Events of May 2nd

Dmitry Tymchuk, translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Brothers and sisters,

Although it’s a holiday in Ukraine, here is a brief Summary for May 2, 2014– today was a very eventful day.

The bad news:

ODESSA. This lovely city and its wonderful people have become hostages of the maniacal games of pro-Russian scum. Their goal was clear–to divert the attention of security forces from the operation in Slavyansk at any cost. As a result, dozens of people are dead.

Law enforcement officers of Odessa showed their worst side. In one example, according to our data, a bus with ‘Colorado beetles’ [pro-Russian protesters who wear orange and black striped ribbons] was detained at the entrance to Odessa, and then handed over to local police. But by order of a very high police official, they were released immediately. The police commander is being investigated by competent authorities, but the very fact it happened is indicative.

But among the events in Odessa there is a bright moment. Residents of Odessa showed that their good nature and peacefulness have limits. Knuckle-draggers and pro-Russian extremists high on permissiveness were nevertheless repelled by citizens who love both their city and their country. And what a rebuff. Today’s démarche will be remembered by fans of lawlessness-under-a-foreign-flag for a long time.

Odessa–no wonder it’s a heroic city. Heroic people live here. True patriots.

The good news:

The operation in SLAVYANSK. Finally, determination and action. Not without its problems and difficulties, but action.

And it immediately became clear that to appease the terrorists one only needs to fight back and to show strength. It’s like in life, the biggest boor messes around until the first hit to his muzzle, God forgive me. After that, he quickly conducts an internal reassessment of values, corrects his moral scale, and then begins to quietly snuffle under the sofa.

Today is the day of big lessons for all of us, and first and foremost, for the Ukrainian authorities. If we want peace, we must defend ourselves. We cannot continue to love our country and put up with its rape.

Regarding the possible provocation on May 2nd

Dmitry Tymchuk

To the knowledge of ‘InfoResist’, following the orders of the Russian Headquarter of the Main Intelligence Directorate (GRU), pro-Russian terrorists are preparing to launch a usual provocation with casualties in Slavyansk.

It is going to be carried out in such a way that members of the Right Sector could be blamed.

This move is prepared because of an important visit to Ukraine by Russian official. The official reason for the visit is negotiation to free the OSCE hostages held by terrorists. To our knowledge, this same person was in Ukraine during the tragic Maidan events in January, 2014.

Preparations for the operation began in Moscow today (May the 1st) by publishing a ‘Ministry of Foreign Affairs statement concerning the plans of Kiev to organize a move of forces in Southeastern Ukraine’.

Among other things declared in the statement, it is claimed that Kremlin’is concerned about the media announcements regarding the goal of Kiev’s regime to launch an assault in the Southeast and use squads of the ultra-nationalist Right Sector’.

Elena Kleyn about the events in Odessa

Odessa, May 2, Elena Kleyn

I will try to describe how everything happened, because there will be versions in the media that will contradict it. So here it goes.

Recently, it has become a common situation in our country, that ultras of football teams join each other in marching for the unity of the state. Today, such an event was scheduled to begin in the Sobor square in Odessa. Since it was anticipated that a hit song about Putin will be performed by its authors, other people decided to join.

Suddenly, ‘colorados’ (pro-russian activists) appeared from the direction of the market store ‘Afina’ . First of all, they began throwing stones at ultras, then they started shooting. Ultras responded by throwing stones. Then the self-defence of Maidan an militia arrived. Part of the latter formed a chain and took stand between both conflicting sides. The other part of militia began arming ‘colorados’ with shields and clubs.

The result – one of the ultras was killed and dozens were wounded. Gunfire is opened from the direction of the market store ‘Afina’. The numbers of killed and wounded victims are growing. Four are already dead. When the ‘Sokol’ squad arrived, they began catching ‘colorados’ and dragging them from ‘Afina’, people went to the the field of Kulikov to remove the ‘colorado’ camp. Because that was too much.

‘Colorados’ entrenched themselves in the labor union building, near the Kulikov field and opened fire from the rooftop. They used guns, Molotov cocktails and pieces of welded armature. If such a lump fell on your head from the rooftop, you would be instantly killed.

According to various sources, the labor union building caught fire either from the burning tents or from poorly thrown Molotov cocktails (although, it is possible that both scenarios are correct). The outcome of the day – 39 dead. Most of them suffocated in the labor union building, while others were being moved from it and transferred to the militia and the doctors (depending on their condition).

Large collection of weapons was found in the building after the fire – iron bludgeons, machine guns and rifles.

All my acquaintances and family are healthy and alive, thanks to those who cared. The essential idea declared in Odessa today – we will not allow a second Slavyansk to happen in Odessa. Odessa is Ukraine. You better don’t mess with us. We were patient for a long time, but there is a limit. Glory to Ukraine!

Glory to heroes!

https://www.facebook.com/elena.kleyn.9/posts/563516440412506

 

May 2, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May the 1st STRATFOR reported that Lithuania and Poland are working together with Ukraine to establish trilateral partnership strengthening Ukrainian military’s Western orientation and building a closer alliance with Kiev. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67527/lithuania-and-poland-seek-closer-military-ties-with-ukraine-201467527/,

On May 1st International Monetary Fund (IMF) warned that they would be forced to reconsider the size of emergency aid package for Ukraine if the country loses control of the Eastern Region (lrytas.lt, 15min.lt). You can read more in Reuters: http://in.reuters.com/article/2014/05/01/ukraine-crisis-imf-idINL2N0NN0UZ20140501.

On May 2nd Marius Laurinavičius, analyst of Eastern Europe Studies Center, in an interview to lrytas.lt journalist said that ‘according to his calculations there’re about 4000 active mutineers in Eastern Ukraine, from which about 300-400 are sent by Russia.’ (lrytas.lt). You can also read a recently published analysis ‘What will determine Ukraine’s future scenarios?’ by Marius Laurinavičius and his colleagues here: http://www.eesc.lt/news/737/1808/The-Eastern-Pulse-What-Will-Determine-Ukraine-s-Future-Scenarios.html.

Vilija Aleknaitė-Abramikienė, vice-president of OSCE Parliamentary Assembly, said that ‘Kremlin and Vladimir Putin itself has to take responsibility for arrested OSCE military observers in Eastern Ukraine’ (15min.lt, delfi.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune:
http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67545/responsibility-for-observers-lives-lies-with-kremlin-lithuanian-osce-pa-vice-president-201467545/.

On May 2nd Andrius Kubilius, Leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament, on ‘Opposition’ radio programme emphasized the importance of ensuring energy independence in EU and clearly declaring the process of expanding the European Union if it wants to stop Russian aggression. (The News Radio)

On May 2nd Carl Bildt, Foreign Minister of Sweden, in his Twitter account said that ‘so far it is a clear assessment that Kiev’s government has been implementing April 17 Geneva agreement while Russia has not’. (15min.lt).

Operation Update, 8.15 AM, 2nd of May

Dmitry Tymchuk

According to ‘InfoResist’ data from the field, in areas of Slavyansk controlled by mutineers, personal transport of locals is being hastily expropriated to stage a suspected break through out of besieged city.

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Also we have noticed signs of panic between petty criminals participating in terrorist activity in Slavyansk. These paid criminals it seems are not prepared to fight against Ukrainian military force for the ‘big ideas from Moscow’.

Photo: sashakots

Operation update, 7.30 AM, 2nd of May

Dmitry Tymchuk

According to ‘InfoResist’ data, Ukrainian forces are controlling the majority of Slavyansk while continuing the active phase of anti-terrorist operation. At this moment, checkpoints of terrorists are pulled apart and the television center of the city is under control.

Terrorists are trying to escape. The main sources of resistance are located in the southeastern part of the city.

During the operation, Ukrainian Mi-24 helicopter was shot down by terrorists . A second helicopter flying together, managed to safely retreat.

 

May 1, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On May 1st Andrius Kubilius, Leader of opposition of Lithuanian Parliament, participated in a solemn Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Party Congress. He mentioned Ukrainian crisis in his congratulatory speech: ‘A terrorist war, which Putin started in Ukraine is a hopeless war of a dying colonial empire. It could be hard and tragic, but dying empire will lose it eventually. Ukraine is fighting a heroic battle today. The battle is not an easy one against Putin’s aggression and Great Russian chauvinism. But it is a war not only for Ukraine, it is a war for safe future of civilized world and civilized Europe, it is a war which opens eyes to civilized world and reveals what a barbaric aggression of Putin the world has to deal with. That’s why today we can say once more these simple words which all of us got to know so well during the past months: Slava Ukraine!’ (Homeland Union – Lithuanian Christian Democrats Press Office, delfi.lt, unofficial translation)

On April 30, the Executive Board of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) approved a two-year Stand-By Arrangement (SBA) for Ukraine. The country will get 17 billion dollars as emergency aid to prevent its economy’s collapse. (International Monetary Fund Press Office, lrytas.lt, delfi.lt, 15min.lt)

On June 9, 7 P.M. Ukrainian chamber choir “CANTEMUS” will perform in Kaunas Cathedral Basilica. Free entry. (Concert organizers info)

April 30, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Today Lithuanian Government has decided to strengthen Lithuania’s participation in implementation of European Union Eastern Partnership program. The main focus would be directed for Georgia, Moldova and Ukraine in order to help these countries fulfil Association Agreement and reforms related with liberalization of visa regime. Lithuanian Government decided to send experts to institutions of Ukraine, Georgia and Moldova to help these Eastern Partnership countries to adapt EU directives to national law and share Lithuania’s experience of integrating into European Union. (Lithuanian Prime Minister Press Office, BNS, 15min.lt, unofficial translation)

On April 30 Artūras Paulauskas, head of Lithuanian Parliament National Security and Defense Committee, at Cybersecurity Conference said that ‘when situation in Ukraine is so tense and when the nature and means of military actions is changing so fast, the threats of cyber security need to be taken very seriously’. Also Artūras Paulauskas said that ‘we can see today, that not only military but also diplomatic, propaganda and cyber tools are used to destabilize selected targets, create chaos inside the countries, undermining effortless flow of information and financial exchange operations.’ (Lithuanian Parliament Press Office, BNS, alfa.lt, unofficial translation).

On April 30, Petras Vaitiekūnas, Lithuanian Ambassador to Ukraine, on ‘Actual hour’ radio programme said that ‘Russia continues creating panic and destruction in East Ukraine’. (News radio, 15min.lt)

On April 30 Arnoldas Pranckevičius, European Parliament President Adviser, on ‘Attention center’ the TV programme said this about Ukrainian conflict: ‘Today politics of EU goes in three directions: firstly – conflict de-escalation, secondly – Russia’s suppression and deterrence and third – support for Ukraine, Moldova and Georgia’. Also he approved the preparation of using the next stage of economic sanctions if Russia doesn’t stop escalating the conflict. (Lithuanian National TV, delfi.lt, 15 min.lt)

Economist Nourieli Roubini in an interview for Bloomberg TV said that ‘there is the beginning of a new cold war between the West and Russia’ (15min.lt). You can watch this interview here: http://www.bloomberg.com/video/roubini-ukraine-could-tip-europe-back-to-recession-NjbbICk3T6K0fAQOSzbRCg.html.

On May 4th in Vilnius will stage a bicycle event called ‘VeloMaidan’ dedicated to support Ukrainian people in the fight with Russian aggression. More information about event: https://www.facebook.com/events/1430375097213037/.

April 29, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

On April 29 European Commission adopted a special support package for Ukraine worth 365 million euros. This package will help country’s transition and boost the role of civil society, promoting and monitoring democratic reforms and inclusive socio-economic development in Ukraine. Štefan Füle, Commissioner for European Neighbourhood Policy, stated: ‘The EU is not only closely watching events in Ukraine and expressing its readiness to support it, but is also delivering in deeds. With today’s assistance package we are encouraging and supporting the Ukrainian authorities to continue with reforms and in the process of inclusive national development. This package will also support the European Agenda for Reform, recently discussed with the Ukrainian authorities.‘ (EU Press Release, vz.lt). Read more here: http://europa.eu/rapid/press-release_IP-14-501_en.htm.

Lithuanian Military Intelligence on April 29 published her Annual Performance Report. In the Report is said that ‘conventional warfare probability in the Baltic Sea region is still fairly low’ (BNS, delfi.lt, lrytas.lt). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67420/risk-of-war-in-baltic-sea-region-fairly-low-lithuanian-military-intelligence-201467420/.

Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius on April 29 met with United States Secretary of State John Kerry to discuss issues related with better coordination of sanctions and other pressure instruments achieving the de-escalation of Ukrainian crisis. (delfi.lt)

The delegation of the Lithuanian Foreign Ministry led by the Vice-Minister of Foreign Affairs Andrius Krivas and representatives of Estonian and Latvian Foreign Ministries discussed the security situation in the region and relations with Ukraine and Russia on April 28 in Tallinn. The officials agreed to continue maintaining a strong position on non-recognition of the annexation of Crimea and seeking to reduce tensions in eastern Ukraine. Read more in Ministry of Foreign Affairs website: http://urm.lt/default/en/news/trilateral-political-consultations-with-estonia-and-latvia-discuss-support-for-ukraine-and-collective-security-issues.

The group of sports enthusiasts from Lithuania participated in international Kiev marathon on April 27. They ran various length distances thus expressing their support for united Ukraine. (Embassy of the Republic of Lithuania in Kiev information)