Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Tuesday 29 March [Ukrainian sources]

TUESDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News -
Putin stepping up the attacks. 72 of them yesterday, including artillery again.
Update - six soldiers wounded.

Weather -
Another beautiful morning. Blue sky, and sunshine. About +1, but high today perhaps of 12.
Gradually getting warmer.

Politics -
Shokin removed from his post. 289 votes in the Rada. 11 am this morning.
Now ... can they get a coalition together before the end of the week?
Update - unlikely. Tymoshenko making more demands now - in public. That's a sure sign of populism.

http://www.unian.info/politics/1302855-new-rada-coalition-being-formed-by-poroshenko-bloc-peoples-front-batkivshchyna.html
===
According to Liashko.
Presumably he didn't get what he wanted. A new personal executive jet maybe? The post of Speaker?
These Ukrainian deputies are like children, young children, of 4 or 5, who have been spoilt from birth.
Liashko trying to spoil any deal before it happens. ?

http://en.censor.net.ua/resonance/380677/yes_putin_really_believes_his_own_propaganda
[I missed this. From 6 days ago. But not really dated.]
Russia's worldview is conditioned by a conspiracy theory: the United States is out to get her. The trouble with this delusion is that Russia's actions and policy decisions appear to be built on it. To understand and predict Russia's behavior, Western policymakers need to grasp the fact that this delusion is real for Russia's leadership. ..
===
Recommended.

www.bloomberg.com/energy/
1 minute ago
Crude Oil & Natural Gas
INDEX UNITS PRICE CHANGE %CHANGE CONTRACT TIME (EDT) 2 DAY
WTI Crude Oil (Nymex)
USD/bbl. 38.98 -0.41 -1.04% May 2016 3:17 AM
Brent Crude (ICE)
USD/bbl. 39.85 -0.42 -1.04% May 2016 3:17 AM

Natural Gas (Nymex)
USD/MMBtu 1.85 0.00 -0.05% Apr 2016 3:11 AM
===
Good news for Ukraine. It will help keep down inflation just that little bit. And every bit helps.

http://24tv.ua/rada_zvilnila_shokina_n671835
===
289 votes.
Rada in session. Live on Rada tv, 112 channel, probably others also.

http://af.reuters.com/article/worldNews/idAFKCN0WU1QJ
KIEV (Reuters) - Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseny Yatseniuk's party has agreed with President Petro Poroshenko's faction and the Fatherland party - all former coalition partners - to form a new alliance, the head of Yatseniuk's People's Front party, said on Monday.....
"Tomorrow at 1200 (1000 GMT) we will go to a general meeting of the coalition,"....
Two former coalition allies - the populist Radical party and the reformist Self-Help party - have refused to rejoin the alliance....
====
Frankly, in Ukrainian politics, anything could happen. But I'm surprised if Batkivshina join. Tymoshenko was pushing and pushing for new elections.
But maybe - in a coalition... she can decide to withdraw when she knows her support at the polls is high... and then force an election? My theory. I do not trust this woman one little bit. Why? Because I know people who talk to her on a regular basis...

http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/03/29/7103710/
...That is why we have set a condition - first pass some laws that have been identified, these bills introduced in Parliament. Most of them were already committees "- explained Tymoshenko.
It also listed the requirements of her party. In particular, it is about supporting small and medium businesses, bringing order to social policies, tariff reductions, including reduction of rent for gas and agricultural laws....
====
But is reducing gas and electricity prices against the IMF agreement for a loan?!

http://en.censor.net.ua/video_news/381580/it_was_relatively_quiet_for_two_weeks_yesterday_recon_and_sabotage_group_aprroached_it_left_after_battle

...An armed group covered by grenade launchers attempted to approach the Ukrainian positions, but upon receiving fitting rebuff, .. retreated.

http://www.rferl.org/content/top-ukrainian-parties-yatsenyuk-poroshenko-form-new-coalition-led-by-prime-minister-hroysman/27640575.html
...The three new coalition partners include Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's party, President Petro Poroshenko's faction, and former Prime Minister Yulia Tymoshenko's Fatherland party. All three were previously coalition partners.
Two former coalition allies -- the populist Radical party and the reformist Self-Help party -- have refused to rejoin the alliance, the party officials said late on March 28...
===
I think this is yesterday's old news - according to Liashko.
Tymoshenko has since publically make various demands in return for joining a new coalition.
So - my take on the situation is that - the coalition talks have failed.
Maybe I will be proved wrong.
2 options for Poroshenko in case of failure;
a) struggle on, with support from Samopomich for bills they approve of, and
b) new elections

The Kremlin propaganda machine has started to promote the subject of the murder of Russian GRU officer's lawyer Yurii Hrabovskiy in order to undermine Ukraine's image.

This was announced by deputy prosecutor general, main military prosecutor Anatolii Matios on his Facebook page, Censor.NET informs.

Matios wrote in his post that cronies of fugitive Ukrainian ex-president Viktor Yanukovych were interested in the case of the murder of Hrabovskyi, who was the lawyer of captive Russian GRU officer Aleksandrov.

"We didn't have to wait long. They have jumped out right away. To be correct, they have been dragged out for commenting the case of the tragic death of lawyer Hrabovskyi.

"Just take a look at how Azarov and Oliinyk are used to undermine Ukraine's image. Here they are," the military prosecutor wrote and posted links to the Kremlin media.

Matios added that he would give a briefing in the PGO on Tuesday morning at 12:10 p.m. to announce new details of this high-profile case, the purpose of which is to defame the state.

"They won't be able to do that," the prosecutor wrote.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Ukrainian parliament has approved the resignation of Prosecutor-General Viktor Shokin.

He was seen by Ukraine's Western backers as an obstacle to tackling corruption.

The motion to approve his resignation passed on March 29 with 289 votes, comfortably over the 226 required.

An hour earlier, Shokin had fired his deputy, Davit Sakvarelidze, one of several foreign-born experts brought in to assist Ukraine with its Western-backed reform drive. Sakvarelidze had accused Shokin of maintaining ties with corrupt officials and lawmakers.

Several hundred people rallied outside the Ukrainian parliament on March 28, calling for Shokin's resignation.

The United States has repeatedly called for top-to-bottom reform of the Prosecutor-General's Office, which antigraft campaigners have said plays a key role in protecting vested interests and allowing corrupt practices to flourish.

Shokin had tendered his resignation on February 16 after President Petro Poroshenko asked him and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk to step down.............

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

The Kremlin says Ukrainian military pilot Nadia Savchenko will serve her 22-year prison sentence handed down by a Russian court, despite Kyiv's pushing for a prisoner exchange.

Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said: "With Savchenko, the situation is as simple and understandable as possible. Savchenko is a convict... She will serve her sentence."

In excerpts from a televised interview published on March 26, Peskov denied any decision had been taken on Savchenko's release or exchange.

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has said Kyiv was ready to swap her for Russian prisoners.

Peskov said "so far, there are no such decisions" by Russian President Vladimir Putin..........

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

What kind of ally would Russia make?

As one would expect, the terrorist attacks in Brussels and Europe and the world’s need to unite against the growing threat of international terrorism has given rise to a certain side effect: the Kremlin is again insisting on the fact that without Russia, the West will not be able to deal with such massive global threats. A number of specialists and officials do not hide their suspicions about Moscow’s possible involvement in global terrorism. After the terrorist attacks in Paris, I summarized what we know about the ties between Russia and several Arab countries. In particular, I noted that we do not know for sure whether Moscow is involved in any way in the tragedy, but it is clear that Russia will not be a reliable ally in the fight against terrorism.

Firstly, the attacks were obviously convenient and beneficial for Russia, and the Kremlin is using them to sow discord between the U.S. and Europe, trying to weaken America’s position in the region and undermine the unity of NATO. Russian propaganda often refers to the United States as the founder and creator of world terrorism and calls for open war. At the same time, it is clear that Kremlin actions aimed at weakening US-Europe relations automatically mean the weakening of the West in general. Thus, it turns out that Russia is actually acting as an ally of the terrorists in their fight against the West, even if there is no direct agreement between them.

Secondly, Russia was involved in the creation of Daesh and exerts a lot of influence over this organization, at least in the underground as a deep network of special agents. However, we still do not know how Moscow is using such possibilities. But, we do know that Russia has not yet been able to warn its potential western allies of any impending terrorist attacks… of course, we will not take into account the fake announcement by several Russian media outlets about the alleged arrest in Brussels of three Belarusians, one of whom, as it turned out, was located in his native town of Gomel. Another mystery is the fact that Russian weapons periodically pop up in the ranks of Daesh fighters........................



To read further go to this link:  euromaidanpress.com

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine has reported a 22.6% increase in the number of non-immigrant visas to the United States issued to the citizens of Ukraine in 2015 compared to 2014.

"Ukrainian Foreign Ministry welcomes a positive trend of increasing the number of visas issued for Ukrainian citizens to the United States. According to the information published by the U.S. State Department, a total of 77,203 non-immigrant visas were issued to the citizens of Ukraine in 2015 (an increase of 22.6% compared to 2014) and 4,166 immigrant visas," the Department of Consular Service of the MFA of Ukraine wrote on Facebook.

According to the Ukrainian Foreign Ministry, a major amount of the visas issued to citizens of Ukraine are visas of type B-1, B-2 (business/tourism – 52,943); C-1/D (crew members – 10,042); J (exchange program participants – 7,215).........

To read further go to this link: unian.info 

The residents of the occupied city of Kerch are ready to resettle for the sake of the construction of the Kerch Bridge, but only in the "quality and equivalent apartments." In case if they fail to reach agreement with the occupation authorities, the residents intend to complain to Moscow, one of the affected locals said in an interview with the Krym.Realii radio station.

"We hope for the best. We will complain if they hurt us, we will apply to the Secretariat... in Moscow," she said.

The residents in the area where the authorities are planning to demolish houses for the construction of the Kerch Bridge are worried that they will not be provided with the alternative conditions. The citizens say about "negative communication experience with the local authorities.".......

unian.info

Former Deputy Prosecutor General Davit Sakvarelidze says that his dismissal by Prosecutor General Viktor Shokin has not been agreed with President Petro Poroshenko.

He stated this at a briefing today, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainski Novyny.

"The president invited me today and said that this decision (to dismiss - Ed.) was not agreed with him," he said.

According to Sakvarelidze, his team managed to make a breakthrough in the system nevertheless.

"We wanted to prove that there was no room for inviolability, "diamond generals", and "diamond prosecutors" in the prosecution system. Contrary to the existing prosecutor's ethics, due to which I was dismissed, our team challenged the system - started to identify corrupt prosecutors at all levels regardless of the positions, relations, etc. Such an attack on me and our team is a signal that the ruling establishment does not actually need real reform. And it is a fact," Sakvarelidze said.

He also did not rule out that the attempts to put pressure on the members of his team would continue after his dismissal.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

One of the judges Malinovsky District Court of Odessa, which is exposed on getting 500 thousand. UAH bribes resisted NABU workers, using a firearm to kill. This was reported by deputy head of the press service of the Department of National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine Victoria Skorikova the TV channel «112.ua» .

"This fact was the place to be. A few hours ago, detectives NABU with employees Natspolitsii exposed one of the judges Malinovsky District Court of Odessa for accepting a bribe of 500 thousand. UAH. These funds official brokered private person demanded from a citizen for the imposition of a civil judgment debt collection. During the conduct of investigative actions, the judge resisted NABU workers, using a firearm to kill. Then he left the weapons and taking advantage of the presence of the inviolability of the status of judges, fled the scene, "- said Skorikova.

According to the deputy head of the press service of the NABU, "at the moment the search is conducted, it is possible involvement in the crime deputy chairman of the Malinovsky District Court of Odessa."

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский


National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine (NABU) to establish the whereabouts of the judge who rendered armed resistance when trying to detain him for accepting a bribe of $ 500 thousand. UAH. About According to the press service of the NABU on your page to Facebook.

"Currently, the employees of the National Anti-Corruption Bureau of Ukraine and specialized anti-corruption prosecutor's office found the location of the judges Malinovsky District Court of Odessa, who used firearms against detectives NABU", - said in a statement.

According to the report, carried out investigations and addressed the issue of the application of a preventive measure.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

The head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church, Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk, said he is convinced there is no alternative to a good neighborhood policy between Russia and Ukraine but that the refusal by Russian church and government leaders to recognize Ukrainians as a separate people makes dialogue between the two countries impossible.

Shevchuk shared his views in a presentation titled “Ukraine-Poland-Russia: are peace and reconciliation possible?” at the 10th Gniezno Conference in Poland, March 12, on the occasion of the 1050th anniversary of the Baptism of Poland, as reported by the department of Information of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church.

“By studying the present situation from the perspective of the French-German-Polish relations after World War II, we see that there is no alternative to good Russian-Ukrainian neighborhood policy. Both countries belong to the same geographic area of Eastern Europe, and no one can change the fact that they are neighbors,” he said.................

To read further go to this link:  euromaidanpress.com

By Tom Balmforth for RFE/RL, Mar 28, 2016

MOSCOW -- Archpriest Vsevolod Chaplin looked unassailable as a spokesman for the Russian Orthodox Church. A regular fixture across the Russian media for several years, Chaplin freely voiced ultraconservative, sometimes highly controversial opinions that his longtime patron, Patriarch Kirill, could not.

And then suddenly, on December 24, Chaplin was out -- relieved of his job when the church's public relations department, which he had headed since 2009, was merged with another in the name of "optimization," according to a terse church statement.

Chaplin soon found himself marginalized, stripped of access to the state media that once eagerly broadcast his pronouncements to the people. His change of fortune is a lesson in the fickle winds of President Vladimir Putin's Russia, where the staunchest allies of the Kremlin can find themselves out in the cold if they stray from the narrative of the day.

Abruptly on the outside, Chaplin lashed out at leaders of both church and state in an interview with RFE/RL. It was conducted in his modest new office -- a poky, wood-paneled shed in the garden of his new parish church in central Moscow.

Chaplin, 47, cast his ouster as the result of deteriorating relations with Patriarch Kirill, his longtime patron and the head of the Russian Orthodox Church since 2009, and a conflict with a top Kremlin official with whom he crossed swords last autumn.

Chaplin expressed support for Putin, citing what he called Russia's "monarchist" national conscience. But he raised the specter of a blunt and uncompromising force in the Kremlin that brooks no dissent -- and warned that as the circle around the president narrows "the degree of discontent is growing" in the ranks of the Russian elite.

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

“There are hundreds of Russian intelligence officers around Europe and the West,” said Wilhelm Unge, chief analyst at the Swedish Security Service (Säpo).

During the last few years, national intelligence agencies in Finland, Sweden, and Norway have become more concerned about the surveillance activities of foreign states, particularly those of Russia. The Nordic countries are of high importance to Russia’s intelligence community primarily for geopolitical, geostrategic, and technological reasons. But when taken in the context of Russia’s threats, military posturing, and military modernization, Russia’s intelligence activities portend something beyond mere subterfuge.

Sweden

Since the beginning of the Ukraine crisis in 2014, intelligence officials from the Swedish Security Service have reported an increase in Russian intelligence activities in Sweden. According to the report, agents from Russia’s Foreign Intelligence Service (SVR), Federal Security Service (FSB), and military intelligence (GRU) have arrived disguised as delegates, embassy officials, and corporate employees.

The Chief Analyst of Säpo said that one-third of Russian diplomats in Sweden are believed to be intelligence officers. He added that expelling intelligence officers is a politically sensitive issue and a decision that is in the hands of the government, not the intelligence agency. The Foreign Ministry’s spokesperson stated, “we expect Russia to respect the Vienna Convention,” which covers the laws of diplomatic missions, but this is unlikely to change Russian intelligence behaviour.

The main espionnage activities include hacking, human intelligence recruitment, and accessing information on sensitive equipment, such as military hardware. According to SÄPO, these activities are directed toward acquiring advanced technology and “preparations for military operations against Sweden.” Acquiring human intelligence assets is central to gaining access to sensitive information and databases, in addition to identifying the force disposition of the Swedish Armed Forces.

But intelligence gathering and espionnage is only one of many indicators of an accentuated threat from Russia. In 2013, Russia conducted a mock nuclear strike on Sweden with strategic bomber aircraft. In October 2014, the Swedish Navy was involved in the search for a presumably Russian submarine in Swedish territorial waters. In March 2015, Russia conducted a mock invasion of the island of Gotland, with 33,000 troops participating in the exercise. These suggest that the military threat from Russia is a comprehensive one – the evidence of which can be seen in all facets of interaction.

Finland.................

To read further go to this link:  natoassociation.ca

US Treasury Secretary Jack Lew said that sanctions are a powerful political weapon with which, however, should not be treated "lightly", reports Reuters.

"We are not able to avoid the application of sanctions, because it slows the growth (the economy, against whom sanctions are imposed - Ed.), But we can do it lightly," - said Liu, noting that the sanctions - is a "big step" and they should be applied in case of need.

He noted that US sanctions over time have changed - from a broad embargo that has been used against Cuba, to a point targets, as in the case of sanctions against Russia.

"They are aimed at centers of power where decisions are made", - he added the head of the Ministry of Finance.

In early March, the US extended sanctions against Russia for the year, corresponding decree was signed by President Barack Obama.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

NATO reported that NATO fighters over the Baltic was accompanied by two Russian Su-27 and one Tu-154 as the Su-27 did not follow international norms flight, reports "RIA Novosti" .

"On Monday, March 28, NATO radar found three planes over the international waters of the Baltic Sea: Two Russian Su-27 fighter and transport aircraft Tu-154. Su-27 did not provide a flight plan did not come in touch with air traffic controllers and did not use transponders. Transport aircraft Tu-154 provided a flight plan and used the transponder ", - said the representative of NATO, saying the alliance" reacts to the approach of military and civil aircraft to the air space of NATO member countries that do not follow international standards of flight. "

Earlier it was reported that during the flight to Kaliningrad over neutral waters of the Baltic airplane Sergei Shoigu, Russian Minister of Defense accompanied the Russian Su-27, and two kilometers flew NATO Eurofighter fighter.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

On Wednesday, March 30 in the squares of the cities the so-called individual regions Donetsk region (ORDO) temporarily beyond the control of Ukraine, planned rallies anti-state character, aimed at undermining the territorial integrity and independence of Ukraine. This is stated in the press center ATO headquarters.

"In such localities as the Donetsk, Makiyivka, Gorlovka, Yenakiyevo, Debaltsevo, Uglegorsk and other" people's voice "would be to blame Ukraine in non-compliance with a number of points of the Minsk agreements, in constant violation of the ceasefire, deliberate complication crossing checkpoints civilians Failure to comply with the demining of buffer zones, which allegedly resulted in the deaths of civilians. On the other hand will thank servicemen "DNR" of the struggle for the freedom of their "republic", - said in a statement.

Financial support for these massive provocations carried out by the Russian political organizations through illegally elected leaders of the so-called "DNR" and "LC".

"For the purpose of engaging in protests set number of persons planned allocation of 400 thousand Russian rubles. Support for the "will of the people" is to provide the so-called Donetsk People's squad, which will be to collect activists and interaction through social networks ", - noted the military.

They believe - the idea of ​​mass provocations is to form a negative public opinion of the world of executive authorities and the state leadership of the army and the real defenders of Ukraine, inciting enmity between people, which divided the Russian aggression.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

Judge bribe-taking that shot NABU employees may be charged with attempted murder. This was the TV channel «112.ua» said head of the SBU adviser Yuri tandem.

"We will do everything to the person who committed the most serious crimes were justly punished. He is suspected of attempted murder, and employee NABU, the second - Improper benefits, in fact he is accused of committing a crime, he was caught on a large bribe transfer. He obviously did his best to hide - this is exactly the crime. He is the judge understands that this can go, "- he said.

As previously reported, President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko instructed the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) to take all measures to arrest a judge who received a bribe of $ 500 thousand. Hryvnia and made a fire in the NABU.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

Russia's GDP in dollar terms fell by 35% in 2015, gross domestic product in 2016 is forecast to be the lowest since 2006, wrote in his column head of the international sovereign ratings agency Fitch, James McCormack.

McCormack says that some time will be required to restore the Russian economy.

expert calls the three main causes of "dollar recession" for emerging markets. First, in his view, is to lower prices for consumer goods, high valuation of the dollar and the decline in GDP in the value of local currencies.

Among the countries whose GDP has lost more than 20% in dollar terms, McCormack calls Colombia, Iraq, Kuwait and Ukraine.

GDP of the 30 largest developing countries, in dollar terms decreased by 6.6% on average. The fall in GDP in dollar terms captured 23 of the 30 developing countries. This is more than it was during the crisis of 1998 and 2009.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

The White House said that Russia "missed opportunity" by deciding to miss an international nuclear security summit April 1-2 in Washington, reports Reuters.

"We believe that Russia's decision certainly not to participate (in the summit - ed.) At such a high level - it is a missed opportunity in the first place," - said the US president's national security adviser Ben Rhodes.

It is also noted that the absence of the negotiations will only isolate Russia.

"To be honest, everything they do - it is isolated, but are not participating, as they did in the past" - said Rhodes, noting that the United States and Russia will continue to cooperate and discuss issues of nuclear safety.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

Su-25 plane crashed in Primorckom region in the Chernigov region in the area of ​​"Chernigovka" airport, reports TASS.

It is reported that the pilot managed to eject.

"According to preliminary data, it does not hurt," - said the source. It is also noted that the fall of the aircraft could be due to an engine failure.

It is reported that the destruction and casualties on the ground there.

Su-25 - armored attack aircraft, designed to support ground troops on the battlefield with the direct purpose of visibility.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

The editors of the German newspaper Bild has documents proving that Russia has taken over complete political and economic control over the territories controlled by the rebels in Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine. journalistic investigation published in the night of Wednesday, March 30, on the website edition.

According to the existing wording in the minutes of the meeting of the Interdepartmental Commission for the provision of humanitarian support to affected areas south-eastern regions of Donetsk and Lugansk regions of Ukraine in the State Duma of the Russian Federation of 23 October 2015, the actual control of the breakaway territories divided between the six working groups of five Russian ministries.

Shadow Donbass government controls everything from tax collection and to finance infrastructure rehabilitation, public transport, and energy trade, the creation of the electricity market, etc. Thus, according to the publication, the separatist regions consistently treated as a sovereign Russian territory.

Among those included in this shadow government, stated Deputy Prime Minister Dmitry Kozak, Deputy Minister of Economic Development of the Russian Federation Sergey Nazarov, Deputy Finance Minister Leonid Gornin. Activities of the shadow government is supervised by the Federal Security Service, according to a journalistic investigation.

According to journalists, if taken seriously to the content of the documents, the Minsk agreement can be considered for a long time failed, and the political leadership of the so-called "DNR" and "LC" - nothing more than a puppet of the Kremlin. Russia has long developed its own management plan for the separatist regions of Donbass. Any elections in this region will not make any sense, because the real power is in Moscow, and not those who will choose to residents of Donbass, emphasized in the published material.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

So-called "deputies" breakaway "DNR" and "LNR" go to Moscow for guidance with respect to those or other political decisions and are "trained" in the State Duma of the Russian Federation. About this in the air "on Channel 5," said the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ministry of Defence Vadim Skibitskiy.

"Today, and this is confirmed information, the so-called members of" Luhansk People's Republic "," Donetsk People's Republic "are" trained "in the State Duma of the Russian Federation in order to examine their laws, the procedure for making laws, legislation development," - he said, .

"But in reality, these people receive immediate instructions already in Moscow", - said Skibitskiy.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

So! They don't see a political future or any other future in Dombas anytime soon, so they'll just leave town. Doesn't say much for the future of Russia in Dombas either.

Obvious signs of preparation of Russian-terrorist forces of large-scale offensive in the area ATO no. However, in certain areas the militants are prepared for active combat operations. About this in the air "on Channel 5," said the representative of the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry Vadim Skibitskiy.

"While the obvious signs of a large-scale offensive, but there are preparations for the active hostilities in certain areas," - he said.

"The first - is the strengthening of artillery units on the front lines, strengthening of the leading positions at the expense of transfer of armored vehicles - especially those from Donetsk, Makeyevka, Gorlovka, Mariupol direction. Almost all of the critical areas are strengthening, "- said Skibitskiy.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский

For all time of existence of the organization Alexander Khodakovsky thriller "The patriotic forces of Donbass" has collected about 200 million Russian rubles. These funds were directed to the formation and maintenance of an illegal armed formation Khodakovsky "East".

This is the website of the organization "The patriotic forces of Donbass".

On the eve of the organization Khodakovsky was excluded from the register of legal entities and individual entrepreneurs group "DNR". Such actions on the part of the commander of the occupying administration, "the East" considers unfair and hasty, since according to the report, since the beginning of military operations in the Donbass and the end of 2015. "The patriotic forces of Donbass" collected about 200 million rubles for the fighters and their families. This is stated in the report of the separatist organization.

"It (the report) states that for the period of the charity organization" The patriotic forces of Donbass "and its economic bloc before the end of 2015 on the formation of the battalion" Vostok "and keeping it constant fighting capacity, for the treatment of combatants, addressing social issues combatants, their families , families of the dead soldiers had spent about 200 million Russian rubles ", - the report says.

glavcom.ua In Russian/русский