Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Wednesday 15 June. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News:
58 attacks by Putin's Russian forces. Again, further escalating the violence, and death, and destruction.
Opinion. He has given up on the EU dropping sanctions next week, and so is going "full war" again.
Update - 2 soldiers killed, 7 wounded.

Weather:
Cloudy. Heavy rain and thunder last night. But warmer this morning. 21C at 0900.
Update - humid. 26 at 1400.

Combat losses - 623 soldiers dead this year. Poltorak.
That's the true colors of Russia's policy regarding the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Donbas," Poltorak said.

Footie -
Russia 1 - Slovakia 2 ... makes things interesting. Wales v England tomorrow in the same group.

The intensity of attacks across the boundary line has increased dramatically - Staff
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/15/7111815/
Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 7:34

Total recorded 58 attacks with the use of prohibited weapons, including 32 in Mariupol, 24 in Donetsk and Luhansk 3 directions.
The press center ATO headquarters.
Breaking the Minsk agreement, the Russian occupation forces used mortars 18 times, three artillery and tank once.
Thus, Mariupol direction hottest Pavlopolya was near where the enemy kept the fire from mortars, 122-mm self-propelled artustanovok led assault action, and in the area around 22.00 Krasnogorivka twice fortifications Armed Forces fired on the tank.
Positions near Marinka, Taramchuka, Novotroitsk came under mortar fire, and at Hnutovoho, Talakivky, Chermalyk Shyrokynoho Russian invaders and fired from grenade launchers and machine guns of various large caliber.....

NSDC tells how Russia makes Donbas test ground for new military technology
http://www.unian.info/war/1375716-nsdc-tells-how-russia-makes-donbas-test-ground-for-new-military-technology.html
....Turchynov said that, in order to work out new advanced firing and spotting technology, the occupiers use unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). "They are launched from the occupied territories, as well as directly from the Russian Federation. This is modern Russian equipment. Often, our positions are monitored by a trio of UAVs: one responsible for visual reconnaissance, another revealing communication and control systems as well as radar systems for their radio-electronic suppression. The third UAV adjusts artillery fire or attacks if it’s a combat UAV," said Turchynov.
Besides the prohibited caliber artillery, another serious problem for the Ukrainian army constitute professionally trained snipers and subversive groups, staffed by Russian special forces....

Ukrainian troops engage in fierce battle with enemy near Pavlopil, suffer losses, - ATO Staff speaker
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/393399/ukrainian_troops_engage_in_fierce_battle_with_enemy_near_pavlopil_suffer_losses_ato_staff_speaker
...."The 12 men strong group of militants covered by artillery and mortars was storming the Ukrainian troops' position. The Ukrainian servicemen engaged in fierce battle and, unfortunately, incurred losses. The battle lasted for about an hour and a half. The militants were forced back from the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine," Zhmurko said. ....

75th anniversary of mass deportations from Lithuania.





Lest I forget -
also Estonia...

estNATO ‏@estNATO  14 июн.
Today, 75 years ago Soviet KGB deported 10.000 #Estonians to #GULAG in one day. We will remember and never forget!
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Stalin’s deportation of Baltic peoples in June 1941 remembered
http://euromaidanpress.com/2016/06/14/stalins-deportation-of-baltic-peoples-in-june-1941-remembered/
Seventy-five years ago today, when Stalin was Hitler’s ally, Moscow began the forcible deportation of tens of thousands of Estonians, Latvians and Lithuanians from their occupied lands to the interior of USSR from which fewer than half returned alive, an event that continues to cast a dark shadow on these countries and their relations with Moscow.

The deportation from the three occupied Baltic countries of more than 40,000 people was the first mass action of its kind following Stalin’s Anschluss of those countries as a result of the secret protocols of the Molotov-Ribbentrop Pact that made the Soviet Union and Nazi Germany allies....

Majority of Europeans Against EU's Russia Policy
http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/majority-of-europeans-against-eus-russia-policy/572601.html
...Greek residents were particularly unhappy with the situation, with 69 percent of the respondents saying they didn't support EU policy towards Russia, and 89 percent saying that trade should be prioritized....
At the same time, 71 percent of respondents in Sweden and 50 percent in Netherlands spoke out in favor of tough relations with Moscow concerning foreign policy matters....
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Countries nearer Russia are more in favour of the policy. Understandably so.
Greece. Pure scumballs. No sympathy, no human understanding, no empathy. Scum.

Ukrainian Says He Was 'Tortured' In Russia As Moscow, Kyiv Exchange More Prisoners
http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-russia-prisoner-exchange/27797209.htm
...."I think that while Putin's regime is running Russia, it will remain our enemy, and therefore we will have to do everything [we can] to release all our friends from Russian jails.... They are waiting for our help and I believe they will join us," Soloshenko said....l

Russian hooligans see themselves as Kremlin foot soldiers
http://mobile.reuters.com/article/idUSKCN0YZ1Z7
....Some people saw the violence as part of Russia's geopolitical standoff with the West.
"Take my word for it. This is purely our symbolic reply to your sanctions and interference in our internal affairs in Ukraine," Valentin Polyakov, from the city of Rostov-on-Don, said of the Marseille violence on Komsomolskaya Pravda's site.
His view reflects Russian frustration -- fueled by state media -- over Western sanctions on Russia over Moscow's role in Ukraine, where Ukrainian government forces and pro-Russian separatists are locked in a low-level conflict.....
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LOW-LEVEL CONFLICT?? Andrew Osborn. Fruitcake journalist. (British twat, Oriel. b74. Moscow based. Where else?! )
If 10,000 dead is low-level, what does he regard as high level? Thermo-nuclear war? Another of Putin's "useful idiots".

At night in the area ATO 2 soldiers killed, 7 wounded - Staff
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/15/7111850/
Wednesday, June 15, 2016, 12:53

One day in the area of anti-terrorist operation two soldiers were killed and 7 injured.
This at a traditional briefing on Wednesday, spokesman of the Presidential Administration on ATO Andrei Lysenko.
"Last night two Ukrainian soldiers were killed in a militant assault repel attempts at Pavlopolya, seven more soldiers were wounded in the area Zaitsev, Pavlopolya and Marinka" - said the colonel.

Vinnytsia airport welcomes first regular flight from Tel Aviv
http://www.unian.info/economics/1376231-vinnytsia-airport-welcomes-first-regular-flight-from-tel-aviv.html
. Flights will be carried out until late October throughout the summer season, according to preliminary agreements. As for the winter season, we will make a decision based on the number of passengers," Mazurets said....
===
Also flights to Warsaw. Charter flights to Antalya.
54 dollars to Israel. Not bad. 30 to Warsaw.

Currency unleashed
http://www.unian.info/economics/1374969-currency-unleashed.html
Having taken advantage of the currency market stabilization and the beginning of economic recovery, the National Bank eased a number of foreign currency restrictions for businesses and citizens. Experts warn of upcoming exchange rate fluctuations, although they see no reason for panic...
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Long long article.
Personal opinion. Currency has been very stable now for over half a year.
I think the euro has fluctuated more!

Rain floods [in Odessa area] Izmail, water level reaching two meters. PHOTOS
http://en.censor.net.ua/photo_news/393419/rain_floods_izmail_water_level_reaching_two_meters_photos
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Quite a few thunderstorms about last night.
===
Thx Odessite, correcting link.

"We will continue to assist Ukraine to improve its ability to defend itself," - NATO's Stoltenberg
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/393425/we_will_continue_to_assist_ukraine_to_improve_its_ability_to_defend_itself_natos_stoltenberg
...Jens Stoltenberg said that NATO remained firm in its support for Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity.
"We will continue to assist Ukraine to improve its ability to defend itself," he said.
According to NATO secretary-general, the transformation of Ukraine's armed forces while the nation is engaged in conflict in the east is a daunting task. ....

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related
Poroshenko to attend NATO summit in Warsaw
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/348040.html
[beginning of July]

Building of Ukraine-Poland gas interconnector to start in 2017
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/350339.html
...The first phase of the project implies construction of the interconnector intended to increase exports of natural gas from Poland to Ukraine with an annual capacity of up to 5 billion cubic meters. ....

Coal shipments from occupied areas of Donbas suspended since early June
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/350289.html
====
Various problems. Ukraine needs to solve some of them.

Observation -
during the Yanukovich era there were frequent power cuts where I am living.
During the past two years... I can hardly remember one power cut. In that respect, things have improved.
But Ukraine must buy coal from S Africa or Australia. Not the Donbass or Russia. For the foreseeable future.

NATO Chief Demands Russia Withdraw From Ukraine
http://www.rferl.org/content/nato-chief-russia-withdraw-ukraine/27799006.html
NATO chief Jens Stoltenberg has called on Russia to withdraw its forces and military equipment from Ukraine and to stop supporting separatists in eastern Ukraine....
He added that in response to Russian military actions in Ukraine, NATO has "stepped up its support for Ukraine."....

====
There is simply no alternative for Ukraine now. If it is to defend itself, and stay free from Russian aggression and occupation, it needs NATO.

Nelson wrote:Rain floods [in Odessa area] Izmail, water level reaching two meters. PHOTOShttp://en.censor.net.ua/photo_news/393419/rain_floods_izmail_water_level_reaching_two_meters_photos
===

Quite a few thunderstorms about last night.

Link error above.

Corrected :

http://en.censor.net.ua/photo_news/393419/rain_floods_izmail_water_level_reaching_two_meters_photos

Kremlin: Sentsov, Kolchenko swap being discussed, Putin to decide
http://www.unian.info/politics/1376694-kremlin-sentsov-kolchenko-swap-being-discussed-putin-to-decide.html

Ukrainian troops’ combat losses amount to 623 soldiers this year, Minister Poltorak says
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/393489/ukrainian_troops_combat_losses_amount_to_623_soldiers_this_year_minister_poltorak_says
...."The war continues to claim lives of Ukraine's finest sons. Our combat losses amount to 623 Ukrainian servicemen this year. That's the true colors of Russia's policy regarding the peaceful settlement of the conflict in the Donbas," Poltorak said.
====

Interesting. He calls it a "war". Correct. Not an "anti-terrorist operation". - although it is that also.
623 dead this year.
And the Greeks and French senators want to drop sanctions against Putin's murderous regime?
Kissing Hitler's butt.

Euro 2016: Russia summons French ambassador after fan violence
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36537313
...."It was an absolutely unacceptable incident when a bus with more than 40 Russian supporters was stopped and [the police] demanded that they leave the bus for document and ID checks," he told the State Duma.....

===
Last time I was in Moscow I was stopped 3 times in the space of 24 hours.
The Russians are living in outer-space - with Putin.

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The Verkhovna Rada Committee on Preventing and Combating Corruption has approved a draft law banning election of people's deputies and local elections in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine.

As reported by Censor.NET citing RBC-Ukraine, the relevant decision was taken during a meeting of the Committee on June 15.

"Elections are not possible in the occupied territory of the Donbas until, firstly, all the military personnel, prisoners of war, and hostages are released, until we regain full control over the borders, the territory," the author of the bill MP Yurii Derevianko said.

The Committee also introduced an amendment that stipulates holding elections in the occupied territories only after Ukraine receives compensation for the damage caused by Russia's aggression.

Earlier, Deputy Minister of Temporarily Occupied Territories Heorhii Tuka said elections under Ukrainian laws may be held in the Donbas within a year.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

British newspaper journalist claims one of the Russian fans at Euro 2016 in France is an accomplice of "DPR" terrorists.

As reported by Censor.NET, Kim Sengupta of Independent spoke in France with a Russian fan named Nikolai, who he had met two years ago in Sloviansk and Kramatorsk where he allegedly "helped those injured in the fighting, rather than took part in combat himself." Nikolai says many hooligans that took part in the brutal beating of English fans do martial arts. And those who the French police want to expel are allegedly not involved in the unrest in Marseille.

As previously reported, about 40 people suffered in clashes in Marseille. In addition, Russian fans attacked the supporters of the English team right at the stadium during the England-Russia match... In this regard, UEFA has instituted proceedings against the Russian Football Union on charges of disorders, racist behavior, and the use of pyrotechnics by Russian fans.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

In a statement issued on June 15 following a meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission in Brussels, the alliance said the package aimed to "help Ukraine strengthen its defenses by building stronger security structures."

NATO is already implementing projects under the "trust funds" established for Ukraine to help it reform its military -- including on command and control, cyberdefense, and rehabilitating wounded soldiers.

"We are also developing new projects, including in the areas of countering hybrid warfare and explosive devices," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said..............

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

WASHINGTON -- Two former U.S. ambassadors to Russia clashed over past and future assessments of relations between Washington and Moscow and which country bears the greater responsibility for deepening bilateral tensions.

Michael McFaul and Jack Matlock delivered their remarks at a June 14 hearing before the House Foreign Affairs Committee, where sharpened rhetoric from committee leaders reflected mounting antipathy toward the Russian government among many U.S. officials.

Both McFaul, who served as the U.S. envoy in Moscow from 2012-14, and Matlock, who served from 1987-91, seemed to agree that internal Russian politics were driving much of the Kremlin’s foreign policy in recent years.

“This is all about domestic politics in Russia, and in Ukraine, and very little to do with American foreign policy, either strong or weak,” McFaul testified.

“It’s a tragic moment in Russian relations,” he added. “I don’t celebrate this at all, but we have to have a patient, comprehensive policy for deterring Russian aggression, working with the government when it is in our interest and working with Russian society.”

Matlock, meanwhile, cautioned against U.S. policies that might be perceived as meddling in Russian internal affairs, something President Vladimir Putin has complained about repeatedly.

“Yes, President Putin has made many mistakes, many that are not in Russia’s interests. But Putin’s government is a matter for Russians to decide. Their scandals are a matter for them to deal with,” Matlock said.

The two diplomats disagreed when lawmakers asked about whether the West had provoked Russia in expanding NATO to former Soviet-bloc states like Poland and the Baltic nations or whether the military alliances should consider softening its commitments to allies.

Matlock said he did not support NATO expansion during his time as ambassador to Moscow, and he suggested NATO may sometimes be more of a liability to the United States. He also singled out the uncertain benefits that Turkey’s membership provides.

“Politics are driven by perceptions, and their perception is that we have been consistently moving against their interests, and trying to encircle them, and even trying to interfere in their internal politics,” he said.

McFaul, who also served on the White House’s National Security Council prior to his tenure in Moscow, said the alliance needed to stand firm because weakness would invite further Russian aggression.

He rejected assertions that the Kremlin’s military seizure and annexation of Ukraine’s Crimean Peninsula was a direct response to NATO expansion.

“It all is a post facto rationalization for what Putin did in Ukraine,” McFaul said.....................

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

Ukraine’s trade balance on goods improved to a USD 881 mln deficit in 4M16 from a USD 961 mln deficit in 3M16, Concorde Capital informed clients today based on a June 15 report by the State Statistics Service. Still the balance was much worse than a year ago, when there was a USD 38.6 mln surplus for 4M15. Exports of goods in 4M16 fell 13.9% yoy on the back of chemicals (-39% yoy), minerals (-30% yoy), and metals (-30% yoy). Imports of goods fell 6.6% yoy due to a -52% yoy energy imports slump for 4M16. At the same time, non-energy goods imports accelerated 15.9% yoy on the back of vehicles (+81% yoy), machinery (+23% yoy) and chemicals (+17% yoy).

Finally, exports to the EU started growing, inching up 0.7% yoy in 4M16. Meanwhile, exports to the CIS countries kept plunging in the double digits, or 34.9%................

To read further go to this link:  ukrainebusiness.com.ua

Fabricate ammunition are around 800 Ukrainian companies, the head of the National Security Council

The head of the National Security Council Oleksandr Turchynov said that in recent years, including 2 years of warfare to protect Ukraine "used military supplies left over we inherited from the Soviet Army." He said this during a visit to the state joint-stock holding company "Artem" in Kiev, the press-service agency.

"However, these reserves are not limitless, much of it has been sold or disposed of thoughtlessly at a time when no one thought that he would have to fight," - he said.

According to the head of the National Security Council, to protect the country and strengthening its defense capability no other alternative but to "create their own base manufacturing a wide range of ammunition - from bullets and ending large-caliber ammunition."

"Military-technical cooperation with our strategic partners on obtaining lethal weapons artificially blocked, and we will have to rely on their own strength," - said Turchinov.

He stressed that the process of production of ammunition can be brought about 800 Ukrainian enterprises of different profiles: "this chemical manufacturing, and engineering, and many other related businesses and institutions."

"Therefore, be restored or created new capacities, new jobs, new technologies embodied," - said the secretary of the NSDC.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

A new report from the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) says that this year was disrupted hundreds of attempts to test for doping by Russian athletes.

The report, published June 15, states that from February to May, for various reasons were rejected or withdrawn 736 such attempts, according to Radio Liberty.

In WADA said that agency experts were intimidated and threatened with deportation from the Russian secret services, and in samples taken intervened customs service.

The report says that in 49 of the 52 positive doping samples taken from Russian athletes, was found meldonium that of 1 January 2016 on the list of banned drugs.

World Anti-Doping Agency report published two days before the issue must be resolved if Russian athletes will take part in the Olympics, to be held in August in Rio de Janeiro.

World Anti-Doping Agency launched an investigation of possible doping by Russian athletes at the Winter Olympics in Sochi.

Russia has been suspended from competition under the auspices of the International Association of Athletics Federations. In mid-May, president of the International Olympic Committee Thomas Bach admitted the probability of the entire Russian team to participate in the Olympic Games 2016 in Rio de Janeiro due to doping scandal.

glavcom.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Patrol saw the man carrying the body of a girl and was going to throw it off a bridge.

In Odesa police arrested 22-year-old man who beat a date to loss of consciousness and robbed the girl and wanted to throw it off a bridge.

According to the press service of the Odesa Police Facebook.

Patrol saw the man carrying the body of a girl and is going to throw it off a bridge.

Law enforcement officers arrested the boy. She came to himself, said that recently met with the detainees, and came to him for a second date.

According to the victim, the guy was drunk. Accusing the girl of treason, he beat her unconscious, then took her bag with documents, money and phone.

The victim is denied and accused the girl that she had provoked. Later it turned out that he had already been brought to justice.

The victim was taken to hospital.

glavcom.ua  In Ukrainian/український