sunday. Rasmussen said that NATO intends to submit a package of measures to its member countries' foreign ministers for review at the end of this month. The package would include assistance to Ukraine in reforming the country's defense sector and modernizing its armed forces.
• NATO Releases Imagery: Raises Questions on Russia's Role in Providing Tanks to Ukraine NATO ACO 14 Jun 2014 -- NATO is providing a series of images (see below) to the public in order to inform debate regarding recent events in the border region of Russia and Ukraine.
• US must press Ukraine to end offensive: Russia FM Iran Press TV 14 Jun 2014 -- Russia's foreign minister has demanded the United States put pressure on Ukrainian officials to immediately stop their military operations against protesters in eastern and southern provinces.
• 49 aboard Ukrainian army plane killed Iran Press TV 14 Jun 2014 -- Forty nine Ukrainian troops have been killed as their military plane was shot down by pro-Russia forces in Ukraine's eastern city of Luhansk.
• Ukraine Mourns 49 Troops Killed When Rebels Down Army Plane RFE/RL 14 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has declared a day of mourning for those killed in the deadliest attack on national troops since the pro-Russian uprising began in the country's south and east.
• UN chief condemns shooting of Ukrainian plane, 49 aboard killed UN News Centre 14 Jun 2014 -- United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today condemned in the strongest terms the downing of a Ukrainian military airplane today in the eastern city of Lugansk, killing all 49 people aboard.
• Kyiv Vows 'Adequate Response' to Downed Plane VOA 14 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko summoned his defense and security chiefs for consultations Saturday after pro-Russian separatists shot down a military transport plane, killing all 49 people on board.
• Lugansk: local self-defense forces launch counteroffensive VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- Local defenders in the self-proclaimed Lugansk People's Republic launched a counteroffensive to free the town of Schastye earlier seized by Ukrainian forces, press service of the republic said on Saturday. According to earlier reports, a column of armored vehicles of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was moving toward Lugansk from Schastye. 'Preparations are underway to defend the city,' one of the republic's leaders said. There was no information about the strength of the Ukrainian force that was on the way to Lugansk.
• US must urge Ukraine to end military campaign - Lavrov VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- Russia's foreign minister urged US Secretary of State John Kerry on Saturday to use his influence over Ukraine's leaders to convince them to suspend a military offensive in the separatist east. Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov 'urged the United States to use its influence with the Kiev authorities to nudge them toward a more realistic assessment of the situation, making them realize the hopelessness of using force to resolve a domestic conflict,' the Russian foreign ministry said after the two diplomats spoke by telephone.
• Russia's FM warns Ukraine against state border violations VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry has expressed serious concern about 'the significant aggravation in recent times of the situation on several sections of the Russian-Ukrainian state border resulting from the provocative actions of the Ukrainian side.' The ministry issued a statement saying that on June 5 a Ukrainian Su-27 aircraft penetrated the Russian air space to the depth of 1.5 kilometers in the area of Kuibyshevo, according to Interfax.
• Russia demands reports of prohibited weapons use by Kiev to be thoroughly studied VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Foreign Ministry urges that 'the reports on the use by Ukraine of types of weapons prohibited by international law need to be studied thoroughly.'
• Ukrainian Su-24 military aircraft shot down in Donetsk region by local militia VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- The self-defense forces of Gorlovka, Donetsk region, have reported that the Ukrainian Su-24 plane that bombed the building of a local police station at 4:30 a.m. Kiev time has been shot down.
• 49 troops aboard plane shot down in Ukraine's Lugansk confirmed dead VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian prosecutor's office has confirmed that 49 servicemen died when a military transport plane was shot down at Lugansk airport. 'About 01:10 local time on June 14, 2014, when landing at Lugansk airport, an Il-76 military transport plane of the Ukrainian Armed Forces was downed by a shot from an antiaircraft missile system. On board the plane, aside from nine crewmembers, were 40 servicemen. All died,' the press service of the prosecutor's office said.
• 49 people reportedly killed as Lugansk self-defense forces down Ukrainian military plane VoR 14 Jun 2014 -- There is information that 49 Ukrainian troops could have been killed in attack by insurgents on a Ukrainian military-transport plane Il-76, which occurred when the plane was landing in Luhansk, Vladislav Seleznyov, the head of the group in charge of reporting on the military operation, said. 'The lists are now being checked. Precise information will be available after the search and rescue group completes its work. Fifty-nine people are feared dead,' he told Interfax on Saturday morning.
• NATO Secretary General concerned about reports of escalation of the crisis in Eastern Ukraine NATO 13 Jun 2014
• NATO: Photos Confirm Russian Tanks Near Ukraine VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- NATO on Saturday released photos that it said showed recent Russian tank movements near the Ukrainian border, one day after the U.S. State Department asserted Russia had sent tanks and heavy weaponry to separatists in Ukraine.
• US: Russia Sends Tanks to Rebels in Ukraine VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- The U.S. State Department has confirmed that Russia has sent tanks and other heavy weapons to separatists in Ukraine.
• Former NATO Commander Wesley Clark: Crimea Is Not Kosovo VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- When NATO jets attacked Serbian military targets in Kosovo in 1999, relations between the West and Russia plummeted to lows not seen since before the Soviet collapse eight years earlier.
• Deadly clashes erupt in Ukraine's Mariupol Iran Press TV 13 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces have reportedly recaptured the southeastern city of Mariupol, following deadly clashes with pro-Russian activists.
• Ukrainian Troops Take Control Of Mariupol; Five Rebels Killed RFE/RL 13 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian government says its forces have regained control of the rebel-held port city of Mariupol.
• Ukraine Forces Regain Control of Mariupol VOA 13 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's government said Friday that its security forces regained control of Mariupol, a port city in the Donetsk region that has changed hands several times.
• Ukrainian military violates Russian border, Kremlin says VoR 13 Jun 2014 -- Russia on Friday claimed that the Ukrainian military had violated its border with at least one infantry combat vehicle. Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told the Interfax news agency that the incursion took place on Friday, a day after Ukraine hit out over an alleged border violation by Russian tanks. President Vladimir Putin 'has told the foreign ministry to contact the Ukrainian side on the issue of the border violation by Ukrainian troops,' Peskov said.
• Five people injured and one killed in Mariupol – local authorities VoR 13 Jun 2014 -- Five people were injured and one killed during this morning's special operation of the Ukrainian security task forces in Mariupol, Donetsk Region of Ukraine, the local administration reports citing the health department. The Ukrainian forces started a special operation in Mariupol on Friday morning, after which they reported having detained several dozens of resistance fighters.
• Ukrainian Military Waits For Government To Act On Promises Of Support RFE/RL 12 Jun 2014 -- A day after his election as Ukrainian president on May 25, Petro Poroshenko vowed to finally provide the country's woefully neglected military with some much-needed care, declaring, 'Ukrainian soldiers will no longer be naked, barefoot, and hungry!'
• Ukraine's armed forces launche first ever incendiary raid against Slavyansk suburbs VoR 12 Jun 2014 -- A village of Semenovka near the Ukraine's eastern restive city of Slavyansk appears to have been targeted for a fire-bomb attack on Wednesday night, a source at the local self-defense headquarters told RIA Novosti Thursday. 'Late on Wednesday, Semenovka came under attack that apparently involved fire bombs. They exploded right above the village and split into smoldering fragments,' an eyewitness said.
• Over 15,000 refugees flee from conflict-grip Ukraine's east to Russia VoR 12 Jun 2014 -- About 15,000 refugees have crossed the border between Ukraine and Russia fleeing from areas of combat operation in Ukraine's southeastern regions, speaker of the parliament of the Donetsk People's Republic Denis Pushilin.
• Russia Ready to Review Ukraine's Gas Debt, Scrap Prepayment Scheme – Energy Minister RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2014 -- Russia will not introduce advance gas payments for Ukraine and review its gas debt downwards if Kiev pays off $2 billion of its gas debt by June 16 and clears arrears in full by June 26, Energy Minister Alexander Novak said Wednesday.
• Some 250 Killed, 1,300 Wounded In Course of Punitive Operations In East Ukraine – Ministry RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2014 -- At least 257 people were killed and over 1,300 injured during the punitive operations in Eastern Ukraine, the country's Health Ministry reported Wednesday in a report based on data from urgent medical aid in the Luhansk and Donetsk regions.
• Gazprom Offers Ukraine Same Gas Deal Under Yanukovych – Putin RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin said Wednesday Gazprom proposed Ukraine to return to the same gas payment scheme that was used during the rule of ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych.
• Donetsk Mayor Calls on Kiev to Start Peace Talks Involving Russia, Int'l Organizations RIA Novosti 11 Jun 2014 -- The mayor of Donetsk, Oleksandr Lukyanchenko, called on Ukrainian authorities to urgently start negotiations in the country's east over a peaceful solution to the crisis in the Donbas region, involving Russia and international organizations, the mayor's press office said Wednesday.
• Putin: Ukraine Gas Price Demands a 'Dead End' VOA 11 Jun 2014 -- President Vladimir Putin accused Ukraine Wednesday of pushing gas talks toward a "dead-end" by asking for additional discounts.
• Donetsk People's Republic ready for talks with Ukraine with Russia's mediation VoR 11 Jun 2014 -- Donetsk People's Republic is ready to have negotiations with Ukraine, but only with Russia's mediation, Denis Pushilin, chairman of the Supreme Council of the Donetsk People's Republic, said.
• Ukraine to shut down border with Russia, considers using land mines VoR 11 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine intents to close off its border with Russia in the east, advisor to Ukraine's minister of the interior Anton Gerashenko said. Earlier the Ukrainian government decided to partially close off the border in the eastern part of the country where the fighting between Ukrainian military and local militia continues unabated. At the moment a total of eight border entry points were shut down.
• Ukrainian border guards claim to be abandoned by Kiev VoR 10 Jun 2014 -- 'We do not complain, we are ready to fight, but we still haven't got any orders or commands and we do not understand what to do,' border guards of the Izvarino checkpoint said to the Ukrayinska Pravda newspaper. According to the newspaper, the military believe themselves to be 'the 9th company', because everybody has forgotten about them.
• Donetsk militia claims to have destroyed Ukraine army roadblock between Slovyansk, Kramatorsk VoR 10 Jun 2014 -- A militia commander from the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic', Igor Strelkov, has claimed that the Ukrainian Armed Forces' roadblock between the cities of Slavyansk and Kramatorsk was destroyed.
• Ukraine's southeast does not trust Poroshenko's humanitarian corridor promise VoR 10 Jun 2014 -- Leaders of the Donetsk People's Republic doubt that the order of Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko to open humanitarian corridors will be fulfilled. 'The promise to open humanitarian corridors was given a long time ago but regretfully these are just words. We have heard about that decision but we doubt its implementation,' Donetsk People's Republic Vice-Premier Andrei Purgyn said.
• Ukraine self-defense forces destroy one military Grad MLRS near Slavyansk VoR 10 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian servicemen open artillery fire on Slavyansk in the Donetsk Region during periods when local residents try to leave the city, spokeswoman for the people's mayor said. Soldiers of self-defense forces near embattled eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk destroy at Grad multiple-launch rocket system.
• Ukraine orders humanitarian corridors in east Iran Press TV 10 Jun 2014 -- Newly elected Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the creation of humanitarian corridors to allow civilians a way to flee the conflict-hit areas of the east.
• Russia Welcomes Creation Of Humanitarian Corridors In Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 10 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Moscow welcomes Ukraine's decision to establish humanitarian corridors in eastern Ukraine where government forces continue fighting pro-Russian separatists.
• Lavrov Urges Kiev to Stop Military Crackdown, Begin Talks with East Ukraine RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2014 -- Kiev must stop its military operation in eastern Ukraine and start direct dialogue with independence supporters, otherwise the crisis in the country will continue for a long time, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Lavrov Says Dialogue Needed in Ukraine Regardless of Differences RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2014 -- Russia and its partners are convinced that dialogue and cessation of violence are vital for reconciliation in Ukraine regardless of how the sides interpret the Ukrainian crisis, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said Tuesday.
• Some 2,000 National Guard Members Deployed at Luhansk Airport RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2014 -- Approximately 2,000 gunmen with Ukraine's National Guard have been stationed at the Luhansk airport in the country's east, an independence supporter told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Poroshenko to Establish Humanitarian Corridor in Special Operation Areas RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2014 -- Newly elected Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has ordered the heads of law enforcement structures in the country to form a humanitarian corridor for civilians that want to leave the areas where the special operation is ongoing, Ukraine's presidential press service said Tuesday.
• No Plans for Anti-Missile Defense in Georgia, Ukraine - Nuland RIA Novosti 10 Jun 2014 -- The United States does not plan to establish an anti-missile defense system in Georgia or Ukraine, Assistant Secretary of State for European and Eurasian Affairs Victoria Nuland said Tuesday.
• UN political chief attends Ukrainian president's inauguration, reiterates support for new government UN News Centre 09 Jun 2014 -- The top United Nations political official today concluded a visit to Ukraine where he reiterated Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon's commitment to supporting the country, and held meetings with senior Government and civil society representatives.
• Ukraine, Russian Envoys Reach 'Mutual Understanding' on Parts of Peace Plan VOA 09 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's foreign ministry says it has reached a 'mutual understanding' with Russia on key stages of a peace plan for eastern Ukraine.
• Ukraine, Russia Resume Gas Talks Amid Conflict VOA 09 Jun 2014 -- A Russian official says Ukraine and Russia are meeting Monday to resolve a natural gas dispute after Moscow threatened to cut-off supplies if Ukraine does not pay outstanding debts. The dispute adds to tension between the two countries, as Ukraine combats a pro-Russian insurgency in the east.
• Moscow hopes Poroshenko will deliver on his pledge to end fighting VoR 09 Jun 2014 -- Russia hopes that Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko will put an end to the military operation in southeastern Ukraine, said Konstantin Dolgov, the Russian Foreign Ministry's commissioner for human rights, democracy and rule of law. 'We do hope that these pledges will be finally converted into concrete steps,' Dolgov told Rossiya 24 television.
• All forces to join Ukraine military operation: Avakov Iran Press TV 09 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Interior Minister Arsen Avakov has announced plans to deploy all the department's forces in combat and patrol units to eastern Ukraine for participation in the ongoing military operations against pro-Russia protesters.
• On The Road With Volunteers Supplying Ukrainian Troops RFE/RL 09 Jun 2014
• Over 7,000 Ukrainians Flee to Russia's Rostov Region in Past Day RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2014 -- More than 7,300 Ukrainian citizens have fled to neighboring Russia's Rostov Region, since Sunday, the region's government said on its website Monday.
• Shelling Ukraine's Slaviansk Causes Serious Destruction, Leads to Casualties RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2014 -- The eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk in the Donetsk region, which has become the epicenter of intense fighting between the Ukrainian army and local independence supporters, suffered significant damage during shelling Sunday.
• Independence Supporters Say Destroyed Rocket System Near Ukraine's Slaviansk RIA Novosti 09 Jun 2014 -- A Grad multiple-launch rocket system was destroyed near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slaviansk, local independence supporters told RIA Novosti Monday.
• EU not ready to accept Ukraine: France's FM Iran Press TV 08 Jun 2014 -- French Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius has said that the European Union (EU) is not ready to accept Ukraine as a member.
• Fighting must end this week: Ukraine's Poroshenko Iran Press TV 08 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko has said that fighting in the eastern regions of the country must stop by the "end of this week."
• Ukrainian military used multiple rocket launchers to shell Slavyansk – DPR VoR 08 Jun 2014 -- Kiev regime forces used Grad multiple rocket launchers to shell the center of Slavyansk, Chairman of the Supreme Council of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Rebuplic Denis Pushilin said. 'The military used Grad multiple rocket launchers to shell Slavyansk. We have no precise information about the number of casualties, except for one wounded militia fighter,' he said.
• Poroshenko Says Crimea 'Is, Was, Will Be' Ukrainian VOA 07 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko promised to maintain the unity of Ukraine, saying Crimea 'is, was and will be Ukrainian.'
• Petr Poroshenko sworn in as president of Ukraine VoR 07 Jun 2014 -- An inauguration ceremony began in Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, at 10:00 local time (11:00 Moscow time) on Saturday. The ceremony featured 56 foreign delegations, where 23 countries were represented by their heads, prime ministers, parliament speakers and heads of international organisations.The ceremony has been broadcast live in six languages. Russia was represented by its Ambassador to Ukraine, Mikhail Zurabov.
• Ukraine, US will be good partners - Poroshenko VoR 07 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine and the United States 'will be good partners in the future,' Ukrainian President Petr Poroshenko said during a meeting with US Vice President Joe Biden, who had been present at the Ukrainian leader's presidential inauguration in Kiev earlier on Saturday. 'I'm sure that we will get a new country, which will be free, democratic and European,' Poroshenko said, according to Interfax.
• Putin Meets Obama, Poroshenko on D-Day Event Sidelines VOA 06 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama and Russian President Vladimir Putin held brief talks on the sidelines of D-Day anniversary celebrations in Normandy, France, on Friday.
• Obama told Putin he must de-escalate Ukraine tensions VoR 06 Jun 2014 -- President Barack Obama personally told Vladimir Putin Friday he must de-escalate tensions in Ukraine or face deeper international isolation.
• Poroshenko asked to declare state of emergency in eastern regions, deploy army units along border with Russia VoR 06 Jun 2014 -- The so-called public headquarters of the Ukrainian National Guard has called on President-elect Petr Poroshenko to immediately shut down the border with Russia and declare a state of emergency in the country's eastern regions.
• Donetsk officials call for aid to Slavyansk Iran Press TV 06 Jun 2014 -- Members of the self-proclaimed government of the Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) have made a desperate call for aid for the residents of Slavyansk, Press TV reports.
• Putin, Poroshenko urge end to violence in Ukraine Iran Press TV 06 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko have called for a quick end to hostilities in southeastern Ukraine.
• Putin, Poroshenko Call For Quick End To Ukraine Bloodshed RFE/RL 06 Jun 2014 -- The Kremlin says Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko have both called for a quick end to bloodshed in eastern Ukraine.
• Army In Need: Volunteers Try To Get Basic Supplies To Ukraine's Forces RFE/RL 06 Jun 2014 -- Call it the Euromaidan approach to fielding an army. Not long ago, volunteers in Kyiv cooked food at home and delivered it and other supplies daily to the activists manning the barricades in the battle that toppled former President Viktor Yanukovych.
• Rumblings In The West: Ukraine's Other Ethnic Quandary RFE/RL 06 Jun 2014 -- A foreign leader whose country pines for its lost empire advocates self-rule for a Ukrainian province and gives passports to its residents. The call resonates among many in the region, where tens of thousands of people don't even speak the Ukrainian language. Donetsk? Luhansk? Not quite.
• Putin, Poroshenko Favor Quick End to Ukrainian Violence – Kremlin RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin and Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko, who met Friday during the D-Day celebrations in Normandy, France, spoke in favor of ceasing the violence in eastern Ukraine as soon as possible.
• Putin, Obama Exchange Views on Ukraine Crisis, Call to End Hostilities – Kremlin RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin had a brief conversation on Ukraine with his US counterpart Barack Obama in Normandy, France on Friday, presidential spokesman Dmitry Peskov said.
• Ukrainian Forces Launch Armored Attack on Slaviansk Suburbs RIA Novosti 06 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian forces are using tanks for the first time in the course of the two-month standoff between self-defense forces in the city of Slaviansk and the Ukrainian army, a source in the headquarters of the independence supporters told RIA Novosti Friday.
• Ukraine's New President Faces Daunting Challenges VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- Petro Poroshenko, a billionaire businessman and politician, is scheduled to be sworn in as Ukraine's president next week.
• Donetsk militia claims to have shot down Ukrainian army's plane, 2 helicopters over Slavyansk VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- Militiamen of the self-proclaimed 'Donetsk People's Republic' claim they have shot down two helicopters and one airplane of the Ukrainian Armed Forces over Slavyansk in the past 24 hours. 'Occasional random artillery strikes have been launched in Slavyansk. An airplane and two helicopters belonging to Ukrainian security forces have been brought down over the city in the past 24 hours,' 'Southeast Front' spokesman Kostyantyn Knyrik told Interfax on Thursday.
• Russia urges US to stop involvement of mercenaries in conflict in Ukraine VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia is calling on the United States to take steps to curb involvement of foreign mercenaries in the ongoing military operation in Ukraine, Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Sergei Ryabkov said.
• Russia's premier raps G7 for backing Kiev Iran Press TV 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev has slammed the group of seven developed countries, also known as the G7, for backing Ukraine's military actions in the country's eastern parts.
• Obama Calls On Russia To Open Talks With Ukraine RFE/RL 05 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has urged Moscow to engage with Ukrainian President-elect Petro Poroshenko.
• Luhansk Dispatch: Nowhere To Hide RFE/RL 05 Jun 2014 -- People in Luhansk have largely tried to keep their heads down and go about their business during the two months that armed separatists have occupied this city's administration building and declared independence from Kyiv.
• Russia Says Ukraine Refuses to Return Advance Payments for Defense Contracts RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Kiev does not intend to refund Moscow's prepayments for Russian defense orders placed with Ukrainian enterprises, Russian Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Rogozin said Thursday.
• Russia Blasts UN's Western Members for Closing Eyes to Ukrainian Humanitarian Issues RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- The West's denial of humanitarian problems in Ukraine reflects its double standards, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich said Thursday.
• Russia Rejects Ukraine's Arms Traffic Claims RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Ministry Spokesman Alexander Lukashevich has dismissed as "baseless" Kiev's allegations of Russian arms supplies to independence supporters in eastern Ukraine.
• Kiev's Use of Heavy Weapons in Crackdown Violates International Law – Russia RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Moscow has raised the issue of Kiev using heavy armaments in its special operations against independence supporters in eastern Ukraine at OSCE session, Russia's envoy Andrei Kelin said on Wednesday.
• Military Operation in East Ukraine to Last Longer Than Expected RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's acting Head of the Presidential Administration Serhiy Pashinsky said Thursday that the military operation in eastern Ukraine was likely to last longer than originally hoped.
• Around 4,000 Refugees Flee from Ukraine to Russia – Medvedev RIA Novosti 05 Jun 2014 -- Russia has already received around 4,000 Ukrainian refugees as Kiev turned a blind eye to the looming humanitarian crisis in the violence-hit east, Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Thursday.
• Obama: Russia Must Work With New Ukraine Leader VOA 05 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said that Russian President Vladimir Putin must recognize and work with Ukraine's newly-elected government and stop 'provocations' along its border, or face tougher sanctions from members of the Group of Seven nations.
• Russia never annexed Crimea, no plans to intervene Ukraine, it's Western delusion - Putin VoR 05 Jun 2014 -- On June 6 Russian President Vladimir Putin will attend a ceremony commemorating the 70th anniversary of the D-Day landings in Normandy. Ahead of his visit to France Russian leader gave an extensive interview to Radio Europe 1 news program author and frontman Jean-Pierre Elkabbach and anchor of the evening news on TF1 TV channel Gilles Bouleau covering burning issues from Ukraine and Crimea to the US foreign policy. The interview was recorded on June 3 in Sochi.
• Rebels in Eastern Ukraine Take Government Border Posts VOA 04 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine struggled late Wednesday to regain control of key sections of its border with Russia, after pro-Russian separatists overran a military headquarters in an hours-long battle. A second border post in the eastern city of Luhansk also fell to rebels.
• Remarks by President Obama and President-elect Petro Poroshenko of Ukraine After Bilateral Meeting The White House 04 Jun 2014
• Kremlin Calls NATO's Eastern Advance Destalilizing RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- NATO's advance to the East is of a destabilizing nature, head of Russia's Presidential Administration Sergei Ivanov said Wednesday, after United States' President Barack Obama called for greater military cooperation of the alliance's members to resist possible threats during his visit to Poland this week.
• NATO Grapples With Russian Moves in Ukraine VOA 04 Jun 2014 -- U.S. Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel says Russia's annexation of Crimea and involvement in eastern Ukraine are the biggest threat to European security since the end of the Cold War, and he called on NATO allies to respond.
• NATO-Georgia Commission discusses Ukraine crisis, Georgia's progress on reforms NATO 04 Jun 2014 -- NATO Defence Ministers met with their Georgian counterpart, Irakli Alasania, on Wednesday (4 June) to discuss the regional implications of Russia's illegal aggression against Ukraine and to review Georgia's progress in reforming its defence sector. "NATO Allies do not, and will not, recognise Russia's illegal annexation of Crimea," NATO Secretary General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said.
• Obama: US Stands With Ukraine Against Russia's 'Dark Tactics' VOA 04 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama said the world must 'stand with those who seek freedom,' as he drew parallels between reforms taking place in Ukraine today and the elections in Poland 25 years ago that marked the beginning of the end of Communism.
• Ukraine starts mass production of armored personnel carriers for National Guard VoR 04 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine will start mass production of Dozor armored personnel carriers for the National Guard, Verkhovna Rada-appointed acting President of Ukraine Turchynov said on Wednesday.
• Kiev explores possible military emergency for Donetsk, Lugansk regions VoR 04 Jun 2014 -- Acting Ukrainian President Alexandr Turchinov asked the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council to explore the possibility of announcing the state of military emergency in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions, according to the respective document published on the President's official website Tuesday.
• Putin accuses US of hypocrisy over Ukraine crisis Iran Press TV 04 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin has accused the United States of hypocrisy in its "aggressive" attempts to punish Moscow for the crisis in Ukraine.
• Death toll from Ukraine clashes reaches 181: Official Iran Press TV 04 Jun 2014 -- The death toll from fresh clashes between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russia forces in eastern Ukraine has reached 181, Ukraine's acting prosecutor general says.
• Obama Meets Privately With Poroshenko In Warsaw RFE/RL 04 Jun 2014 -- U.S. President Barack Obama has met privately in Warsaw with Ukraine's President-elect Petro Poroshenko in a show of support for Kyiv amid a separatist insurgency in the east.
• Ukrainian Army Shows Mixed Performance Against Insurgents RFE/RL 04 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian Army can look powerful or weak in eastern Ukraine, depending on the battle. Its performance has included a significant success in retaking the Donetsk international airport from insurgents on May 26 but beyond that has been characterized by a mixed record at best and some notable setbacks at worst.
• Poll: Ukrainians Want Freedom From Outside Intervention RFE/RL 04 Jun 2014 -- A new poll shows that the vast majority of Ukrainians feel that no outside country has a right to be involved in decisions about their country's future.
• Ukrainian Army Shelling of Hospital in Donetsk Region Left 25 Dead RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- At least 25 people were killed in Tuesday's shelling of a hospital in the town of Krasnyi Lyman in Ukraine's eastern Donetsk region, representatives of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) said Wednesday.
• Ukrainian Gov't Guaranteed Arms, Collaboration to Right Sector - Leader RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's radical nationalist Right Sector movement claims the government guaranteed it provisions, armament and collaboration with state agencies in the course of the special operation in the country's east, the UNN news agency reports, citing the movement's leader Borislav Bereza.
• Ukraine's Turchynov Coordinating Military Operation Near Slaviansk RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's interim president and speaker of parliament Oleksandr Turchynov has arrived to a military command facility near the eastern city of Slaviansk and is coordinating the operation of armed forces against independence supporters, the press service of the Ukrainian parliament said Wednesday.
• At Least 18 Dead in Kiev's Attack on Eastern City of Krasnyi Lyman – Self-Defense RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- At least ten civilians, eight self-defense troops died in the fighting near Ukraine's eastern city of Krasnyi Lyman, independence supporters said Wednesday.
• Mercenaries Compensate for Ukrainian Army's Non-Effectiveness - Russian Intelligence RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- The fact that Kiev involves mercenaries to crack down on independence supporters in Ukraine's southeast points to the non-effectiveness of the Ukrainian army, former Russia's Foreign Intelligence Service Officer Leonid Reshetnikov said Wednesday.
• US Senator Says Ukraine Needs Arms, Not Training RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- The US should provide arms to the Ukrainian government, not training, US Senator Tom Coburn told RIA Novosti Wednesday.
• 300 Dead, 500 Injured in Self-Defense on June 3 - Ukraine Special Forces RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- Battles near Slaviansk and Krasnyi Lyman in the Donetsk region on Tuesday killed 300 self-defense officers and injured 45 Ukrainian soldiers, the national Special Forces said Wednesday.
• Around 90% of Donetsk Self-Defense Troops From Donbas - Commander RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- Alexander Khodakovsky, one of the chief commanders with self-defense forces of Ukraine's breakaway Donetsk Republic, has told RIA Novosti that the majority of its troops are residents of eastern and southern Ukraine who took to arms to protect their homes.
• Donetsk Republic Not 'Self-Sufficient' – Commander RIA Novosti 04 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's independence-minded republic in Donetsk, the DPR, and the broader Donbas region stand a slim chance of creating a sovereign state, a commander of the Vostok battalion in the Donetsk People's Republic told RIA Novosti Tuesday.
• Ukrainian army resumed shelling in Slavyansk VoR 04 Jun 2014 -- The Ukrainian army resumed shelling in Slavyansk and continued military confrontation on Tuesday evening, steadily attempting to lock in the city, self-defense leader told RIA Novosti. 'The situation is very difficult for us. The opponents are constantly using planes against us, 2-3 strike fighters at a time (changing the flights as they work with several airfields) and 6-7 combat helicopters. A squadron of Uragan rocket launchers is headed our way, and Grad rocket launchers already operated in Semenovka today.
• Readout of Secretary of Defense Chuck Hagel's Meeting with Ukraine's Acting Minister of Defense Gen. Col. Mykhaylo Koval DoD 03 Jun 2014
• NATO To Finalize Military Aid Package For Ukraine RFE/RL 03 Jun 2014 -- NATO's top official says the alliance will finalize a package to reform and modernize Ukraine's armed forces following Russia's annexation of the ex-Soviet republic's Crimea territory.
• Ukraine Uniting Militias to Bolster Forces in the East VOA 03 Jun 2014 -- With the conflict in eastern Ukraine intensifying, the country's military needs new recruits more than ever. A drive to integrate guerrilla fighters into national security forces to add muscle to the escalating campaign against pro-Russian separatists.
• Ukraine must not be 'muscle-flexing' exercise for US - Russian envoy to UN VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- The situation in Ukraine must not be used by the United States to build up its global military presence, said Vitaly Churkin, Russia's Ambassador to the United Nations. 'If politics consists of taking advantage of the situation in Ukraine in order to flex muscles, this will only hurt the common international cooperation,' Churkin told reporters on Tuesday.
• Russia has all arguments against Ukraine at European Court VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- Arseniy Yatsenyuk said Ukraine had filed a suit against Russia with the European Court of Human Rights over Crimea's accession to Russia, according to Russia's ITAR-TASS news agency. Russia has all the arguments and possibilities to defend its positions at the European Court of Human Right in a possible litigation over Ukraine's lawsuit, chairman of the committee on civil, criminal and arbitration legislation of the Russian State Duma lower parliament house Pavel Krasheninnikov told the agency on Tuesday.
• OSCE mission in Ukraine confirms Lugansk administration building was hit by rockets VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has confirmed on Tuesday that the deadly attack on the administration building in the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk was an airstrike. 'On 2 June, shortly after 15:00, rockets hit the occupied regional administration building,' OSCE Special Monitoring Mission said in a statement. 'Based on the SMM's limited observation these strikes were the result of non-guided rockets shot from an aircraft,' OSCE specified. The assault left eight people dead and 28 injured.
• Putin to instruct his office, gov't to provide assistance to refugees from Ukraine VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- Russian President Vladimir Putin intends to issue instructions to his secretariat and the government on providing assistance to refugees from the southeastern regions of Ukraine and residents of Crimea experiencing difficulties with acquiring Russian citizenship due to problems with residency registration.
• 181 killed in east Ukraine military operation - acting prosecutor general VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- A total of 181 people, including 59 Ukrainian Armed Forces servicemen, have died as a result of armed clashes in the eastern regions of Ukraine, the country's acting Prosecutor General Oleg Magnitsky said at a press conference on Tuesday. 'On the whole, 181 people were killed, including 59 servicemen, and another 293 were injured in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions,' he said.
• Slavyansk self-defense activists claim to have shot down Ukraine army plane VoR 03 Jun 2014 -- Slavyansk self-defense activists claim they have shot down a Sukhoi Su-25 combat airplane.
• Russia submits draft resolution on Ukraine Iran Press TV 03 Jun 2014 -- Russia has submitted a draft resolution to the United Nations Security Council (UNSC), calling for an immediate ceasefire and a humanitarian corridor in Ukraine.
• Most Russia troops withdraw from Ukraine border: NATO Iran Press TV 03 Jun 2014 -- NATO says Russia has withdrawn most of the approximately 40,000 troops amassed along the Ukraine border, calling on Moscow to pull out the rest.
• A Guide To The Separatists Of Eastern Ukraine RFE/RL 03 Jun 2014 -- Keeping a handle on who's who in the chaotic separatist insurgency gripping Ukraine's frontier with Russia can get a little confusing. Here is a quick guide to the main players in Ukraine's increasingly wild east.
• NATO Not Discussing 'Military Options' in Ukraine - Rasmussen RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2014 -- NATO does not see military action as a right way to solve the crisis in Ukraine and favors political and diplomatic settlement, the alliance's chief said Tuesday.
• Russia Reinstates Readiness to Send Ukraine Humanitarian Aid - Emergency Ministry RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2014 -- Russia's Emergency Ministry is ready to assist Ukraine with humanitarian aid but has not had a request from the Ukrainian authorities, Russian Emergency Minister Vladimir Puchkov said Tuesday.
• At Least 5 Independence Supporters Killed, 10 Injured in Slaviansk Fighting RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2014 -- Five independence supporters were reported killed, and 10 injured in fighting in the Eastern city of Slaviansk, a spokesman for the headquarters of the independence suporters said Tuesday.
• Gazprom Says Ukraine Still Has to Pay for Almost 10 Billion Cubic Meters of Gas RIA Novosti 03 Jun 2014 -- As of today, Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz still has not paid for 9.839 billion cubic meters of Russian gas supplies, Sergei Kuprianov, a spokesman for Gazprom, said Tuesday.
• Cold Reception For Russia Resolution At UN Security Council RFE/RL 02 Jun 2014 -- A Russian draft resolution calling for an immediate end to the fighting in eastern Ukraine and a humanitarian corridor met with a cool response at the Security Council on June 2.
• Russia Proposes Humanitarian Corridors for Ukraine VOA 02 Jun 2014 -- Russia on Monday circulated its proposal for a U.N. Security Council resolution calling for humanitarian corridors and a cease-fire in southeastern Ukraine. The draft text was met with skepticism from several Council members.
• Top-level DOD Officials Meet With Ukrainian Leadership AFPS 02 Jun 2014 -- A team of senior Defense Department leaders recently returned from two days of "productive meetings" with Ukrainian leadership in Kiev, Ukraine, Pentagon spokesman Army Col. Steve Warren told reporters today.
• Several Rebels Killed in Attack on Border Post in Eastern Ukraine VOA 02 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian government forces battled pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine not far from the Russian border Monday, as Russia called for the creation of 'humanitarian corridors' to allow residents of the region to escape the violence.
• Kiev's air raid on Lugansk grossly violates Geneva deals, OSCE roadmap - Russia VoR 02 Jun 2014 -- Russia on Monday condemned the Kiev authorities' air raid on the eastern Ukrainian city of Lugansk. 'On June 2, the Kiev authorities committed another crime against their own people. As a result of a bombardment by the Ukrainian Armed Forces aviation of the Lugansk Region State Administration building, Ukrainian civilians were killed,' the Russian Foreign Ministry said in a statement on Monday.
• Secretary General sets out NATO's position on Russia-Ukraine crisis NATO 02 Jun 2014
• Battles rage on in Ukraine's Lugansk over border post Iran Press TV 02 Jun 2014 -- Battles rage on between Ukrainian forces and pro-Moscow activists for control of a post located near the border with Russia in a suburb of the volatile eastern city of Lugansk.
• Luhansk Authorities Call on Kiev Forces, Local Militia to Negotiate RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2014 -- The authorities of Ukraine's Luhansk region urged all the fighting parties to put down the arms and come to the negotiation table, according to the statement published on Luhansk regional Council's web portal Monday.
• At Least 5 Dead After Ukrainian Air Force Strike on Luhansk Militia RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2014 -- At least five people have been killed and many more injured in an air strike by the Ukrainian Air Force on the administration building of the city of Luhansk, eastern Ukraine, a RIA Novosti correspondent reported Monday.
• US to Give Ukraine $18 Mln in Military Aid RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2014 -- The United States has doubled its financial military aid to Ukraine, bringing it to a hefty $18 million over the past few months, according to US's second top military commander Derek Chollet.
• Lavrov Criticizes West for Media Spin, Blackout on Ukraine RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2014 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov on Monday voiced his surprise at the Western media's spin of the ongoing bloodshed in southeastern Ukraine and the fact that they either hushed up the real situation or showed "different pictures" instead.
• Russia Confirms Ukraine Made First Payment Towards Gas Debt RIA Novosti 02 Jun 2014 -- The Russian Energy Ministry confirmed Monday it had received $786.4 million from Ukraine as payment for gas deliveries in February and March, a ministry spokesman told RIA Novosti.
• Ukraine Revolutionaries Vow to Stay in Kyiv's Maidan VOA 01 Jun 2014 -- Ukrainian activists who fought for change in their capital's Independence Square are refusing to leave the public space that became the focal point of anti-government protests which in February toppled a pro-Moscow government and paved the way for a new one to take charge.
• Six killed as self-defense forces come under attack at Donetsk airport VoR 01 Jun 2014 -- Six self-defense fighters were killed as they attempted to take away the bodies of volunteer guards shot down by the Ukrainian military near Donetsk international airport over the week, the press office of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic said on Sunday, according to Itar-Tass.
• All OSCE monitors in Donetsk region released - people's mayor of Slavyansk VoR 01 Jun 2014 -- The self-defense force in Donetsk region claims to have freed all detained OSCE monitors. 'At the present moment we don't have OSCE monitors. All those detained last week have been released,' people's mayor of Slavyansk Vyacheslav Ponomaryov told Interfax on Sunday.
• Ukraine forces resume massive shelling in Slavyansk region VoR 01 Jun 2014 -- Ukraine's National Guard has resumed massive shelling of a settlement near the eastern Ukrainian city of Slavyansk on Saturday. 'Bombing alarm sirens are switched on in the city,' a self-defense representative told Itar-Tass. Meanwhile, automatic rifle fire can be heard in Semyonovka and the Krasny Liman settlement on a highway to the eastern city of Kharkov, the representative added.