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Vladyslav Selezniov: During one of the special operations of ATO two saboteurs trained in the Russian Federation were arrested

Source: http://uacrisis.org/

During the briefing over the phone in Ukrainian Crisis Media Centre Official speaker of the anti-terrorist operation Vladyslav Selezniov reported from the scene that the active phase of the ATO in the East of Ukraine goes on: “The last day was relatively quiet, during one of the special operations two saboteurs citizens of Ukraine, who confirmed to have been trained in the Russian Federation, were arrested”.

During the day two attacks on the positions of Ukrainian security forces near the cities of Slavyansk and Izyum were reverberated by the Ukrainian security forces. As a result there were no injures neither among civilians, nor among Ukrainian militaries. According to security officials, around 40 armed terrorists were shot, two were detained. Vladyslav Selezniov also said: “While arresting two saboteurs 4 sub-machine guns (RPG-26 and RPG-7), automatic Kalashnikov and other weapons were withdrawn. The detainees are giving evidence. They are known to fulfill the tasks aimed at commission of terrorist acts on the territory of Ukraine”.

“The contingent of ATO ensures the safety of the residents of the East of Ukraine. The terrorists fire at Ukrainian soldiers from the residential areas, understanding that Ukrainian security officials won’t fire in response under such conditions not to injure civilians,” – said Mr. Selezniov.

Mr. Selezniov also confirmed that Russian militaries and terrorists are trying to make a corridor to export dead bodies of militants in the border village Dymytrovka. Under different estimates there are from 50 to 100 bodies of terrorists in the morgue of Kramatorsk.

ATO official speaker told that the journalists of LifeNews channel now stay at State security service investigation structures: “They are safe. The investigators are working on video archives found. A lot of questions to those videos as well as to the journalists arise”.

Lie of the day. Russian media: a tragedy in Odessa was organized by the “Right Sector”

Source: Inforesist.org

Russian state media, in particular channels “Russia-1″ and “Russia-24″ informed on Wednesday that Russia wants to appeal to the Hague Tribunal accusing Ukrainian “Right Sector” in the organization of the tragedy in Odessa on the May 2, when during the events in the House of Trade Unions more than 40 people died. 

Here is how Russian Kremlin’s channel “Russia-1″ informed on Wednesday (ed.- 21st of May) about new developments of the Ukrainian investigation of the tragedy in the House of Trade Unions in Odessa on the 2nd of May: “The Russian Foreign Ministry is considering filing a lawsuit to the Hague Tribunal in connection with the tragic events in the House of Trade Unions in Odessa on May 2. A MEP from Latvia Tatiana Zhdanok encouraged to call the “Right Sector” to account for the use of chemical weapons in the building trade unions. “

The same channel on Tuesday organised another release of a program of “Special Correspondent” Arkady Mamontov named “Odessa. New Katyn”, where in the same spirit, even before the completion of the investigation of this tragedy, all blame is placed on “Kiev’s junta”, “Ukrainian fascists” and the “Right Sector”. Although new information of the investigative commission in Kiev testifies that as a result of the investigation of the events in Odessa on May 2 a suspicion of committing of a crime will be announced to Odessa City Council deputies from the party “Rodina” Sergei Bovbalan and Evgeny Khaikin. You can see it in this video (unfortunately, it’s in Russian):

Leader of the “LPR” V.Bolotov: militia will not allow elections in the region

Source: Inforesist.org

The leader of the “People’s Republic of Luhansk” Valeriy Bolotov stated that he will not allow to hold the Ukrainian presidential elections in the region on the 25th of May; he promised any sort of opposition, including use of force. 

“They (pro-Kiev forces – ed.) will try to organize voting stations by any means. We will not allow it. They will be attacked,” – said V. Bolotov.

He said that military troops and vehicles enter towns leaving behind themselves space, where “they are trying to hold elections”.

According to him it is mainly in the area from the side of Starobelsk.

“Pontoon connection go, as they don’t know that we mined the bridges,” – he said.

Bolotov has also informed that seal and other document for the elections are being transported to the region, however part of them is already seized by the militia.

The leader of the “People’s Republic of Luhansk” addressed residents of Luhansk and all the region asking them not to take part in the elections.

“Residents of the “People’s Republic of Luhansk” have nothing to do with this political profanity,” – he said.

Prosecutors, taking into account the events that occur in the Luhansk region, gathered enough evidence to qualify the activity of the so-called “governor” of Luhansk region Valery Bolotov as the creation of a terrorist organization.

Regarding refusal of Russian citizenship in Crimea

According to the information from “Information Resistance” group, the process of “Refusal of Russian citizenship” in Crimea turned out to be a procedure for identification and pursuance of those Crimea citizens who are not loyal to Moscow.

The procedure of “refusal of citizenship” itself for those who do not wish to accept the citizenship of Russian Federation is very complicated – registration of all necessary documents and standing in lines in the migration institutions of Russian Federations take up to a week.

At the same time citizens, who decide to refuse the citizenship of Russia are “visited” at their homes by so called “self-defense forces”. These people demand the citizens to leave Crimea, demands are followed by threats of physical punishments.

Such cases were reported in Simferopol and Sudak.

It is obvious that these provocations were organized with support from Federal Migration Service of Russian Federation, which revealed the addresses and surnames of the “unloyal” citizens to local gangs.

Also it is necessary to note that automatic grant of Russian citizenship to the citizens of Crimea without their agreement is a very serious violation of international law.

 

May 21, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On 21st of May, Joe Biden, U.S. Vice President, said that ‘Russia must be punished if it seeks to derail Ukraine’s presidential elections this weekend.’ (lrytas.lt. delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On 21st of May John Michael McHugh, United States Secretary of the Army, in an exclusive interview to 15min.lt said that ‘military cooperation of Lithuania and United States of America will be even more collaborative in the future.’ He also ensured Lithuanians that in case of conventional or unconventional warfare it will invoke 5th article of the Treaty of Washington.’ (15min.lt)

 

Terrorist Threat Assessment in Eastern and Southern Ukraine on May 20

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

As of  20th of May 12:00 Noon EEST, we don’t observe a significant change in the number of Russian troops deployed in the border areas of Russia near the state border with Ukraine. Also remaining static are the groups of Russian troops in the occupied territory of Crimea.

As regards the threat of extremism in the regions of Ukraine, we are seeing a slight increase in the degree of tension in the Kharkiv Region, and a slight decrease of threat in Zaporizhzhya Region.

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Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary – May 20, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

 

The bad news:

1. In Luhansk and Donetsk Regions, separatists captured eleven district election commissions [DEC], there is still a threat of the seizure of eight more.

According to our current Ukrainian legislation, the elections will be valid without a number of polling stations in Donbass. But why should some criminal bandits deny [Ukrainian] citizens the opportunity to make their political choice under normal circumstances?

We want to still believe that Ukrainian special forces will do everything in their power to maximally allow for the work of the election commissions. After all, it’s the state’s responsibility to ensure the realization of the constitutional rights of its citizens.

2. In the Vekhovna Rada [Ukrainian Parliament], the Party of Regions and the Communists thwarted the vote for the criminalization of bribing voters. Those who bribe the electorate, it was proposed, are to receive punishment of a prison term for up to three years.

As expected, at the mention of a prison term for these tricks, the Party of Regions members and the Communists got really nervous. These gentlemen from the past don’t want honest politics. It’s just not for them. Their brain refuses to recognize the idea of an honest life.

Something has to be decided about these brains.

3. Russia does not forego holding the “Aviadarts-2014” [military] exercises on the eve and day of the Presidential elections in Ukraine. Kiev gave Moscow 48 hours to provide an explanation regarding these exercises.

It is clear that we won’t hear a reasonable explanation. Although these exercises (participants master the combat use of missile, bomb, and cannon gun armaments against ground targets, as well as overcoming the air defense system of a simulated enemy) are in fact, the action script of the Russian Air Force in the invasion of Ukraine.

At the same time, we haven’t yet observed the withdrawal of Russian troops from the border areas. However, at least they aren’t currently hanging out in the 10-km [6-mile] border zone–which stabilizes the situation somewhat. But it’s a rather illusory détente. For real stabilization, we need a complete return of Russian troops to the places of their permanent deployment.

The good news:

1. The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine voted to adopt the “Memorandum of peace and harmony.” It calls for the de-escalation of tension in the country, full support of the Geneva agreements, and the promise of Constitutional reform.

Obviously this document is nothing more than a declaration. But in my opinion, it’s a very important step to a real dialogue. Obviously, not with terrorists–we can only speak the language of lead with them. But to a dialogue with the population of East and South–those who for some reasons don’t trust Kyiv. But, at the same time, want to live in a unified and stable Ukraine.

2. 100,000 people representing the world community supported the petition to the U.S. government to recognize Russia as a sponsor of terrorism.

If this status is de facto recognized by the West and the whole world thereafter, it will be an indisputable victory for Ukraine. Even though Russia prides itself on its current role as an actual rogue nation, nevertheless the further growth of international support for Ukraine won’t hurt.

3. Oligarch Rinat Akhmetov has finally shed his false shame and supported a unified Ukraine. In Donetsk and Luhansk Regions, he urged [employees of] his largest enterprises to hold a warning strike against violence and separatism.

We recently criticized Akhmetov for his “memoranda” with the terrorist organization “Donetsk People’s Republic.” The fellow has redeemed himself. We are glad.

There may be plenty of reasons to explain the behavior of the Donbass oligarch. Let’s not forget that a serious part of his business is in Europe–and [people] there wouldn’t understand his “cooperation” with the terrorist organization.

On the other hand, while Rinat Leonydovych is torn between the “Russian” and the normal world, his fiefdom in Donbass is slowly getting overshadowed by Kolomoyskyi. Akhmetov doesn’t need this type of sport even for free. And that’s why his participation in the competition for the title of Best-friend-of-a-unified-Ukraine is self-explanatory.

Again, it’s possible that Akhmetov considered the legitimate government to be more acceptable, while threatening to confiscate a part of [his] business, rather than the chaos and anarchy of his pro-Russian buddies. Especially since they vouched to conduct the “nationalization” of Akhmetov’s enterprises.

In the end, we do not exclude a double play by Akhmetov. But it’s not the point. If this tactical step by Akhmetov positively affects the situation in the region–why shouldn’t it be welcomed? And we’ll deal with his motives and secret desires later.

May 20, 2014 Lithuanian media roundup

On 20th of May Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a Memorandum of Peace and Concord. It calls for the de-escalation of tension in the country, full support of the Geneva agreements and the promise of Constitutional reform. (15min.lt)

On 30th of May -1st of June the NATO Parliamentary Assembly’s spring session, with the main subject aimed at the situation in Ukraine, will take place in Lithuanian Parliament (diena.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/68175/ukraine-to-dominate-nato-parliamentary-assembly-session-in-vilnius-201468175/.

On 20th of May Dmitry Medvedev, Russian Prime Minister, said that ‘Russia is being pulled into a new Cold War with the United States and its allies, who are using economic warfare reminiscent of the Soviet Union under Leonid Brezhnev‘ (vz.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt). Watch more on Bloomberg: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/medvedev-says-second-cold-war-is-slowly-approaching-uASWH5BIQ8~muzJjTTIizw.html.

On 19th of May Miroslav Lajcak, Slovakia‘s Minister of Foreign Affairs, said that Slovakia was preparing a line for reverse natural gas supplies to Ukraine. (delfi.lt)

On 20th of May Joe Biden, United States Vice-president, during his visit to Romania said that Europe’s borders should not be changed at the point of a gun. (lrytas.lt, 15min.lt)

Sergiy Shapoval: separatists are demoralized. They can be finished off

Source: http://inforesist.org/

A journalist of Lutsk’s newspaper “Volin Post” Sergiy Shapoval spent more than three weeks in captivity of Donetsk separatists. He was captured on the 26th of April after he tried to subscribe as a volunteer in Donbass people’s militia. Shapoval was going to join separatists to write a report about people who support the protest.

According to Sergiy, there is a real spy-phobia among separatists: they interrogate all volunteers fearing that members of the “Right Sector” will join them. After they found Sergiy’s journalist ID, he was tortured by electric shock, and for greater impact they put a wet cloth on his shoulder.

During interrogation there were present journalist of Anna News. After the torture, as if nothing happened, they recorded a video with the beaten journalist. Sergiy was forced to say that he is OK and that he is in Slavyansk.

Later this video was removed for YouTube. In total there were recorded 4 videos, in which Shapoval spoke a prepared in advance by separatists and Russian journalists text. They were also publishing articles on Sergiy’s behalf, which were portraying separatists move in a positive light.

Sergiy Shapoval told in his interview to Hubs who and what are these separatists.

Are the ideas of the People’s Republic of Donetsk supported in Donetsk?

Ordinary people in Donetsk do not support People’s Republic of Donetsk. Do you remember on Maidan there were hundreds of volunteers, who cooked and brought food.

In Donetsk the militants make their own sandwiches, and there are few announcements a day from the stage that they need women to cook food. I saw and heard it all, because I was in a room, which windows overlook the main entrance to the Donetsk Regional State Administration.

They didn’t even had enough mattresses. Some militants slept on the floor; they could not organise their everyday life.

In the evening there are patrols in town, presumably to protect the rule of law and at the same time take phones from locals. In the morning they show off who stole better phone.

The parking in front of the Regional Administration is packed with stolen cars. How do I know this? They talk about it – stolen cars.

Are separatists really afraid of the “Right Sector”? Or they understand that the rumors about this organisation are exaggerated?

This is their universal horror story. Whoever is caught is declared to be a member of the Right Sector. Whatever happens – this is all the Right Sector. They are wound up by the Russian TV, which even calls the National Guard the Right Sector.

Who are the people on the rally in front of the administration?

When I came there in the end of April there were many romantics, idealists, adventurers. The audience is 25 to 33 years old.

After the fire in Odessa’s House of Trade Unions on the 2nd of May there was a surge of volunteers. The corridors were packed with people. Some miners squads came.

After the referendum all thinned out. Now there are only young people there. Even on Saturday and Sunday, when there should be many people, there are only a couple of dozens of them. Maximum a hundred, when there is a meeting.

Compare this to the self organisation of participants in EuroMaidan, where they were able to create some structures, organise everyday life, cooperate. Separatists are only capable of impulse, which thins down rather quickly.

This is a very glaring fact. Separatist, who say that they will go all the way to the Polish border, take off their Georgian ribbons when them move more than 100 metres away form the Regional Administration. I have seen it myself. When I asked one girl why it is the case she answered – Don’t you understand how many fascists are here?

Then why the Regional Administration is still not freed?

Because they have machine guns. There are a lot of arms there. I have seen Kalashnikovs, I have seen antitank grenade and objects, which looked like anti-tank mines

There was information in the media that almost in every office in the Administration there is a prisoner. Is it so?

Yes, I have heard cries, heard how they lugged someone though the corridors. One can stand near the building and see how they walk people with hands cocked and heads wrapped in cloth. And so every day. In the best case scenario these people are forced to wash toilets, in the worst – they are tortured.

I was tortured in the editorial office of the newspaper “Life”. They have such editorial office and there I was tortured. Then, after interrogations, Russian journalists came, put a flag on the wall and told me to speak into camera and say that I am in Slavyansk. And say the text that they wrote for me.

What do people in the seized Regional Administration say about Akhmetov?

Bad thing in general. They were saying that he fires people form the mines for taking part in rallies. They also hate the Party of Regions and Tsaryov.

What does the place of protests, the tents village looks like?

Tents village is a loud name for it. There are two or three tents.

There is a stage, but it is always empty. Not like it was on Maidan, where everyone wanted to come out and say something. There, they either play “Get up, enormous country” (old Soviet song – ed.) or a granny reads her poems or a granddad tells how much he should like to throttle Liashko. Or they show reports and news of the channel “Russia 24″

A song “A war with people is bad. Maidan zip it” is very popular. They also have their own “Heaven’s Guard” and slogans “Glory to Russia – Glory to Donbas!”.

The Regional Administration itself is smashed. Everything, which could be taken out was taken out.

How did you mange to break free?

I would not be able to break free by myself. I would get caught and would be killed, that’s why I simply sat and waited. Yesterday a man came and told me that I have to eat and wash and that I was to be swapped. Three hours later a man in civilian came for me. He led me to a car. We went to what looked like the Donetsk airport. There were many people there, I recognised Victor Medvedchuk and Nestor Shufrich. I came to Medvedchuk and asked – why do you need this, why did you free me? He answered that this is his position – to help people who are in need.

What is your forecast for the development of events?

Separatists can be easily finished off. If they are not given any surge, like the one in Odessa. They are demoralised, they do not know what to do. They do not see any outcome. People’s Republic of Donetsk, for which they live half hungry and die exists only in the Donetsk Regional Administration.