Monday, April 29, 2019

(Brief Update)

On Ukraine Presidential Election: Ivan Katchanovski Interview Excerpts

By Ivan Katchanovski Ph.D., University of Ottawa / Part 1 published April 21, 2019; Part 2 published April 22, 2019 / Posted Quemado institute April 29, 2019 / Part 1: Katchanovski: Official results of three exit polls show that in the second round of the presidential elections in Ukraine 73-75% of the voters voted for comedian Volodymyr Zelensky and 25-27% for incumbent president Petro Poroshenko. This is crushing defeat for Poroshenko, his divisive policies concerning the language, religion and the war in Donbas, and the economic hardship during his rule. Ukrainian voters demonstrated that Ukraine in not the same as Poroshenko and his policies. Poroshenko has admitted his defeat. A very large margin of victory of Zelensky makes it impossible to falsify the second round results. Four publicly known attempts to cancel elections failed. The latest one was on the eve of the second round, and involved a frivolous lawsuit by a Poroshenko-aligned election observer to cancel registration of Zelensky as a presidential candidate under claim that he bribed voters by offering them on Facebook free tickets to a stadium debate with Poroshenko. The official exit poll results and early official vote count confirm significant regional differences in Ukraine. Zelensky gets 88% in the East, 86% in the South, 72% in the Center, and 56% in Western Ukraine according to one exit poll. Zelensky won in all regions with likely exception of Galicia in the West. This former Austrian and Polish province is traditionally most nationalist, pro-Western, and anti-Russian region in Ukraine.

Zelensky’s impressive vote percentage belies the fact that many Ukrainian voters voted for him in order not to reelect Poroshenko. Zelensky is a popular TV comedian, and he is new to the Ukrainian politics and his policies and key appointments are not yet certain. He promised to end the war in Donbas, but his interviews suggest that he lacks deep understanding of this conflict and ways to resolve it. It also remains to be seen whether he would be willing to investigate political assassinations of Ukrainian journalists and politicians during the Poroshenko rule and the Maidan and Odesa massacres. His promises to fight corruption and crackdown on oligarchs also look like election rhetoric because his TV comedy show business and his presidential victory owe to a significant extent to an exiled oligarch, who along with his popular TV channel backed Zelensky and his successful election campaign. Zelensky publicly stated that he supports EU and NATO memberships of Ukraine after referendums. But the EU and NATO memberships of Ukraine are unlikely in a foreseeable future, and a conflict with Russia and a conflict in Donbas are likely to continue even though they might become less intense if Zelensky would fulfill his promises.

Part 2: Question: Precisely, Poroshenko held an aggressive stance toward Russia in his campaign while Zelensky showed relatively a more moderate tone. So, could Putin view Zelensky’s victory as a better opportunity to extract some concessions especially that Zelensky doesn’t have a political experience at least in Poroshenko’s view?

Katchanovski: Putin publicly stated that he hoped for a change in Russian-Ukrainian relations and resolution of the conflict in Donbas only when Ukraine would have a new leadership. The Russian governments views crushing defeat of Petro Poroshenko and Volodymyr Zelensky’s victory as opportunity to settle conflicts with Ukraine and in Donbas on its terms and advance its agenda on other issues, such as natural gas transit and abandonment of NATO membership plans. Zelensky was a popular comedian before winning the presidential elections, and his lack of experience might be regarded by the Russian leadership as opportunity for concessions on these issues. But Putin did not congratulate Zelensky on his victory. While Poroshenko presented Zelensky as pro-Russian candidate and warned about Russian revanche in Ukraine, Zelensky did not express pro-Russian views. His policy concerning Russia and the war in Donbas is still not certain. He initially raised a possibility of negotiations with Putin and compromise with concessions by both sides and expressed his commitment to the Minsk Agreements concerning settlement of the conflict in Donbas. But in his more recent statements during the elections campaign, he expressed negative stance concerning Russia and Putin, called the civil war in Donbas with Russian military intervention as a war with Russia, and stated that he would not offer special autonomous status to separatist-controlled Donnas and amnesty to separatists even though both are specified in the Minsk agreement. It remains to be seen what policy Zelensky would pursue and if he would make concessions to end the war in Ukraine.

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Sunday, April 28, 2019

(Special Report)

Ukrainian lawmaker demands Russia cancel decision on passports for Donbass residents

/ TASS / April 28, 2019 / On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing people living in the DPR and LPR to receive Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. / Ukraine has demanded Russia revoke its decision to simplify the procedure of granting Russian citizenship to people living in Donbass. “In the interests of the implementation of the political block, [Russian President Vladimir] Putin should revoke his decrees on illegal issuance of passports to Ukrainians,” Irina Gerashchenko, the first deputy speaker of Ukraine’s Verkhovna Rada (parliament), wrote on her Facebook account on Sunday.

Apart from that, Gerashchenko, who also represents Ukraine in the humanitarian subgroup of the Trilateral Contact Group on the settlement in Donbass, said that her country had implemented its liabilities under the political block of the Minsk agreements when it adopted corresponding laws and blamed Russia for the failure to implement this block. “As a matter of fact, Ukraine has implemented the political block Putin has always been placing an emphasis on. We have passed an amnesty law (which, by the way, is not applicable to terrorists and murderers, but covers those erring) and a law on specifics of local self-government. But these laws have not been enforced because of Russia,” she noted ignoring however provision five of the Package of Measures on the implementation of the Minsk agreement of February 12, 2015 which grants amnesty to all participants in the developments in Donbass.

She also demanded Russia cancel its recognition of the elections in and documents of the self-proclaimed Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics (DPR and LPR) and once again said that Kiev refuses to recognize the current authorities in these republics and will never embark on direct negotiations with Donetsk and Lugansk.

Peace settlement of the conflict in Donbass rests on the Package of Measures, known as Minsk-2, that was signed by the Trilateral Contact Group on Ukraine comprising senior representatives from Russia, Ukraine and the European security watchdog OSCE on February 12, 2015, after marathon 16-hour talks between the leaders of the Normandy Four nations, namely Russia, Germany, France and Ukraine. The 13-point document envisages a ceasefire between Ukrainian government forces and people’s militias in the self-proclaimed republics in Donetsk and Lugansk starting and subsequent withdrawal of heavy weapons from the line of engagement. The deal also lays out a roadmap for a lasting settlement in Ukraine, including local elections and a constitutional reform to give more autonomy to the war-torn eastern regions. The Package of Measures was later approved by United Nations Security Council Resolution 2202. The UN Security Council called on all the parties to ensure its complete implementation. These agreements that were initially planned to be implemented by the end of 2015 have not been fulfilled until now. The Ukrainian side has been dodging implementation of the package’s political provisions citing security problems as a reason.

On April 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree allowing people living in the DPR and LPR to receive Russian citizenship under a simplified procedure. According to the document, the decision has been made “in order to protect human rights and freedoms” based on universally accepted international laws.

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What Donetsk Residents think about Volodymyr Zelensky as next president of Ukraine

By Patrick Lancaster – April 28, 2019

Click for video.
[Quemado Institute editor’s note: The subtitles, occasionally in English, are barely legible through most of the video (Is this YouTube censorship?) but the scenes of Donetsk are definitely worth watching. I wish the USA were this beautiful.]

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Ukraine President-elect Zelensky wants talks on new conditions with Russia

Fort Russ / By Paul Antonopoulos / April 28, 2019 / KIEV / In a sign that the previous hard-line administration’s positions are withering, President-elect of Ukraine, Volodimir Zelensky, has stated that he is willing to discuss the new conditions of coexistence of Ukraine and Russia. “I will say again that I am prepared for the negotiations. For our part, we are ready to discuss the new conditions of coexistence between Ukraine and Russia,” he wrote on his Facebook account. Ukraine’s President-elect has stated his willingness to hold talks and to hold a prisoner-of-war exchange in the “all for all” format. He also expressed hope that Moscow will demonstrate its willingness to resolve the conflict in eastern Ukraine during the next meeting of the Normandy Quartet (France, Germany, Ukraine and Russia). “The concrete confirmation of this provision would be the exchange of prisoners according to the formula of all for all,” Zelensky wrote. The comedian and rookie in politics Zelensky won the presidential elections in Ukraine. The candidate received 73.2% of the vote in the second round of the election, against the 25.3% of the country’s current president, Pyotr Poroshenko, according to partial results. “We did this together,” Zelensky said after the results were released, which show his victory. “I promise I will never disappoint you,” he said, addressing the Ukrainian people. After the announcement, the winner of the election did not want to talk to the journalists and left the campaign headquarters. More detailed reports show that in western Ukraine Zelenskiy won about 56.4% of the local votes, while in the eastern parts of the country he received about 88% of the total votes. 39 candidates participated in the presidential race. Zelensky, Poroshenko and former Ukrainian Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko were the favorites. The current president of Ukraine, Pyotr Poroshenko, was received with applause when he arrived on his campaign committee. He stated that despite not being able to re-elect, he did not intend to leave politics. The politician acknowledged the results and promised to call Zelensky to convey his congratulations to the victory.

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Kurginyan: Zelensky is the same as Poroshenko, but in a different projection

Essence of Time / April 28, 2019 / Vladimir Zelensky’s election as president of Ukraine will not change this country’s policy towards Russia and the people of Donbass, said Sergey Kurginyan, a political scientist and the leader of the “Essence of Time” movement on April 26 on the Channel One “Time will tell” program. The political scientist noted that if Vladimir Zelensky really wanted to take any steps towards a peaceful settlement in Donbass, he would not say that there would be no federalization, he would not demand the return of Crimea, and he would not demand compensation. Vladimir Zelensky ended up using this rhetoric, and this, according to Kurginyan, means that Ukraine’s course will change neither in domestic nor in foreign policy. The leader of “The Essence of Time” noted that Ukraine still sabotages the Minsk agreements, which means that it will act by brute force in relation to Donetsk and Lugansk. The new Ukrainian president will not try to implement a peaceful settlement of the conflict. Earlier, Vladimir Zelensky said that Crimea and Donbass are Russian-occupied territories. He also said that when meeting with the Russian president, he will ask Putin about compensation for the Russian presence in Crimea.

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Maurice Schleepen on Twitter
April 28, 2019

21:00 UTC: Ukraine regime forces opened fire on Donetsk,South DPR territory with the use of 120mm Caliber mortars,also opened fire on West & North Gorlovka with the use of mortars,armoured vehicles & small arms fire,& opened fire on the Donetsk airport area.  Frontline News #Donbass / 19:00 UTC: Head of the Press service of the #DPR army: The Command of the Ukraine regime forces transferred a division of Saboteurs in the direction of West Donetsk,In this regard We Should expect actions/provocations in this direction in the near future. — Novorosinform, #Donbass

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Monday, November 26, 2018

(Special Report)

EVIDENCE: Kerch Incident Was Planned Provocation – Pretext for US Aid, Martial Law, War in Donbass / 21st Century Wire / November 26, 2018 / On Sunday, a major international incident took place at the Kerch Strait which connects Crimea with mainland Russia, when a Russian border patrol ship stopped three Ukrainian Navy vessels from passing through the narrow waterway. The Russian authorities have accused the Ukrainian ships of illegally entering its territorial waters without prior notice, and instead attempting to force their way through. According to reports, Russian officers repeatedly hailed the Ukrainian vessels but calls were ignored by the Ukrainian Navy. This prompted Russia to fire upon the boats, before eventually seizing all three Ukrainian vessels including two gunboats and one tug boat. It is believed that at least four Ukrainian sailors sustained injuries during the four-hour affair, but they have since been given medical care and have been declared ‘out of danger.’ However, based on all of the circumstantial evidence prior to, and after this event, and particularly those moves made by leaders in Kiev and Washington DC, this incident appears to have been a planned provocation specifically designed to escalate diplomatic and military hostilities internationally. The detailed summary and timeline provided below will clearly substantiate this conclusion. If this is indeed the case, then NATO and Kiev . . . READ MORE>> [Extensive analysis at source]

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Russia-Ukraine Black Sea Military Crisis: On The Brink Of War / SouthFront / November 26, 2018 / On November 25, the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB) Border Service was forced to open fire on and damage Ukrainian warships, which were carrying out hostile actions and advancing in Russian territorial waters in the Black Sea off Crimea. After the short close-quarter firefight, two Ukrainian ships were taken towed and one ship escorted by Russian forces to the Russian port of Kerch. The Ukrainian side said that 6 service members had been injured in the incident. The Russian side says that 3 Ukrainian servicemen had been slightly injured. They received medical help and there is no threat to their lives. The data available from both sides, Ukrainian and Russian, demonstrates that the Ukrainian warships intentionally entered Russian territorial waters and were moving more deeply into them. Such a military action with the to be expected loud political coverage is not possible without a direct order from the . . . READ MORE>>

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DPR Parliament clarifies what martial law in Ukraine could mean / DAN (Donetsk News Agency) / November 26, 2018 / Declaration of Martial Law in Ukraine shall affect first and foremost its average citizens, some consequences might be felt by DPR residents, a DPR MP, head of parliamentary committee for security issues Alexander Kurenkov said. Ukraine’s President Petr Poroshenko proposed on Monday night that parliament declare martial law in the country following the provocation in the Black Sea staged by Kiev. On Sunday, two Ukrainian amoured artillery vessels and a tug boat illegally entered Russian territorial waters and began manoeuvring dangerously and ignoring instructions with the aim of stirring up tensions in a staged attempt to break-through into the Azov Sea through the Kerch Strait. Russian military was forced to attack and seize three navy ships to re-establish security at a busiest strait. “The limitations imposed by the martial law will affect residents of Kiev-controlled territories. Martial law allows for property expropriation, tightening censorship, uncompensated conscription to work for the state, cancellation of elections, etc. DPR and LPR residents will avoid the major blow, though incidents at checkpoints involving car seizure, blackmailing and extortion might multiply,” Kurenkov said. He said the number of shelling incidents might also increase. “Poroshenko’s presidency is at stake (as the [residential election is scheduled for March 2019), and he faces a lot of work to justify all the violence that shall befall people and the country after the martial law is declated.” Martial law is brought in all over the state or in designated areas in accordance with the bill “On the Legal Regime of Martial Law”. Martial law would provide military authorities and leadership with greater and unlimited power, while restricting civil liberties such as public gatherings, media freedoms and free movement.

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DPR People’s Militia says Ukraine builds up forces on the contact line / DAN / November 26, 2018 / Head of the DPR People’s Militia command press service Daniil Bezsonov has announced that Ukrainian army is building up forces along the contact line. “Ukrainian operational-tactical groups Vostok (East) and Sever (North) have been instructed to reinforce frontline defense by attracting forces guarding ammunition and property depots. We note reinforcement of Ukrainian units along the contact line. Besides, our intelligence reports that all Ukrainian army units were put on full combat alert this night.” Ukraine’s President Petr Poroshenko proposed on Monday night that parliament declare martial law in the country following the provocation in the Black Sea staged by Kiev. On Sunday, two Ukrainian armored artillery vessels and a tugboat illegally entered Russian territorial waters and began maneuvering dangerously and ignoring instructions with the aim of stirring up tensions in a staged attempt to break-through into the Azov Sea through the Kerch Strait. Russian military was forced to attack and seize three navy ships to re-establish security in the area. Pending parliamentary approval expected today at 5 p.m, (2 p.m. GMT) Ukraine is poised to introduce martial law for two months from Monday.

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Ukrainian sailors confirm that they deliberately entered Russian waters / The Saker / November 26, 2018 / Video (no subtiitles) at source. / VIDEO TRANSCRIPT: Guy #1: I am Andrey Dratch. I am a crew member of the “Nikopol” ship of the Ukrainian Naval Forces. On 23 (November) I received a task to follow the route Odessa-Mariupol, through the Kerch Strait. Following the route to Mariupol through the Kerch Strait we entered the territorial waters of the Russian Federation, when the Coast Guard of the Russian Federation warned us that we were violating the legislation of the Russian Federation. We were repeatedly told to leave the territorial waters of the Russian Federation. While stopping for anchoring the Coast Guard warned us one more time that there is a need to leave the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and to exit to the 12-mile zone and to wait for further decisions concerning our passage through the Kerch Strait to the city of the Mariupol. Guy #2: I am Vladimir Vladimirovich Lesovoy, commander of military unit 1828. Since November 22, 2018 I have been in the structure of the group of ships of the Naval Forces of Ukraine, I lead the tug “Yana Kapa” and the boats “Nikopol” and “Berdyansk”. I made a passage through the Kerch Strait. After crossing the state borders of the Russian Federation I visually watched the ships of the Border Service of the FSB of the Russian Federation and I consciously ignored their requests to stop over the radio station. At the time of the passage small arms and machine guns with ammunition were onboard. I was aware that the actions of the Ukrainian ships in the Kerch Strait had a provocative character. I was following orders and planned to carry out the transfer of ships from the port of Odessa to the port of Mariupol. Guy #3: I am Sergey Andreevich Tsybizov. On Friday morning we left Odessa at 08:00 and headed to Berdyansk through the Kerch Strait. When we approached the Kerch Strait, we entered the waters of Russia, after which we were given the command to stop and wait for further orders. Before fire was opened, two green flares could be seen. We continued to move on “Nikopol” and then Russian ships contacted us. Our commander decided to stop the boat. We were taken off the boat and that’s all.

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CONFESSION: DETAINED UKRAINIAN SAILORS ADMIT PROVOCATION ORDER WAS GIVEN / By Joaquin Flores / Fort Russ / November 27, 2018 / RUSSIA – The detained Ukrainian sailors involved in the provocation at Kerch Strait, have apparently ‘confessed’ that they were given these orders from their commanding officer. According to news reports and the public interface of the Russian Federal Security Service (FSB), in a statement made on November 26th and in a related video, not yet translated into English, it was revealed that they had questioned Ukrainian servicemen who were detained following the maritime incident in the Kerch Strait. As all confessions made to hostile or interested parties, these should be taken with some degree of skepticism. Being compelled to make a confession, especially under conditions of duress, and in fact capture when involved nominally in a military action against a semi-hostile country, raises serious questions. That said, the FSB released video footage of the questioning session with the following detainees: 3rd Rank Captain Vladimir Lesovoy, commander of a support vessels division of the Ukrainian South naval base (army unit A-1728); Andrei Drach, according to Russian officials, officer of the 7th main military intelligence directorate of the Ukrainian Security Service who had been on board the Nikolpol boat; Sergei Tsybizov, a sailor from the Nikopol. The Ukrainian servicemen apparently confirmed that they are acting upon what, in the video, they describe as direct orders from their command prior to November 25th. If true, it would be further evidence that the November 25th maritime . . . READ MORE>>

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Tense standoff around Kerch Strait between Russia & Ukraine: How it developed / The Duran / November 26, 2018 / The waters near the Crimean peninsula were the site of a tense standoff between Russian and Ukrainian ships that involved a chase, some gunfire, and fighter jets, followed by strong statements from Moscow and Kiev. The Ukranian vessels were sailing between two Ukrainian ports: from Odessa in the Black Sea to Mariupol in the Azov Sea. The only waterway that connects these is the Kerch Strait between Crimea and mainland Russia. Kiev says it notified Moscow in advance that its navy ships would be sailing through the area. Moscow denies that it was given warning. While both Russia and Ukraine have freedom of navigation in the Kerch Strait under a 2003 treaty, there are detailed technical rules on how vessels should pass through the narrow, complex waterway. All traffic in the area is controlled by the Crimean sea port of Kerch, and every ship should contact the facility, report her route and destination, and receive permission to sail through the Strait. . . . READ MORE>>

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MARTIAL LAW TO TAKE EFFECT: POROSHENKO REACHES COMPROMISE WITH PARLIAMENT – ‘LIMITED’ FOR 30 DAYS, SELECT REGIONS / By Joaquin Flores / Fort Russ / November 27, 2018 / KIEV, Ukraine – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, after being initially thwarted by a refusal to be heard by legislators, has finally succeeded in reaching a compromise with the Ukrainian parliament, the Verkhovna Rada. Poroshenko had initially met with the National Security Council and had agreed with Turchynov to move forward with a 60 day Martial Law declaration, nation-wide. This 60 day imposition would have been able to be extended by approval of the National Security Council, not requiring an additional vote from the Rada. In doing so, Poroshenko may very well intend to use the powers of Martial Law to silence opponents, declare an internal conspiracy of Russia in Ukraine to ‘hack the elections’ – a trope borrowed from Clinton in the U.S, and have the the presidential elections in March 2019 in such a manner that power is usurped nonetheless. As FRN reported earlier, the Rada was so opposed to this proposal and in terms, that they refused to allow him to introduce it. He waited for a few hours to be allowed to speak, and then it was believed he left the Rada building. Rather, it appears he proceeded behind closed doors with key parliamentarians – leaders of the various party blocs – and arrived at a compromise ‘solution’. The new terms, which the Rada approved in a late session on the evening of the 26th, is a 30-day Martial Law imposition, with what proponents see as ‘critical constitutional guarantors’, and furthermore limited to certain regions of the country. The Rada has just approved the introduction of a 30-day Martial Law in certain regions of the country justified by the Ukrainian provocation in the Kerch Strait area. Before the vote, Poroshenko addressed the nation on national television, stating that there was an existential and imminent threat of a land operation against Ukraine from Russia. According to him, he has an intelligence document, which describes in detail all the plans of the “enemy”, allegedly located several dozen kilometers from the border and ready “for an immediate invasion of the territory of Ukraine.” Earlier, the president signed a decree that . . . READ MORE>>

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ISHCHENKO: Poroshenko’s Foolish Provocation at Kerch – Going Down the Tie-Eating Path / By Rostislav Ishchenko / Fort Russ / When last summer, two ships of the Ukrainian Navy passed through the Kerch Strait, Kiev tried to convince everyone that a “heroic breakthrough” had taken place. True, it quickly became clear that the “heroes”, in full compliance with Russian requirements and rules, notified in advance about the passage, requested permission and the pilot, and generally behaved extremely cautiously. Then the “victory” did not happen. But this does not mean that the idea was abandoned. And so, in November, the Ukrainian Navy did go for a real breakthrough.What is the idea behind the ​​Ukrainian provocations?First, Kiev wants to create a new precedent, without obtaining Russian permission for the passage of its warships through the Kerch Strait, which would confirm Ukraine’s existing rights to these waters and at the same time would confirm its claims to Crimea. After all, Ukraine can only have the right to free navigation in the strait if Crimea belongs to it. Secondly, Kiev means that Russia can counteract the passage of its ships. In this variant, armed conflict is desirable for it. In this case, Ukraine can appeal to the world community, pointing to the “aggression of Russia”, of which its ships and sailors became the “innocent victims”. Why does Kiev do this now? Ukraine needs internationalization of the conflict in the Sea of ​​Azov. It loses the standoff that began with the attack of the Ukrainian naval pirates on the Nord. At the same time, contrary to the hopes of Kiev, Russia acts strictly in the framework of international law. That is, in the current reality, neither the US nor the EU has a formal reason to intervene in the conflict. Don’t all their statements sound like warnings against further escalation? That is why Russia does not need further escalation, but Ukraine needs it. Kiev, which lost the Azov crisis, needs international mediation in order to squeeze concessions from Russia. Shooting, sunk ships, dead sailors – just what . . . READ MORE>>

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Statement by Russia on the military incident in Crimea / Voltairenet.org / November 26, 2018 / The Foreign Ministry hereby issues a strong protest against the gross violation of the rules of peaceful passage in the territorial waters of ​​the Russian Federation in the Black Sea by Ukrainian naval ships, that took place on November 25, 2018. Russia has lodged a demand for an urgent UN Security Council meeting to discuss the current situation. Russia has repeatedly warned the Kiev regime and its Western patrons about the danger of inflating artificial hysteria in connection with the Sea of ​​Azov and the Kerch Strait. Clearly, this is a well-thought-out provocation that took place in a predetermined place and form and is aimed at creating another hotbed of tension in that region and a pretext for stepping up sanctions against Russia. Clearly, all of this was also designed to distract attention from the domestic political problems that exist in Ukraine. This assumption is further corroborated by Kiev’s plans to impose martial law in the country, a move which is odious in the light of the upcoming presidential elections in the spring of 2019. We are also outraged by the Ukrainian radicals unleashing another attack on Russia’s diplomatic missions, and the damage it caused. We demand that Kiev bring those responsible to justice and ensure the unconditional inviolability of the Russian Embassy and Consulate Generals in Ukraine in accordance with the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961. We are hereby issuing a warning to Ukraine that Kiev’s policy, pursued in coordination with the United States and the EU, that seeks to provoke a conflict with Russia in the waters of the Sea of Azov and the Black Sea is fraught with serious consequences. The Russian Federation will firmly curb any attempts to encroach on its sovereignty and security.

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Another Crimean War Looms as NATO Provocations Enter Russian Waters / By George Galloway / Information Clearing House / November 26, 2018 / A new Crimean War would be the last, but few amongst the general public realize that endless baiting of Russia, the cycle of war games, sanctions, and false accusations could well lead to all-out war between NATO and Russia. “Half a league, half a league, half a league onward, into the Valley of Death rode the six hundred,” – Alfred Lord Tennyson The last time Britain fought Russia, we were the most powerful empire in the history of the world and our adversary a ramshackle obscurantist autocracy. The British suffered over forty thousand dead and wounded. It was the first modern war – red in tooth and claw – predating the American Civil War, which is often awarded that dubious honor. The terrible suffering of the British (and French) soldiers, virtually none of whom even had the right to vote for the parliament which ruled “their” empire, began to be unpopular at home. Tennyson’s braggadocio ballad “The Charge of the Light Brigade” gave rise to the first whispers of doubt amongst British people generally as to whether our soldiers were lions led by donkeys, into one valley of death after another. Theirs not to reason why, theirs but to do and die. The next Crimean War would be the … READ MORE>>

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Sunday, November 4, 2018
(Special Commentary)

Editorial on Donbass Elections, Donetsk Leadership and Quemado Institute Future Coverage

By Karl Pomeroy, Quemado Institute Chief Editor

Quemado Institute
November 4, 2018

We were deeply disheartened by the death on August 31 of Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) President Alexander Zakharchenko. We have given little coverage to Novorossiya news since that time. Part of the problem is a dearth of on-site news reports due to internet censorship. But the main factor is, with the end of Zakharchenko’s outstanding leadership, there came over us a sense of futility.

The Donbass elections, scheduled for November 11, feature Denis Pushilin, Speaker of Donetsk People’s Council and Minsk representative, as the leading candidate for President. Sympathetic observers view Pushilin, who is running virtually unopposed, as the oligarch’s favored candidate. His leadership  would no doubt result in a return to traditional oligarch rule, in opposition to the interests of the people.

Zakharchenko, as a case in point, had nationalized Donetsk oligarch Rinat Akhmetov’s mine holdings. Upon the leader’s death however, after the DPR People’s Council appointed Pushilin as acting head of the Republic,  Akhmetov’s mines were promptly returned to his possession. It should be noted that the DPR constitution specified the Deputy Speaker (Trapeznikov), not the Speaker (Pushilin), as next in line for presidency. The implication is that Zakharchenko, in the event of his passing, did not want Pushilin to succeed him. However, only a few days after his tragic assassination, the People’s Council overrode this law and appointed Pushilin as acting head.

Another alarming fact is that Andre Purgin, a prominent Donetsk politician who supports the will of the people and is held in high regard by residents and outside observers alike, was denied candidacy for head of state due to a flawed signature on his application. Purgin might well have won the election, so this denial seemed like a move to ensure that Pushilin assumes power.

In all fairness. even Zakharchenko, as beloved and admired as he was, allowed his own administration to persecute and imprison Andre Purgin. It is also true that some close Donbass watchers accuse Zakharchenko of catering to the oligarchs. Nothing is ever black or white. In this case, it’s a matter of degrees. Yet, should Pushilin win as expected next Sunday, it seems the DPR is in free fall. As a result, we will be giving little coverage to future events in the Donbass Republics.

Both the Quemado Institute and Novorossiya Daily Sun websites were founded for the purpose of promoting the cause of Novorossiya. In spite of the fact that we live thousands of miles away and have no relatives there nor any connections with anyone or anything Russian, the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics shone like a light for us—a beacon of freedom from the heavy-handed rule of the globalist New World Order.

Though Donbass residents voted on May 11, 2014 for independence from Ukraine, several factors unfortunately undermined the sovereignty of their republics. First, Vladimir Putin betrayed these ethnic Russians by failing to recognize their independence, by crushing the Novorossiya dream, by strong-arming Zakharchenko and former LPR head Igor Plotnitsky into withdrawing troops from the contact line, thus leaving civilians undefended, and by catering to Kiev regime leader Petro Poroshenko.

Second, the Minsk Agreements brought an end to the war for independence. Moscow then pressured Zakharchenko into imprisoning pro-Novorossiya journalists and politicians such as Valentina Kornienko and Andre Purgin. Third, the great Novorossiya Armed Forces commanders were assassinated one by one, first Bednov, then Dremov, Mozgovoy, Motorola and finally Givi. This was in addition to the cavalier and hostile policies wielded by the West and in particular by the US, whose brazen journalists condemned the DPR/LPR as terrrorists without evidence, whose politicians adopted this propaganda unquestioningly, and whose governments sent weapons and trainers to Kiev in order to kill Donbass civilians.

As long as Zakharchenko lived, there was hope these obstacles could be overcome. Now, it is uncertain whether any hope remains. And so, I feel as if I have to let Donbass go. It was a mission for me and for us. But now I have to let go and accept the fact that it is up to the people who live there. If they have the will, they can prevail.

A note on the Minsk Agreements: while many Donbass sympathizers saw these accords as betrayal, and while we understand their position. Quemado Institute nevertheless played an active role in encouraging the adoption of the Minsk peace accords. We took on this role because we put the lives of civilians above political goals. After all, the people of Donbass voted for independence, not for war. And they were being slaughtered mercilessly—often twenty a day or more—during the spring and summer of 2014. After the signing of the Minks accords, civilian casualties dropped to a fraction of that number.

I want to add that, despite her current unpopularity and her failure to protect Germany from destruction due to the  migrant invasion, Angela Merkel was instrumental in implementing the Minsk Agreements. More than any other political figure, it was Merkel’s hard work and dedication that achieved the signing of the peace settlement. Other sponsors accomplished little in comparison. Francois Hollande acted as a mere observer, Petro Poroshenko as an obstructionist, while Vladimir Putin played both sides and offered little support for the cause of Donbass. We therefore give Angela Merkel credit for helping to save arguably thousands of lives of civilians in the DPR/LPR..

We also thank the many journalists who helped keep us abreast of events: Gleb Bazov (Slavyangrad), Janus Putkonen (DONi Press), The Saker, Pete John, @OceanEchoes, Enrico Ivanov, Graham Phillips, Texas Bentley, Red Star Over Donbass, Russia Insider, AJSB, Litle Spark, Marilyn Justice, Patric Lancaster, Fort Russ, Novorossia Today, and many more.

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Wednesday September 5, 2018
(Brief Update)

DPR police publish photos of two persons wanted in connection with Zakharchenko murder / DAN (Donetsk News Agency / September 5, 2018 / DONETSK: The Donetsk People’s Republic Interior Ministry put on the wanted list two persons who visited the Separ restaurant shortly before the August 31 explosion that killed DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko. “There were visitors at the cafe on August 31, 2018,” the Ministry said. “We request them and the citizens who have information on the whereabouts of the wanted persons as well as on the incident to immediately report it to the nearest police station.” The Interior Ministry published the suspects’ photos. Contact phones: 062-301-89-26, 071-301-69-81 or 102. The police guarantee protection of the informer’s privacy. An explosion ripped through the Separ restaurant in the centre of the DPR capital at around 17:00 on August 31, killing the Republic’s Head Alexander Zakharchenko and his guard. Twelve people were wounded; five of them were hospitalised and outpatient treatment was provided to another seven.

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Kiev prepares 12,000 troops to attack DPR – Basurin / DAN / September 4, 2018 / DONETSK: Kiev massed up a 12,000-strong attack force on the Mariupol axis, Donetsk People’s Republic Operations Command deputy commander Eduard Basurin said on Tuesday citing intelligence reports. “The intelligence data received from sources at the Ukrainian army General Staff, the Joint Forces Operation headquarters and headquarters of formations in the conflict zone make it clear that the enemy has built up an attack force,” Basurin said. The Ukrainian formations’ manpower reaches over 12,000.” “If an offensive is launched, Ukrainian forces will begin artillery preparation using missile and cannon artillery. Next, 36th Brigade deployed at Kominternovo-Shirokino moves towards Novoazovsk, while 79th Brigade, positioned at Naberezhnoye-Zaichenko, attacks DPR positions on the Roza Luxembourg settlement axis. Simultaneously, 128th Mountain Assault Brigade creates a diversion offensive in the Telmanovo area while covering the left flank of the attack formation. The purpose of the operation is to reach the border with Russia in five days. The Nazi regiment Azov and raid teams of 79th Air Assault Brigade then will start mopping up settlements across the seized territory. “We’re ready to meet the enemy both in the air and on the sea. We’ll defend our citizens. Our units are absolutely battle-ready. The enemy won’t pass,” Basurin said.

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Plans of the Ukrainian Army to invade Donbass after the assassination of Alexander Zakharchenko / DONi Press / September 5, 2018 / Based on intelligence received from sources from the General Staff of the Armed Forces, the headquarters of the occupying forces and the headquarters of the units in the conflict zone, it becomes clear that an offensive strike grouping of the enemy was formed in the Mariupol direction with the 36th Brigade of the Marine Corps, the 79th Airborne Assault Brigade, the 128th mountain-assault brigade and part of the units of the 56th motorized infantry brigade. Fire support is provided by the 406th separate artillery brigade, and a part of the units of the 55th artillery brigade, the 27th artillery brigade, the 32nd and 107th rocket artillery regiments. Also the regiment of the national guard Azov is concentrated in this direction. The total number of these units and military units exceeds 12 thousand people. According to preliminary data, the intention of the invaders is the following: on the “D” day (let’s call it like that), after the artillery preparation using rocket and cannon artillery, the 36th Brigade will begin the offensive following the Shirokino-Kominternovo line in the direction of Novoazovsk, and the 79th brigade will progress on the Naberezhnoe-Zaychenko line in direction of Rosa Luxembourg. Simultaneously, the 128th Mountain Assault Brigade will make a distracting offensive maneuver in the Telmanovo direction, and also provides cover for the left flank of the advancing grouping. The offensive operation and the access to the border with the Russian Federation, is planned by the invaders to be carried out in 5 days. After that, in the occupied territory, with the forces of the Nazi regiment “Azov” and also the raid detachments of the 79th Airborne Assault Brigade, it is planned to clean the settlements of undesirable “elements” and opponents of the Ukrainian occupation, or who they think are opponents. At the same time, the enemy understands that in carrying out such offensive actions, the number of victims will be counted in hundreds, if not thousands. Logistics is planned to be provided in big quantities. Thus, the medical support of the Armed Forces will be carried out by the forces of the 66th military mobile hospital deployed in the north-west of Mariupol, as well as by the personnel of the city’s medical institutions. In addition, 4 mobile mortuaries on the basis of cargo refrigerators were detached to the 66th VMG. We do not exclude that mobile crematoria, used by Ukraine to conceal its losses in 2014, will be delivered to Mariupol. Thus, to please its ambitions and PR before the elections of 2019, the Ukrainian military-political leadership is ready to take any adventures, despite the predicted huge number of losses both among its own and among the peaceful population. True, these “blood PR specialists” absolutely don’t think that all their attempts at a breakthrough will end at the stage of approaching the front lines of our units. In accordance with the reserve plan of the OPERATION OF THE UNITED ARMED FORCES headquarters, the beginning of the offensive can be carried out by airborne and sea-going airborne assault. This decision of the Ukrainian command is also unpromising. We are ready to meet the enemy on both direction: in the air and at the sea. I appeal to the population of Ukraine! The junta, who seized power in the country, again pushes your loved ones to slaughter! These inhuman people, who have been trying to seize the Donbass for four years at the expense of their soldiers, are not thinking about you or about their country, but are carrying out their curators’ plans. Trying to escalate the conflict by the military and political leadership of Ukraine is nothing else as another way the political elite to fill their pockets! And also, for the sake of their Western puppeteers, to make a final split between the fraternal Russian and Ukrainian peoples, the centuries that lived in peace on this land! We will protect our citizens! Our units are absolutely ready for the battle! The enemy will not pass! As Batya (Zakharchenko) said: “The price of what we are fighting for is much higher than the price of our life!” — Source : DPR Army Translation by DONi News

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US ‘ready’ to boost lethal arms supplies to Ukraine / NewsFront / September 1, 2018 / A US diplomat to Ukraine says Washington will provide Kiev with more lethal weapons to help build up its naval and air forces in the face of what they call Russian threat. US Special Envoy to Ukraine Kurt Volker told The Guardian that the administration of President Donald Trump was “absolutely” prepared to go further in supplying such weaponry to Ukraine. The West accuses Moscow of providing support for the pro-Russia forces fighting in eastern Ukraine, a charge Russia resolutely denies. “They [Ukrainians] are losing soldiers every week defending their own country,” said Volker. “And so in that context it’s natural for Ukraine to build up its military, engage in self-defense, and it’s natural to seek assistance and is natural that other countries should help them. And of course they need lethal assistance because they’re being shot at.” He said Kiev and Washington are engaged in negotiations “about naval capability because as you know their navy was basically taken by Russia.” “And so they need to rebuild a navy and they have very limited air capability as well. I think we’ll have to look at air defense,” he added. Earlier this year, Congress approved $250 million in military support to Ukraine in 2019. Congress had voted for such measure in the past, but was blocked by the Obama administration amid concerns about an escalation from Russia. The Trump administration lifted the Obama-era restraint last December and approved the shipment of lethal weaponry. Russia has warned at the time that the US was “crossing the line” by providing Ukraine with lethal weapons, saying Washington is practically pushing Kiev into “new bloodshed.” Moscow also warned Washington about the consequences of supplying arms to Ukraine, saying that the weapons would provoke “hotheads” among Ukrainian nationalists to seek to unleash new bloodshed in the country’s troubled east. The conflict broke out in Ukraine following the ouster of the pro-Russia President Viktor Yanukovych in February 2014, and intensified after people in the Black Sea peninsula of Crimea voted for reunification with the Russian Federation in a referendum in March 2014.

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Ambassador Kurt Volker: US to Drastically Expand Military Assistance to Ukraine / By Peter Korzun / Strategic Culture Foundation / September 4, 2018 / Washington is upping the ante in Ukraine. Kurt Volker, US Special Representative for Ukraine Negotiations, said in an interview with the Guardian published on September 1 that “Washington is ready to expand arms supplies to Ukraine in order to build up the country’s naval and air defense forces in the face of continuing Russian support for eastern separatists.” According to him, the Trump administration was “absolutely” prepared to go further in supplying lethal weaponry to Ukrainian forces than the anti-tank missiles it delivered in April. “They need lethal assistance,” he emphasized. Mr. Volker explained that “[t]hey need to rebuild a navy and they have very limited air capability as well. I think we’ll have to look at air defense.” The diplomat believes Ukraine needs unmanned aerial vehicles, counter-battery radar systems, and anti-sniper systems. The issue of lethal arms purchases has been discussed at the highest level. The National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2019 allocated $250m in military assistance to Ukraine, including lethal arms. The US has delivered Javelin anti-tank missile systems to Kiev but this time the ambassador talked about an incomparably larger deal. Former President Barack Obama had been unconvinced that granting Ukraine lethal defensive weapons would be the right decision, in view of the widespread corruption there. This policy has changed under President Trump, who — among other things — approved deliveries of anti-tank missiles to Kiev last December. Ukraine has officially requested US air-defense systems. According to Valeriy Chaly, Ukraine’s ambassador to the United States, the Ukrainian military . . . READ MORE AT SCF>>

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SBU checking Joint Forces Operation headquarters after offensive plans leak – DPR intelligence / DAN / September 5, 2018 / DONETSK: The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has begun to check Joint Forces Operation headquarters officials for leaking the information on offensive preparations in the south of the Donetsk People’s Republic, DPR Operations Command spokesman Daniil Bezsonov said on Wednesday citing intelligence reports. “After our publication of the Ukrainian invaders’ Mariupol axis offensive plans, the SBU sent teams to Ukrainian army units in the JFO zone to identify and stop the information leakage channel,” Bezsonov said. “On (JFO commander Sergey) Nayev’s demand, SBU agents are checking JFO Headquarters staff for involvement in the leak.” All JFO headquarters officers will take a polygraph test. “The information on the situation and the occupation forces command’s plans is coming to our intelligence notwithstanding, and not only from the JFO zone,” the spokesman said. Reports on Tuesday said that Kiev had begun to prepare for an offensive on the southern axis in Donbass. September 14 was named as the tentative date of the attack.

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Address of Vladislav Surkov on the death of Alexander Zakharchenko
Donetsk News Agency – September 2, 2018
Alexander Vladimirovich, Sasha, Brother, We belong to the same faith, meaning we both do believe in eternal life. That is why I address you as though you are alive. On this hard day, I tell you the same thing I told you on your birthdays: you are a tough guy, a true hero, and being your friend is a great honor. You are always in a hurry, Sasha. From the head’s office to the frontline, from there, if not injured, to a meet miners, than farmers, than to open a school… Indeed, how can one not be in hurry when there are so many issues people wait only for you to settle. Therefore, you are in a hurry to pass away. You are in a hurry though the time is not yet ripe. Too early. However, if there is no other way, I tell you as always: take care, brother. Take care there, if it is impossible here.
— Slava (V.Surkov) September 2, 2018

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Donbass Heroes
Seeking the Truth on Twitter – September 5, 2018

Mozgovoy Givi Motorola
Dremov Zakharchenko Bednov
Mamai, Ischenko

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Tuesday September 4, 2018
Special Report

“Pops” – The Story of Alexander Zakharchenko,
Leader of the Donetsk and Man of the People
Vesti News VIDEO – Published September 4, 2018

Click for video.
A documentary by Evgeny Poddubny
Who is Mr. Zakharchenko? Was he elected or appointed? How did he become the leader of the self-proclaimed republic?

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Ukrainian army units in southern Donbass on highest alert – DPR intelligence / DAN (Donetsk News Agency) / September 3, 2018 / A number of Ukrainian army units on the Mariupol axis have been put on highest alert, Donetsk People’s Republic Operations Command deputy commander Eduard Basurin said on Monday citing intelligence reports. “Our sources at 128th Mountain Infantry Brigade informed us that Brigade units were on red alert actively replenishing reserves and ammunition,” Basurin said. Reports on Sunday said that the Ukrainian army had launched preparations for an offensive against the DPR. The Republic’s intelligence recorded the deployment of a Ukrainian attack force on the Mariupol axis comprising 56th, 36th and 79th Brigades and Azov nationalistic units. The participation of 128th Brigade points at Ukrainian army reinforcement in southern Donbass. The data retrieved from downed Ukrainian unmanned aerial vehicles in the south provided additional evidence. Two UAVs had intact videos of Ukrainian hardware being unloaded at the railway terminals in Khlebodarovka and Zachatovka. “The photos clearly show unloaded armoured vehicles which our intelligence says belongs to 79th Air Assault Brigade and 56th Motorised Infantry Brigade,” Basurin said. In this situation, Ukrainian forces began to send SMS messages to DPR servicemen calling upon them to lay down arms and abandon their positions. “Of course, Ukrainian invaders’ attempts will be unavailing,” Basurin said. “Our units fully control the situation along the contact line.

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‘Donbass will not leave this unanswered’: Denis Pushilin on DPR Head’s perishing / DPR People’s Council Official Website / September 3, 2018 / The assassination of the DPR Head, Alexander Zakharchenko, is a provocation aimed unequivocally at the disruption of the Minsk agreements. This was announced today by the Chairman of the DPR People’s Council, the Permanent Plenipotentiary Representative of the Donetsk People’s Republic at the talks of the Contact Group in Minsk, Denis Pushilin, on the air of the “Reaction” programme on the Russian NTV channel. He noted that the preparation for implementing the terrorist act was carried out by experienced specialists. “Right now, there is only an understanding that professionals worked, modern technical equipment with remote lead to the explosion was used. How this happened and how somebody let it happen is a difficult question. It is hard now to talk about complete security for basically anyone. The civil war has been going on for more than four years, and it is impossible to constantly be in a state of increased vigilance. And you cannot blame anyone in this case. Just want at some time to be an ordinary person. This is the tough situation which we live in,” Denis Pushilin said. According to the DPR envoy, one of the possible goals of the terrorist attack could be an attempt to thwart the Minsk negotiations aimed at a peaceful settlement of the armed conflict in the Donbass. “Now there are more questions on the negotiation process than answers. I absolutely agree that this (the assassination of the DPR Head – ed.) is a provocation, unambiguously aimed at disrupting the Minsk agreements. Who would benefit from it? It’s absolutely obvious for me if you look at how the Ukrainian party behaves at the talks. Ukraine can’t leave the Minsk process, they are unable to continue it too, they can’t fulfil it. What do they need? They need to arrange some serious provocation, which can disrupt the process, as if it were not through their fault,” Denis Pushilin expressed his opinion. The Speaker of the DPR Parliament stated that the actions of the organizers and perpetrators of the vile crime that led to the death of the Head of the Republic will not go unpunished. “Naturally, the Donbass will not leave it unanswered. Time will tell what will be the answer, and what methods will be used. Yesterday we only said goodbye to Alexander Vladimirovich. And now it’s too early to talk about a ready plan of action, it’s not there yet. What that happened on Friday was a big thunder-clap. But we can confidently say that the course chosen by Alexander Zakharchenko was correct,” Denis Pushilin stressed.

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Who was behind the assassination of Aleksandr Zakharchenko?
VIDEO by The Duran – September 2, 2018

Click for VIDEO
The Duran’s Alex Christoforou and International Affairs and Security Analyst, from Moscow, Mark Sleboda discuss the stunning assassination of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, who was killed in an explosion that took place in a cafe in Central Donetsk city.

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Russia to call for international probe into Zakharchenko’s murder at Contact Group meeting / TASS / September 4, 2018 / Russia will call for an international investigation into the murder of head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Alexander Zakharchenko at the upcoming meeting of the Contact Group in Minsk, Russia’s envoy to the Minsk talks Boris Gryzlov told reporters on Tuesday. “We will raise the issue of an international investigation into the murder of DPR leader Alexander Zakharchenko at a Contact Group meeting tomorrow,” he said. “I believe that this investigation should be as open an impartial as possible involving all participants in the Minsk process.” Gryzlov recalled that the Package of Measures for the Implementation of the Minsk Agreements of February 12, 2015, signed by Alexander Zakharchenko was a document endorsed by the UN Security Council and received international recognition and legitimation. “I believe it is necessary to use the potential of the Contact Group, which regularly holds its meetings with the OSCE’s involvement, to organize this work (investigation – TASS). OSCE envoys are working in the Contact Group and its subgroups on a regular basis. The OSCE is also represented in the [Donbass] conflict zone,” the Russian envoy stressed. DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko was killed in an explosion in downtown Donetsk on August 31. He was 42 years old. The blast left two people dead and twelve injured, including DPR minister of taxes and duties, Alexander Timofeyev. The DPR law enforcement agencies have detained several suspects who confirmed Kiev’s involvement. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) earlier denied any role in the Donetsk blast. [Quemado Institute comments: Has Gryzlov confirmed his suggestion with Putin, or he speaking from political self-interest? If all Minsk participants became involved in the investigation, it would likely take months or years, with Russia or Donbass blamed in the end, as was true for the Dutch MH17 investigation.]

 

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Behind assassination of Donetsk leader Zakharchenko / By Greg Butterfield / Red Star Over Donbass / September 3, 2018 / Alexander Zakharchenko, prime minister of the anti-fascist Donetsk People’s Republic, was assassinated on August 31, when an explosion ripped through the Separ restaurant in the capital city of Donetsk. Zakharchenko’s bodyguard, Vyacheslav Dotsenko, was also killed. Twelve other people were injured in the blast, four of them severely, including Finance Minister Alexander Timofeyev. Natalia Volkova, a youth activist, received third-degree burns over 60 percent of her body. (Donetsk News Agency, Sept. 1) Denis Levin, a communist worker from Ukraine living in political exile in Donetsk, told Workers World that the restaurant was often frequented by families and children. Twelve people were taken into custody on suspicion of participating in the planning and conduct of the bombing. According to DPR authorities, the terrorist act was carried out by the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), through operatives trained by U.S. and NATO military and intelligence services. (Sputnik News, Aug. 31) Zakharchenko, a small businessman and the son of a coal miner, participated in the anti-fascist uprising and militia movement in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine, following a right-wing coup in Kiev, the Ukrainian capital, in early 2014. The coup was backed to the hilt by the United States, which actively collaborated with local oligarchs and neo-Nazis. In April 2014, with U.S.-NATO support, the Ukrainian regime opened up a brutal war against the people of Donbass. The war has so far cost more than 10,000 lives, according to the United Nations. That May, popular referenda established Donetsk and Lugansk as independent people’s republics. Zakharchenko became prime minister of the DPR in August 2014. As a respected milita fighter without strong political ties, he was seen as a compromise figure between the left-leaning and anti-establishment forces that led the Donbass uprising and the more conservative, pro-capitalist forces backed by the government of the Russian Federation. Donbass desperately needed the support of neighboring Russia, then and now, as it is cut off from food, medicine, equipment and other basic needs by a Western blockade. Zakharchenko was closely identified with the Minsk accords, a set of agreements he signed in early 2015 with the participation of Germany, France, Russia and Ukraine, to end the war and bring about a peaceful resolution to the conflict. However, the Western-backed government in Kiev, headed by President Petro Poroshenko, has never respected the accords. The Ukrainian side continues to shell residential areas along the line of conflict, including the outskirts of the Donetsk capital. Despite popular disenchantment with the Minsk accords and the difficulties caused by the blockade, Zakharchenko remained personally popular as a symbol of the united front against the Ukrainan regime. Zakharchenko usually wore his milita fatigues, emphasizing the state of siege of the republic, and was frequently seen at the front among the soldiers defending against the Ukrainan Armed Forces and neo-Nazi battalions. In February 2015, he was wounded in action during one of the last battles that successfully turned back a Ukrainain military offensive. He had a down-to-earth style modeled after one of his heroes, Fidel Castro, and frequently went among the residents of the republic to listen to their problems. He established an online video dialogue with residents of Ukraine and areas of Donbass under Ukrainain occupation. His style was credited with bringing a sense of daily normalcy back to the war-battered capital city. Zakharchenko’s assassination was condemend by the governments of the Russian Federation and the Syrian Arab Republic. (SANA, Sept. 1) Russian President Vladimir Putin offered his personal condolences to the people of Donetsk. (TASS, Aug. 31) On Sept. 2, tens of thousands of people came to the Donetsk Opera House, where Zakharchenko lay in state, to pay their final respects. Some 200,000 people lined the streets for his funeral procession. (Novorossia News, Sept. 2)

Why now? Other assassinations have been carried out by the SBU in Donetsk, notably of two popular militia commanders close to Zakharchenko, known by the their military call-signs, Givi and Motorola. There were also earlier attempts on Zakharchenko’s life, most involving car bombs and sniper attacks. However, the assassination of the prime minister through a terror attack on a civilian target in central Donetsk is at a whole other level. Such an act could not have been carried out by a politically, economically and militarily dependent regime like Ukraine’s without high-level U.S. approval. As if to underline the U.S. role in the murder, the following day Ukrainian President Poroshenko stood side by side with NATO head Jens Stoltenberg at the Washington funeral of war criminal Senator John McCain, who was part of the bipartisan bloc that helped bring the Ukrainian junta to power during the Obama administration. (Interfax-Ukraine, Sept. 3) McCain famously shared a platform with Ukrainain fascist Oleh Tyanybok in Kiev before the 2014 coup. So it’s important to ask: Why was Zakharchenko assassinated now, and in this way? Of course, an attack like this is meant to sow fear in the residents of Donbass and shake confidence in the government of the anti-fascist republic. In this respect it failed, as shown by the defiant mass outpouring for Zakharchenko’s funeral. But the attack must also be seen in an international context. Zakharchenko’s assassination came as the Syrian Army, with support from its Russian, Iranian and Hezbollah allies, moves to retake Idlib province, one of the last strongholds of the Western-backed contra armies in Syria. (See article by Karin Leukefeld in Junge Welt Aug. 30 / Workers.org Sept. 1) Just days before, the Russian military warned that U.S.-backed forces could stage another “false flag” chemical weapons attack in Idlib, of the sort used so frequently to justify prolonged Western intervention in Syria. Syria’s representative then presented evidence of such a plan to the United Nations. (FARS News Agency, Aug. 29) Was the assassination of Zakharchenko a warning to Moscow and its allies, an act of retaliation for their exposure of the planned U.S. provocation in Idlib? Throughout the long imperialist war to dismember Syria, Ukraine has frequently been used by the West as a looming threat against Damascus’ ally – the threat of a second front on Russia’s Western border that could flare up at any moment. It also comes amidst the deepening internal struggle inside the U.S. ruling class political establishment over which direction for the Pentagon war machine and CIA to take: further towards war with Russia, as advocated by Democratic Party and establishment Republican Party leaders, or towards other targets including Iran and China, as prefered by Trump. Anti-imperialists and anti-war activists must not disregard the assassination of the Donetsk leader as a local event of limited significance, but see it as a warning sign of the need to redouble efforts to reach out to poor and working people here, to counter the anti-Russia witch hunt, and mobilize to stop U.S. intervention everywhere! This is the best tribute we can pay to fallen anti-fascist Alexander Zakharchenko.

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Sunday September 2, 2018
Special Report

Alexander Zakharchenko a Unique Leader – Adam Garrie in Remembrance / Remembering Alexander Zakharchenko (1976-2018), / By Adam Garrie / Quemado Institute (from Eurasia Future) / September 2, 2018 / Alexander Zakharchenko was a unique leader by any standard but what made him stand apart from the others in the political leadership of Donbass was that he was able to think big even at a time when an enemy regime sought to put all of the Donbass people on their knees. In July of 2017 Alexander Zakharchenko invited reporters to a press conference where he proudly announced his plan to create a union of Malorossiya (Little Russia) which would be immediately comprised of the Novorossiya republics of Donetsk and Lugansk and would eventually grow to incorporate all other regions of the historic space of Malorossiya that are presently controlled by the Kiev regime. According to Zakharchenko’s plan, any regions joining Malorossiya would do so through a democratic referendum and there would be no discrimination based on what ethnicity or linguistic group one wanted to self-identify with. The Malorossiya declared by Zakharachenko sought the penultimate democratic preservation of historic Russian lands initially restored to Russia rule under the 1667 Treaty of Andrusovo as well as the lands of the Black Sea region and into the industrial heartlands of Donbass which Russia attained from the Ottoman Empire in the mid 17th century. In this sense, Zakharachenko’s Malorossiya restored historical continuity to regions criminally separated from the rest of Russia while allowing for a spirit of democracy and fraternal relations between regions with unique local characteristics to flourish. Such proposals were clearly beyond the scope . . . READ MORE AT QUEMADO INSTITUTE>>

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‘The city is orphaned’: 120,000 mourners bid farewell to assassinated Donbass leader in Donetsk / Sott.net / September 2, 2018 / At least 120,000 people have attended the funeral of Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, who was killed by an explosion in a cafe in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk on Friday. Zakharchenko’s remains were placed on display in the lobby of the State Academic Opera and Ballet Theatre in the center of Donetsk. It is not far from Cafe Separ, where the leader of the self-proclaimed DPR was murdered. Over 120,000 people came to bid farewell to the assassinated leader, a spokesperson for the city council confirmed to reporters. People were seen carrying flowers for the farewell ceremony of the Donbass leader. “[We have] nothing but tears! We do not know what to say,” three women from Yasynovataya town in Donetsk region told RIA Novosti. “How could this [murder] ever happen?! In the center of the city where many mothers walk with children, where ordinary people walk!” another grieving woman exclaimed. Zakharchenko was married, and is survived by four sons. Moscow condemned the murder of 42-year-old Zakharchenko, adding that it could be detrimental to the whole peace process in Ukraine. “It is a blatant provocation aimed at undermining the implementation of the Minsk Agreement in eastern Ukraine,” Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said on Saturday. Zakharchenko had headed the DPR since November 2014, when a crisis broke out in Ukraine following a coup d’etat that ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. Donetsk province, along with neighboring Lugansk, engaged in open conflict with Kiev as they refused to accept the new government following the 2014 coup, establishing self-proclaimed republics. Zakharchenko had previously survived several assassination attempts. [More photos at source.]

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Zakharchenko is buried in the cemetery of “Donetskoye more”, Lenin district, Donetsk, where Arsen Pavlov (Motorola) and Mikhail Tolstikh (Givi) also rest in peace / Vzglyad.ru / September 2, 2018 / Autotranslation by Quemado Institute / The head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, who died on Friday as a result of the terrorist act in the cafe “Separ” in Donetsk, was buried in the cemetery “Donetskoye More” in the Leninsky district of the city. The comrades-in-arms of the leader of the Donbass, Arsen Pavlov (Motorola) and Mikhail Tolstykh (Givi), also rest there. The burial ritual was accompanied by artillery and weapons salute. The funeral ceremony, attended by about 200 people, lasted about an hour. Earlier on Sunday, a 200,000-strong column of people followed Zakharchenko’s coffin from the opera and ballet theater to the building of the administration of the head of the NDP. Throughout the procession, the citizens of the proclaimed republic applauded and chanted “Thank you.”

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Funeral of Fallen Hero In Donetsk / LiveLeak / September 2, 2018 / In the capital of the Donetsk People’s Republic 200 thousand turned out to honor the memory of their assassinated leader Alexander Zakharchenko. A column of people following the coffin in the morning stretched from the Donetsk Opera and Ballet Theater to the building of the Administration of the Republick on Artem Street, where the late leader of the Donbass worked. Residents of the Republic throughout the procession applauded and chanted “Thank you.” The servicemen removed the coffin from the carriage and went to the cemetery “Donetsk Sea” in the Leninsky district of Donetsk, where the funeral will be held. He will be buried next to other fallen heroes Motorola and Givi. Zakharchenko was assassinated in a cowardly manner by the Amerikan supported neonazi forces of Kiev. Unable to make any progress in actual battles against the people of Donetsk the neonazi regime has turned to terrorism. Trained by the same Western troops that train the Al Qaeda terrorists in Syria.

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Zakcharchenko: Farewell to Head of DPR
VIDEO by Donbass Rose – September 2, 2018

Click for video.
Today Donetsk was saying farewell to assasinated head of Republic Alexander Zakcharchenko. He was murdered as the result of bomb explosion at a cafe. “He has been murdered by Western backed Nazi assasines. The day will come when we’ll be watching Poroshenko [President of Ukraine] funerals too!” – says Russell Bentley, American volunteer in Donetsh Republic. – In his short life Zakcharchenko changed history. He turned back the tide of fascism in Donbass, just like we did 75 years ago!”

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Speaker of the State Duma: Zakharchenko’s murder nullifies Minsk agreements / Ukraina.ru / September 2, 2018 / Autotranslation by Quemado Institute / The terrorist act that took the life of the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko, puts an end to the steps taken by Russia and the world community to resolve the conflict in Donbass This August 31, said the State Duma Chairman Vyacheslav Volodin. “This is lawlessness, which nullifies all those steps that have been undertaken by Russia and the world community for several years to end the war in the southeast of Ukraine,” Volodin quotes Interfax. According to him, “it would be correct for the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly to give its assessment of what happened and urged the Ukrainian authorities to be accountable for this crime” “All those involved in this terrorist act must be punished,” Volodin stressed. The State Duma speaker drew attention to the fact that “the Kyiv authorities, on the one hand, declare the need to implement the Minsk agreements and advocate a peaceful settlement of the situation in the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, and on the other hand, by terrorist methods, get rid of legally elected authorities in the Donbas.” Earlier it was reported that in the center of the capital of the Donetsk People’s Republic at about 17:30 near the residence of the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Zakharchenko an explosion occurred, which resulted in Alexander Zakharchenko’s death. There are also three other victims, one of whom is the head of the Ministry of Finance of the DNR, Alexander Timofeev. In the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic, terrorist attacks occurred repeatedly, the victims of which were militia commanders. In particular, the commander of the battalion “Sparta” Arseniy Pavlov (call sign “Motorola”) was killed in Donetsk on October 16 as a result of an explosion in the elevator of his house. In the DNR believe that this was a terrorist attack, prepared by Ukrainian special services. The authorities of the republic associate the death of the militiaman with the attempts of the Kiev authorities to divert attention from the failure by the Ukrainian side of the Minsk agreements. The commander of the “Somali” battalion, Mikhail Tolstykh, known by the Givi call sign, died early in the morning on February 8 in his office in Donetsk. As the main versions of the murder are considered a shot from the jet flamethrower “Bumblebee” and the laying of explosives. In the DNR they are sure that the Ukrainian special services are behind the crime, and also do not exclude the involvement of the adviser to the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Zoryan Shkiryak. The authorities of Ukraine in April 2014 launched a military operation against the LNR and the Donetsk People’s Republic, which declared independence after a coup in Ukraine in February 2014. According to the latest UN data, more than 10,000 people became victims of the conflict. Kiev and its western patrons regularly accuse Russia of interfering in the civil war in Donetsk and Lugansk regions. In turn, representatives of the Russian authorities have repeatedly stated that they are not a party to the intra-Ukrainian conflict in the Donbass and are in favor of its early peaceful settlement. The issue of settling the situation in the Donbass is discussed, in particular, during the meetings in Minsk of the contact group, which since September, 2014 has already adopted three documents regulating the steps to de-escalate the conflict. However, after the armistice agreements between the parties to the conflict, shootings continue.

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Chechen leader Kadyrov vows support to Donbass after DPR head’s death / TASS / September 1, 2018 / Alexander Zakharchenko, who had been Prime Minister of the DPR since 2014, died in an explosion in downtown Donetsk on Friday. / GROZNY / Chechen leader Ramzan Kadyrov vowed support and assistance to eastern Ukraine’s region of Donbass following the death of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic leader Alexander Zakharchenko. “On this difficult day for Donbass, I assure that we are ready to render all necessary assistance and support, we will not leave you face-to-face with your tragedy,” Kadyrov wrote on his Telegram page. The Chechen leader said that although he never met Zakharchenko in person, he talked to him by phone on many occasions. “He was a sincere and courageous person, devoted to his people,” Kadyrov said. He added that Western nations “absolutely don’t care that the Ukrainian government has harbored terrorists, bandits, gangsters, criminals, provided them with weapons, money and documents and gave them green light to carry out terror attacks and murders” in the self-proclaimed republics of Donetsk and Lugansk.” Some of those nations, Kadyrov said, have become “home for hundreds of dangerous criminals, wanted in Russia on charges of grave crimes.” Alexander Zakharchenko, who had been Prime Minister of the DPR since 2014, died in an explosion in downtown Donetsk on Friday. He was 42 years old. The blast left two people dead and nine injured, including DPR minister of taxes and duties, Alexander Timofeyev, and the head of a local youth organization, Natalya Volkova. DPR law enforcement agencies have already detained several suspects in the blast, who confirmed the Kiev government’s involvement, the DPR interim head has said. The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) earlier denied any role in the blast.

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UNINTENTIONAL COINCIDENCE? New Donbass leader vows to integrate with Russia / Fort Russ / September 2, 2018 / Authorities in the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk will continue to seek integration with Russia after the assassination of its president, the new leader of the region said on Saturday. “Our foreign policy remains unchanged, it is integration with the Russian Federation,” DPR interim leader Dmitry Trapeznikov said in a statement circulated by his press office. Alexander Zakharchenko, leader of the independent region in what is internationally recognized as eastern Ukraine, was killed on Friday in an explosion in the center of Donetsk. Another 11 people were injured. The region’s finance minister, Alexander Timofeev, was taken to hospital in critical condition. Donetsk officials say they are treating the bombing as an act of terrorism. Trapeznikov said several suspects confessed that the attack was orchestrated by the Ukraine – which denies the prosecution. Russian President Vladimir Putin has referred to Zakharchenko’s death as a “vile murder” by those who prefer “the path of terror” than to find a peaceful solution to the four-year conflict in eastern Ukraine. Meanwhile, President of Ukraine, Pyotr Poroshenko, met in Washington with US Special Representative for Negotiations in Ukraine, Kurt Volker, and discussed the situation in Donbass and extended sanctions against Russia, the Ukranian president’s press service said. This Friday and Saturday Poroshenko visited the United States to bid farewell to US Senator John McCain. “The parties discussed the security situation in eastern Ukraine and coordinated additional measures for the evacuation of Donbass,” the statement said on the Poroshenko website. The Ukrainian leader also expressed his gratitude to the United States for continuing the policy of sanctions against Russia.

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[Enemy Report:] Ukraine crisis: Mass turnout for funeral of Donetsk rebel Zakharchenko / Dirrex (BBC) / September 2, 2018 / Tens of thousands of people have gathered in eastern Ukraine to mourn a Russian-backed separatist leader who was killed in a bomb attack on Friday.Alexander Zakharchenko, 42, died in the explosion at a cafe in the rebel stronghold of Donetsk.He is the most senior Russian-backed fatality of the conflict so far.Russia’s foreign ministry said it suspected Ukraine of organising the latest killing, although the Ukrainian government has denied any involvement. Large crowds have waited in line to pay their respects to the head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, who was killed along with his bodyguard in Friday’s attack. Twelve other people were injured.Zakharchenko had been wounded twice in combat, and survived a car bomb blast in August 2014. On Saturday, Russia’s Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said that international talks on Ukraine could no longer be considered following Zakharchenko’s death.The talks, involving leaders from Russia, Ukraine, France and Germany, are known as the Normandy format. They were established to seek a settlement to the conflict in eastern Ukraine, which began when rebels seized large swathes of territory in the region in an uprising in April 2014. Since then, thousands of people have died in fighting between the rebels and Ukrainian government forces.Moscow denies sending regular troops and heavy weapons to the separatists, but admits that Russian “volunteers” are helping the rebels. [Source: http://www.dirrex.com/world_news/Today_News/2-09-2018-ukraine-crisis–mass-turnout-for-funeral-of-donetsk-rebel-zakharchenko%5D

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American Internet resources block information related to the name Zakharchenko / Rusvesnu.ru / September 2, 2018 / Autotranslation by Quemado Institute / YouTube blocks direct stream video of the funeral of Zakharchenko in which more than 200,000 people have been present. / American video service YouTube blocks direct live video from the funeral of the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic. Disconnected broadcasting [includes] “Newsfront”, the television channel “Tsargrad” and the Donetsk “Oplot TV”. Also reported on the removal of the social network “Facebook” a large number of posts with the name of the deceased Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic. The reasons for such obvious manifestations of political censorship are not reported. We remind that “Facebook”, as “Google”, in 2006 having acquired video hosting “Yutube”, are American companies.

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On the contact line in the LNR, Ukrainian snipers and subversive groups / Novorossinform.org / September 2, 2018 / Edited autotranslation by Quemado Institute / On the contact line in the LNR [LPR] in the area of occupied Schyastya, snipers and reconnaissance and sabotage groups of Ukrainian militants became active. This was told by the official representative of the People’s Militia of the Luganst People’s Republic, Andrei Marochko, RIA Novosti reports. According to him, today the main task of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is to provoke the LNR for reciprocal actions during the truce. In this connection, the Ukrainian command continues to maintain a tense situation in the conflict zone and make false statements about shelling by the forces of Donbass. In parallel, APUs are strengthening their positions at the front line. Marochko noted that the press center of the “so-called EOS headquarters” recorded shooting, which in fact was not from the side of the LPR. In particular, the Ukrainian side accused the People’s Militia units of shelling the Crimean and Troitskoe settlements in the occupied part of the Republic. The Speaker of the People’s Militia did not rule out that the units of the two Brigades of the Ukrainian Armed Forces fired upon their own positions. “I declare with full responsibility that the People’s Militia of LNR strictly adheres to the Minsk agreements and is ready for a peaceful resolution of the conflict,” Marachko stressed. Earlier it was reported that the command of the LNR does not exclude the aggravation of the situation on the contact line in connection with the planned transfer to the zone of the so-called “operation of the joint forces” of the Nazis subordinated to the former leader of the “Right Sector”, banned in Russia, Yaroshu. Yesterday in the Ministry of Defense, the People’s Democratic Republic of Ukraine announced that the Ukrainian command was preparing for an offensive after the assassination of Zakharchenko.

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The crucifixion was not the end, but the beginning.

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Saturday September 1, 2018
Special Report

Zakharchenko assassination presents a new reality in the Donbass / By Tom Winter / Fort Russ / September 1, 2018 / Minsk Accords were already dead and this is the death certificate / From RuEconomics: The assassination of Zakharchenko creates a new reality in the Donbass: Yesterday in Donetsk, the head of the People’s Democratic Republic Alexander Zakharchenko perished as a result of the terrorist attack. The bomb explosion occurred in one of the restaurants in the city, where at that time the head of the People’s Republic was with a number of ministers and close associates. The murder of Zakharchenko is an international crime. The explosion took place in the SEPAR restaurant, where an explosive device with the equivalent of 800 grams of TNT was fixed in a lamp. Together with Zakharchenko 11 more people were injured, including the Deputy Chairman of the Government of the People’s Republic of Donetsk, and besides the leader of the People’s Republic, another person was killed, who is not yet named. In the DPR, a three-day mourning has been declared, and Dmitri Trapeznikov became the acting president. He previously served as deputy chairman of the government of the Donetsk People’s Republic. This happened in accordance with Article 62 of the DPR Constitution.

Yesterday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the murder of Zakharchenko is a terrorist act and an international crime, and also confirmed that Russia will not leave the people of Donbass in trouble. Today, Russian presidential press secretary Dmitry Peskov noted that this crime is a provocation and will lead to increased tension in the Donbass. In addition, Peskov expressed the thesis that this provocation does not contribute to the creation of conditions, at least for the sake of reaching prospects for the implementation of the Minsk agreements, and, therefore, it further and further puts the general state of affairs in the Donbass at a dead end.

Ukraine’s actions create a new reality. The editor-in-chief of the magazine National Defense, Igor Korochenko, in his conversation with the FBA “Economics Today” noted that this event once again shows the fact that the Donetsk People’s Republic and the Lugansk People’s Republic must take a course towards full-fledged state building. “I believe that these territories will never again be part of Ukraine, they are lost for Kiev, and the whole question is what will happen next. If Ukraine launches a large-scale military operation against the Donbass, or if Ukraine goes on to aggression against Russia — and today we can not rule out such a scenario, given the latest statements and sentiments in Kiev — then a fundamentally new reality will arise in this issue,” states Korotchenko. As the expert notes, this reality will be that Ukraine’s border will get to the Dnieper – everything west will remain Ukraine, and everything that is east, Novorossia or something else, depending on the development of the overall situation. “My personal position is that with regard to Ukraine we must behave harshly to the max, as this is a terrorist state led by illegitimate president Petro Poroshenko,” concludes Korotchenko.

Ukraine’s actions nullify the entire negotiating process. According to Igor Yurievich, we should behave in exactly the same way as the United States is conducting its policy today towards those countries, which they consider their adversaries, with all the ensuing consequences. “We must behave with Ukraine as hard as possible and do not need to be ashamed of anything. We must determine the rules of the game, as well as the final result of all such conflict situations,” Korochenko sums up.

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Friday August 31, 2018
(Special Report)

There is every reason to believe Kiev regime behind Zakharchenko’s murder — diplomat / TASS / August 31, 2018 / The warmongers in Kiev are implementing the terrorist scenario instead of complying with the Minsk agreements, and there is every reason to believe that the Kiev regime is behind the assassination of head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Alexander Zakharchenko, Russian Foreign Ministry Spokeswoman Maria Zakharova told TASS on Friday. “DPR head Zakharchenko has been killed in a terror attack in Donetsk. There is every reason to believe that the Kiev regime, which has used similar means to eliminate unwanted people who have dissenting views more than once, is behind his assassination,” she said. “Instead of complying with the Minsk agreements and searching for ways of resolving the internal conflict, the warmongers in Kiev are implementing the terrorist scenario exacerbating the complex situation in the region.” “The global community must demand, and, considering Ukraine’s puppet political system, control the impartial investigation into that crime committed in front of civilians’ eyes,” Zakharova stressed. Zakharchenko was killed in an explosion in Donetsk on Friday. The DPR head’s administration has confirmed his death.

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Head of self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic killed in explosion / TASS / August 31, 2018 / Head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Alexander Zakharchenko was killed by an explosion in Donetsk on Friday. The administration of the head of the DPR has confirmed this information, the Donetsk News Agency reported on its website on Friday. “Unfortunately, DPR head Alexander Zakharchenko has been killed in a terror attack. Details are being clarified,” the news agency quotes a spokesman for the administration as saying. The explosion occurred in the Separ restaurant in the city center at about 17:30. According to the Donetsk News Agency, three more people were injured. Alexander Zakharchenko was born in Donetsk on June 26, 1976. He graduated from the Donetsk College of Industrial Automation with a degree in mining electromechanics. When protests in southeastern Ukraine erupted in the spring of 2014 in the wake of the regime change in the country, Zakharchenko joined the people’s militia. On April 16, he took part in storming the building of the Donetsk City Administration. On August 8, 2014, the DPR Supreme Council endorsed him as Chairman of the DPR Council of Ministers to replace Alexander Borodai. On November 2, 2014, Alexander Zakharchenko was elected head of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic having secured 77.51% of the vote. He assumed office on November 4, 2014. His closest rival, Alexander Kofman, deputy chairman of the Novorossia parliament, garnered 10.03% of the vote.

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Leader of self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic killed in E. Ukraine blast / rt.com / August 31, 2018 / An explosion that rocked a cafe in central Donetsk city, in eastern Ukraine, has killed Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the leader of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic, and injured several other top officials. “The head of the DPR, Aleksandr Zakharchenko, has died as a result of a terrorist act,” a spokesperson of the self-proclaimed republic’s administration told journalists, revealing no details of the incident. “An improvised explosive device was planted inside the café … right near the entrance,” Aleksandr Kazakov, an advisor to the DPR leader, told RT, adding that the killers apparently knew that Zakharchenko would arrive at the café and were “waiting” for him. A state of emergency has been imposed, Kazakov said, adding that borders with both Ukraine and Russia were sealed as the security services are “actively searching for the potential perpetrators.” One of Zakharchenko’s deputies also sustained severe injuries in the blast while several bodyguards died in the incident, Kazakov said. He added that Zakharchenko died at the scene as well, contrary to the earlier reports suggesting he was injured and succumbed to his wounds in a hospital. The DPR security services detained the alleged perpetrators behind Zakharchenko’s murder later on Friday, a DPR spokesman confirmed, adding that their identities have been established. According to media reports, those detained were identified as “Ukrainian operatives and some of their accomplices.” Dmitry Trapeznikov, one of Zakharchenko’s deputies, has been appointed as the DPR’s acting leader, the head of the local legislature, Denis Pushilin, told reporters. Moscow condemned 42-year-old Zakharchenko’s murder, adding that it could be detrimental to the whole peace process in Ukraine. The death of the DPR leader could have a particularly negative impact on the implementation of the Minsk Agreements, Konstantin Kosachev, the head of the Russian Senate’s International Affairs Committee, said. Russian President Vladimir Putin expressed his “deep condolences” to the relatives and the loved ones of the DPR head, the Kremlin said in a statement. Putin called Zakharchenko “a real people’s leader,” and “a brave man.” He also said that this incident shows that “those, who chose the path of terror, violence and intimidation, do not want to seek a peaceful…solution…and engage in a real dialog with the people living in south-eastern [Ukraine].” There is “every reason to believe” that Zakharchenko’s murder was orchestrated by Kiev, which “has repeatedly resorted to such methods to get rid of dissidents and undesirables,” Maria Zakharova, spokeswoman for the Russian Foreign Ministry, said. “Instead of abiding by the Minsk Agreements and seeking ways to resolve the internal [Ukrainian] conflict, the Kiev warmongers opted for a terrorist scenario, thus exacerbating an already tense situation in the region,” she added. The Ukrainian security service, the SBU, has denied involvement in the killing of the DPR head. Zakharchenko headed the self-proclaimed republic since November 2014 when a crisis broke out in Ukraine following a coup d’état that ousted Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych. The Eastern Ukrainian provinces of Donetsk and Lugansk engaged in open conflict with Kiev since they refused to accept the new government, following the 2014 coup, and established the self-proclaimed republics. He previously survived several assassination attempts.

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US May Have Taken Part in Zakharchenko Assassination – DPR Official / Sputnik / August 31, 2018 / According to Deputy Defense Minister and defense spokesman of Donetsk People’s Republic Eduard Basurin, the US could have taken part in the assassination of the Donetsk People’s Republic head Zakharchenko. / According to Eduard Basurin, Zakharchenko’s murder took place “under the regulation by the United States.” The US was directly involved in it,” Basurin said. The commander of the Donetsk Operational Command stated, speaking on a Russian television channel, that the main goal of the perpetrators is to destabilize the self-proclaimed republic and the situation observed in the military zone. He even addressed the Ukrainian authorities and Petro Poroshenko in particular, saying they could do nothing about it. “That was a pre-planned murder, plotted by the Ukrainian special services and curated by the US. I’d like to tell Ukraine’s President Poroshenko and his bloodthirsty gang: the scenario that you plotted along with the murder will fail,” Basurin asserted. “We are standing on guard of our republic’s borders,” he stated, adding that the Donetsk authorities are in full control of the situation in the people’s republic after Zakharchenko’s assassination. “I stress one more time that we have sufficient means to resist Ukrainian aggression against people living in a free state — the DPR, and we will do everything to not let any more civilians die.” READ MORE: Life and Death of Assassinated DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko

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Aleksandr Zakharchenko has been murdered today / The Saker / August 31, 2018 / It has now been confirmed that Aleksandr Zakharchenko has been murdered today. You can read some of the details in this RT article here: https://www.rt.com/news/437357-head-donbass-republic-killed/  This murder really breaks my heart, but also worries and sickens me. Just like the murders of Morotola or Givi, this murder proves that there is a major, massive, problem with the DNR/LNR security services. Whether this is pure incompetence or treason I don’t know, but what is sure is that while murders of charismatic leaders happen in all conflicts this is the exception, not the rule (how many leaders were killed during, say, the Bosnian civil war?). It *is* possible to protect commanders and officials (there are special forces and services which can do that very well). When it is the rule, then most certainly something is very wrong. Two years ago I wrote an article entitled “The Murder of Motorola – questions which must be answered” for which I was hysterically criticized by some ignorant amateurs, but the questions which I asked then remain unanswered today. Frankly, I very much doubt that they will be answered this time around either. In my 2016 I asked the question cui bono in reference to the murders of so many DNR/LNR leaders. Now I ask the same cui bono about the systematic denial that there is a major problem with the DNR/LRN security services. Two years after the murder of Motorola the Novorussians have clearly not solved their security problem. This is why I can only offer the same conclusion as I did two years ago: “Ideally, the Russians should send some smart and ruthless patriot, like General Shamanov, to go to Lugansk and Donesk and read the locals the riot act (Russians generals are very good at that kind of stuff) and if they offer any resistance, just toss them out of their office (Russian generals are also good at that kind of stuff).” By now pretty much all the key Novorussian leaders and heroes have been murdered and it is too late to do anything about this. But somebody will have to take their place and it is them that the Russians need to protect now. Living in deep denial, cheerleading and flag waving are all very good, but not when people get murdered as a result. “With the Saints give rest, O Christ, to the soul of Your servant Aleksandr where there is no pain, nor sorrow, nor suffering, but life everlasting.” — The Saker [Editor’s note: for those mourning the death of Zakharchenko, there is solace among the comments at The Saker.]

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IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF THE OPERATIONAL COMMAND OF THE DNR / Armiyadnr.su / August 31, 2018 / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / Today, the head of our Republic, the supreme commander-in-chief of the Hero of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Aleksandr Vladimirovich Zakharchenko, was killed by a treacherous blow, so typical for the Ukrainian terrorist regime. We lost today our commander, the hero of the defense of Donbass and a true patriot of our Republic! We mourn for loss. This terrorist act is aimed at destabilizing the situation in the Republic and carried out by special operations of Ukraine under the control of US special services. All units of the People’s Militia are transferred to the highest degree of combat readiness! The enemy does not have the opportunity to take advantage of the created situation and break our borders! The Ukrainian regime will bitterly pay for the sordid blow inflicted upon us! We call upon the entire world community to bring the criminal Ukrainian authorities to justice for the committed and resolute condemnation during the meeting of the UN General Assembly! We call on the citizens of our Republic to remain calm and not to panic. The situation in the Republic and on the contact line remains under the full control of our law enforcement agencies.

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Putin’s response to the assassination: Russia is with you / Fort Russ / August 31, 2018 / Alexander Vladimirovich “was a true people’s leader, a brave and resolute person, a patriot of Donbass / Fort Russ editor’s note: Several have been detained and it has been confirmed that the assassination of Alexandr Zakharchenko was an attack from Ukraine. FRN [Fort Russ News] itself is under attack, and when the staff can reach our site, we will be posting updates. / We read in Novorosinform: “Russia is with you”: Vladimir Putin expressed his condolences to the Donbass on the assassination of Alexander Zakharchenko, head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the Kremlin official website reported. The President noted that Alexander Vladimirovich “was a true people’s leader, a brave and resolute person, a patriot of Donbass.” “The vile murder of Alexander Zakharchenko is another evidence: those who chose the path of terror, violence, intimidation, do not want to seek a peaceful, political solution to the conflict, do not want to conduct a real dialogue with the inhabitants of the southeast. And they make a dangerous bet on the destabilization of the situation, to put the people of Donbass on their knees. This is not going to work,” Putin said. “I hope that the organizers and executors of this crime will bear the punishment they deserve,” he added. “I want to once again express my condolences to the relatives and friends of Alexander Vladimirovich Zakharchenko, all residents of the Donbass. Russia will always be with you,” Vladimir Putin stated. Recall that today in the center of Donetsk near the cafe “Separ” an explosion occurred, as a result of which the head of the People’s Democratic Republic Alexander Zakharchenko perished. Later, law enforcers of the DNR detained suspects in the murder of Zakharchenko. Also, as a result of the explosion near the cafe “Separ”, the Minister of Income and Duties of the Donetsk People’s Republic Alexander Timofeev was wounded. The administration of the head of the Democratic People’s Republic of Ukraine called the explosion in Donetsk a terrorist act. The official representative of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Maria Zakharova said that the Ukrainian authorities are behind the murder of Zakharchenko.

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DPR chooses a successor to Zakharchenko / UAWire / August 31, 2018 / Successor to Zakharchenko has been quickly chosen in Donetsk. Dmitry Trapeznikov, who until now has been deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the DPR became the head of the DPR, as announced at an emergency briefing in the press center of the Donetsk news agency. The Chairman of the National Council of DPR, Denis Pushilin presented Trapeznikov to journalists. Trapeznikov read a statement after Pushilin’s presentation. “The Territorial Defense command has made a decision. In connection with the tragic death of Alexander Zakharchenko, to nominate as an acting head of the DPR, Dmitry Viktorovich Trapeznikov,” said Trapeznikov himself. Trapeznikov was born on April 12, 1981 in Krasnodar. In 1982, he and his family moved to Donetsk. He has three university degrees in the fields of industrial and civil construction, economics and law. He worked as a manager of Donetsk soccer Club Shakhtar, held senior positions in large business enterprises in Donetsk. From 2010 to 2012, he worked as deputy head ofof the Petrovsky district of Donetsk. In September 2014, he was appointed “head of the provisional administration of the Telmanovsky district of Donetsk People’s Republic”. Subsequently headed “Management of foreign and internal policy of the administration of the DPR” and later took the post of “Deputy Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Republic”. The head of the DPR, Alexander Zakharchenko, was killed in an explosion in the restaurant “Separ” in the center of Donetsk.

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DPR Head Died From Wounds Received In Terrorist Attack In Donetsk. State Of Emergency Declared In DPR / Southfront / August 31, 2018 / Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Alexander Zakharchenko has died from wounds received in a terrorist attack in the DPR capital of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, according to reports in the Russian media. According to initial reports, the explosion, which took place in a restaurant, “Separatist”, on August 31 also injured at least 3 persons. The DPR Finance Minister was reportedly among them. Some sources say that Zakhachenko was not only one killed in the attack. However, no evidence have been provided so far. The situation is developing. Over the past few years, the DPR and its neighbor, the Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR), have been hit by a series of terrorist attacks and assasinations. Most of them have been reportedly carried out by Ukrainian intelligence and its agents. However, some sources say that at least a part of these incidents has been a result of the internal tensions within the DPR and the LPR. Local sources describe the work of the republic’s security forces as only “sub-optimal” to what is needed. It’s also important to note that Zakharchenko was one of the persons signing the Minsk II agreements in 2015, which declared a ceasefire between Ukraine and the DPR-LPR forces. Now, when Zakharchenko is dead, Kiev may use this as a justification to further ingore its responsibilities in the framework of the reached agreements. UPDATE 1: The Russian Foreign Ministry has commented on the situation describing it as a terrorist attack. It has added that the Ukrainian government “decided to start a massacre after failing to fulfill their promises on peace.” The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) has said that it is not linked to the attack and has described it as a result of the internal tensions in the DPR. The DPR authorities say that Kiev is responsible for the assasination of Zakharchenko. UPDATE 2: Dmitry Trapeznikov became the acting head of the DPR. [Photo caption: Denis Pushilin, Dmitry Trapeznikov]

Tweet from Unknown Source [unconfirmed, reported here for the record]: Fire Tracker tweets September 1, 2018, 03:15 UTC: “Updated counter-IRA device signature used by SAS/SBS…..Details about the killing of #Zakharchenko. The explosive was hidden in a lightning fixture and was activated by cellphone (as I suspected). The explosive was about 800 grams. A rather well planned and executed hit.”

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Thursday March 8, 2018
(Brief Update)

AFU snipers trained by foreign instructors redeployed to Donetsk region / DONi News / March 7, 2018 / The group of Ukrainian snipers trained by British and American instructors arrived in the area near Donetsk western border to carry out assignments, reports the DPR Operational Command’s Vice-Commander, Eduard Basurin. “In the Krasnogorovka locality’s area arrival of three snipers couples from separate reconnaissance battalion, armed with sniper rifles, provided by the US, was detected,” said the Vice-Commander. It is planned that they will carry out assignments together with units of the special operations forces of Ukraine. It should be reminded that recently civilian citizens, particularly, public utilities’ employees, were repeatedly coming under Ukrainian gunmen’s fire. The latest sniper attacks were reported on March 5th – a few hours after the indefinite ceasefire came into effect in Donbass.

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Ukrainian forces shell DPR with two dozen rounds over past 24 hours – JCCC / DAN / March 8, 2018 / Ukrainian forces fired two dozen rounds of ammunition at Donetsk People’s Republic frontline areas over the past 24 hours, head of the DPR Mission to the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) Ruslan Yakubov said on Thursday. “Overall, Ukrainian army units expended 20 rounds of ammunition,” Yakubov said. The Staromikhailovka village in western Donetsk and the Yasinovataya town came under fire, he added. Earlier, the DPR Operations Command reported two ceasefire violations by Ukrainian army units over the past 24 hours. A comprehensive, durable and indefinite ceasefire came into effect in Donbass on March 5. The truce was brokered by the Contact Group in Minsk on March 2.

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Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 03/08/2018 / DONi News / March 8, 2018 / After a brief relative calm, the Ukrainian occupation forces again violated the agreement, once again jeopardizing the establishment of peace in Donbass. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy fired four 120-mm mortar shells onto the areas of Staromikhailovka and Yasinovataya settlements, grenade launchers and small arms were also applied. Yesterday, the Ukrainian militants committed yet another act of aggression against civilian objects. A civilian truck belonging to the municipal enterprise “Donbass Water” transported property through the city of Yasinovataya towards the Donetsk Filtering Station. At 11:40 am the vehicle was targeted with small arms from the Ukrainian fighters’ positions. As a result of the bombardment, the truck’s body was damaged. Fortunately, the driver was not injured. As it has already happened more than once, the Ukrainian terrorists saw what they wanted to see, and instead of a civilian truck they again imagined a vehicle carrying ammunition. In total for the past day, there were registered two violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian occupants. *** As we have repeatedly noted, the anti-constitutional law “On the reintegration of Donbass” has completely untied hands of the Ukrainian militants. We constantly receive information from residents of the Kiev-occupied territories on crimes against civilians. Recently, their number has been only growing. In the villages of Bogdanovka, Krasnogorovka, Verkhneye Zaitsevo, Gladosovo and Travnevoye, the Ukrainian occupants actively dismantle the houses left by the residents and use stolen property to improve their living conditions in dugouts as firewood and building materials. *** And now let’s turn to a bright note. On behalf of the Command of the Armed Forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic, I want to congratulate all the women of Donbass on the International Women’s Day! In particular, the female military personnel, who had come to defend their land in trying times. Dear women! I wish you to smile more, always feel loved, happy, most valuable, and to inspire us to great deeds. And I wish to raise children under the peaceful skies! —Vice-Commander of the DPR People’s Militia, Colonel Eduard Basurin, official translation by DONi News Agency

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Trump’s Kurt Volker promotes ethnic cleansing of the Donbass / By Joaqin Flores / Fort Russ / March 8, 2018 / Special Representative of the US State Department on Ukraine Kurt Volker, made some comments that reflect the US’s overall propensity to ignore international treaties and international law, during a panel discussion at the Hudson Institute. In comments contrary to the letter and spirit of the Minsk II Agreement, he said that the DPR and the LPR should be eliminated. He based his lacking opinion, which exists outside of rational interpretation of contract law, in some thought that they not comply with the Constitution of Ukraine. Those familiar with the language of the Minsk Agreement know that it recognizes the DPR and LPR and in fact calls for constitutional changes, which to date has not been carried out by Ukraine. Ukraine lost the right to its present constitution and former territorial boundaries at the Battle of Debaltseve, waged between January 17th and Feburary 20th, 2015, and this was memorialized in the language of the Minsk II Agreement that also served as a cease-fire, which established the present line of contact. Shocking global audiences, Volker said: “The so-called Lugansk People’s Republic and the Donetsk People’s Republic are the entities created by Russia with the aim of generating in place of political reality in order to help disguise the role of the Russian Federation and to strengthen the ongoing conflict, and they must be eliminated,” “There is no place for them in the Ukrainian constitutional order. The Minsk agreements are aimed at restoring the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine, and these entities must disappear,” the US special envoy stressed. Volker proposes instead that a ‘UN peacekeeping force’ be established – naturally consisting of NATO and US forces. How exactly will this commandment that the DPR and LPR must suddenly ‘cease’ to exist, come about? This seems contrary to the fact that these governments already have a monopoly on the use of force, as established at the Battle of Debaltsevo. Of course the only answer is – to relaunch the war, full bore. As was the case last time, this saw the ethnic cleansing of the whole region, with countless scores, perhaps even hundreds of thousands killed, and over a million internally displaced, and a million more who fled to Russia. In terms of calculating the deceased, it is difficult to trust either US or Russian figures, as both sides had different reasons for wanting to downplay the cost of this conflict in terms of civilian lives. But the reality is: the Minsk Agreement specifically calls for . . . READ MORE>> [Substantial analysis at source]

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Kremlin: International missions in Donbass impossible without agreement with republics / TASS / March 6, 2018 / Russia’s position on deploying international missions in Eastern Ukraine remains unchanged, it is impossible without the consent of the republics of Donbass, according to Presidential Spokesman Dmitry Peskov. “Russia’s stance is absolutely unwavering and known. The main idea here is that it is impossible to make any decisions about the deployment of international missions without negotiations and without reaching an agreement or consensus with the representatives of the Donbass republics,” Peskov explained. Russian President Vladimir Putin said at the end of February after talks with Austrian Federal Chancellor Sebastian Kurz, that Russia is ready to work on a settlement in Ukraine, but steps are needed from all sides. In particular, he noted that “there are talks about putting all this territory under international control,” and Russia is not against it, “but it is necessary to negotiate with the unrecognized republics.” Putin recalled that during the discussion of the UN defense mission presence in the conflict zone in Ukraine, Russia supported the resolution, supporting the need to ensure the safety of OSCE observers on the contact line between Ukraine and the republics. Quemado Institute comments: That Putin supports “international missions” in Donbass is another example of his betrayal of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics, of the militias that fought for freedom, and of the people who voted for independence. It is not enough for Putin to say the Republics must agree to an international mission. The Russian President should never advocate any kind of foreign involvement. As a matter of fact, Donbass is none of Putin’s business. For more on the Russian leader’s betrayal of the Donbass Republics, see https://quemadoinstitute.org/2017/09/06/putin-a-neocon-hawk-on-donbass-barely-better-than-john-mccain/ and
https://quemadoinstitute.org/2017/02/14/if-putin-died-tonight-novorossiya-could-fight-again/

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SPECIAL COMMENTARY: Russell Bentley’s letter to the American people / Sott.net (From Russel Bentley Blog) / March 5, 2018 / To My Family and Friends, and All Good People of the USA, You may not know it yet, but the world changed on March 1st, 2018, an old era was ended, and a new era begun. In very great part, the meaning of this new era is up to you. On that historic day, Vladimir Putin revealed to the world that the US military is now obsolete, and no longer capable of “projecting power”, committing war crimes, or intimidating and destroying smaller nations around the world. That day has ended forever, one way or another. The US military is still completely capable of the mission it needs and deserves to do, which is to defend the territory and people of the United States of America. You are safe. There is no threat. But the days of your government threatening and destroying other countries is over. I hope you understand this.

Putin’s revelation of Russia’s game-changing weapons, against which the US military is literally defenseless, is not a threat or a bluff. Only liars and fools speak of “Russian aggression”, and the stupidity of anyone who says or believes “Putin is bluffing” is beyond measure. Russia’s weapons are real, and the US military industrial complex (that Dwight Eisenhower warned about 57 years ago) has absolutely no defense against them. In spite of plundering and squandering literally trillions of dollars from the US treasury and the American People in the name of “defense”, they are defenseless. Russia’s new weapons present no threat to the American People, unless you allow the people who own and control your government to to start a world war and force the Russians to use them. But if you do allow that to happen, the American people will get exactly what the “good Germans” got in 1945. And you will deserve it, just as much as they did. For the exact same reasons.

Russia is not your enemy. We seek only cooperation for the mutual benefit of all Mankind. But since the fall of the Soviet Union in 1990, 28 years ago, the USA, NATO and the EU have sought to plunder and rule the world. They have been the enemies, the enslavers, the destroyers of the world. No reality based person can dispute that fact. There is no place that the US or NATO has gone into in the last 4 decades that is better off. Not one. In fact, there is no place that NATO or the US have intervened, (usually against international law) that hasn’t become a failed state, hell on Earth for the citizens, and a genuine danger to the surrounding regions and the world. It is the US government and NATO, and the people who own and control them, who are the threats and the enemies to the future of Humanity. But their days of disregarding international law and destroying weaker nations with impunity are now over, as of March 1st, 2018.

The good people of America now have a huge opportunity, and a huge challenge. Russia spends less than one tenth what the USA spends on military and defense, but their military and weapons are superior in every measurable way. The waste, corruption and abject venality of the US military industrial complex has wasted trillions on weapon systems that are now literally useless, and which have left the US military (and by extension the American people) defenseless before the power of Russia’s weapons, which are designed and produced to be effective rather than profitable. The opportunity is this – the USA can now reduce its military spending (the highest in the world) by 90% and still be safer than you are right now, spending almost a trillion dollars a year on useless weapons and a defenseless military. Safer, because as soon as the American People take control of their government enough to reduce your spending to ONLY as much as Russia spends, Russia will stop having reason to see the USA as an existential threat. The less you spend, the safer you will be. The more you spend, the more likely World War Three, which will see you as the instigators and the losers. This gives the USA, starting as soon as you want, an extra $800 billion, per year, to spend on things that have actual worth, things you really need. Health care, free college education, fixing the rotting economy and infrastructure that are daily becoming more of a threat to the American people than Russia has ever been.

Your challenge is that you must root out an entrenched and ruthless kleptocracy, built on deceit and oppression, and which is bent on war, and will stop at nothing to cling to its power. It is a huge task, an historic task, but in it lies your only hope. These parasites must be stopped, and if the American People are not up to the challenge, if they fail in their historic mission, they will leave it to the armies of the world, led by Russia, who will no longer tolerate those who want to rule the world. Your rulers are leading you to a war you cannot win, a war from which you, your families and your nation, and perhaps the world, will never recover. If the American People do not prevent their rulers from starting World War Three, there will be war. Peace and prosperity or death and desolation. These are your only choices, and now is the time to make your choice and act accordingly.

An annual windfall of $800 billion is yours for the taking, if you have the wisdom, courage and determination to take it back from the charlatans and scammers who have been robbing and wasting your trillions for years. Already these vermin claim the only possible solution is to give them even more money, as if those who fail when they out-spend their competitors ten to one might succeed by spending twenty to one. At some point, the host must rid itself of its parasites, or risk being bled dry.

When the American People stand up to their oppressors, rid themselves of their parasites, the people of Russia and of the world will stand with you, will applaud and support you. All good people in the world are on the same side. Those who oppress and exploit you do the same to us. Your enemies are our enemies, and ours are yours. Stand up, as we have, throw off your chains and illusions, see for yourself who your real enemies are, and together let’s defeat them, before they destroy the world and all that is good in it. Only you can stop them without a global war. If you don’t, there will be war, and we will stop them. But those who live in the USA will suffer the fate of those who start and lose a world war. It is not a fate to be desired.

America, that time has now come for you. The choice is stark and clear, and you must make it soon. Either bring your rulers to heel, stop the war they are bent on starting, and reap the benefits of stopping the most egregious and wasteful scam in history, or do nothing, allow your parasites to consume you, and let them lead you and your children and your nation to Armageddon and a fiery death in a war that you now know you can never win. The choice is yours. And so is the responsibility.

Russell “Texas” Bentley has resided in Donetsk since December 2014. From January to June 2015, he was a soldier in the Essence of Time combat unit of the Novorussian Armed Forces (NAF). He served at the Donetsk airport and Spartak as a rifleman and RPG gunner. “The war in Donbass is only one Front in a global war. Fascism has again raised its ugly head, and we are here to fight and defeat it. Truth is one of our most powerful weapons, and my job is to get the truth to the people of the Western world.”

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The Real News and Truth about Donetsk Peoples Republic, Lugansk Peoples Republic / Donbassinform.com / Truth about Ukraine facists murdering Donbass civilians news outlet / About us: Welcome. This web site has been opened to show the truth about the Repression of the Russian Speaking areas of Donetsk Peoples Republic and Lugansk Peoples Republic. Their was no Russian invasion. The Donbass people tired of 20 years repression by Kiev. How I know. I lived in Lugansk 11 years and saw it for myself. We dont want war, we want Peace and safety. I just ask you go through some of the videos and decide for yourself. Not Propaganda by controlled Western Media. I ask you watch at least 2 videos on the video page with open mind. One is the video by Russell “Texas” Bentley and then The Truth about Ukraine. As I just started this site tons more stuff to come. I am not a journalist or writer so there will be bad grammer etc. I will answer questions if sent to me. Thank You. Donbass International News Agency: The link to this very fine News Organization is working on . . . READ MORE>>

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Sunday, December 24, 2017
Special Christmas Edition
(Full Report)

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Baleriya Arlentina on Twitter
December 23, 2017

“This is christmas tree in the central square of Donetsk (Lenin’s square).
It was finally decorated at December 22.”

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Donbass, December 24th, 2017 – VIDEO / Anna News / December 24, 2017 / The newscaster: Victoria Rakhmanina / In the morning the Armed Forces of Ukraine have opened mortar fire on the village Veseloe in the northern suburbs of Donetsk. In violation of the New Year armistice, Kiev forces shelled the positions of the People’s Militia near villages Frunze and Kalinovka. The fire was opened from mortars, antiaircraft guns, grenade launchers and small arms. The Ukrainian side, in spite of the agreements reached on the observance of the ceasefire regime, continues to strengthen the fire impact along the contact line. The Ukrainian fighters opened fire on the settlements Dokuchaevsk and Spartak from the infantry fighting vehicle, the representative of the command of the DPR said. Specialists from Germany and France are going to act as intermediaries for the return of Russian officers to the Joint Center for Control and Coordination of the ceasefire in Donbass, the representative of the German government, Georg Streiter said. Four civilians and one soldier were killed, 7 civilians and 4 soldiers were injured in the DPR for this week, a representative of the Ombudsman’s office of the DPR said. In order to Implement the decision of the Tripartite Contact Group in Minsk on a ceasefire from midnight on the 23rd of December, 2017, all divisions of the Donetsk People’s Republic have been informed of order of the head of the department of the Peoples’ Militia, “On observance of the ceasefire” during the “New Year” armistice”.

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Alexander Zakharchenko sets tasks before country’s cities and regions’ heads / DONi News / December 24, 2017 / The Head of the Donetsk People’s Republic held a working meeting with the heads of cities and districts on December 22. The meeting was devoted to the main results of field work in 2017. Alexander Zakharchenko also set tasks and determined the main directions of the municipal authorities’ work in the coming year. “The past year was not an easy one. To sum up, it should be noted that much has been accomplished. First of all, the main issues related to the improvement of cities have been solved. I believe that this work was carried out very good. A great many visitors coming to the DPR note the beauty of our cities, improvement of public services, the work of green buildings. However, there are moments that require more detailed work. Firstly, it is the organization of the work of public services. It is necessary to improve the efficiency of our utilities. Pay attention to the readiness of all bomb shelters. The war is ongoing, and we must be ready for anything. People should know . . . READ MORE>>

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DPR Head instructs mayors to check, prepare all bomb shelters in Republic / DONi Press / December 23, 2017 / Heads of cities and districts of the Donetsk People’s Republic in the near future should make an inventory of bomb shelters and provide them with everything necessary in case of shelling. This order was given today by the Head of the Republic Alexander Zakharchenko at a meeting with the heads of local administrations. “Each of you must take the bomb shelters that you have in the settlement under personal control. I am instructing that in the near future an inventory of all bomb shelters must be made. They must have round the clock free access and equipped with everything necessary so that people can sit there while shelling,” Zakharchenko said, addressing the heads of administrations. Notably, the meeting was attended by the heads of administrations of all cities and districts of the Donetsk People’s Republic.

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US-Backed Kiev Tanks Advance on Civilians in SE Ukraine (Donbass) – VIDEO / Marine1063 (YouTube) / Published December 23, 2017 / Yesterday morning (Dec 19, 2017) a large column of tanks moved to Donbass. According to witnesses, they stopped on the road and waited for an additional approach of the tanks. A witness said he managed to talk with drivers of tractors. They said that tanks were going to Donbass. At night, Ukrainian forces opened fire on the village Dolomitnoe in the north of Gorlovka from the Multiple launch rocket systems “Grad”, the deputy commander of the operational command of the DPR Eduard Basurin said. On the 19th of December, Kiev forces shelled Pervomaysk from artillery guns. As a result of the bombardment, the houses and infrastructure facilities were damaged. In violation of the Minsk agreements, the soldiers of the AFU placed self-propelled artillery guns near the contact line, 2 units in the settlement Katerinovka and 6 units in the village Krasny Pakhar, the official representative of the LPR Andrey Marochko reported. He said this weaponry is used to fire at the settlements of the Republic and positions of the People’s Militia during the night. As a result of artillery fire from the positions of the AFU, nearly 40 houses and infrastructure facilities in Stakhanov and Pervomaisk were damaged, 7394 subscribers remain without electricity. Representatives of the Special Monitoring Mission significantly reduced the number of patrols monitoring along the contact line, that does not allow to objectively assess compliance with the regime of ceasefire by the AFU,” Andrey Marochko reported. He said in today’s report there is no information about the destruction and casualties among the civilian population as a result of the shelling of the AFU in the settlements of the LPR.”

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Ukrainian military yet again violates ceasefire in the Donetsk Republic / By Paul Antonopoulos / Fort Russ / December 23, 2017 / DONETSK, Novorossia / The Donetsk People’s Republic’s (DPR) operations command staff said on Saturday that Ukrainian military units have broken the ceasefire and continue to shell populated areas of the republic. “In spite of the agreements on observing ceasefire, Ukrainian army units delivered fire from firearms and automatic grenade-launchers at the areas adjoining the town of Yasinovataya as of midnight,” the Donetsk News Agency quoted a spokesman for the staff. “The use of mortars of different calibers by the enemy was recorded in the area of the township of Golmosvsky near Gorlovka,” it said. At the beginning of the new academic year, the ceasefire was established in Donbass. This became known as the “the school truce.”

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Donetsk republic reports violations of truce by Ukrainian army hours after its declaration / TASS / December 23, 2017 / Pro-Kiev armed units have ignored the agreements on a New Year truce and have continued the shelling of populated localities in the self-proclaimed unrecognized Donetsk People’s Republic [DPR], the republic’s operations command staff said on Saturday. “In spite of the agreements on observing ceasefire, Ukrainian army units delivered fire from firearms and automatic grenade-launchers at the areas adjoining the town of Yasinovataya as of midnight,” the Donetsk News Agency quoted a spokesman for the staff. “The use of mortars of different calibers by the enemy was recorded in the area of the township of Golmosvsky near Gorlovka,” it said. Ceasefire established for the beginning of a new academic year was formally in effect in Donbass as of August 25. It was broadly called ‘the school truce’. The arrangement helped reduce tensions along the Line of Contact at first but the intensity of shelling increased again afterwards. On December 20, members of the Ukraine contact group in charge of defusing the armed civil conflict in eastern Ukraine reached a yet another agreement on declaring ceasefire. The latter took effect at 00:00 hours East European Time on December 23.

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Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 12/24/2017 / DONi News / December 24, 2017 / Over the past 24 hours, in the Donetsk direction the enemy launched 10 mortar-shells of 82mm caliber and conducted fire at the areas of four localities with grenade launchers and small arms. As we can see, in the first 24 hours of the New Year ceasefire the Ukrainian side clearly showed that it hadn’t planned to comply with the ceasefire. At present, we are considering two versions explaining this behavior of our enemy: The first is that the platoon-company junior level commanders of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who are on the front line, either are unable to control their units, or personally, persecuting their goals, give orders to use weapons in the direction of our Republic. And the second one is that those illegal armed groupings such as the Ukrainian Volunteer Army and Right Sector who are on the front line refused to comply with the orders of the “ATO” headquarters to comply with the ceasefire. Unfortunately, we have to state the fact that the officers of the Ukrainian side to the JCCC failed to fulfill their functional duties. Instead of objectively and impartially recording violations of the ceasefire by the AFU, these officials, not giving a damn about their conscience and officer’s honor, deny and turn . . . READ MORE>>

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Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 12/23/2017 / DONi News / December 23, 2017 / The situation in the Donetsk People’s Republic remains tense. In the Donetsk direction, eight artillery projectiles of 122-mm calibre, 140 mortar shells of 120-mm and 82-mm calibres were launched by the enemy on ten localities and the surrounding areas; the enemy also resorted to guided anti-tank rockets, various grenade launchers and small arms. In the Gorlovka direction, the areas of two localities – Verkhnetoretskoye and Zaitsevo – were targeted from armoured personnel carriers, small arms, grenade launchers. In the Mariupol direction, AFU units targeted the settlements of Sosnovskoye and Leninskoye with 21 mortar shells of 120-mm calibre.

In total, before the start of the New Year’s truce, 23 violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded. Taking advantage of the truce, the enemy continued carrying out measures to strengthen its units in the so-called ‘ATO’ zone. In particular, our reconnaissance noted the transfer to the responsibility zone of the 128 separate mountain infantry brigade of the three additional MRLS Grad units and up to 100 personnel from among the Ukrainian volunteer corps Right Sector. Also, a battalion of the 79 separate airborne assault brigade of the AFU arrived in the zone of responsibility of the 59 motorized brigade. After the start of the New Year armistice, the intensity of the shelling by the AFU units decreased. Without abandoning unsuccessful attempts to provoke us to reciprocal fire, the enemy fired at our positions, using mortars, small arms and automatic grenade launchers. I want to emphasize that all units of the People’s Militia have received the order on the inadmissibility of responding to this kind of provocation and unquestioningly follow the order of the Command. –Vice-Commander of the DPR People’s Militia, Colonel Eduard Basurin, official translation by DONi News Agency

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Alexander Zakharchenko hands posthumous award to relatives of deceased power engineer / DONi News / December 23, 2017 / On December 22, the Head of the Republic posthumously awarded Pavel Gritsienko, the head of the Yasinovataya power distribution zone, who died this year at the workplace, the Order of the Republic. The honourable state award was presented to the parents and the son of the deceased. The Order was awarded for special services to the Donetsk People’s Republic, the courage shown in the performance of official duties. “Keep this award with honour!” the Head of State appealed to Gritsienko junior. “Many thanks to the parents for such a son. This is a huge loss, and there are no words to calm down. But the man who gave his life in the service of duty is a real hero. The state is proud of such citizens as Pavel. Despite the fact that the job of a power engineer is one of the most peaceful professions, unfortunately, in our wartime they risk lives, too” the Head of the Republic Alexander Zakharchenko said to the relatives of Pavel Gritsienko. Pavel Gritsenko was killed on October 4 in a ruprure of the ammunition while inspecting the site of restoration works damaged during the attack on the power lines. Source: Official web-site of the DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko; Official translation by DONi News Agency

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Maurice Schleepen on Twitter
December 23, 2017

“DPR/LPR intelligence: In late November early December Ukraine regime
transferred in the front-line direction about 430 armoured vehicles,
130 Rocket launchers & large armed formations. Also TOCHKA-U &
systems of Mass destruction DONCHAN moved closer to the gray zone. #Donbass.”

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Shelling in Donetsk has become routine: shattered windows, broken walls and roofs / Essence of Time / December 23, 2017 / The tension of the civil war in Donbass never de-escalates even for a day, despite the regularly announced ceasefires, a source in the People’s Militia of the Donetsk People’s Republic told a correspondent of the Rossa Primavera Information Agency on 21 December. Daily summaries issued by the DPR’s mission to the Joint Control and Coordination Center for Ceasefire (JCCC) reporting up to 50 violations of the Minsk agreements committed by the Ukrainian side have long become routine. The Ukrainian side uses all available weapon types available to attack, from small arms to heavy artillery. The number of shells launched by the Ukrainian dogs of war against the residents of the Republic runs in the hundreds. In contrast to 2014, the frontline area receives the brunt of the shelling, while Grad MLRSs are used very rarely. Occasionally, Donetsk is also hit, mostly Kuybyshevsky district. The frontline towns and villages suffer badly; people have no electricity or gas for hours; more residential buildings are damaged every day: roofs are broken, windows are shattered, and walls are broken. Every day more civilians are wounded, often killed. From time to time, the Donetsk water filtration plant is damaged, which supplies water to Donetsk, Yasinovataya, and a number of settlements nearby, including Avdeevka, which is under Kiev’s control.

In late November, the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, Arsen Avakov, said that the Minsk agreements were dead; his assistant, Gerashchenko, went a step further. On the air of the Ukrainian Channel 5 he admitted that Kiev never intended to fulfil these agreements, and that Poroshenko, when he signed them, “simply deceived the Russian Federation”. Gerashchenko did not explain whether the Ukrainian President was doing this in collusion with the leaders of France and Germany. Noteworthy is also the strange relations between the Ukrainian side and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine. Oftentimes, the Ukrainian military does not allow the Mission’s patrols to enter objects of interest, as it happened in the settlements of Gladosovo and Travnevoe, which militants from the Aidar battalion occupied in the early hours of November 22. The very fact of deploying armed forces to these settlements was a gross violation of the agreements, because they are located in the “gray” zone (the area that separates the warring parties which must be clear of any armed people). According to witness reports, these settlements are now close to a humanitarian crisis. Aidar blocked not only the SMM’s patrol but also the Red Cross with humanitarian aid. It is telling that both the Red Cross and the SMM demonstrated inappropriate patience, and they did not make noise over this fact.

OSCE patrols have demonstrated a surprising ability to ignore Ukrainian heavy weapons in places where they must not be located, and to remain unaware of the direction of fire when towns and villages are shelled. The Russian and DPR missions to the JCCC have repeatedly forced the OSCE patrol to rewrite the expert findings on episodes of shelling to make them consistent with the actual situation. Editorial comment by Essence of Time: People who have become accustomed to regular shelling often just ignore the sounds of shells exploding. A situation when explosions and shooting sound afar while old ladies keep tattling at their door next to playing kids, which seems absolutely bizarre to anyone living in Russia, has become common in Donbass.

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The Silent War in the Donbas:
Frontline Accounts of Volunteers Fighting in the Trenches
VIDEO by Vesti News
Published December 23, 2017

Click for video. (27 minutes)
A special report by Alexander Rogatkin:
“Donbas frontline chords.” A silent war in the south-west of Ukraine.

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Klitschko comes to his senses – calls to end Donbass conflict / Fort Russ / December 24, 2017 / Former world boxing champion Vladimir Klitschko said he was confident that relations between Russia and Ukraine would soon improve. “I am convinced that the relations between our countries will soon improve, and after that many will ask themselves how it could have reached such a point that fraternal peoples were at war,” he said. The athlete explained that currently Ukraine is in the phase of formation, and expressed the hope that the economy will begin to grow. “We just need to stop shooting in the east. They say very correctly: A bad peace is better than a good war,” Klitschko added. Klitschko, in his political capacity as Mayor of Kiev, has in the past called Donbass residents “separatists” and urged for conflict in the region.

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US takes decision to supply lethal defensive weapons to Ukraine / TASS / December 23, 2017 / At the time of reporting, TASS did not have an answer from the Pentagon to a question on what specifically the U.S. was going to supply to Ukraine from now on, / WASHINGTON / The U.S. Administration has taken a decision to supply advanced defensive systems to Ukraine as part of Washington’s efforts to build up the long-term defense capability of the Ukrainian government, the Department of State spokesperson Heather Nauert said on Friday. “The United States has decided to provide Ukraine enhanced defensive capabilities as part of our effort to help Ukraine build its long-term defense capacity, to defend its sovereignty and territorial integrity, and to deter further aggression,” Nauert said. “U.S. assistance is entirely defensive in nature, and as we have always said, Ukraine is a sovereign country and has a right to defend itself,” she claimed. “The United States remains committed to the Minsk agreements as the way forward in eastern Ukraine.”

At the time of reporting, TASS did not have an answer from the Pentagon to a question on what specifically the U.S. was going to supply to Ukraine from now on. ABC News said previously President Trump was expected to endorse a plan envisioning supplies of antitank equipment worth $47 million to the Ukrainian authorities. The list of weapons to be consigned to Ukraine might include the Javelin antitank complexes. If Trump approves the plan, it will then be submitted to Congress that will have thirty days to review it. U.S. Congressmen and Senators, republicans and democrats likewise, have persistently voted in recent years for inclusion of articles on lethal military aid to Ukraine in the U.S. defense budgets. In the light of it, the lawmakers will most likely have no objections to Trump’s latest defense initiative regarding Ukraine. QI Editor’s Note: Amin Dada tweeted in response to this article: “Considering LNR-DPR shall recuperate most of the weapons, US furnishing could be seen as a good opportunity to run Novorossia to the Transcarpathians ;)”

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Sergei S. on Twitter
(In response to AP article on US weapons to Ukraine)
“Trump is just making a political move.
It’s part of his game with Democrats.
This will change nothing on the ground in Donbass.”

(US soldiers march along main Khreshchatyk Street during a military parade to celebrate Independence Day in Kiev, Ukraine, Thursday, Aug. 24, 2017. –Efrem Lukatsky/AP)

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Malinka on Twitter
December 23, 2017
“US AtlanticCouncil useful idiots at BC, who spent 3 years & AC’s funds trying
to prove Donbass couldn’t recapture its weapons from Ukraine, now worried sick
that new US, Canada weapons could finish up in hands of LPR, DPR … and Russia!”

Click to enlarge.

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Media: UN official finds no freedom of speech in Ukraine / Essence of Time / December 23, 2017 / Kiev’s bans of television channels broadcasting in Russian violate the international human rights law on access to information, the UN Special Rapporteur on the promotion and protection of the right to freedom of opinion and expression, David Kaye said in an interview on December 22, RIA Novosti reports. In particular, Kaye said that, generally speaking, this is of course a deprivation of freedom, because in terms of human rights law every person has the right to access any kind of ideas and information, either true or not. Giving an assessment to the situation with freedom of speech in Ukraine, he added that he was not familiar with the situation in Ukraine well enough to give a specific opinion; but generally, the authorities should not choose the path of banning or restricting media operations. Since 2014, over 70 Russian channels and about 600 Russian-made films and TV series were banned in Ukraine. In October 2017, the Verkhovnaya Rada of Ukraine (Ukrainian Parliament) passed a law that raised the quota of the Ukrainian language on TV. According to the law, at least 75% of TV broadcasting must be in Ukrainian. Editor’s note: See source for editorial comment.

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U.S. general to soldiers: War against Russia is coming / Essence of Time / December 23, 2017 / The United States Marine Corps general Robert Neller on December 23 told Norway-based U.S. marines about the upcoming war against Russia, RT reports. “I hope I’m wrong, but there’s a war coming. You’re in a fight here, an informational fight, a political fight, by your presence”, he said. Neller noted that in the nearest future Russia and the Pacific theater could become military conflict zones. The general also said that the number of marines stationed in Norway could be increased “to 3000 overnight”. Russia and China were named the two world powers that “challenge American power, influence, and interests, attempting to erode American security and prosperity” in the new National Security Strategy that was published by Trump administration on December 18. The head of Pentagon Jim Mattis said that the power of the U.S. army enables American diplomats to always speak from a “position of strength”. These events are occurring against the backdrop of the increasing military presence of US and NATO troops in the immediate vicinity of Russia’s borders: in the Baltic states, in the Nordic countries, in Poland. Aside from that, US missile defense systems are deployed in Eastern Europe. Source: Rossa Primavera News Agency

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A Tale of 2 Ukraines- Health Care in War-Torn Lugansk and Peaceful Kiev / By George Eliason / Washington’s Blog / December 21, 2017 / This is the story of two Ukraine’s, but it’s not the tired and typical before and after the coup tome. This is a side by side view of two Ukraine’s as they stand today in December 2017. Looking at it this way, you have to decide which Ukraine is the terrorist entity and which Ukraine works to save and better the lives of its people. You get to tell me which Ukraine would make a good partner for the US, Europe, Russia, and the rest of the world. Which Ukraine would you want for your neighbor or to come to that BBQ? For every story there has to be a backbone of facts it rides on, doesn’t there? And yet, despite a glut of facts, both you and the rest of the world are sometimes expected to ignore the grim realities and cozy up to the dysfunctional monsters of our time. And not just cuddle up but lean over and give em’ a big smooch too. Let’s look our Ukraine(s). One Ukraine is centered in Kiev. It has not been attacked by a foreign nation since WWII. It has received and squandered tens of billions of dollars in IMF loans and international support. More to the point, tens of billions in aid has been stolen and will never be repaid. The money will never be used for reforms or to rebuild the economy. Instead of starting the reforms that the aid was tied to, Poroshenko’s Ukraine has consistently and persistently lowered the standard of living for its own people. This Ukraine is a country that a failed state like Somalia can look down on today. This Ukraine led the world in some medical . . . READ MORE>>

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New Head of Board of Directors of Rosneft is former Chancellor of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder / Fort Russ / December 24, 2017 / Former Chancellor of Germany, Gerhard Schroeder told the Rheinische Post about his work at Rosneft, as well as his attitude towards Vladimir Putin. According to Schroeder, to chair the board of directors of a Russian oil firm is an “exciting task” and the money aspect here is not particularly important. “And what if I were on the board of directors of an American firm, not a Russian one – that criticism has some hypocrisy,” he said. Schroeder stressed that good relations with Rosneft and with Russia as a whole are in the interests of Europe, and Germany will eventually benefit from them. A journalist of Rheinische Post noted that Rosneft is under sanctions. Schroeder said in response that he was against them and that, in his opinion, they would eventually be lifted. The former chancellor also confirmed that he and Putin are friends. “Yes, we are, and will always be, I trust Vladimir Putin,” he said. Schroeder explained that the friendship implies the opportunity to share their opinions and express criticism, but only face to face. From the point of view of Schroeder, the rapprochement between Russia and Germany is impossible without Putin. “Managing Russia is not an easy task, rather you should proceed from the fact that after Putin – it will not be better.” One step to rapprochement could be the gradual lifting of sanctions” he explained. The fact that Schroeder will head the board of directors of Rosneft became known in September. The former Chancellor, in a conversation with journalists, stated that he was very pleased with this appointment.

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Saturday, December 2, 2017
(Brief Update)

Basurin confirms ATO withdrawal from occupied villages / Translated by Tom Winter (Novorosinform) for Fort Russ / December 2, 2017 / The Ministry of Defense of the Donetsk Peoples Republic has confirmed the withdrawal of Ukrainian units from the occupied villages. The Donetsk Peoples Republic completely controls the situation on the DPR contact line. This was stated by the deputy commander of the operational command of the Republic Eduard Basurin. “Our intelligence fully controls the situation on the sectors of the contact line where the threat of provocative actions (the seizure of territories in the “gray” zone) is being kept up by the AFU. Any attempt by the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine to reduce the inter-positional space will end with unjustified losses for their units” the report said. Earlier, the press center of the headquarters of the “ATO” reported that the militants of the Aidar battalion of the 54th Brigade of the Armed Forces were forced to retreat from previously occupied villages in the DPR. It is known that they suffered serious losses and eventually left their positions, which they previously occupied near Gorlovka. Recall, yesterday morning, the headquarters of “ATO” reported on the progress of their depth into the DNR: ATO forces improved their tactical position on the Donetsk direction. This is stated in the message of the press center of the headquarters of the ATO on their page in Facebook.

The other day the deputy commander of the operational command of the Democratic Donetsk Peoples Republic Eduard Basurin said that the Ukrainian armed forces are preparing to seize two more settlements – Viktorovka and Staromarevka in the south of the Republic. Basurin noted that according to DPR intelligence, local administrations there are already conducting polls of residents of these settlements for the identification of free houses for the possible quartering of Ukrainian servicemen. We remind that on the night of November 22, Ukrainian armed forces, in particular the Nazi battalion Aidar, captured the village of Gladosovo near Gorlovka.

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Ukrainian army partially leaves seized villages – DPR Command / DONi News / December 2, 2017 / Part of the units of the Ukrainian security forces left the previously occupied villages in the neutral zone near Gorlovka, Vice-Commander of the Operational Command of the Donetsk People’s Republic Eduard Badurin told journalists. Earlier, the DPR Command stated that the Ukrainian security forces, in violation of the Minsk agreements, occupied the settlements of Gladosovo and Travnevoye located in the neutral zone in the Gorlovsky district. The Ukrainian military confirmed this fact, assuring that they did not violate the Minsk agreements. “Our reconnaissance has fixed the withdrawal from the previously seized Gladosovo and Travnevoye of separate Aidar units to fill the irretrievable losses. Minor forces continue to terrorize civilians,” Basurin said. According to him, as a result of squabbles between Ukrainian security forces in the occupied villages, 12 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and five were wounded. “Also, the Ukrainian party actively continues to mine perimeters around occupied settlements, as a result of which a truck with AFU’s 128 brigade’s staff blew up yesterday on one of the mines. Three Ukrainian servicemen were killed from the explosion on the mine,” Basurin added.

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LPR Interior Minister: 2016 “Coup Attempt” In Republic Was Fabcricated / South Front / December 1, 2017 / The Minister of Internal Affairs of Luhansk People’s Republic Igor Kornet said that the 2016 attempted Luhansk coup was fabricated, and shed the light on the current situation in the Republic. The Minister commented on the situation in the Republic, by saying that the arrests of more than 50 people, including the Prosecutor General of LPR Vitaly Podobry, LPR’s military prosecutor Sergey Rakhno and their attendants on suspicion of collaborating with Ukraine, went “very well”. He said that the active phase of the operation was preceded by nearly year long counterterror operation dedicated to rooting out the Ukranian spy network in the republic. The operation led to “successful, bloodless” arrests, with the arrested testifying. Kornet promised to report on the results of the work in the following months.

Regarding the collaboration with Donetsk forces during the active phase of the operation, the minister said that the collaboration had started since the assassination of Oleg Anaschenko, Head of LPR People’s militia in February of 2017. After confirming that Donetsk military personnel and vehicles were helping with the operation, Kornet also revealed further plan to collaborate with Donetsk People’s Republic. Kornet called the 2016 attempted Luhansk coup “completely fabricated,” with the necessary criminal charges launched. He stressed that the “officials are as culpable as anyone,” with the law making no discrimination for social station. He assured that the criminal proceedings won’t turn into a “witch hunt,” with charges brought up only based on available evidence.

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Friday, December 1, 2017
(Brief Update)

Basurin: APU Has Begun Preparations for Seizure of Two Villages in Mariupol Direction / DNR-news.com / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 30, 2017 / The Ukrainian siloviki began preparations for the seizure of the villages of Viktorovka and Staromarevka in the Mariupol direction. This was announced today by the deputy commander of the operational command of the Donetsk People’s Republic Eduard Basurin, referring to the intelligence. “The headquarters of the 28th separate mechanized brigade, on the orders of OGS commander Donetsk, Vishnevsky, is working on the reduction of the inter-position space between the APU and units of the VSD in the vicinity of the villages of Viktorovka and Staromarevka by seizing these settlements in the gray zone,” said Basurin. He also called on the world community to pay attention to the aggressive actions of the APU [Ukrainian Armed Forces]: “We call on the international community to resolutely condemn the actions of the Ukrainian authorities, and the observers of the OSCE CMM – to pay close attention to these two sections of the area,” added the deputy commander. [Editor’s note: The above article was posted on Twitter by Nahia Sanzo (November 30, 3017 11:30 UTC) with the comment, “Basurin claims Ukraine’s getting ready to capture 2 more towns in the gray zone (Mariupol area). He calls on the international comunity to pay attention. Seriously, how do they not realize the ‘international comunity’ couldn’t care less about what UAF does?” Further note: DONi News, in a similar report, adds the following: “We recall that since the adoption of the Package of Measures on implementation of the Minsk agreements (February 12, 2015), the Ukrainian Armed Forces regularly carry out seizures of the territory controlled by the DPR. Contrary to the peaceful plan, for almost three years after the enabling of the “Minsk-2″, the AFU took about ten settlements under their control. The last time the capture took place in the night of November 22, 2017, when the Ukrainian military occupied the villages of Gladosovo and Metallist (in Ukraine called Travnevoye) in the Gorlovka area. The Kiev forces immediately deployed to the village armament and began positions’ enhancing. At a meeting of the Contact Group on November 29, the issue of unauthorized seizure of territories by Kiev was raised. A proper international response has not yet followed.”]

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Donetsk Defense: Weekly Situation Report, 12/01/2017 / DONi News / December 1, 2017 / EXCERPTS: Last week, the preparation of weapons and military equipment for operation in winter conditions was completed in the formations and military units of the DPR Armed Forces, the qualitative preparation of the training and material base, as well as landfill equipment, was carried out. The units of the DPR Armed Forces are ready for a new academic year. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy fired 71 mortar shells of 120-mm and 82-mm calibre on ten localities, as well as resorted to grenade launchers and small arms. In the Mariupol direction, the AFU attacked four localities, having launched 19 mortar rounds of 120-mm and 82-mm calibres on the settlements. In the Gorlovka direction, the enemy attacked three localities from grenade launchers and small arms. In total, over the past 24 hours, 29 violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded. . . . This week the Minister of Internal Affairs of Ukraine Avakov made a statement that “Minsk agreements do not work, and it’s time to change them to others.” It’s strange that some Minister of the Interior starts to creep into the sphere of activity which he is not in charge of. It seems that with this statement Avakov makes it clear to the president of Ukraine that he intends to seize the initiative with the subsequent replacement of Poroshenko on the presidential chair. . . . Currently, in the villages of Gladosovo and Travnevoye, occupied by the AFU, the intensification of the humanitarian catastrophe is noted. Residents are deprived of the opportunity to import coal, fuel for generators, and food. All this time the villagers stay without electricity. At the same time, the power supply had been violated by Ukrainian punishers purposefully a few days before the occupation of the settlements. At present, the Ukrainian party does not make any efforts to restore the supply of electricity, despite the fact that we continue daily to declare our readiness to provide all necessary security guarantees for the restoration work. Simultaneously, to prevent the opening of facts of bullying of civilians and the deterioration of the humanitarian situation, the Ukrainian party is taking all measures to prohibit access to the settlements, occupied by the AFU, for international observers of the UN, OSCE, ICRC. Arguments for banning the entry of observers are threats to their lives through systematic shelling and mining the roads by Ukrainian law enforcers. The influx of Ukrainian media into the settlements in order to prepare fake stories aimed at justifying the criminal actions of the AFU is noted. Unfortunately, all the help remains only in the picture, outside of it there is only terror and the excesses of the punishers in relation to civilians! . . . READ FULL REPORT>>

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Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 11/30/2017 / DONi News / November 30, 2017 / The situation on the contact line remains unchanged. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy fired eight artillery ordnances of 122-mm calibre, 51 mortar shells of 120-mm and 82-mm calibre on 16 localities, as well as resorted to grenade launchers and small arms. In the Mariupol direction, the AFU attacked the locality of Leninskoye, having launched 19 mortar rounds of 120-mm calibre on the settlement. In the Gorlovka direction, the enemy fired attacked three settlements with grenade launchers and small arms, having also launched 31 mortar rounds of 120-mm and 82-mm calibers. In total, over the past 24 hours, 20 violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded.

Our reconnaissance has revealed the AFU’s preparing for a provocation, grossly violating the Minsk agreements. In particular, the headquarters of the 28 smb on the orders of Vishnevsky, the commander of the Donetsk task force, is working on the issue of reducing the inter-position space between the AFU and the units of the DPR Armed Forces in the vicinity of the settlements of Viktorovka and Staromariyevka by capturing these settlements in the “gray zone”. According to local residents of Staromariyevka, the Granitnoye Town Council (under the control of the AFU) is conducting a survey of residents to identify citizens loyal to the regime, as well as the establishment through them the availability of free houses for the possibility of resettlement of the AFU. We regard such actions in the vicinity of Staromariyevka as a distracting maneuver for an armed capture of peaceful civilians of Viktorovka village, which is located near the settlement of Petrovskoye. We call on the international community to resolutely condemn the Ukrainian authorities’ actions. And the observers of the OSCE SMM should pay close attention to these two sites, mostly to the area near Petrovskoye, where Viktorovka settlement is located. At present, the AFU punishers jeopardise the lives and health of civilians living in settlements in the “buffer zone”. The inaction . . . READ MORE>>

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DPR activists pass documents on almost 500 Ukrainian war crimes in Donbass to ICC / DAN-news.info / December 1, 2017 / DONETSK / The DPR public committee for registering Ukrainian authorities’ war crimes has passed evidence on 489 people killed and wounded as the result of Ukrainian army offensive in Donbass to the International Criminal Court in The Hague since mid-2015, said the committee’s member Elena Shishkina. “Since the start of our work, we have passed files on 489 casualties, including 352 adults and 137 minors,” she said. In November, the committee passed evidence on 33 cases, covering 21 deaths and 31 injured persons. The public committee on recording Kiev forces war crimes was launched in mid-2015. Criminal and law experts aim to gather data on the crimes the Ukrainian armed forces committed in Donbass. The Special Committee on Ukrainian crimes has also been launched under DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko order.

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Everyone will be punished: Ukraine prepares special law for DPR, LPR people / DONi News / November 30, 2017 / Ukrainian deputies are drafting a bill “On Collaborators”, which provides for the persecution of residents of the DPR and the LPR for 25 years in the case of the capture of the Donbass by the army of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. This was broadcast on the air of the Ukrainian radio by the lawyer, the head of the public organization “Space of Opportunities” Irina Loyuk. “The law is ready for today. What to do with those people, as Anton Gerashchenko (former Advisor to Ukrainian Minister of Internal Affairs – ed.) said, who did not commit very serious crimes and do not have blood on their hands? Just to forgive them for “promoting occupation” is impossible, because it leads to a sense of impunity. Therefore, using the experience of Western countries, using the recommendation of the PACE, we decided that the best way would be to introduce administrative restrictions,” Loyuk said. At the same time, the lawyer stressed that these restrictions would be directed to the rights to occupy certain public positions, participate in elections, to admit to state secrets. “We have a very large list of restrictions to those people who showed disloyalty towards Ukraine. Everyone will be punished, even public utilities’ providers,” Loyuk added. The law allegedly will concern people who held certain positions in state power bodies or organized events in support of the DPR and the LPR. [Editor’s Note: For more details, see StalkerZone.]

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US Envoy for Ukraine Is About to Fail in His Mission / By Alex Gorka / Strategic Culture Foundation / November 30, 2017 / “Kurt Volker is an experienced and tough-minded diplomat who knows how to combine principles and pragmatism into policy. He is widely respected across the political spectrum,” said Paul Saunders, the executive director of the Center for the National Interest and a former George W. Bush administration official, in his comments on Kurt Volker’s appointment as the Trump administration’s special envoy charged with ending the war in Ukraine. “The fact that they appointed [Volker] is a sign this administration is serious about Ukraine,” John Herbst, former US ambassador to Kiev, told Foreign Policy. “The United States remains fully committed to the objectives of the Minsk agreements, and I have complete confidence in Kurt to continue our efforts to achieve peace in Ukraine”, said State Secretary Rex Tillerson, emphasizing that the Minsk accords were the basis for the diplomatic endeavor. Indeed, the hopes were high. It was widely believed that a diplomat with experience as rich as Kurt Volker’s was the right man for the job. Five months has passed since his appointment in July. The negotiation process is stalled and there is no light at the end of the tunnel. His talks with Vladislav Surkov, an aide to . . . READ MORE>>

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Wednesday, November 29, 2017
(Brief Update)

WATCH: Ukrainian troops violate ceasefire, get stuck in new “cauldron” / Translated by Jaffe Arnold (RusVesna) for Fort Russ / November 29, 2017 / Golmovsky, Donetsk People’s Republic. The Ukrainian Armed Forces, having violated in the Minsk Agreements and seized the villages of Gladosovo and Metallist [earlier Travnevoe was reported as captured – J.A.] in the neutral zone in Donbass, have apparently celebrated too early. According to the war correspondent of the Ministry of Defense of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Mikhail Andronik, Ukrainian troops have effectively caught themselves in a new “cauldron” like back in Debaltsevo. “All the commanding heights are ours. All of the Ukrainian troops’ movements are clearly visible even to the naked eye. They’re trying to reinforce their positions, set up mortars, and deploy gun crews…The UAF is down in the valley. In the case of provocative fire from their side, it will be easy for us to destroy their positions,” DPR fighters told Andronik. The situation now unfolding at the demarcation line, according to DPR forces, is “painfully reminiscent” of the front in late 2014 and early 2015 when Ukrainian troops were routed in the “Debaltsevo cauldron.”

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Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 11/29/2017 / DONi News / November 29, 2017 / The situation on the contact line remains unchanged. In the Donetsk direction, the enemy attacked nine localities with different grenade launchers and small arms. In the Mariupol direction, the AFU attacked two localities, having launched 12 mortar rounds of 120-mm and 82-mm calibres on the settlements. In the Gorlovka direction, the enemy bombarded three localities with nine 82-mm calibre mortar shells, grenade launchers and small arms. As a result of the bombing, two houses Zaitsevo on the street of Artyomovskaya were damaged. At that, the attack was carried out by the punishers on the eve of the Minsk negotiations, which will certainly become an occasion for accusing the Ukrainian party of gross violation of the agreements. In fact, the specific units guilty of bombardment, set the whole of Ukraine up. In total, over the past 24 hours, 14 violations of the ceasefire regime by the Ukrainian Armed Forces were recorded. As we said earlier, the bombardment of positions of the so-called “Georgian Legion” from among the 54 separate mechanized brigade in the area of these settlements, which resulted in injuring six Georgian mercenaries, was conducted by a brigade artillery team of the 128 separate mountain infantry brigade. According to the updated data of our reconnaissance, the firing from the positions of the 128th brigade pursued the following goals: reducing the number of Georgian mercenaries, as agents of Saakashvili’s influence, through their physical elimination; provoking Georgian mercenaries to fire on the . . . READ MORE>>

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Ukraine Prevents Inspection by International Organizations of Captured Villages / Novorossinform.org / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 29, 2017 / Ukraine disrupted the inspection of representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross, the United Nations and the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission in the captured villages in the Donbas, the DNR office in the Joint Center for Monitoring and Coordination [JCCC] of the ceasefire regime said today. “The international organizations of the OSCE CMM, the ICRC and the United Nations have just left the village of Holmovskoye, controlled by the Dniester, without waiting for the security guarantees from the Ukrainian side to be approved by the SCCC to visit the inhabited settlements in the north of Gorlovka, aggressively captured by the nationalist division of the Aidar battalion,” the representative of the Donetks People’s Republic [DNR]. As reported by the agency, the observers were going to visit the villages for “monitoring the real situation and communicating with the residents.” According to the representative of the DNR, the first representatives of the Red Cross tried to travel, but they were stopped by Ukrainian security forces and returned “because they allegedly did not agree on their work in these settlements, as well as the mine danger on the approaches to settlements.” “At the same time, the ICRC received written guarantees of security from the Ukrainian side,” he said. Earlier it was reported that Ukrainian armed forces intend to arrange mass shooting of servicemen of the Armed Forces in the occupied villages of Gladosovo and Travnevoye. According to the intelligence of the Donetsk People’s Republic, the purpose of the bloody action is that mass casualties among the military will be the occasion for the removal of a number of high-ranking officials in the armed forces of Ukraine.

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Ukrainian forces fire 351 rounds at DPR over 24 hours – JCCC / DAN-news.info / November 29, 2017 / DONETSK / Ukrainian forces expended 351 rounds at DPR frontline areas over the past 24 hours, DPR representative at the Joint Centre for Control and Coordination (JCCC) Ruslan Yakubov said on Wednesday. “The overall number of Ukrainian army rounds fired at the territory of the Donetsk People’s Republic over the past 24 hours amounted to 351,” Yakubov said. DPR townships on Gorlovka axis came under the most intense fire. The Joint Centre for Control and Coordination and DPR Operations Command use different methodologies to count the number of ammunition rounds used by the Ukrainian army. Whereas JCCC monitors the use of all types of ammunition, DPR Operations Command only records large calibre ammunition impacts. Earlier Operations Command reported that Kiev forces violated ceasefire 14 times in 24 hours, wounding a woman in Dokuchayevsk.

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Russia says inadmissible to capture areas in Donbass ‘grey zone’ — envoy / TASS / November 29, 2017 / MINSK / It is inadmissible that the Ukrainian Armed Forces capture areas in so-called ‘grey zone’ along the contact line in Donbass, said Boris Gryzlov, the Russian Presidential Plenipotentiary Representative to the Contact Group seeking a peace solution to the conflict in east Ukraine. “The key issues of Contact Group’s meeting have been security measures and the ceasefire which the parties to the conflict have officially vowed to maintain,” Gryzlov said on Wednesday after a regular meeting of the Contact Group in Minsk, Belarus. “The Russian delegation has pointed out in a tough manner it is inadmissible that Ukraine’s Armed Forces are seizing areas and advancing to new positions in the ‘grey zone’ along the contact line as it runs counter to the ceasefire agreement,” he said.

Ukraine is still refusing to publish orders on punishment of ceasefire violators, which the sides has earlier agreed, he added. “Ukraine is refusing to publish the orders on punishment for the ceasefire breaches and on disciplinary measures for violations of the existing agreement,” he added. “It should be done to prevent incidents resulting in human deaths.” The self-proclaimed People’s Republics of Donetsk and Lugansk (DPR and LPR) published relevant issues over two months ago, Gryzlov said.

Creeping offensive: Under the Minsk Agreements signed by the Contact Group in February 2015, the parties were to withdraw heavy weapons in order to set up a 50-kilometer-wide security zone. In September 2015, the Contact Group adopted an additional document which stipulated establishing a 30-kilometer buffer zone (or grey zone). For the purpose, the parties had to pull light weapons 15 kilometers away from the line of disengagement. However, Kiev violated the Minsk Agreements launching a so-called creeping offensive aimed at seizing settlements located in the grey zone. According to the DPR and LPR, in 2015 and 2016 the Ukrainian military captured eight populated localities in the buffer zone. Now the Kiev authorities openly admit the ‘creeping de-occupation’ of Donbass.

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Saakashvili states Poroshenko orders to arrest him / DONi News / November 29, 2017 / Ex-President of Georgia, former governor of the Odessa region of Ukraine Mikhail Saakashvili stated on Wednesday (November 29) that President of Ukraine Pyotr Poroshenko had given an order to the General Prosecutor’s Office and Security Service of the country to arrest him. On the eve, one tent burnt down in a tent camp organized by Saakashvili’s adherents near the building of Ukraine’s Vekhovna Rada in Kiev city center. As a result of the fire, nobody got injured. “Today, on Wednesday, I have got to know that President Poroshenko has completely crossed the red line and ordered to arrest me for a coup attempt in Ukraine and invented case from Odessa. He gave the order to Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko, Security Service of Ukraine,” said Saakashvili. He added that on the eve his driver had been severely beaten. According to him, law enforcement officials will attempt to arrest him in the nearest two-three days – before the organized march for Ukraine’s President Impeachment which is scheduled for December 3.

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Tillerson Puts Forward New Charges Against Russia / VzGlyad / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 29, 2017 / Washington will be able to begin the process of restoring relations with Moscow only if it takes steps to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine, said US Secretary of State Rex Tillerson. In addition, he made several new accusations against Moscow. “We hope that Russia will take steps to restore full sovereignty of Ukraine and territorial integrity and fully implement its obligations within the framework of Minsk, allowing us to then begin the process of restoring normal relations,” Tass reported. Tillerson said that the sanctions, which are related to the Minsk agreements, will continue until Russia begins to take action to “use them.” He said that Russia has violated the sovereignty of Europe’s largest country, and the US has been counteracting “this Russian aggression” since 2014 with the help of “sanctions policy”. Tillerson added that the United States intends to help “the success of an independent and whole Ukraine.” In this case, the future of Kiev, he argues, depends on the victory in the internal struggle and the implementation of reforms in various fields. He urged the Ukrainian authorities to eradicate corruption. The Secretary of State said that Moscow behaves aggressively towards its neighbors, at the same time, he is sure, “the West continues its attempts to build productive new relations with post-Soviet Russia.” At the same time, he called the possibility of building these relations “illusory.” He said that Washington was trying to “reset relations with Russia,” but it ended with “invasions” to Georgia and Ukraine. “Russia continues to be aggressive towards other neighbors in the region, interfering in the electoral process and promoting undemocratic ideals,” Tillerson said. Russia has repeatedly stated that it does not participate and is not a party to the conflict in the Donbass. At the same time, as Russian President Vladimir Putin noted, the Ukrainian authorities are doing everything to prevent the implementation of the Minsk agreements, but in the West either they do not notice it or do not want to notice it. Quemado Institute comments: Tillerson is turning out to be an neocon warhawk on Donbass—as irrational and misinformed as his predecessor John Kerry. President Trump should fire him. Trump’s own position is not yet clear, but should be clarified when he decides whether or not to send US lethal weapons to Ukraine.

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Kiev gives Washington list of necessary weapons / DONi News / November 29, 2017 / The Ukrainian party agreed on lists of weapons for deliveries from the US and expects an appropriate political solution. This was stated by the chief of the General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Viktor Muzhenko. “All the lists have been submitted from our side, everything has been agreed, we are only waiting for a political decision. Giving weapons will be a clear signal to all countries, including NATO members, that such deliveries can be made to Ukraine,” Muzhenko said. According to him, the Ukrainian party expected air defense systems, air reconnaissance and electronic warfare, as well as supplies of antitank weapons from the US. “As for the samples of weapons planned for delivery from the US, it is, in particular, air defense systems, especially air reconnaissance means, electronic warfare means, which are critical for the Ukrainian Armed Forces, and our defense industry cannot yet provide them for us. We also need medical vehicles, especially armoured vehicles, but this is non-lethal technology, so the first batch of such cars has already arrived in Ukraine, they will soon be received by the troops. And, of course, anti-tank weapons also in the list, even though today the domestic industry provides us with weapons modeled on “Stugna” or “Korsar,” he added. On August 24 during a visit to Kiev, US Secretary of Defense James Mattis said that in the United States were considering the issue of providing Ukraine with defensive lethal weapons.

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Yavlinsky Tells How He Will Deal with Donbass if He Becomes President of Russia / News-obovsem.ru / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 29, 2017 / The leader of the Yabloko party, Grigory Yavlinsky, in case of his victory in the presidential election, intends to forbid the position of LDNR on Russian television, which he called “lies and propaganda”. He stated this on the air of the Russian First Channel. “First of all, I will stop anti-Ukrainian propaganda, which turned into the propaganda of hatred and endless war. As soon as I declare that I intend to establish peace with Ukraine, everyone who wants to stay on television will guess that it’s better not to engage in lies and propaganda, “Yavlinsky said. In addition, in the event of a hypothetical victory, he will prohibit any LDPR assistance, including humanitarian assistance. “We need to make it absolutely clear that Russia stops supporting all separatist movements: military, diplomatic, material, financial, propaganda. Stop sending vacationers there. A step in this direction is already being discussed. This is the introduction of security forces and a real closing of the border between Ukraine and Russia, “Yavlinsky said. He believes that for a period of time the Donbass will be under the mandate of the UN security, after which it will become part of Ukraine. “International security forces are not always effective, but there is no other solution, because what happened there is a terrible crime. Tens of thousands of people died. As a result of all these military operations, the Boeing was shot down, “Yavlinsky said. [QI editor’s note: this article was posted on Twitter by Novorossiya supporter Vladimir Suchan.]

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Givi as I Knew Him
Historic VIDEO by Graham Phillips
February 21, 2017

Click for Video.
English subtitles, 35 minutes

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Monday, November 27, 2017
(Brief Update)

Eastern Ukraine: LPR Internal Crisis Ends With Resignation Of Plotnitsky / South Front / November 27, 2017 / Last week’s takeover in the Luhansk People’s Republic (LPR) spawned a crisis, which largely seems to be over now. This takeover was long time in the making, since at least the fall of 2014. The leaders of the republic — Igor Plotnitsky, the Head of the Republic, and Gennadiy Tsipkalov, the Prime Minister — represented different power spheres in Luhansk, with the latter representing the military, and the former the administrative. Plotnitsky was unpopular with the military, which only escalated when he managed to fire Tsipkalov in late 2015, increasing military opposition and arrests.

The conflict, now rooted in a long-standing antagonism between Plotnitsky and Minister of Interior Affairs Igor Kornet, started to heat up in November. On November 9 the Minister of Interior Affairs was kicked out of his house by Plotnitsky, under suspicion that he had allegedly extorted it from an elderly woman. After the house was returned to its previous owner, it was discovered that Kornet bought the house in 2015 with the necessary documentation filled out in Kyiv, raising suspicion of collaboration. The house Kornet was kicked out of had belonged to the late Valeriy Bukayev, one of the most influential businessmen in the region. His ex-wife moved to Kiev, and her new partner enrolled in the Aidar battalion. According to the DPR officials, they’d been offering help to Ukrainian military. Plotnitsky, it turned out, returned the house to the enemy of the republic. A LPR military commander addressed Plotnitsky on YouTube. In the video, commander Alexander Gaidey (nom de guerre Rhim) expressed his concerns regarding high-ranking military personnel being sacked, and voiced his suspicions that Plotnitsky . . . READ MORE>>

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(Eng Subs) Interview Leonid Pasechnik New Lugansk LPR Head. by Andrey Rudenko. Ukraine War.
VIDEO by Patrick Lancaster
November 27, 2017

Click for video.
Andrey Rudenko has interviewed the New leader of the Ukraine break away state, Lugansk Peoples Republic, Leonid Pasechnik. This video is to help English speaking people understand the situation.

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CONFIRMED: Ukraine invades 2 neutral villages, Donetsk promises retaliation / By Eduard Popov / Fort Russ / November 27, 2017 / Amidst the recent events in Lugansk which have culminated in a change of government, the Ukrainian side has taken advantage of the temporary, relative disorientation of Donbass to attempt offensive operations. Ukrainian troops have since confirmed that they’ve seized two villages over the past three days, Travnevoe and Gladosovo, which are located in the designated neutral or “gray” zone in Donbass. The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has not considered these advances and the capture of residential areas to be in violation of the Minsk Agreements.

Judging by the now public admissions of Ukrainian soldiers and militants from the Ukrainian Nazi battalions, a fairly large-scale offensive operation was being prepared while Lugansk was embroiled in its “coup.” The result of the intended Ukrainian operation was supposed to be the capture of considerably large areas currently controlled by the republics of Donbass. Like always, however, the Ukrainians wanted a lot, but only managed to acquire a little.

At any rate, this is a success for the Ukrainians, albeit a minor one compared to the original plans. As follows, Donetsk has since been compelled to respond. On November 27th, the head of the Donetsk People’s Republic, Alexander Zakharchenko, promised a symmetric response to the Ukrainian armed forces’ capture of “gray zone” positions. Zakharchenko is quoted as stating: “Since the OSCE believes that Kiev’s actions do not violate the Minsk Agreements, but are a mere ‘improvement’ of the Ukrainian side’s positions, we too will in turn…begin to improve our positions.” How real is Zakharchenko’s . . . READ MORE>> [Substantial analysis at source.]

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ATO Prepares for Provocation: Ukrainian Drones Inspect “Gray Zone” / Kharkov News Agency / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 27, 2017 / The siloviki of the so-called antiterrorist operation activated their unmanned aerial vehicles in the area of captured villages of the “gray zone”. According to the representative of the operational command of the Donetsk People’s Republic Eduard Basurin, Ukrainian drones were recorded over Gorlovka and Dokuchaevsky. “Our intelligence received data on the use of unmanned vehicles by the units of the Armed Forces, for reconnaissance and correction of artillery and mortar fire in the areas of Dokuchaevsk and Gorlovka,” the commander said. Recall that the situation in the Gorlovka region has seriously worsened, after the Ukrainian siloviki unauthorizedly captured two villages in the so-called “gray zone”. The command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces has already transferred equipment and armament there. In this regard, the Donetsk command does not exclude that in the near future the Ukrainian side will begin to destabilize the situation on this sector of the front.

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Military situation in Gorlovka Worsens / Nrt24.ru / November 27, 2017 / (Edited by QI) / Armed Forces of Ukraine, exactly brigade 128, has been carrying out shelling for several days. Kiev troops have been using heavy artillery, mortars, and grenade launchers. The hostility is targeted against both civilians and DPR positions. RAPIRA is being used, even though, in regard to the Minsk Agreements, it was supposed to be withdrawn, and now they use it directly on Gorlovka villages. As a result of the shelling, one populated house caugh fire in the village Golma. There was not ability to put out the fire because the Kiev side does not stop attacking. [See also: Zaitsevo Resident Loses Home Due to Ukrainian Shelling at Stalkerzone.]

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VIDEO by Press service of UNM DNR
November 21, 2017

Click for VIDEO.
Today, about 14.00 a group of civilian journalists, accompanied by a military correspondent of the press service of the Supreme Council of the Donetsk People’s Republic and an officer of the 3rd detachment of the VS of the Gorlovka People’s Democratic Party of Zheleznoye witnessed the shelling of the Dolomitnoye settlement by the Ukrainian Armed Forces.

VIDEO by Novorossia TV world
July 31, 2017

Click for video. (In Russian)
Project Vladislav Brig: “On the protection of their native land: Detachment Gorlovka”
[Translation:] Gorlovka is located in the north of Donetsk, so it turned out that the largest number of Ukrainian formations accumulated under the city in the summer of 2014, and who, no matter how local the guys became to defend the city, and did not let the enemy pass. Each of them went to defend his family, his home, his homeland, everyone understood that to let the Nazis into Gorlovka, they would reach Donetsk, and establish their fascist regime. We tirelessly thank our defenders who gave us the Victory thanks to which we live on our land.

 

 

Sunday, November 26, 2017
(Brief update)

 

Command of Donetsk People’s Republic Announce Seizure by Ukrainian Army of Another Grey Zone Village / TASS (in Russian) / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 25, 2017 / DONETSK / Ukrainian Security Vorces seized another settlement – the village of Travnevoye near Gorlovka, while occupying houses of civilians. This was announced on Saturday by the representative of the operational command of the proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic (DPR) Eduard Basurin. “In the direction of Gorlovka, 54 separate mechanized brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine with the support of the battalion of 24 separate assault battalion “Aidar” captured residents of two settlements in the “gray zone” – the villages of Gladosovo and Travnevoye,” he said. According to Basurin, a patrol of the OSCE observation mission will go to populated areas. Earlier in the DNR, it was also reported that the Kiev security forces installed mortars in the settlements and mined the neighborhood. In turn, the headquarters of the Kiev force operation confirmed that the MU took these settlements, but called it “a visit to help the civilian population and assess the current situation,” and also reported on the establishment of a humanitarian headquarters. The so-called gray zone divides the militias of the Donetsk and Lugansk People’s Republics and the Ukrainian army. Its borders are established by Minsk agreements and the introduction of troops of one or another party into the settlements in it is a violation of international agreements.

 

NATO Soldier Joins Donbass (Southern Ukraine)
VIDEO by Donbass Rose
November 25, 2017

Click for VIDEO
In March 2017 Pascal Hillebrand moved to DPR (Donetsk People’s Republic in SE Ukraine) with his girlfriend and two kids. Western taxpayers money is used to wage wars all over the world and he didn’t want to be part of it any longer. In the past, Pascal used to serve in the NATO army. However, after arriving in Donetsk he made a decision to join the DPR armed forces. In Donbass he was most impressed by the kindness of people. “They are all friendly and they are no terrorists!”, Pascal said.”

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Soldiers of Donetsk People’s Republic Penetrate into Occupied Village of Gladosovo (VIDEO) / Russkaya Vesna / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 26, 2017 / On November 25, the military correspondent of the press service of the Armed Forces of the Donetsk People’s Republic [DPR] managed to get into the area of Glushovo village, which was captured by the Ukrainian armed forces, and to photograph the actions of the Ukrainian military, who are bringing reinforcements and equipment to the settlement, and are actively building up new positions. The appearance of the enemy in the village has already led to a sharp activation of shelling from the Ukrainian side of nearby settlements – primarily the village of Golmovsky. At the same time, OSCE observers preferred to keep at a respectable distance from the line of demarcation and did not go beyond the center of the village of Golmovsky to fix the actions of the Ukrainian Armed Forces violating the Minsk agreements. The video was provided to the “Russkaya Vesna” by the press service of the VS of the DPR.

 

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Saturday, November 25, 2017
(Brief update)

DPR Head Zakharchenko congratulates Pasechnik on assuming LPR acting head position / Donetsk News Agency (DAN) / November 25, 2017 / DONETSK / The DPR Head Alexander Zakharchenko has congratulated the LPR acting Head Leonid Pasechnik on assumption of the office. “Leonid Ivanovich, I congratulate you on the assumption of the office of acting Head of the Lugansk People’s Republic! It is not an easy task in the circumstances of war and economic blockade, but I am sure you shall cope with it with honor. I am also sure that together we shall effectively withstand Kiev’s aggression and build peaceful life,” Zakharchenko said. Earlier on Friday Igor Plotnitskiy resigned from the position of the LPR Head for health reasons. The security minister of the LPR announced he was taking over power from Plotnitskiy until forthcoming elections. The ex-leader was appointed authorized representative of the LPR to implement the Minsk Agreements.

 

Lugansk People’s Republic head resigns / TASS / November 24, 2017 / Head of the self-proclaimed Lugansk People’s Republic (LPR) Igor Plotnitsky has resigned due to health problems, LPR State Security Minister Leonid Pasechnik said in a statement published on the Lugansk Media Center website on Friday. “Today, Igor Plotnitsky has resigned due to health problems, aggravated by numerous battle injuries and concussion consequences. In accordance with his decision, I come into office as the republic’s head until the coming election,” the statement says. Pasechnik thanked Plotnitsky for his decision and the credence given to him. “Igor Plotnitsky has made a great contribution to the peaceful settlement process. He is one of the Minsk accords signers. He has been appointed plenipotentiary of the Lugansk People’s Republic for execution of the Minsk accords,” he noted. Igor Plotnitsky has been appointed an envoy for the implementation of the Minsk agreements. “He is among the signatories to the Minsk agreements and was appointed today the Lugansk People’s Republic’s envoy for the implementation of the Minsk agreements,” the statement said. “I also state my adherence to the Minsk accords. The republic will be consistently executing the obligations taken under these agreements,” Pasechnik pointed out.

In his statement, he also stressed that “the Board of Ministers, the LPR People’s Council and other power structures continue operating on a routine basis.” “For my part, I want to assure the LPR residents that I will do everything possible for the Lugansk people’s welfare,” Pasechnik concluded. Leonid Pasechnik has been appointed acting head of the Lugansk People’s Republic until forthcoming elections. The People’s Council, or legislature, of the LPR has received Igor Plotnitsky’s letter of resignation as head of the republic and appointment of Leonid Pasechnik as acting head, the Council’s speaker, Vladimir Degtyarenko, said in a statement posted by LuganskInformCenter on Friday. “I have no doubts that the People’s Council will support the candidature of Leonid Pasechnik as acting head of the Lugansk People’s Republic. All necessary amendments will be done to the normative acts immediately,” the statement said. Igor Plotnitsky’s biography: Igor Plotnitsky was born on June 24, 1964, in the town of . . . READ MORE>>

 

 

Plotnitsky Arrives in Moscow / By Zahor Prilepin / Vk.com / Autotranslated by Quemado Institute / November 23, 2017 / Igor Plotnitsky flew to Moscow from Rostov on an ordinary flight. Here just arrived. Economy class, a quiet man without protection. Generally one. We met his eyes, he did not show anything. He does not look concerned. Almost peaceful. I got on the bus with everyone, got off the bus. In Sheremetyevo, two operatives waiting for him followed, young, merry, Moscow. That’s what history looks like everyday. Ordinary and unpretentious. With a small bag on his shoulder and jacket in the case. Everything for a new life. [Photo: still from video of Plotnitsky arriving at Moscow airport.]

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VIDEO: Plotnitsky Arrives at Moscow Airport
Thursday, November 23, 2017

Click for video.
Plotnitsky at 0:10

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Donbass, School 60, Lugansk: Graduation Ceremony: Best 60 Minutes
VIDEO By Graham Phillips – August 10, 2017

Click for VIDEO
Elegant Images of Ceremony in Lugansk

 

Click to enlarge.
Alexey Mozgovoy – Hero of Novorossiya

 

Donetsk – Miner’s Day Celebration
Badka Pavlov – August 27, 2017

Click for video.

Kominternovе on Fire
VIDEO by Donbass Rose
August 20, 2017

Click for video. Must See!

Lyudmila Videnkina on Twitter

Donbass!
(Southern DPR)

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Older News from Novorossiya>> See our dedicated website: Novorossiya Daily Sun

(Donbass news since May 2015)

***

Novorossiya Photo & Video Gallery:

Pete John on Twitter
Heroes of Donbass

Alexey Mozgovoy

Givi

Givi, Anaschenko, Motorola, Dremov, Bednov, Mozgovoy

Donetsk: DPR integrating with Russia – VIDEO
By Patric Lancaster – May 12, 2017

Click for video. (English subtitles)

Donetsk. Walking around Pushkin boulevard with Chris,
A trade-unionist from London (VIDEO).
Gonzo Blogger – Youtube
Published May 10, 2017

Click for video.
Beautiful Donetsk, peaceful and relaxed despite the war.

Pete John on Twitter
May 10, 2017 12:00 UTC
Heroes of Donbass, Novorossiya

Bednov, Mozgovoy, Dremov, Motorola, Givi

Heroes of Donbass

Mozgovoy, Motorola, Givi
Ischenko, Dremov
Bednov, Anashenko

VIDEOs: Detonation of Ammunition Depot in Kharkov Region
March 24, 2017

Click for video.

Click for video.

Donbass pays the last tribute to “Givi” – DONi Press Video Report
Published on Feb 10, 2017

Click for video.

Luhansk Republic on Twitter
February 11, 2017 01:00 UTC

“Yes, Kiev will lose. 55,000 turned out for Givi’s funeral.
#Donbass is tighter then ever. We will fight to last bullet, last house.”

Givi Tribute – Donetsk good times – RIP

Click for video.
WesternTruthTV – February 8, 2017

In Memory of Commander Givi

Click for VIDEO
Soldatiy Svobodiy – May 7, 2015

GIVI – Symbol of Donbass – RIP

RIP – Valeriy Bolotov, the founder of Lugansk People’s Republic
DONi News – January 28, 2017

Click for video.

Tuesday, October 25, 2016

Arseny Pavlov “Motorola” Funeral Service in Donetsk
By Alexancer Kots

Click for VIDEO

Sunday, October 23, 2016

Motorola won even in death (VIDEO)

 

Drone Video: Massive Motorola’s funeral march in Donetsk City, 19.10.2016

 

Storm Bringer on Twitter
September 3, 2016 15:00 UTC

“BREAKING: Today Givi has been assigned the rank of a colonel.
Congratulations.”

Elena Plotnikova on Twitter
September 3, 2016 17:30 UTC

“Donetsk: Even during the war it is the most civilized city in Ukraine.
Clean, decent, beautiful.”

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIVI!

Tweeted by Enrico Ivanov

The painting by German artist Amely Rose, describing
the tragedy of flight MH17 July 17, 2014 at Donetsk.

(Tweeted by Marizar)

 

John Delacour on Twitter

School dinner in Gorlovka, Donetsk People’s Republic

Evening in Donetsk – Christmas Time

Posted on Twitter by Hermius

Near Donetsk (–@zxzdzcv)

NOVOROSSIYA FOREVER
In memory of their sacrifice.
RIP MOZGOVOY DREMOV ISHCHENKO BEDNOV

Donetsk

NAF Field Commander Pavel Dremov

Assassinated today, December 12, 2015

Winter has arrived in Donetsk.

Map of Black Sea (Click to enlarge.)

(–mapsofdallas.blogspot.com)

Detail showing South Ossetia

Donetsk International Festival
“World Ballet Stars”

Friday, November 13, 2015

*
Tragedy in Paris, November 13, 2015, 130 dead.
Tragedies in Donbass, 2014-2015, thousands dead.

Lenin Square, Donetsk, October 2014
Eccentric Bliss

 

Donetsk City at Night
New Russia Press

Crimean Bridge Promo Video
The 19 kilometer bridge connecting Russia and Crimea is scheduled to open in December 2018.
For Fort Russ video click here.
(Photo –russia-ic.com)

Linguistic Map of Ukraine
Red = Ukrainian, Blue = Russian

Beautiful Donetsk

Donetsk

My home city of Donetsk

For earlier News from Novorossiya click here: Novorossiya Daily Sun

Zakharchenko, Debaltsevo, February 2015

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