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Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary – May 19, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The bad news:

1. The farther [they go], the less terrorists in Donbass are burdened by moral and ethical standards. This morning, our posts near Slavyansk were shot at by mortars mounted on the territory of a kindergarten.

Using women and the elderly as human shields is no longer a novelty. Firing positions in apartment buildings are also nothing new. The farther [they go], the more cynical and despicable [they get].

2. We don’t observe a withdrawal of Russian troops as was reported by Russian media citing the Kremlin. The media announced that “[military] exercises in Belgorod, Bryansk, and Rostov Regions have been completed” and Putin’s little soldiers would return to the places of their permanent deployment.

This is not the first time Moscow is launching this “duck,” we have grown accustomed to such lies. But today, the withdrawal of Russian troops is extremely important for us.

For one simple reason–I have already mentioned it today. This would not only reduce the degree of tension in Donbass, but would relieve some of the [Ukrainian] forces that are keeping defense along our Eastern border today. And these forces are badly needed for the Presidential elections on May 25 in the region.

But, let’s wait on what happens tomorrow. Maybe Russian troops really will be removed from the border after all. Although to believe Putin–is to deceive oneself. Been there, done that.

3. The SBU received five reports about possible attempts on lives of candidates for the President of Ukraine, the Deputy Head of the SBU Viktor Yagun announced.

In fact, the information received by the SBU does not mean these were 100% attempts on their lives. But the general tendency this announcement reflects: that terrorists can take any possible measures just to disrupt the elections. And the closer it is to May 25, the less boring it will become.

The good news:

1. The governor of Donetsk Region Serhiy Taruta stated today: the support for separatists declined sharply in the Region. Yesterday, only 500 people came to their action in Donetsk. We observe a decrease of terrorist support in Luhansk Region as well.

Ordinary residents of Donbass–even the ones infected with Putin’s propaganda about the “fascist government in Kyiv”–have grown tired. They, like all normal people, want peace and stability.

We still must understand who exactly is fighting for the “independence of Donbass.” When a drunk and cussing creature comes to you, breaks into your home and sets up a “firing position,” or shoots your neighbor for supporting the “Right Sector,” you inevitably begin to wonder who the hell this “independence” is for.

2. Today, over 50 terrorists in 10 vehicles approached the checkpoint near the town of  Amvrosievka  in Donetsk region at the state border with Russia. An armed fight followed. The outcome: none of ours got hurt, one terrorist was killed, seven–wounded, one was captured.

This ratio is encouraging. But what is discouraging is that most reposts from the ATO [anti-terrorist operation] area talk about the terrorists attacking and the security forces defending themselves. For it’s unclear which one of them actually conducts the operation.

Let’s hope that the situation will change. We are sick and tired of this.

3. Dnipropetrovsk Region formed four battalions of volunteers as part of the Ministry of Defense and the Interior Ministry. The self-defense forces provide 4,000 servicemen at the checkpoints.

Actually, it’s the tip of the iceberg. Similar battalions in the Army and the Interior Ministry are forming all over Ukraine.

Unfortunately, the data about the number of these units and the number of personnel are closed. I can only say the following: the scale of the process is impressive. The country is able to defend itself–both from Putin, and from pro-Russian terrorists. If only we could solve the problem of Donbass…

May 18-19, 2014 Lithuania media round-up

On 18th of May Ivan Simonovic, the UN assistant secretary general for human rights, said that ‘Ukraine is coming close to the “point of no return“. He also added that situation in Ukraine remains similar to the situation in Croatia in the 90s. (vz.lt, alfa.lt, bernardinai.lt)

On 18th of May Michael Birnbaum, journalist of Washington Post, in his article wrote that ‘Vowing to defend ethnic Russians wherever they live, President Vladimir Putin has embarked on an aggressive campaign to rebuild the pride and assertiveness of the Russian people, which he says was lost in the breakup of the Soviet Union’ (15min.lt). Read more in Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/world/europe/russian-president-putin-builds-ties-in-moldova-kazakhstan-and-baltics/2014/05/17/fa1beb22-c45f-4027-9b30-cc45212c785e_story.html?tid=pm_world_pop.

On 18th of May, John Ohman, one of Lithuanian activists supporting Ukraine, in an interview to ‘Šiauliai plius’ news portal said that ‘conflict in Ukraine is not only an attempt to expand a territory, but also a grand experiment by Russia which was aimed to test the new tactics in warfare.’’ Also he thinks that Russia is retreating from Ukraine now, but there’s a possibility that Russia will try to experiment in Baltic states too. (etaplius.lt)

On 19th of May Anders Fogh Rasmussen, Secretary General of NATO, said that they have unfortunately not seen any evidence of Russian troops withdrawing from the borders of Ukraine’. (15min.lt)

 

Thousands of Crimean Tatars Mark 70th Anniversary of Deportation

Source: Euromaidanpr

Despite a ban on any demonstrations by the Russian occupation authorities and a decision by the Milli Mejlis not to hold a mass commemoration lest it become the occasion for a Russian provocation, thousands of Crimean Tatars have assembled in their homeland today to mark the 70th anniversary of their deportation by Stalin.

Today (ed.-18th of May), all roads approaching Simferopol were under surveillance by the police and security forces, to make sure that Crimean Tatars weren’t able to get to their traditional May 18th rally in an organized manner. Most people decided to get to the rally separately. Russian security forces created artificial traffic jams on the main roads. So, many people ended up walking to the rally point at the Ak-Mosque/Kebir-Jami Mosque in pouring rain, leaving their cars behind. Moreover, there entire city was chock full of the ‘self-defense’ gangs with helicopters flying over. About 40 minutes after the the rally started, helicopters left and it stopped raining.

Despite all efforts to prevent the commemoration, several hundred people with Crimean Tatar national flags finally assembled in the Salgirka Park, and several hundred more met in the square in front of that city’s railroad station where the foundation has been laid for a future monument to the deportation which involved 200,000 Crimean Tatars, a large fraction of whom died as a result.

They were peaceful, did not use loudspeakers as in the past, and were surrounded by a heavy presence of Russian security officers. After brief meetings, they left in small groups via public transport and traveled to the predominantly Crimean Tatar Akmechet district away from the city center where they have joined more than 5,000 others

According to the Kryminform news agency, people from all parts of Simferopol as well as neighboring regions are at the meeting. They are carrying Crimean Tatar flags and slogans like “The Motherland! The People! Crimea!” And they are being addressed by longtime veterans of the Crimean Tatar national movement.

Also in attendance are representatives of the other peoples who were deported from the peninsula in 1944. In the air above the demonstration, Kryminform reports, there are two government helicopters. But as of this writing (0630 EDT in the United States), security officials have tried to enforce their regime’s ban on such meetings or reports of any clashes between them and the Crimean Tatars.

You can also read this photo report about commemoration in Simferopol: https://news.pn/en/public/104378. And Dmitry Tymchuk also writes about it here: http://maidantranslations.com/2014/05/18/dmitry-tymchuk-70th-anniversary-of-crimean-deportation-peaceful-rallies-in-crimea-today/.

Meeting ‘Light a fire in your heart’ was held in Lviv (photos by Alim Aliev)

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Dnipropetrovsk also held a rally commemorating the deportation of Crimean Tatars on May 17. The Crimean national symbol ‘tamga’ was formed out of lit candles on the bank of the Dnieper river. Representatives of the Crimean Tatar community as well as Ukrainians and people of other nationalities participated in the gathering. The activists plan to ask the city authorities to grant them a flowerbed where volunteers will make a ‘tamga’ out of planted flowers.

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Commemoration in Dzhankoy: 

Beyond the borders of Crimea, there have been meetings and declarations of support for the Crimean Tatars and their cause from governments and public organizations around the world. The quiet courage the Crimean Tatars have displayed in coming out today in the face of a new wave of Russian repression will only gain them and their cause more support.

And consequently, while the number of Crimean Tatars taking part in this year’s round anniversary commemoration is smaller than the 30,000 who have typically gathered in recent years, the event this year has achieved even more for the Crimean Tatar cause and its fight for justice than did any previous meeting.

May 17, Lithuania media round-up

On 17th of May, news portal lzinios.lt published an interview with Elvina Ergashova, Crimean Tatar. She said that ‘Tatar’s situation in Crimea is very tense at this moment.’ Also Elvina hopes that Crimea will come back to Ukraine in a year or two and this chaos and terror will come to an end.’ (lzinios.lt)

On 17th of May, Vytautas Leškevičius, Lithuanian Vice-minister of Foreign Affairs, met with Mustafa Dzhemilev, Leader of the Crimean Tatars, in Kiev. According to Mustafa Dzhemilev, ‘kidnapping of Tatars, prohibition to speak the native language, limitations of the meeting law, discrimination and even murders because of ethnicity became common place in occupied Crimea.’ (ELTA, 15min.lt)

John Kerry, US Secretary of the Department of State, has made a statement on the 70th anniversary of Joseph Stalin’s forcible deportation of more than 230,000 Crimean Tatars from their homeland in Crimea. In his statement, he said that ‘for many Crimean Tatars, these abuses are still fresh in their minds and current Russia’s occupation and illegal attempt to annex Crimea has reopened these old wounds.’ (15min.lt)

DPR in the near future once again will be asking to join Russia

Source: http://inforesist.org

Prime minister of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk announced that in the near future the Republic is planning to ask Russia for inclusion of the Republic into the Russian Federation. He made this announcement on a press conference on Saturday.

“Of course, we are planning,” – said he answering a question from an OstroV journalist.

When asked when such request can be officially prepared, Borodai answered that it will happen in the near future.

“We will do all this very hastily,” – he said.

A. Borodai has also announced that the DPR will ask the Russian Federation to establish diplomatic contacts with the Republic.

As was reported earlier, a political analyst from Moscow Alexander Borodai became the prime-minister of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk.

May 16, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On 16th of May Lithuanian Parliament delegated 8 Members of Parliament to observe elections of Ukrainian President, which will be held on 25th of May. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, 15min.lt)

On 17th of May Street Music Day will be held for the first time in Kiev, Lviv, Ivano-Frankivsk, Dnipropetrovsk and Odessa. Lithuanian artists will arrive to support European Ukraine: groups ‘Biplan’, ‘Dee&Kammy’, ‘Colors Of Bubbles’, Jurgis Didžiulis will perform in Kiev, Edgaras Lubys/Amberlife and percussionist Donatas Senkus – in Lviv. (veidas.lt, vz.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On 16th of May Vytautas Leškevičius, Lithuanian Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Valeriy Piatnytsk, Government’s Commissioner for European Integration of Ukraine chaired the 10th meeting of the Lithuania-Ukraine Commission for European Integration. The Commission meeting discussed the creation of a coordination mechanism for European integration in Ukraine, Ukraine’s progress towards a visa-free regime with the EU and possible Lithuania’s expert assistance to Ukraine in the implementation of the Association Agenda. The representatives of Ukraine pointed out that they highly appreciated Lithuania’s support and consultations. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, lrytas.lt)

On 16th of May Anders Fogh Rasmussen, NATO chief, said that ‘he could no longer trust Russia’s assurances on sovereignty and the territorial integrity of countries in the region after its annexation of Crimea’ (vz.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, delfi.lt). Read more in The Times of Israel: http://www.timesofisrael.com/nato-chief-no-one-can-trust-russia-after-ukraine/#ixzz31u0kaIJu.

On 16th of May second United Nations report about human rights situation in Ukraine was published. It says that ‘human rights violations have escalated in Eastern Ukraine and serious problems are emerging in Crimea, as well as a “wave of abductions and unlawful detentions” of journalists, activists, politicians, representatives of international bodies and members of the military’ (delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Reuters: http://www.reuters.com/article/2014/05/16/us-ukraine-crisis-un-idUSBREA4F05Y20140516.

On 14th of May Bill Clinton, former President of United States, accused Russian President Vladimir Putin of attempting to ‘re-establish Russian greatness, not in Cold War terms — in 19th-century-empire terms,’ warning world leaders they are perhaps dealing not with a rational foreign-policy thinker (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Business insider: http://www.businessinsider.com/bill-clinton-putin-ukraine-russia-obama-2014-5#ixzz31u3nvN7S.

On May 16th Helmut Schmidt, former Chancellor of Germany, said that ‘Ukraine’s crisis reminds the eve of World War I and danger that situation will become more tense, as it did in August of 1914, is growing everyday.’ (delfi.lt, balsas.lt, 15min.lt)

London Ukrainians Demonstrate Against Immoral Investment in Russia

Source: Euromaidanpr

 

On Thursday, 15th of May around 25 Ukrainians held a demonstration outside FTSE Russian Investment Forum in London. The protesters held banners saying ‘Stop Financing Terrorists!’ ‘Do not invest in TerrorRussia!’ and ‘Buying Russian bonds finances Russian bombs!’.

Delegates entering Fishmongers’ Hall, where FTSE Accessing Russia 2014 – a briefing for institutional investors -took place had to pass the demonstration in order to enter the event. Most delegates kept their heads down when entering.

A spokesperson for London Euromaidan Stepan says “While almost daily, new sanctions are placed on Russia, searching for ways around them to invest into the Russian criminal regime is not only immoral but also traitorous.”

“These immoral bankers, hedge fund managers and investors who, through their own greed, are ready to invest in Putin’s criminal regime, are exactly like those who kept on trading with and financing Hitler.”

London Euromaidan outlines it’s to demands to the UK government that needs to use all means at its disposal to send a clear message to Putin that the civilized world will not tolerate his aggression by:

  • Introducing Iran-style sanctions on Russia
  • Freezing Russian state and oligarchs’ assets in the UK
  • Travel bans for the government officials and oligarchs, economic sanctions and embargoes on the Russian companies and products, including oil
  • Isolation of the Russian economy and its financial system

NOTES:

The Ukrainian community formed a group called London EuroMaidan who have been one of the most vocal and visible diaspora communities throughout the events, holding continuous protests since November 2013. You can follow them on Twitter: @londonmaidan or in Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/london.maidan.

Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary for May 15, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

The bad news:

1. Pro-Russian terrorists have issued an ultimatum: they have threatened to start a “military operation” against Ukrainian special forces unless the latter leave Donbass. They have given [Ukrainian special ops] 24 hours to comply with their demands.

It’s understandable that for these half-baked strategists, even taking a half-empty beer bottle from a street bum counts as a “military operation.” But to spoil blood with all kinds of attacks and other abominations, this they still can do.

2. Moreover, these Donbass clowns, who are a danger to people around them, continue their make-believe statehood. These pro-Russian mutineers already started appointing their own “Speakers” and “Ministers,” while they also prepare their “Constitution” and “Parliamentary elections.”

It seems to me that these guys have gotten completely carried away. It’s high time to explain that their “parliamentarians” and “ministers” belong next to Napoleon’s ward.

3. It seems that Putin wouldn’t be Putin if he ever stopped shitting on people. To mark the Presidential elections of May 25, he has prepared his very own heap of manure to present to Ukrainians.

In particular, Moscow has announced that Aviadarts-2014 military exercises of the Russian Air Force will take place between May 21 and May 25, 2014, in the area of the cities Lipetsk, Voronezh, and Ryazan. Putin’s “brave eagles” will master the use of missiles and other weapons against ground targets, and learn to overcome the air defense systems of a simulated opponent.

We are growing weary of these intimidation attempts. Putin has such a maniacal craving to instill fear in others that we’re starting to suspect that his complexes go far beyond harmless mental abnormalities.

The good news:

1. The ATO [anti-terrorist operation] is still on. Whether people like it or not, Ukraine is fighting back. Last night was quite eventful–our servicemen were busy. The insurgents won’t give up easily, but when a well-thought out and planned operation is underway, their chances are slim.

As long as the ATO doesn’t start skidding to a halt just as things get interesting, again. Everyone is getting tired of false starts.

2. Velyka Novosilka District (Donetsk Region) has been cleared of pro-Russian scum. Here, a People’s Militia has been formed to protect the district from separatists. The new formation has already taken control of the district council, the district police department, and the prosecutor’s office.

I really enjoyed the commentary regarding the creation of this militia given by S. Semenchenko, commander of the “Donbass” Volunteer Battalion.

“All bureaucrats that went over to serve the DPR [Donetsk People’s Republic], and thereby lost their legitimacy, will be removed from office. Armed people from the DPR militia will be blocked and, in case of imminent threat to the life and health of civilians, destroyed.”

The commentary folds up into one phrase–great job!

3. The [State] Treasury has unblocked the funds on the Ministry of Defense account, which were transferred by citizens as donations to support the army.

About time, too. The situation was starting to stink of idiocy: the government was unable to provide for its own army, and the citizens were prevented from doing that. Now, the army will be able to purchase basic necessities–firstly and foremost, in the interests of the ATO.

Now we have to ensure that the use of this money is monitored. We are far too familiar with the notion of a military bureaucrat who uses the veil of “military secrets” for theft. We learned the hard way.

4. Today, [Acting President Olexander] Turchynov signed Presidential Decree No. 862/2014-rp “On Measures to Ensure that the Public is Informed about the Anti-Terrorist Operation.”

Many of the issues concerning informational support during the ATO (which I had mentioned earlier) are currently being implemented. A normal working relationship with journalists will be established. In the next three days, an operational information group will be created. The mass media will be provided with security and working conditions, and the public will be provided with complete, up-to-date information. That–objective, timely information–is one of our key weapons.

My friends, I can offer one general comment about this. These actions are only the tip of the iceberg. We–activists, patriots, and the state–are finally beginning to join forces on the information front. We, and I mean the IR [Information Resistance] group, remain a public initiative outside of any government agency. We are confident that we can be much more effective this way. But people at the highest levels hear us, and we have a mutual desire to support the common cause, and this brings a lot of joy to me personally.

It’s time to stand up to Russia–for starters, on the information front. No more retreating

May 15, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On 15th of May, Alexander Lukashenko, Belarusian President, met with Mikhail Yezhel, Ukraine’s Ambassador in Belarus. During the meeting Belarusian President said that ‘he wishes that the Ukraine crisis ended as soon as possible and that there was no need to pull Ukraine in any blocs or bring troops there from any side.’ (delfi.lt, lrytas.lt)

Marius Laurinavičius, analyst of Eastern Europe Studies Center, in his commentary in IQ journal said that ‘Russia is determined to target weak states such as Ukraine firstly, because in these countries it is easy to split up society according to plans form directors of Moscow and also that they hoped to win without any help from army.’ (IQ journal)

On 15th of May Linas Linkevičius, Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs, participated in global security forum GLOBSEC and stressed the need to ensure independent elections of Ukrainian President in order to stabilise situation in Ukraine.The representatives of the states also agreed to continue to strengthen and coordinate a response to Russian aggression, annexation of Crimea and continuous subversion activities in Eastern Ukraine. (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, 15min.lt)