April 23, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaitė as well as the Presidents of other 8 EU and Eastern Partnership states will participate in the anniversary event marking 5 years of Eastern Partnership on April 24 held in Prague. Sweden Deputy Prime Minister, Acting Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine and European Commissioner Štefan Füle will also participate in the event. During this summit Leaders of EU and Eastern Partnership states are going to discuss how to ensure further Eastern Partnership Program continuity and efficiency considering newly emerging challenges for a region safety and stability. (Press Service of the President, unofficial translation)

On April 23 Lithuanian Minister of Foreign Affairs Linas Linkevičius informed Lithuanian Parliament Foreign Affairs Committee members about four-party negotiations between EU, USA, Ukraine and Russia held in Geneva. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67078/lithuanias-formin-hard-to-talk-about-pursuance-of-geneva-agreements-201467078/.

After meeting with Ukrainian Minister of National Defence Colonel General Mikhail Koval Lithuanian Minister of National Defence Juozas Olekas stated that ‘Ukraine supports joint military brigade with Lithuania and Poland’. During the interview with Lithuanian National Radio journalist Agnė Skamarakaitė he also said that ‘Lithuania is in close cooperation with Ukraine even without any resolutions’. (BNS, bernardinai.lt, Lithuanian National Radio, Lithuania Tribune). Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67051/olekas-ukraine-supports-joint-military-brigade-with-lithuania-poland-201467051/.

Today European Union opened its markets for Ukrainian commodities by applying one-side duty concessions. Reduced or completely eliminated Ukrainian commodities import to EU tariffs will be valid till this year November 1st or until the Association Agreement between the EU and Ukraine will be signed. (BNS, 15 min, delfi.lt, vz.lt)

On April 23 Lithuanian Foreign Affairs Ministry diplomats met with students from Lviv University in Vilnius. Diplomats presented the most important Eastern Partnership accents, Lithuania’s experience while integrating into European Union, experience in United Nations Security Council. Students and diplomats also discussed Lithuanian relations with her neighbors. Meeting initiator – nongovernmental organization ‘European Choice’. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs information, unofficial translation)

On April 29 the exhibition Frumušika Nova 2010 / 2014 dedicated to Ukrainian democracy support will be opened in Vilnius St. Johns street gallery. St. Johns street gallery brought together artists, who participated in plain-air Magnus Ducatus Artis – Frumušika Nova held in Ukraine in 2010. Staff of gallery encouraged artists to remember 2010 plein-air and ideas that were born during it. This exhibition is the first time the canvas by painters Linas Liandzbergis, Audrius Gražys and photos of photographers Arturas Valiauga, Vladas Braziūnas, Alis Balbierius created during the plain-air will be presented publicly. (BNS)

Regarding a killed member of Gorlovka municipality

As most of you already know, two bodies were found on April 19th near city of Slavyansk, in the river of Seversky Donets. One of the bodies was identified as Vladimir Rybak, a municipal member of Gorlovka, and part of Batkivshchyna political party. (Please note: not an ex-chairman of Rada, just a namesake.)
Because of these killings, Ukrainian government has decided to deactivate and even intensify the Anti Terrorist Operation.
Nužudytas Gorlovokos deputatas Vladimiras Rybakas

Vladimir Rybak, murdered member of Gorlovka municipality.

Many torture marks by knifes and burning were found on both bodies. According to the Law enforcement, there are two witnesses claiming that torture was carried out in one of the buildings controlled by the Russian saboteurs, in the city of Slavyansk. During the tortures buildings were guarded by same little green men, i.e., insurgent Russian GRU units.

On April 19th, mutineers and partial media have announced the bodies discovered were victims of the Right sector Slavyansk shootout. Later, newly emerged facts proved shootout to be staged, claiming one completely unconnected civilian casualty.

At least one US journalist is currently missing in Slavyansk, suspected kidnapping.

Vladimir Rybak was kidnapped on 17th of April after a verbal confrontation with mutineers in Gorlovka. Confrontation happened right after a rally for Ukrainian unity, when Vladimir Rybak, a member of the municipality tried to enter the municipal building. According to eyewitnesses reports police were present but did not intervene.

Vladimir Rybak was known in Gorlovka for speaking his mind and not being scared to tell other politicians off.

Ukrainian support concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ video

On 7th of April, 2014, at 18:30 famous Lithuanian artists organized a concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ in St. Catherine’s church in Vilnius. The goal of the concert was to raise funds for humanitarian aid to victims of the protests in Ukraine and Crimea, strenghten development of democratic society in Ukraine and cultural cooperation between Lithuania and Ukraine.

The Concert opened and ended Vilnius Gediminas Technical University choir ‘Gabija’ performance. Traditional Tatars folk songs performed The Lithuanian Tatar children folk ensemble ‘Ilsu’. Saxophonist Petras Vyšniauskas, winner of the National Lithuanian Award, performed together with a singer from Ukraine Ulyana Horbachevska. Also in support concert ‘For Your’s and our voice’ appeared and such well-known Lithuanian singers as Arina, Aidas Giniotis, Algis Latėnas, Neda Malūnavičiūtė and Olegas Ditkovskis, Domantas Razauskas, Gediminas Storpirštis and Ainis Storpirštis. The Concert presented poet and translator, National Lithuanian Award winner Vladas Braziūnas.

Lithuanian National television broadcasted live this Concert.

Events of April 22th

By Dmitry Tymchuk, translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

Brothers and sisters,
Here’s the Summary for April 22, 2014

The bad news:

1. Easter holidays brought no hope that Russia and the extremists pay any heed to the Geneva agreements. Extremist acts continue.

On the part of the security forces, sadly, we see no effective response, not even in blocking the loci of this infection. This problem must be addressed, and urgently. At this time, the flames of terrorism have engulfed Sloviansk and Kramatorsk. Unless urgent action is taken, the next few days will see the entire region covered in such “Sloviansk-s.”

Especially since we continue receiving information about the diversions and provocations being prepared. By the way, today a journalist voiced an accusation against Information Resistance group – alleging that we are instigators because we “forecasted” the diversion in Kramatorsk two hours before it happened. Supposedly, our messages are spreading panic among the public.

Personally, I think that’s bull. Panic is spread by the events, not by messages. What’s more, such events can be avoided by using incoming information appropriately. But alas, this issue is not for us to address.

2. The deadline for refusal of Russian citizenship for residents of Crimea expired on April 18, and will not be extended. This was reported today by Sergei Kalyuzhny, Deputy Head of the Federal Migration service of Russia.

Earlier, the self-proclaimed Crimean princelings (Putin’s henchmen) from the “government of Crimea” swore that this term would be extended. Clearly, they are just like their master – liars through and through.

The bad news is, that this lie impacts the fates of hundreds and thousands of Crimeans who became hostages of the situation. While Ukraine, for some reason, has not voiced a single word of alarm about their future. Let alone any real attempts to solve these people’s problems. Lord High Officials, after losing Crimea, let us not lose our conscience yet.

3. Nelya Shtepa, the mayor of Sloviansk, continues to play the part of some surreal comedy character. One moment, she is with the separatists; the next, she swears that her support was not genuine.

She reminds me of the unnamed drunken major from Evelyn Waugh’s Vile Bodies. Now and again, appearing out of nowhere, spouting some gibberish, and vanishing again. To what end? Nobody knows.

Today, in an interview with Russian TV channel lifenews.ru, Shtepa, once again, started licking Putin (“very grateful to Putin for entering Crimea”) and the insurgents (“they are strong in spirit, they will defeat both the Right Sector, and the military – they will defeat everyone here.”)

If I had any commentary on this lady’s personality, it would only be very rude. Being a gentleman, I will keep such commentary to myself. But the bad part is that such lovely creatures [as Shtepa] are supplying Russian PutinTV with a picture that Moscow so sorely requires.

The good news:

1. The Cabinet of Ministers registered a bill on the amnesty of extremists with the [Verkhovna] Rada [Ukrainian Parliament]. This means an exemption from liability for those who didn’t cause too much trouble and decided to hand themselves over.

After the law is passed, the criminals have three days to make a decision. Personally, I’m not that in favor of cottoning up to terrorists. But in current conditions, this is still a good move, which allows those who unintentionally found themselves involved in separatism to leave this mess behind quietly. Let us see what results it brings.

2. Joseph Biden, Vice President of the United States, declared that the U.S. is entirely in support of Ukraine.

This means not only moral support in the current situation. This also means strategic perspective – for example, their readiness to help lower [Ukraine’s] dependence on energy resources supplied from Russia.

It should be understood that the very visit of the U.S. Vice President to Kyiv is already a powerful political declaration.

However, Joseph Biden is a rampant optimist. He says that Ukrainian politicians currently have “a historical chance” to create a truly united state. This, alas, is an illusion. Should Ukraine become truly united, it will happen through the efforts of Ukrainians themselves. It looks like the less our politicians meddle in this, the higher the chances for success.

3. The “People’s Militia” in Mykolayiv work together with the police, and successfully detain miscreants.

Today, the headquarters of the city’s “People’s Militia” reported that approximately ten pieces of traumatic and combat weapons were confiscated at block posts around Mykolayiv in the last few days; several people were detained.

This is a vivid example of a situation where people don’t expect favors from the law enforcement, but take the bull by the horns. This is especially important for the South. While everyone’s attention is drawn to the events in the East, the enemy keeps working here.

4. The Cabinet of Ministers allocated UAH 5.304 billion [USD 451.4 million] from the reserve fund of the State Budget for improvement of defense capabilities. Of this amount, the Ministry of Defense is set to receive UAH 3.1 billion [USD 263.8 million], the Interior Troops of the MIA, UAH 1.8 billion [USD 153.2 million], and the State Border Service, UAH 0.109 billion [USD 9.28 million].

This amount may not be that large, but the main question is how to manage it. Sadly, corruption remains a reality, and a thief in an official’s chair is a threat as large as an armed separatist in an ambush. I hope we can manage both of these types of threats.

Regarding the Anti-terrorist operation

Since April 18th, all coordinators of the IS group (“Informational Shield”) are out in the regions of the country. We plan to release a general review later tonite. Here is a quote from the said review regarding Anti terrorist operation (ATO).

ATO

Anti terrorist operation has not yet been manifested as it should have and it seems it has lost its momentum.
During the first stages of the operation, military forces were issued with restraints by Ukrainian government (a guarantee to avoid civilian casualties, even if they are armed and hostile, and their activity can be deemed as terrorism). These restraints were a serious hamper to successful progress of an ATO. Even more so, after Geneva agreement, these restraints became a strict condition.

The problem with the military forces is the ban of destructive arms use. One of a very few exceptions in Mariupol, where a unit of National Guard resisted an armed attack on military unit. In reality soldiers are only allowed the use weapons on occasions provided by Ukrainian law N 877-VII (877-18) changed Crew and Patrol statute. And even on those occasions the use of weaponry can only be non-destructive.

There are reported incidents of commanders ordering troops to sign against destructive weapon application. This obviously had a very negative effect on the course of events and in general the effectiveness of military forces suffered greatly.

Furthermore, particularly after Geneva agreement, ATO has become an OS(operation stabilize), according to Western terminology. Main goals being: containment of settlements and districts with high concentration of mutineers, crewing of containment check points, area patrols. Main forces – units of Ukrainian military.

For reasons unknown to us, military command did not implement the required measures for OS. At the same time, military units and their commanders exhibit their readiness for such actions.

Conclusions

For the Ukrainian military successful implementation of ATO should be a simple task. There is plenty of experience from participation in similar campaigns. For example appearance in KFOR and Multi-National Force – Iraq (MNF–I).
Every contingent had a review about its results with recommendations for techniques of organizing further activity. Military command just need to study the reviews and set approximate guidelines for Ukrainian military forces actions in Donbass.

But most important is setting a clear order regarding employment of military forces with precise tasks and targets for the operation. And also an order for interaction between Ukrainian forces and other military groups or special forces.

April 22, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

Dear ukraine.popo.lt readers,

We are glad to announce our new daily column – Lithuanian media round-up. There we will try to briefly summarize main Lithuanian events related with Ukraine crisis and covered by our press.

Lithuanian Prime Minister Algirdas Butkevičius on April 22 presented his Annual Report. PM mentioned Ukraine crisis in his Annual Report presenting speech at Lithuanian Parliament. He said: ‘This year (2013-ed.) end showed that Europe transited to a new space of international relations and security. Former President of Ukraine decision not to sign association agreement with European Union caused in Kiev mass society protests, blood spill and change of Government. Unfortunately with that could not reconcile her neighbor Russia, which started war actions against Ukraine – annexed Crimea and continues to threaten Ukraine‘s integrity. We are observing a revival of opposition between democratic West world and fast growing radicalism in Russia‘. (PM Press Office, unofficial translation)

Lithuanian Parliament on April 22 have had to consider a resolution project due support to Ukraine. Unfortunately Members of Labor Party suggested to cross out this plenary session agenda point and that after voting was accepted. As said Valentinas Bukauskas – member of Labor Party – ‘this resolution project after Geneva agreement is outdated and Parliament need to prepare a new one’. (BNS, delfi.lt)

Lithuanian Minister of National Defense Juozas Olekas today in Kiev met with Ukrainian Minister of National Defence Colonel General Mikhail Koval. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67031/lithuanian-defence-minister-to-pledge-support-in-kiev-201467031/.

Lithuanian ambassador-at-large Vaidotas Verba appointed to lead Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) Special Monitoring Mission group in Odessa. Read more in Lithuania Tribune: http://www.lithuaniatribune.com/67036/lithuanian-diplomat-leading-osce-smm-group-in-odessa-2-201467036/.

A poorly staged shootout in Sloviansk

Russia is currently spreading the usual paranoid propaganda concerning the events in Sloviansk. The claim is that some gunmen from the Right Sector have attacked the separatist checkpoint and killed three or five people. Yet, there are inconsistencies in this story, and a lesson might be learned how to identify such propaganda.

People were killed, but there are no wounded

Usually, there are about five to ten times more persons wounded than killed in a shootout. This is well-known. If five people were killed in a gunfire, you can expect that there will be 25 to 50 people wounded. Where are they in this case? Well, they don’t exist. A long time has already passed but there is no information on the injured participants. Frankly, it seems, that there will be no such info.

The burned vehicle of the supposed gunmen is standing near the camp fire of separatist. There is a barricade just twenty meters away. Do you believe that the gunmen came and parked in such an orderly manner?

Of course, there are cases, when there are less persons wounded than killed, but these are under exceptional circumstances. For instance, everyone (with a single exception of Tomas Šernas) died during the Medininkai massacre, which was carried out by the members of Riga and Vilnius’ OMON*. That is, one person survived, even when there were additional shots fired to make sure that everyone died there and then. Wounded and unarmed border guards were killed methodically. This is how the usual ratio of wounded-killed was distorted.

In Sloviansk, according to the separatists and Kremlin propaganda, some remained alive and forced the attackers to flee. Therefore, there should be a couple of dozens injured persons. Yet, there are none.

Burned vehicles with undamaged evidence

The burned vehicles of the supposed attackers further prove that all of this story is a falsification. They are standing some ten meters away from the barricades and very close to the separatists’ campfire.

Real raiders would never get so close to the enemy. It is foolish to come so close, park the cars properly, one after the other, and then attempt to shoot. Even total gawks would understand enough to stop the cars in such a way that they would remain undamaged, so that later they could be used to abandon the location. It is also self evident that the raid should be carried out in such a manner, that it would catch the enemy by surprise. When the vehicles are seen coming, the guards at the checkpoint will always have time to react.

In a realistic scenario, the cars would be left a few hundred meters away. But that wouldn’t work for propaganda, would it? The distance between the vehicles and the barricades can be easily determined by the differences between size of persons – it can be said that a wide-angle lens was used, and the photographer was close to the barricades (some 10-15 meters away).

Pay attention to the photo, in which the details can be clearly seen. Two cars are standing next to each other. This means that there was no hasty arrival. These cars were parked by the side of the road in an orderly manner. The door of one of those cars is closed. This means that people got out of the vehicle and then decided to shut it. Either that, or there were no people inside. Moreover, those neatly closed door are facing the direction opposite to the road. That is, they are on the side, which is commonly used by people to get out and which should be used by gunmen if they were to take cover behind the bushes.

After the cars burned down, it should be very difficult to open or close the door – destroyed mechanisms would prevent it and the door would become somewhat twisted.

It is obvious that someone came with those cars, parked them neatly, got out, closed the door and only afterwards the shootout began. Does it remind you of a gunmen raid?

Oh, and of course, later, undamaged evidence (found in burned down vehicles) implicated the Right Sector. The evidence included incombustible business cards of the leader of the Right Sector, Dmitry Yarosh.

Other obvious nonsense

Some more humbug. For instance, why did those supposed raiders from the Right Sectors dropped their weapons? So that they could be collected by the separatists and used as a proof of an attack?

Why did a Russian TV manage to broadcast news (and upload on the internet) even before the incident took place? By the way, right before the collapse of the Yanukovych regime, there was one other such failure. Then, a few media broadcasters provided more or less similar information about the attack of the Right Sector on the Ukrainian Rada. Afterwards, it became clear that that was rubbish.

One of the victims of the incident in Sloviansk is already identified. It’s Pavel Povelko from the Alexandrovka village, which is not far from Sloviansk. He had a wife and two children who are know orphans. His neighbors and relatives claim that the separatists needed victims and, therefore, they had to stage a Right Sector attack. That’s why they took him from the car, shot and burned down the vehicle.

Now, the propaganda stories about the supposedly captured gunman from the Right Sector are spread. He was hitchhiking nearby and told that he and the other raiders went somewhere to shoot someone. Does that even sound realistic? We can only sympathize with an innocent person who is forced do admit these false charges.

By the way, don’t you want to ask a question why journalists are now being kidnapped in Sloviansk? I guess that they began asking the “wrong” questions. Just like I do here.

Such falsifications and intensified propaganda is characteristic of pre-war conditions. Yes, Russia is preparing for a war and is doing everything to convince its own citizens of the justness of such war. They don’t care that their claims are nonsensical – their citizens won’t know it, because the inconsistencies will not be shown.

They kill innocent people with one goal – to portray some imaginary Ukrainian gunmen and get a pretext for war. Innocent people become victims and are later depicted as separatists or members of the Right Sector.

—-
* By the way, the Ukrainian Berkut is also OMON, only renamed.

Source: http://rokiskis.popo.lt/2014/04/21/baltais-siulais-siutas-susisaudymas-slovianske/

Events of April 18th

Brothers and sisters, Here’s the Summary for April 18, 2014.

The bad news

1. My skepticism yesterday about the Geneva agreements has, alas, turned out to be justified.

I would be very glad to be wrong. But when dealing with a con artist like Putin, it’s impossible to go wrong. His essence is to lie. All agreements with him are empty phrases.

Today, the Russian Foreign Ministry “explained” the meaning behind these agreements. When they specify the disarmament of illegal armed groups, they are really talking about the “Right Sector.” And when they talk about the release of occupied buildings, they really mean Kyiv and Maidan supporters.

Moscow says: disarm “yours” first, and then we’ll think if we should disarm our mongrels in eastern Ukraine, whether we withdraw Russian Spetsnaz and whether we release occupied administrative buildings in Donetsk oblast [region].

Does anyone still have illusions about the possibility of negotiations with Moscow? It has long been clear to anyone: one’s level of confidence in Putin can safely determine one’s level of mental development.

2. Communists thwarted the signing of an agreement between the Rada [Parliamentary] faction heads to stabilize the situation in east Ukraine.

This is savagery. In fact, there is a war against Ukraine. The enemy’s boots are trampling our land. We have already lost a part of [our] territory. In normal countries under these conditions, those citizens (and politicians are no exception) who interfere with work towards victory, are, at minimum, sent behind bars. And here, the enemy subversives sit in Parliament and gorge themselves on caviar bought with the taxes of Ukrainians whom they sold out. I don’t see the logic.

3. This news concern us, the Information Resistance group. I’ve been waiting for this for a long time, and it has [finally] happened. Knowing our bureaucrats, it was not difficult to predict.

The bottom line is that some aunts and uncles at government agencies, who suddenly became very inconvenienced by our group, have woken up. For a month and a half, since the beginning of March and during the invasion of Crimea, they have picked their noses and been engaged in solving obscure questions, and then suddenly decided to famously “PR themselves” during the anti-terrorist operation (ATO).

But here’s the thing: it turns out that the Information Resistance group interferes with their PR campaign, by its activity and the provision of operational information. Now there are behind-the-scenes antics in order to shut us up.

Still, I will keep names and positions to myself. Since there are many more adequate people in the same state agencies, who understand the importance of our work.

But I have also promised the higher leadership earlier: if law enforcement commanders say that we interfere, we will immediately quit work. We need 2 minutes and 20 seconds to terminate the activities of the “IR” group. Of these, 1 minute will be spent on phone conversation with the two other coordinators, and it will take 20 seconds to shut down the computer.

We hope, that common sense will prevail in government agencies, and not personal ambitions and the jealousy of individual bureaucrats.

The good news

1. The SBU [Security Service of Ukraine] representatives have announced today that the ongoing anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine is suspended “due to Easter celebrations and the Geneva agreements.”

This statement sounded strange. How can you stop “military operations” without an armistice? Just [stop] “on occasion,” when the enemy does not intend to do so? And I’ve already mentioned the worth of the Geneva agreements.

I hurry to reassure you. The bottom line is that in fulfilling their part of the Geneva agreements, Ukraine really did proactively suspend operations by security forces. But this does not mean that they will simply relax over the [holiday] weekend and eat Easter eggs and sausage, laid out on a photocopy of the Geneva agreements.

The operation continues – separate groups of extremists are being blocked, territories and roads are being taken under control. As security forces assured us today, the operation only arrived at this format when satisfactory results might be possible, taking into account the severe restrictions put forward in the agreement (no casualties among “civilians”). Let’s wish them good luck!

2. Today, Ihor Kolomoyskyi, the Head of Dnipropetrovsk Regional State Administration, paid the first reward for a captured Russian subversive – $10,000.

I can say one thing – bravo! The use of monetary rewards is a great motivation. And a serious blow to extremist activity. They should no longer be able to sleep peacefully.

3. Zhytomyr Airborne troops from the 95th Separate Airmobile Brigade have recaptured two armored vehicles from extremists near Kramatorsk, which were previously seized by the enemy.

According to our emissaries, the fight was short and tough. If these guys were given orders to shoot to kill, the ranks of terrorists would have greatly thinned. And so, they shot in the air and legs. But it was enough to quickly discourage these degenerates from playing war games.

One conclusion: With the enemy, we can and must fight them. For, defeat awaits weakness and high political considerations. For determination, victory awaits.

And one more thing. Friends, all “IR” coordinators will work in the regions during weekends and holidays. We can share less information, but only the most important and most timely operative data.

Happy Easter to all of you! God bless you.

Events of April 17th

Brothers and sisters, the overview of the events of April 17th.

The bad:

1. Vladimir Putin has departed to the astral world. It doesn’t seem that he is coming back.

His today’s direct Q&A is a protocol of feverish delusions. The story of East Ukraine as “Newrussia, that has its roots tied to Russia” tells a lot.

And what about his claims that Russian soldiers in the East Ukraine is a “lie”? In the same way, this Kremlin storyteller asserted that there are no Russian soldiers in Crimea. Afterwards, it became clear that there actually are 22 000 of them. Today, even Putin himself admits – yes, Russian soldiers stood behind the “self-defense units” in Crimea.

The question then is the following. Who still believes this constantly lying creature? In the wide world – nobody. Yet, his subjects sit in front of the TVs and dutifully nod – the tsar is telling the truth. It’s hard to tell, should one laugh or cry.

2. In the East, the actions of extremists continue. There is some trouble in Stakhanov (the homeland of one of the coordinators of our “IR” group). Pro-Russian puppies fool around in Donetsk.

There are also worries concerning other regions. Today, the representatives of the local government of Zaporizhia talked about potential extremists actions.

We have our own information on this issue. According to our findings, planes carrying “Putin’s tourists” have landed at the Saki airport in Crimea today. Then the “tourists” were moved to microbuses with vehicle registration plates of Zaporizhia. This doesn’t look good.

The good:

1. During the meeting of Ukraine, the EU, the US and Russia, some agreements have been reached, including ones concerning the freeing of captured Ukrainian buildings and the amnesty for extremists. It sounded like an announcement directed at the “sides” of the conflict.

The question is whether one can trust Russia. After all, it does not accept that all this madness started because of its actions. That is, all of its statements are empty. And even if Moscow admitted its role, there would still be no trust in its goodwill.

Therefore, it is still very much unclear what role these agreements will play. Personally, I regard them skeptically. I think that Moscow is participating in the negotiations because it wants to avoid new sanctions by the West. At the same time, it continues its dirty work. Well, we’ll see. After all, there’s at least some dialogue at the international level.

One more advantage is that under these circumstances we can be sure that there will be no Russian invasion tomorrow. It doesn’t mean that, relatively speaking, there will be none the day after tomorrow.

2. Somehow, the problem of our brother citizens who remained in Crimea has been abandoned. They want to move to the continent but are unable to. Apparently, they were of little concern to the state previously. Now, these people are simply forgotten.

That, of course, is far from positive. The positive thing is that because of the election campaigns, the situation might get better. Today, the candidate for the presidency of Ukraine, N. Korolevska visited Crimea and discussed the problems of such families.

We all know that social issues is her field, and this is what is important today. All the social guarantees are destroyed in Crimea. The link between the Ukrainian state and those citizens is incomprehensible.

Together with the social issues, there is the problem of physical safety of these people. Previously, Russia set out a condition – the residents of Crimea must decide on their citizenship until April 18th. Nobody knows what will happen to those who won’t accept Russian citizenship.

If the official Kiev is silent on this issue, the politicians must raise such questions, even if it is due to the electoral campaign. The most important thing is not to conceal them, because behind every problem there are people – our brothers and sisters.

3. Today, in Donetsk, 3 000 people came to a demonstration for unified Ukraine. In Luhansk, there came 1 000.

I don’t know if it’s many or few. But what I know is that these people are the most active patriots. There are hundreds of times more people that want to live in stable and unified Ukraine.

Scaring the residents of East Ukraine

Journalists of Donetsk have collected various rumours that are spread amid the participants of pro-Russian demonstrations. All of these rumors have been heard from the protesters. Some of them remind of wild delusions but this is no joke – the fear of war and informational vacuum create a perfect environment for even the most unlikely fantasies. The fear is the main factor igniting the separatist activities. And the stupider the reason for fear, the greater the fear becomes (and the shouts asking for Putin’s help get louder).

By the way, some 25 years ago, many similar rumours could be heard in Lithuania. This happened during the years of the struggle for Lithuanian Independence from the Soviet Union. Many of them were spread purposefully by the members of the Communist Party, KGB and Yedinstvo. It was difficult to quash these rumours and those residents who were doubting the need for Independence tended to believe them.

People panic when they listen to various rumors

People panic when they listen to various rumours

Therefore, please, enjoy the creations of political technologists and the common people. They could cause uncontrollable laughter, but in this case, they cause uncontrollable fear, spark very real protests and lead to even more real casualties. Here is the whole list:

Yatsenyuk said that everyone who doesn’t speak Ukrainian will be forced to leave the country.
The Americans are staging a war in Ukraine. Genetically modified soldiers will be used (the story was told to a journalist at a hairdresser’s).
It was neither the border guards nor the army that came to Donbas (Donetsk province). No, it was the dressed units of the Right Sector and Banderists who will begin the massacre of local Russians there. Thus, the Ukrainian army movement must be blocked.
Ukrainian soldiers who came to the Donetsk province beat everyone, who speaks with them in Russian.
In a particular factory (of course, different names are given of the factories were the storytellers themselves are not working), the workers are forced to transfer part of their salary to Maidan and pay for the maintenance of the Right Sector.
Banderists will cancel allowance for raising children.
Banderists have already been seen in the station of Donetsk. They were asking for directions to get to the Lenin square, where the tents of separatists are set up. Those who did not answer in Ukrainian, were violently beaten.
The children will be sold as slaves in Europe.
There is no more insulin in Donetsk province. This means that people with diabetes will die.
In Donbas, the mines will be flooded. Afterwards, nuclear waste from the US and Europe will be kept there.
Poisoned products from the US and Europe will be brought to Ukraine (this may be a modification of rumors concerning GMOs).
Gays, pedophiles and zoophiles will take over the government and will introduce forced marriages according to their worldview.
Public sector workers will be stripped of all the bonuses, thirteenth monthly pays and all premiums. That is, only the simple salary will remain.
In Druzhkivka (Donetsk province), the mayor himself was telling people that in the case of him being removed, there will be no thirteenth monthly pay for public sector workers.
Soon a complete mobilization will begin and people who will be recruited will loose their jobs and salaries.
Banderists are unemploying everybody who speaks Russian.
Drug addicts are joining the army. Also, when people are taken to the army, drugs are put into their tea so that they would sign all the required papers.
The celebrations of the First of May and the Ninth of May will be canceled.

We would like to repeat. This is not a joke. These are the real fears of the residents in Donbas. That is why people are demonstrating and asking for Putin’s help.

Based on the material by the Ukrainian “Informational Shield”.

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