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

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

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“While arresting two saboteurs 4 sub-machine guns (RPG-26 and RPG-7), automatic Kalashnikov and other weapons were withdrawn.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

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

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

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

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

Source: Inforesist.org

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

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

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

Regarding refusal of Russian citizenship in Crimea

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

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

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

Such cases were reported in Simferopol and Sudak.

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

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

May 21, 2014 Lithuanian media round-up

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

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

Terrorist Threat Assessment in Eastern and Southern Ukraine on May 20

Translated and edited by Voices of Ukraine

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

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

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)

Petition to the president of France for inviting Putin

Sign the petition here..

The following text has been delivered to the President of France:

“Monsieur le Président,

On 6 June 2014 the free world commemorates the beginning of the liberation of France – and Europe – from fascism that struck the heart of Europe and destroyed millions of lives in a killing madness.

Sadly fascism is back to Europe, from the East this time. Ironically, the man who has reinvented fascism remains a guest of honor (sic!) of these celebrations!

As a French citizen and a European, I implore you to cancel this invitation as long as Ukraine remains occupied by the Russians soldiers, and as the worst abuses continue on the soil of the Crimea and in the rest of this great country.

After the dissolution of the Soviet Union Russia has “inherited” the history of the USSR, but Ukraine has suffered much more during the last war (16.3% of the population of Ukraine perished against 12,7% of the Russian population).

It would be much fairer to invite a representative of Ukraine to the commemorations, or at least a true Russian veteran who fought against fascism, but not an odious character of modern history that is on the side of all the dictators of the world.

I join the list of more than 300 citizens who support this proposal.

Monsieur le Président, I am counting on your sense of justice in international relations that you demonstrated during your presidency. Ukrainian people relies on the support of France, even as symbolic as the cancelling of an invitation.

Ruslan S

and

more than 695 signatories”

Ukrainian Director Arrested by Russian Secret Service in Crimea, Accused of Terrorist Act

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)

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.

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.

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