Dmitry Tymchuk’s Military Blog: Summary – May 8, 2014

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

I apologize for posting our summary a little earlier today, for organizational reasons. Hopefully, nothing bad will happen by the end of today. If something good happens–please.

The bad news:

1. In Luhansk and Donetsk, the pro-Russian clowns, who loudly announced themselves as ‘National Councils’ (although ‘alcoholic interest clubs’ or ‘Putin’s money fan clubs’ would be more appropriate) have nevertheless decided to hold their show named ‘referendum on independence’ in these Regions.

Tonight, good people burned to hell over a million prepared blank forms in the printing shops of Donbass. But Moscow has money in bulk. They will print out more.

In general, after the upcoming exacerbation on May 9, [people] should prepare for events after May 11, when this very ‘referendum’ is scheduled. This scenario is known from [events in] Crimea: just under 100% of the population will ‘vote’ for ‘independence’ and Uncle Vova [diminutive for Vladimir Putin] will tend to the ‘protection of people’s will’ thereafter.

If we don’t stop this separatist circus now, it will be much more difficult to do it later.

2. An armored ‘Tiger’ vehicle broke through the border checkpoint from Russia–a ‘gift’ to separatism from [controversial Russian politician, Vladimir] Zhirinovsky. Then, it traveled through Luhansk.

What an outrageous occurrence. But here, I’d like to share our common alarming observations in general.

Yes, the overall reliability of the Ukrainian-Russian border protection in Luhansk and Donetsk Regions is questionable. On the one hand, nobody has cancelled corruption. But a far greater problem is that the border control officers do not have significant forces and capabilities to cope with large extremist groups or, as in this case, with armored vehicles, on their own.

This is–the task for other law enforcement agencies, which should reinforce the ‘border guards.’ If there is no cooperation, then we won’t be able to resolve the border issue.

3. Today, Putin has gathered the Presidents of his satellite countries from the Collective Security Treaty Organization–Kazakhstan, Belarus, Armenia, and Kyrgyzstan. He decided to show them the ‘Potemkin’ exercises of the Russian troops. They rolled out serious weaponry–a heavy flame thrower system TOS-1. Gave the command to open fire.

And… pshik… zilch. Nothing happened.

If I were a Russian, I would be concerned by the fact that their miracle leader who only has tanchiki [diminutive for tanks] in mind also has a nuclear button. If this maniac, preparing to fight with the whole world, decides to use it, there will be no Urals anymore. Moscow Region will cease to exist, too. For the arms of valiant Russian warriors do not grow out of the same place that all normal people’s arms grow.

The bad thing about this is that Putin doesn’t intend to impress the world with high-tech, efficient farming or Russian culture. This insane individual can do nothing else but rattle a saber. Even if it doesn’t always perform.

The good news:

1. The Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council Andrey Parubiy has announced that yesterday’s statement by Putin to postpone the ‘referendum’ by Ukrainian separatists–is a political scam.

The Ukrainian government is well aware that Putin’s words are lies backed by nothing else except nefarious plans to lull Kiev’s alertness. And this means that the anti-terrorist operation [ATO] will continue for as long as Ukrainian terrorists don’t rest. In detention center or on the long-suffering land of Donbass.

It’s obvious there is nothing good about Putin’s lie. But the fact that the Ukrainian government doesn’t believe in it, and is ready to continue to save Ukraine–is a definite plus.

2. By lunchtime today, we ended the monitoring of regional preparation for possible provocations that may take place tomorrow, May 9. If the overall forecast is not very reassuring, then it at least gives us hope.

Yes, there are a lot of weaknesses. But in general, the security forces and local authorities have taken measures to ensure that a tragedy like the events in Odessa on May 2 won’t be repeated.

Of course, we can’t make any promises. And we don’t expect that Victory Day will go smoothly. We must be ready for anything–especially those of us in Donbass.

3. On the eve of Victory Day, Russian social media broadcast information that in the Alexander Garden in the Kremlin, the only stele dedicated to the Hero cities in the heart of Moscow that remained without flowers–was the stele of Kiev.

Just a couple of hours after this message, the stele of the Hero city of Kiev was inundated with flowers.

There are adequate people still left in Moscow. Thank you to them. After all, Victory Day is our common holiday. And we, the IR group, would like to congratulate all of you, my brothers and sisters, with it!

And [a couple of words] for the future. We defeated Hitler’s Nazism, and we will defeat Putin’s Nazism.

May 8,2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 8th Lithuanian Parliament adopted a resolution for faster ratification of EU association agreement with Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine. In this resolution members of the Lithuanian Parliament also condemned continuous  attempts of Russia to split territorial integrity of Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia states through escalation of internal conflicts and provocations of separatism in order to deter these countries from independent choice of direction in political and economical integration. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, 15min, The News radio, unofficial translation)

Petras Auštrevičius, Deputy Speaker of the Lithuanian Parliament and Kazys Starkevičius, member of the Lithuanian Parliament on May 10-11th will take part in meetings with the Volodomyr Lytvyn, Deputy Head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on National Security and Defence Policy, Ruslan Koshulynskyi, Vice-Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada, members of the Group for Interparliamentary Relations with the Republic of Lithuania. Petras Auštrevičius and Kazys Starkevičius will also take part in meetings with Dmitry Tymchuk (‘Information Resistance’ group), Vitali Klitschko, Leader of the UDAR Party, Mykola Katerynchuk, Leader of the European Party of Ukraine, Ambassador Jan Tombinski, Head of the EU Delegation, Petro Poroshenko, candidate in Ukraine’s presidential elections, and Yuriy Tereshchenko, Acting Director General of ‘Ukroboronprom’. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, 15min.lt)

On May 8th, initiated by Lithuania and Ukraine, informational event for OSCE delegations, dedicated to address human rights violation in Crimea took place in Vienna. Giedrius Čekuolis, Lithuania’s Ambassador to the OSCE, stressed that human rights of national minorities, especially Crimean Tatars, situation in Crimea after annexation only got worse. Mustafa Dzhemilev, Leader of Crimean Tatars, which also participated in the event as a guest, expressed his concern that ‘Crimean Tatars are threatened due to their principal position about territorial integrity of Ukraine, boycott of referendum and are called extremists by pro-russian Crimea government.’ (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, 15min.lt)

Miloš Zeman, President of the Czech Republic, and Lubomír Zaorálek, Czech Minister of Foreign Affairs, refused to attend the Victory Day reception in Russian Embassy in Prague. (delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On May 7th Jerome Vacher, IMF Resident Representative in Ukraine, said that ‘mission of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) will come to Ukraine at the end of June or at the beginning of July to evaluate state’s economical situation.’ (delfi.lt).

Victoria Siumar, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council, in an interview to 15min.lt said that ‘Russia is preparing false referendums in Donetsk and Luhansk on Sunday and there’s a threat that Russia can try to repeat Crimean scenario and try to bring its army into Eastern Ukraine.’ (15min.lt)

Garry Kasparov, chess player and Russian opposition activist warned that ‘grievous days are coming to the world if the Head of Russia won’t be stopped.’ Garry Kasparov also thinks that Russian army isn’t so modern and powerful as Putin says (lrytas.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67849/kasparov-in-vilnius-western-countries-start-to-realize-putin-will-not-stop-in-ukraine-201467849/.

Official statement of ‘Right Sector’ concerned the celebration of the 9th of May

Source: Euromaidanpr Facebook

Taking into consideration those facts, that we constantly obtain different information concerned provocations from the side of pro-Russian separatists and other criminal elements which are planned for the 9th of May to make the situation unstable, we officially inform as follows:

‘Right Sector’  does not plan and will not implement any actions during the celebration of 9th of May, but the safeguard of public legal meetings with veterans of war in those places, which have already applied to us for the assistance.


– “Right Sector” Has no enemies among Ukrainian population with regard of their social status, religion or age. Moreover – among veterans of World War II.
– We consider the 9th of May as the day of honor of all people died during World War II and offer to all divisions of the ‘Right Sector’ to honor those heroes by the minute of silence.
All any violation towards Ukrainian people, celebrating the date of 9th of May in peaceful way will be considered by us as illegal.
All information about any misuse of the symbolic or the name of ‘Right Sector’ should be transferred to the state force organizations.
– We demand from state force organizations to locate and block any illegal groups.
We emphasize that usage of any symbols or the official name of ‘Right Sector’ during the celebration of 9th of May by any pro-Russian group will be considered as illegal.

May 7, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 7th Mustafa Dzemilev, Leader of the Crimean Tatars, was awarded Solidarity Prize by Poland for respect of civil rights and liberties in Ukraine, especially in Tatar community. (vz.lt, delfi.lt)

Ukraine, during official events dedicated to the anniversary of the ending of WWII, will use European instead of Russian symbols. The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory is calling for the media and civil community to use the red poppy flower as a Ukrainian symbol of traditional celebration of victory over Nazism and the end of World War II in Europe. (lrytas.lt)

On May 7th Ukraine from International Monetary Fund (IMF) got 3,19 billion US dollars as the first part of emergency aid package. (vz.lt, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt)

Danylo Lubkivski, Ukrainian Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs, in an interview to ru.delfi.lt stressed that in Eastern Ukraine acts Russian saboteurs and agents and that must be called terrorism. He also expressed his gratitude to Lithuanians for their solidarity to Ukraine people. (delfi.lt)

Loreta Graužinienė, Speaker of Lithuanian Parliament, on a News radio said that ‘to the use of so-called St. George ribbons in the Ukrainian crisis context, should be viewed with a higher degree of responsibility’. Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67670/public-transport-should-be-free-of-st-george-ribbons-seimas-speaker-201467670/.

Pat Cox, the former President of the European Parliament, in an interview to BNS said that ‘a Cold War has already started between the Western world and Russia, and Western sanctions probably will not alter the behaviour of Russian President Vladimir Putin’ (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67680/pat-cox-russian-lies-implanted-in-many-good-peoples-mind-as-truth-201467680/.

Mikhail Khodorkovsky in an interview to Lietuvos rytas said that ‘if the Russian invasion to Ukraine would be not stopped, the Baltic or the Balkan countries could be the next target‘ (delfi.lt, 15min.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67672/khodorkovsky-baltic-states-may-be-next-target-if-russia-not-stopped-201467672/.

Herman van Rompuy, President of the European Council, in his official Twitter said that ‘Further steps in destabilising Ukraine will call for additional sanctions. The EU is ready to take decisions, if needed’.(vz.lt)

May 6, Lithuanian media round-up

On 6th of May Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė met with the former President of the European Parliament, Pat Cox. The Lithuanian head of state and the Irish politician, co-head of a European Parliament special mission in Ukraine, reviewed the results and prospects of the EU’s Eastern Partnership programme, talked about the situation in Ukraine and its implications for international security (Press Service of the President, BNS). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67643/cox-ukrainian-crisis-one-of-eus-biggest-challenges-201467643/.

On  5-6th of May Vytautas Leškevičius, the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs of Lithuania, attended a session of the Committee of Ministers of the Council of Europe in Vienna. He encouraged the organization to oppose Russia’s political, economical and military aggression against Ukraine and finally to take strict actions implementing Geneva agreement. Vytautas Leškevičius said that ‘Russia’s occupation and illegal annexation of Crimea, continuous attempts to destabilize the situation in Eastern Ukraine, as well as regular threatening to Ukraine and other neighbors is an existential challenge not only to Ukraine, Moldova, Georgia, but also to this organization and for all of Europe’s human rights, democracy and law.’ (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, ELTA, delfi.lt )

On May 6th Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė, vice-president of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, expressed his concern about Russian note regarding stopping to inform Lithuania about military units in Kaliningrad. She said that ‘Kremlin demonstrates that all international agreements and treaties is only a game for Russia and that Kremlin is determined to break into pieces all European security architecture, which was created after World War II.’ Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė also thinks, that Lithuanian society and government institutions, including Ministry of National Defense, couldn’t stay calm any more. (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, ELTA, unofficial translation)

On May 6th Rimantas Šadžius, Lithuanian Minister of Finance, said that ‘Russian-Ukrainian conflict will have a limited impact on the Lithuanian economy’ (BNS, 15 min.lt, Lithuanian National Radio and Television). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67656/russian-ukrainian-conflict-to-have-limited-impact-on-lithuanian-economy-201467656/.

Frank-Walter Steinmeier, the German Federal Minister for Foreign Affairs, in an interview to Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung newspaper said that there is a threat that conflict in Ukraine will reach the point of no return and it becomes a start of war in Eastern Europe (15min.lt, delfi.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67666/frank-walter-steinmeier-giving-up-is-not-an-option-201467666/.

Angela Merkel, Chancellor of Germany, in a press conference said that would be a pity if Russian President uses the celebration of the Victory Day to visit Crimea. (15min.lt, delfi.lt)

Dmitry Tymchuk– On the Infiltration of Provocateurs and Saboteurs into Ukraine

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Concerning reports of provocateurs and saboteurs infiltrating into the territory of Ukraine

1. Antratsyt, Donetsk Region

Concerning yesterday’s sightings of KaMAZ trucks transporting extremists with Russian flags, in the town of Antratsyt [Donetsk Region]. Information about possible attempts of saboteurs to cross the border in this area was received by appropriate Ukrainian state authorities on the morning of May 5, 2014. Rapid measures were taken to increase security at the state border, involving additional forces of the State Border Guard Service, the Security Service of Ukraine [SBU], and the Armed Forces of Ukraine. There is no record of any motor transport columns carrying groups of people crossing the state border.

Special services and law enforcement authorities are currently investigating the situation. It is possible that the ‘sighting’ was organized by Donbass-based extremists in order to imitate a ‘breach of the border’ by extremists from Russia.

2. Border with Transnistria

According to our information, up to 250 ‘Putin’s tourists’ and saboteurs were transported to the territory of Ukraine from Transnistria over the past 3 days. Their task is to continue destabilizing the situation in the southern regions of our country. The planned peak of this destabilization is May 9th [Victory Day].

Previously, these individuals had arrived to Transnistria from Russia, coordinated by officers of the Russian Federal Security Service [FSB]. Information Resistance made numerous reports of this during March-April 2014. Currently, [Ukrainian] special services are taking measures to neutralize these extremist groups.

3. Crimea

Extremists coordinated by Russian special services continue arriving in Odessa from Crimea.

Due to the strict entry regulations ensured at the administrative border of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea by the forces of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine, saboteurs and provocateurs adopted a new tactic. Ukrainian citizens residing in Crimea, being hired by Russian special services, travel to the mainland individually or in small groups, posing as peaceful citizens. Following that, they closely cooperate with local separatists and receive weapons after their arrival on-site.

Ukrainian special services are working to neutralize these saboteurs as well.

Battle in Slavyansk – May 5, 2014

By Borislav Bereza
05.06.2014
Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

In a fierce battle, Ukrainian special forces, defeated a large group of terrorists who attempted to break out from Slavyansk, which has been surrounded by the Ukrainian military. Several hundred bandits attacked the positions of our troops and were pushed back, suffering heavy losses. Significant quantities of the newest, Russian-made weapons were captured on the battlefield, including what Russian spetsnaz GRU is known to be armed with. The battlefield remains under our control, cleanup is on-going, as the fight subsided literally 30 minutes ago. A crucial role was played by Interior Ministry special forces soldiers of the “Omega” and ” Jaguar” squads, and the special “Alpha” squad of the SBU.

Unfortunately, during the heavy fighting our troops suffered heavy losses. Four Ukrainian soldiers were killed, while one is in critical condition, and about 20 of our soldiers were wounded. Medical assistance was administered and they were evacuated by helicopter to nearby hospitals.

Eternal memory to the fallen in the battle for freedom and independence of our country…

 

Ukrainians are refusing St. George’s Ribbon in favor of the ‘Red Poppy’

From Euromaidanpr Facebook

For the first time in Ukrainian history, during official events dedicated to the anniversary of the ending of Wold War II, this year not Russian, but European symbols will be used. In order to commemorate those fallen, not the St. George’s Ribbon, but the red poppy flower will be used. This idea and the graphic realization of it was the result of cooperation of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory and the National TV Company of Ukraine.

‘We propose a new symbol as a presentation of our respect for those who destroyed Nazism. This will be the red poppy flower – both a European and a Ukrainian symbol. In it said in our songs that poppies bloom where Cossack blood had been spilt,’ noted the director of the Ukrainian Institute of National Memory Volodymyr Vyatrovich.

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‘The commemoration day, the day of the capitulation of Nazi Germany. The symbol has to be something notable, something that would symbolize not a holiday, which war cannot be by definition, but memory and mourning,’ added the head of the National TV Company Zurab Alasania.

The graphic representation – an allusion of a red poppy on one hand, and a bloody trace of a bullet on the other, – represents the essence of war, talks about suffering, death, heroism, about millions of dead – the most important things about war.

The logo also contains the motto ‘Never again,’ as it is in our power to prevent the repeat of the horrors of war, and the years of warfare: 1939-1945.

‘World War II was more than the Great Patriotic War. In particular, for Ukraine. For Ukraine the war began in 1939, and not in 1941,’ stated Kharkov designer, author of the logo Sergiy Mishakin.

Official events in commemoration of the ending of War World II in Europe and victory over Nazism will be conducted on May 8th and 9th. In 2014 and on, together with Europe and the entire world, Ukraine will begin the commemoration of the deceased on May 8th – on the day of the signing of the capitulation by Nazi Germany – and will continue traditional celebrations on May 9th.

In particular, it is planned to hold the symbolic event ‘First minute of peace’ on May 8th. As is known, the capitulation of Germany was signed on May 8th late in the evening. Strictly speaking the war ended on this day in Europe. Therefore this year Ukraine will widen the commemoration of the war, which should never be repeated.

We remind you that the organisation of solemn events in Ukraine on May 8th will also allow to hold a part of the celebration in unison with other countries of the anti-Hitler coalition: the UK, France, the US. And on May 9th the memory of those fallen in the fight against Nazism will be commemorated in the Park of Eternal Glory and on St. Sophia’s Square.

The Ukrainian Institute of National Memory is calling for the media and civil community to use the red poppy flower as a Ukrainian symbol of traditional celebration of victory over Nazism and the end of World War II in Europe.

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May 4-5, Lithuanian media round-up

On 5th of May Russia delivered a note to Lithuania announcing that agreement signed in 2001, to inform Lithuania about military units in Kaliningrad, is unilaterally stopped. (Lithuanian Ministry of National Defence Press Office, ELTA, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt, 15min.lt, vz.lt)

UPDATE:  On 6th of May The Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that ‘regrets Russia’s unilateral decision, which reduces transparency and confidence-building measures between the neighbouring countries, as well as breaks away from tradition of constructive cooperation of military inspectors.’

Jānis Bērziņš, Latvian defence analyst, recently published a report ‘Russia’s new generation warfare in Ukraine: implications for Latvian defence policy’ outlining Russia’s approach to ‘new-generation warfare’, based on analysis of material in the Russian military press (Lithuania Tribune). You can read this report here: is.gd/berzins.

Ambassador Raimonda Murmokaitė, Lithuanian Permanent Representative to the United Nations, on 2nd of May at the urgent United Nations Security Council meeting on the recent developments in Eastern Ukraine stressed that Lithuania condemns any attempts to destroy Ukraine’s independence, sovereignty and territorial integrity. (Lithuanian Ministry of Foreign Affairs information)