Weapons of Mass Destruction (WMD)
May 2015 - Ukraine Special Weapons News
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- Five killed in eastern Ukraine violence Press TV 31 May 2015 -- At least five people have been killed in eastern Ukraine clashes over the past 24 hours, Ukrainian military sources say.
- IMF Lowers Ukraine's 2015 Growth Forecast To Negative 9 Percent RFE/RL 31 May 2015 -- The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says it has lowered its forecast for Ukraine's war-battered economy, predicting the economy will contract by 9 percent during 2015 -- due in large part to 'the unresolved conflict in the east.'
- Saakashvili Confirmed As Governor Of Ukraine's Odesa Region RFE/RL 29 May 2015 -- Former Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili has been appointed governor of Ukraine's southwestern Odesa region, a move that could exacerbate tensions between Kyiv and Moscow amid Ukraine's shaky cease-fire with Russian-backed separatists.
- Donbass Military Operation Costs Kiev $5-7 Million a Day - Yatsenyuk Sputnik 29 May 2015 -- Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk also said that Germany decided to unveil a €500 million loan for Kiev to modernize the country's energy system and to restore the Donbass region.
- Russia's Military Preparations Raise Concerns in Europe, Ukraine VOA 28 May 2015 -- Russia this week held surprise, massive military exercises as members of NATO, the western military alliance, took part in its own drills. Military analysts say the military muscle-flexing increases the chances for incidents that could spark a wider conflict.
- Kiev ready for Donbas talks only after local polls: Poroshenko Press TV 28 May 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says Kiev will sit at the negotiating table with the leaders of the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Luhansk in the Donbas region only after "fair elections" there.
- Russia optimistic about Ukraine crisis resolution: Lavrov Press TV 28 May 2015 -- Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov has expressed optimism about a peaceful solution to the ongoing conflict in Ukraine's volatile east under the provisions of the February Minsk truce deal.
- Scathing Report Says Russia At War With Ukraine, Putin Lying RFE/RL 28 May 2015 -- A Washington-based think tank on international affairs has released a scathing report on Russia's 'direct military intervention' in eastern Ukraine, concluding that President Vladimir Putin has led his country into war and has lied about it.
- Biden: US Stands With Ukraine to Fight Russian Aggression VOA 27 May 2015 -- The United States will stand by Ukraine to fight Russian aggression, which has become a prominent consideration for European security, U.S. Vice President Joe Biden said Wednesday.
- US Lawmakers: Russia Incinerating Dead Troops in Ukraine VOA 27 May 2015 -- Two U.S. lawmakers say Russia is using mobile crematoriums to hide its military involvement in eastern Ukraine.
- Biden Defends Cooperation With Russia Amid Ukraine Standoff RFE/RL 27 May 2015 -- Vice President Joe Biden says the United States should pursue cooperation with Russia on areas of mutual interests as long as it is not 'asked to back off matters of principles' crucial to the 'security and well-being' of Washington and its allies.
- Another day of deadly clashes in eastern Ukraine Press TV 27 May 2015 -- At least seven people, including civilians, have been killed in fresh clashes between the Ukrainian army and pro-Russia forces in the country's volatile east over the past 24 hours.
- In Ukraine, humanitarian situation still dire amid sporadic fighting, UN reports UN News 26 May 2015 -- The tenuous situation in eastern Ukraine continues to be marked by sporadic fighting and a crippling humanitarian crisis forcing many civilians to seek refuge in underground shelters or in neighbouring countries, the United Nations relief arm confirmed today.
- Six killed, 15 injured in east Ukraine clashes Press TV 26 May 2015 -- At least six people, including one civilian, have been killed and 15 others wounded in clashes between Ukrainian army soldiers and pro-Russia forces in Ukraine's east over the past 24 hours, officials say.
- Ukrainian Forces Want to Bring Forward Heavy-Caliber Artillery in Donbass Sputnik 26 May 2015 -- According to the Ukrainian Armed Forces commander for Dzerzhynsk, commanders were under increasing pressure from personnel to bring forward heavy caliber artillery systems because the Donetsk People's Republic was using such systems.
- The Mysterious Assassination Of A Rebel Commander In Ukraine RFE/RL 25 May 2015 -- This much is clear: a leading pro-Russian separatist commander in eastern Ukraine and several of his associates were killed in a gangland-style hit on May 23. The question is, who carried it out?
- Prominent Lugansk Militia Leader Mozgovoi Assassinated Sputnik 23 May 2015 -- Prominent militia leader Mozgovoi was assassinated on Saturday evening after the vehicle he was traveling in ran into an ambush.
- Amnesty: Torture of POWs is Rife in Ukraine Conflict VOA 22 May 2015 -- Rights group Amnesty International says it has gathered 'overwhelming evidence' that Ukrainian forces, pro-government militias, and anti-government separatists have tortured or mistreated prisoners, describing it as 'widespread' and 'frequent.'
- Merkel: Ukraine Crisis Makes EU Eastern Partnership 'More Important' RFE/RL 21 May 2015 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel has said the crisis in Ukraine makes the European Union's partnership with six eastern countries 'more important than ever.'
- Ukraine Will Not Take Part in Creation of New Russian-Chinese Helicopter Sputnik 21 May 2015 -- Ukrainian company Motor Sich will not participate in the creation of a Russian-Chinese helicopter, Yuri Tereschenko, head of Ukraine's State Export Control, said.
- Ukraine parliament scraps 5 military agreements with Russia Press TV 21 May 2015 -- The Ukrainian parliament has terminated a series of intergovernmental agreements on military cooperation with Russia, amid growing tensions between the two sides.
- Kiev Scraps Military Cooperation, Secret Info Security Treaties With Russia Sputnik 21 May 2015 -- The Verkhovna Rada denounced agreements on military cooperation, the mutual security of secret information, cooperation in military reconnaissance and the organization of military logistics with Russia.
- Ukraine Fears Summer Offensive Despite Diplomatic Initiatives VOA 21 May 2015 -- Concerns are growing that a shaky, three-month-old cease-fire in Ukraine between government forces and Russian-backed rebels could in the coming weeks break down completely into all-out fighting and block the path for implementing an agreed upon peace deal.
- Ukraine Blackmails Creditors With Debt Payment Freeze Sputnik 20 May 2015 -- Ukraine's parliament approved a law granting the government the right to impose a moratorium on foreign debt payments on Tuesday. The document presented by Prime Minister Arseniy Yatseniuk, was upheld by 256 MPs.
- Kiev's Foreign Debt Repayment Moratorium De Facto Announces Default - Putin Sputnik 20 May 2015 -- Vladimir Putin instructed Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev to assume control of Ukraine's repayment of its $3-billion debt in Eurobonds that Russia bought in 2013.
- Russia warns of retaliatory measures if Ukraine hosts NATO missiles Press TV 20 May 2015 -- Russia has threatened to adopt countermeasures if NATO deploys its ballistic missile system in Ukraine.
- Kiev's ceasing of military cooperation with Moscow poses no threat to Russia - official TASS 20 May 2015 -- Ukraine's decision to sever military and technical cooperation with Moscow carries no threat for Russia, since Moscow has already secured import substitution of the vast majority of products previously supplied by Ukraine, first deputy head of the United Russia faction in the State Duma and member of the lower house Defence Committee Franz Klintsevich told TASS on Wednesday.
- Russian POW Video Raises War Crime Questions For Ukraine RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- The treatment of prisoners of war (POWs) in the Ukraine conflict has repeatedly sparked concerns ever since fighting erupted last year in eastern Ukraine between Kyiv's forces and Russian-backed separatists.
- Ukraine Gets New State Property Chief RFE/RL 19 May 2015 -- Ukraine's parliament has appointed Ihor Bilous to head the State Property Fund despite a damning report on his performance in his previous job as the nation's chief tax man.
- US General Frederick Hodges Promises to Train Ukrainian Servicemen Sputnik 19 May 2015 -- The general said that the US will help Ukrainian forces protect their country. He also pledged to use every effort to share US Army's experience with Ukraine.
- Ukraine army claims to have captured 2 Russia troops in east Press TV 18 May 2015 -- The Ukrainian army claims to have captured two "Russian soldiers" in the country's east, where Kiev is fighting pro-Russia forces.
- Ukraine Seeks Terrorism Charges Against Alleged Russian Soldiers RFE/RL 18 May 2015 -- Ukraine says it will level terrorism charges against two alleged Russian soldiers it says were captured fighting alongside pro-Russian rebels in eastern Ukraine.
- US Considering All Options for Arming Ukraine - Pentagon Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- The Pentagon is considering all the options for military assistance to Ukraine and no option is out, a senior Defense Department official said in a radio interview on Sunday.
- No Russian Troops in Donbass - Kremlin Sputnik 18 May 2015 -- There are no Russian troops in Donbass, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said Monday after Ukrainian media outlets had published a video interrogation of a captured soldier who introduced himself as a Russian soldier serving in the Special Forces.
- US Official: Ukraine Cease-fire Being Violated 'Daily' VOA 18 May 2015 -- A senior U.S. diplomat says a cease-fire deal in eastern Ukraine 'is being violated on a daily basis.'
- Russia to Strengthen Crimea's Defense Amid NATO Expansion Plans – Envoy Sputnik 15 May 2015 -- Everything that we do in Crimea is fully in line with Russia's obligations under international treaties, according to Russia's envoy to NATO.
- Sanctions Loosen As Assets Of Yanukovych Allies Elude Ukraine's Grasp RFE/RL 14 May 2015 -- For a year after the demise of his boss, former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych's deputy chief of staff was barred from the European Union, part of the punishment for the ousted leader and senior allies suspected of stealing public funds before he was brought down by street protests.
- Poroshenko Snubs Minsk Accords, Vows to Fight 'Till Last Drop of Blood' Sputnik 14 May 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has accused Russia of increasing its military presence in his country, something Moscow firmly denies, and said that Ukraine would fight "Russian aggression" "until the last drop of blood.'
- NATO stands firm in support for Ukraine NATO 13 May 2015 -- NATO Foreign Ministers have reconfirmed their full support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, and have called on Russia to cease its destabilisation of eastern Ukraine. Under the chairmanship of Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg, the Allied ministers met with their Ukrainian counterpart Pavlo Klimkin in a session of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Antalya, Turkey on Wednesday (13 May 2015).
- Joint statement of the NATO-Ukraine Commission NATO 13 May 2015 -- "We, the Foreign Ministers of the NATO-Ukraine Commission (NUC), met today in Antalya, Turkey, to review progress made on our joint cooperative agenda. We also discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine, the implementation of the Minsk agreements and prospects for a lasting settlement, as well as the situation in the Autonomous Republic of Crimea of Ukraine."
- NATO FMs' meeting to focus on Ukraine, anti-terror People's Daily 13 May 2015 -- NATO foreign ministers gathered on Wednesday in southern Antalya province of Turkey for a meeting as Ukrainian crisis and the threat of the Islamic State (IS) group on top of the agenda.
- Artillery shells damage schools, kindergarten in eastern Ukraine Press TV 13 May 2015 -- Two school buildings and a kindergarten have been reportedly damaged in artillery attacks in the city of Gorlovka, in Ukraine's restive east.
- Kerry to Russia: Live up to Minsk agreement Press TV 13 May 2015 -- US Secretary of State John Kerry has warned Russia to implement a peace deal to end the ongoing conflict in Ukraine, saying sanctions are in place to secure peace in the country.
- Fresh Blast Hits Ukraine's Government-Held Odesa RFE/RL 13 May 2015 -- An overnight explosion near the Black Sea port city of Odesa has damaged a rail line and delayed trains for hours but reportedly did not cause any injuries.
- Evidence Mounts That Russia Supplied Buk Missiles To Ukraine Separatists RFE/RL 13 May 2015 -- More and more evidence is emerging that seems to document a large Russian military convoy that traveled to eastern Ukraine in June 2014 and brought Buk antiaircraft systems to Russia-backed separatists fighting against Kyiv.
- Questions Raised Over Poroshenko's Role In Valuable Kyiv Land Deal RFE/RL 13 May 2015 -- An investigation by RFE/RL shows that Ukrainian leader Petro Poroshenko may have used his presidential influence to shut down investigations into a land deal aimed at building a private mansion on a historic site in the Ukrainian capital.
- NATO Chief on Ukraine: Actions Speak Louder Than Words Sputnik 13 May 2015 -- NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg has opened the organization's two-day meeting, attended by US Secretary of State John Kerry, by increasing pressure on Russia over Ukraine amid calls for thousands of troops to be sent to the Baltic region.
- Ukrainian Parliament Passes Bill to Allow Foreigners to Serve in Military Sputnik 12 May 2015 -- The Ukrainian parliament on Tuesday passed in the first reading a law that would allow foreigners to serve in its armed forces.
- Crimea, Rostov Region Aviation Units Receive New Fighters, Bombers Sputnik 12 May 2015 -- Five new models of aviation equipment, including Su-34 multi-role fighter bombers and modernized Su-27P fighters, have been received by aviation units of the Southern Military District located in the Rostov Region and the Republic of Crimea.
- Nemtsov Report Says More Than 200 Russian Soldiers Killed In Ukraine War RFE/RL 12 May 2015 -- More than 200 Russian military personnel have been killed in fighting in eastern Ukraine, according to a report based on research begun by slain opposition leader Boris Nemtsov.
- Merkel, Putin Hold Talks In Moscow RFE/RL 10 May 2015 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel said there was still no genuine cease-fire in Ukraine, where fighting continues despite a shaky truce deal reached in February in Minsk.
- Merkel Urges More Russian Action to Halt Ukraine Fighting VOA 10 May 2015 -- German Chancellor Angela Merkel called on Russia Sunday to do more to urge pro-Russian separatists to abide by a cease-fire in eastern Ukraine and end fighting with Kyiv's forces.
- Conflict in Ukraine leaves 1,675 servicemen dead: president People's Daily 08 May 2015 -- Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenkosaid here Friday that a total of 1,675 Ukrainian servicemen were killed during the bloody conflict in eastern regions, which has raged since April 2014.
- US Allocates $25Mln to Bolster Ukraine Army Sputnik 08 May 2015 -- According to Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, US have allocated close to $25 million to help fund the Ukrainian army.
- U.S. Ambassador To Ukraine Says 'Russia Has To Change Its Approach' RFE/RL 07 May 2015 -- The U.S. Ambassador to Ukraine, Geoffrey Pyatt, says Russia has to change its approach to the situation in Ukraine's east to make peace in the region possible.
- Fresh clashes leave 5 soldiers dead in east Ukraine Press TV 06 May 2015 -- Five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and 12 injured over the last 24 hours in renewed clashes between government troops and pro-Russia forces in Ukraine's restive eastern area.
- Ukraine's Ultra-Nationalist Azov Battalion Sets Sights on Donbass, Crimea Sputnik 06 May 2015 -- The military commander of Ukraine's Neo-Nazi Azov Battalion has promised his fighters will not lay down arms until its flags are raised over the regions of Donbass and Crimea; the unit has marked the first anniversary of its formation.
- One killed, 4 injured in new clashes in east Ukraine Press TV 05 May 2015 -- Fresh clashes in Ukraine's volatile eastern region have left a volunteer pro-government fighter dead.
- Poland's president signs law on establishing Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military brigade TASS 04 May 2015 -- President of Poland Bronislaw Komorowski has signed a resolution on establishing the Polish-Lithuanian-Ukrainian military brigade, the Polish leader's office reported on Monday.
- New clashes in Ukraine leave two people dead, five wounded Press TV 04 May 2015 -- A fresh wave of violence in Ukraine's restive eastern regions has left two people dead and five others wounded as the warring sides blame each other of violating a truce deal.
- Ukraine Crisis Opens Up Wiggle Room For Lukashenka RFE/RL 03 May 2015 -- The May 9 Victory Day parade in Moscow to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II in Europe will be a big, international prestige moment for Russian President Vladimir Putin.
- Ukrainian trooper killed in east: Military spokesman Press TV 03 May 2015 -- At least one Ukrainian soldier has been killed and six others have been wounded as a result of heavy shelling in Ukraine's restive east, military sources say.
- Ukrainian Battalion Says Fighting Underway in Shirokino Sputnik 02 May 2015 -- The Azov battalion reported fighting between its forces and militia supporters in eastern Ukraine.
- US, Ukraine Urge Russia to Pursue Political Solution to Ukraine Conflict VOA 01 May 2015 -- U.S. Vice President Joe Biden and Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk have urged Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreement, which calls for a political solution to the conflict in Ukraine and a de-escalation of military involvement.
- Austrian Court Rejects U.S. Request To Extradite Ukrainian Oligarch RFE/RL 01 May 2015 -- An Austrian court on April 30 rejected a U.S. request to extradite Ukrainian industrialist Dmytro Firtash to face corruption charges.
- Russia Rejects Ukraine's Claim It Proposed Soldier-Peacekeepers For Donbass Sputnik 01 May 2015 -- Russian Presidential Secretary Dmitri Peskov has officially denied a claim made by the press office of Ukraine's president, which stated that in the course of a recent telephone conversation in the Normandy Four format, President Vladimir Putin had proposed sending Russian peacekeepers to Donbass.
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