Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Saturday 25 June. [Ukrainian sources]

SATURDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News:
61 attacks by Putin. Another increase. The number is going up every day at the moment.
As sanctions continue, Putin sees no reason to stop the war. On the contrary, he is increasing the fighting, and the death toll.
Update: 2 soldiers wounded yesterday. Officially.

Weather:
27 at 10 am. Blue sky and sun. High around 30 again. Humid.
Forecast - more of the same for the next week or so.

ATO: gunmen opened fire 61 times, firing with heavy weapons
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/25/7112871/
Saturday, June 25, 2016, 7:41

During the last day recorded 61 firing at positions Ukrainian troops militants, of which 28 - in Mariupol area, 24 - in Donetsk and 9 - in the Luhansk region.
The press center ATO headquarters reported on the page in Facebook.
In Mariupol towards strengthening the Armed Forces in the area of ​​Marinka, Shyrokynoho, Lebedinsky and Starohnativky gunmen fired on all types of small arms and grenades.
Positions forces ATO near Krasnogorovka, Taramchuka, Talakovky, water and Chermalyk were fired from mortars.
At the direction of Donetsk ATO near questionnaire, Verhnotoretska and Luhansk terrorists fired with small arms, machine guns and large-caliber grenade launchers.
Ukrainian position near Zaitsev and Mayorska were also fired 82 mm mortars. On strengthening the Armed Forces near the Sands was carried fire from 122 mm artillery...

6:03
In Romania, because of the heat 14 people died
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/25/7112869/

Saturday, June 25, 2016, 6:03

In Romania, due to heat waves in recent days in several districts of the country 14 people died.
It is reported by "Ukrinform".
Ambulance crews, including air ambulance medical care (SMURD) operate in emergency mode.
The victims of heat waves have become residents of the county of Constanta, Vaslui, Iasi and other regions. Among the victims there are also tourists.
According to doctors, the cause of death of most patients was the failure of [correct] conduct in the heat.
According to Romanian meteorologists, in some regions of Romania the air temperature reaches 38-39 degrees.

Ukraine reduces gas consumption by almost 10% in May
http://www.unian.info/economics/1385398-ukraine-reduces-gas-consumption-by-almost-10-in-may.html
Ukraine has dropped consumption of natural gas in May compared to May 2015 by 9.7% – to 1,229 billion cubic meters, the State Statistics Service has reported.
According to the State Statistics Service, the consumption of gas in May fell by 30% compared to April 2016...
===

Basically good news. Gas consumption, year on year falls again. 10% is quite a bit.
It all helps. Ukraine will need to buy just that little less for the winter.

Russians Closer to Border Hold More Pro-Ukrainian Views

Russians living closer to the Ukrainian border are more likely to have favorable views towards the country, a report revealed Friday.

The report, written by Princeton University fellow Nikita Melnikov and economist Sergey Guriev, found that Russians living closer to the Ukrainian conflict felt more empathy with Ukrainian citizens.

Attitudes towards the country were measured using key search words from Russian based search engine Yandex. Data was gathered from 79 Russian regions during the period between Jan. 20, 2014 and July 6, 2015, with key phrases such as “charity,” “social security,” “adoption,” “blood donation” and “help for children” used as evidence of sympathetic feelings towards Ukraine.

Respondents were grouped using a number of factors, including local inflation, vulnerability to changes in the ruble’s value and average monthly regional salary, as well as distance from the conflict zone.

The report also showed that in regions closer to the conflict, sympathetic views increased along with the intensity of the fighting — measured by the frequency of the term “war in Ukraine” in the media.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/russians-closer-to-border-hold-more-pro-ukrainian-views/573391.html
===
How can Putin stop this? Jam radio signals more strongly from the west? Cut off the internet?

Russia Moves to Tighten Counterterror Law; Rights Activists See Threat to Freedoms
http://www.nytimes.com/2016/06/25/world/europe/russia-counterterrorism-yarovaya-law.html?_r=0
====

The road to North Korea.

HQ: Yesterday in the ATO zone, no dead, two soldiers wounded
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/25/7112888/
Headquarters: Day ATO in - no casualties, two soldiers wounded
Saturday, June 25, 2016, 13:23

Over the past day in the area ATO as a result of fighting among Ukrainian soldiers there, no dead, but two soldiers received injuries.
This was at the briefing on June 25 AP spokesman for the ATO Andrei Lysenko.
However, he said, the enemy losses for Friday are three dead and three wounded from the so-called 6 and 11 Regiment and 100th Brigade.
"The day before yesterday from a hospital morgue in Donetsk im.Kalinina towards Russia taken out 26 bodies of Russian troops," - said Lysenko.
Ukrainian Pravda

Demobilized soldiers to be replaced not by the newly drafted servicemen, but by contract[ed soldiers], - Poroshenko
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/394884/demobilized_soldiers_to_be_replaced_not_by_the_newly_drafted_servicemen_but_by_contractors_poroshenko
...."If we acted on inertia, the seventh wave of mobilization would be coming to its end and the eights wave would have been announced. Instead, we are doing everything possible to minimize the impact of war on society and the economy to allow the society focus on the construction of a new peaceful Ukraine," Poroshenko stressed....

Writing in Facebook June 24, Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin says he is disappointed by PACE resolution calling for steps toward Russia.

The economic sanctions were imposed on Russia in response to its aggression against Ukraine, Klimkin writes.

 “A number of clear-cut conditions were set as to when the sanctions can be revised. Has Russia complied with the conditions – No. Has Russia admitted its mistakes? – No,” Klimkin writes.

 “Russia is continuing to deliberately ignore all international demands to stop its aggression in Ukraine. That is why, PACE calls to resume dialog with Russia are giving a blow to PACE reputation,” Klimkin says.

 “Further concessions to the aggressor will send a signal to Russia that it can continue to wipe its feet on the basic principles of the Council of Europe,” the foreign minister says.

zik.ua

A car rammed into a truck in the Poltava region. As a result, two passengers were reported dead.

Censor.NET reports citing the Main Department of the National Police in the Poltava region

The accident has happened at about 6:30 a.m. near the village of Chapaivka (262 kilometer of the Kyiv - Kharkiv - Dovzhanskyi road).

According to preliminary information, the driver of Toyota Corolla was driving towards Kyiv and rammed into Renault Premium truck. The truck was pulled over on the right side of the road. After that Toyota rammed into another truck, which was moving in the opposite direction.

As a result of the accident the driver and a passenger of Toyota Corolla died on the spot.



censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

How many innocent people in Ukraine die DAILY, from auto accidents? I can only imagine.

I drove through Ukraine in early May, for six days. Not even in New York or Miami are they that out of touch with the value of life. Not only do the road conditions have to be dealt with, as you can see in the video below while I was driving in Ukraine Carpathians, but also the crazed drivers.

The government MUST make the sentencing of driving violations MUCH MORE stricter, or many more lives will be lost.  Who really wants to drive in conditions like this?

The militants have fired at Ukrainian positions in the Donbas, while they were visited by the President Petro Poroshenko on June 24.

Representative of the Presidential Administration of Ukraine on ATO issues Colonel Andrii Lysenko said at a briefing, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainska Pravda.

"Zaitseve, Maiorsk, Avdiivka, Opytne, Vodiane were mortared, while Pisky were fired from artillery. About 156 shells were fired at our positions", Lysenko said.

"Yesterday, these positions were visited by the president of Ukraine. Despite enemy fire, he inspected some of our strongholds and found the opportunity to talk with Ukrainian defenders. At the legendary Respublika Mist checkpoint, which is located just 800 meters away from the Donetsk airport, the Head of State awarded our soldiers with high state awards and signed a decree on demobilization of those drafted during the fifth wave", he added.

It was reported earlier that President of Ukraine and Supreme Commander of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has inspected strongholds of the front line and spoke with soldiers of the 128th Separate Mountain-Infantry Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. The Head of State addressed the military who want to continue to defend Ukraine, and invited them to continue service under contract. "Ukainian army needs you with your experience and fighting spirit today. We need volunteers who contracted consciously and performed brilliantly in the fighting in the area of anti-terrorist operation. Ukrainian army is waiting for you," Poroshenko said.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

The Kremlin could have appointed Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor Plotnitskiy leaders of militants of the so-called "DPR" and "LPR" because they are Ukrainians.

As reported by Censor.NET, Ukrainian pilot and MP Nadiia Savchenko said this in an interview to Korrespondent.

"I mean they are Ukrainians, not 'Little Russians,' as they are derogatory called in Russia, not Putin's puppets. I want to wake up the Ukrainians in them, wake up their senses, reach out to their minds. In this way, so many human lives can be saved. So the criticism does not worry me," she said.

"If some do not hurt because Ukrainians are being killed, and many 'sofa troops' of Maidan and ATO [anti-terrorist operation, Kyiv's official name for the events in the east of the country - ed.] just want to discuss it while lying on sofas, they are free to do so. I will act," Savchenko added.

Earlier, Batkivshchyna MP Nadiia Savchenko proposed to hold direct talks with militants of the "DPR" and "LPR" without the Minsk process. Many Ukrainian politicians and MPs reacted negatively to this statement by Savchenko.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

More losses among the Russian occupation forces and the terrorists have been reported in the Donbas.

Censor.NET reports referring to Ukraine's Defense Intelligence.

Three soldiers of the "6th" (Stakhanov) and "11th" (Makiivka) "Separate Motorized Rifle Regiments" and "100th Separate Motorized Rifle Brigade" (Donetsk), which operate as part of sabotage and intelligence groups, were eliminated and three more wounded on June 24.

Bodies of 26 Russian soldiers were taken from the morgue of the hospital named after Kalinin (Donetsk) in the direction of the Russian Federation on June 23.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

"The border guards at the Kharkiv airport together with the Security Service officers and the National Police have detected and detained two citizens of Tajikistan involved in the activity of the Islamic State and wanted by Interpol," the press office of the Border Guard Service of Ukraine told UNIAN news agency.

The Tajiks were detained at border control upon the arrival of flight Istanbul - Kharkiv. The Interpol database contains data on both men.

"During the questioning and search, the border guards found video tutorials in Arabic on making an improvised explosive device activated via cell phone. The flash media also contained photos of people of Muslim appearance carrying weapons. In addition, the men had extremist literature in their baggage. The detainees admitted they were planning to ‘organize an Islamic revolution in Tajikistan'," the press service reported.......

uatoday.tv

Russia is increasing its military presence near its neighbours' borders. According to the country's official and former Black Sea fleet chief Vladimir Komoyedov, Moscow is planning to send its nuclear capable Iskander missile systems to Kaliningrad.

The decision is aimed at strengthening Russia's position in its confrontation against NATO.

"Kaliningrad is our frontline in the west, the main base of the Baltic fleet, which is pressured by the NATO states from all sides. Our plans to deploy the Iskander systems there have been announced several times", Komoyedov said in an interview with Interfax, according to Deutsche Welle.

As the official stated, Russia wasn't going to confine itself to the Iskanders only. He said, the country was also strengthening its fleet by adding new ships and military vehicles............

uatoday.tv

People's Deputy from "Fatherland" in Lublin handed a statuette "Eagle" - the award of Jan Kara.

People's deputy of Ukraine Hope Savchenko received the award "For the strength of spirit in the struggle for human dignity and honor," according to " Polish Radio" .

The ceremony Savchenko thanked for the support received from Poland it personally and Ukraine, and apologized for the insults and misunderstandings that arose between the two nations in the past.

Meanwhile, the secretary of the Society of Jan Kara, which awards the prize "Eagle", Jacek Voznyak said that Karski was also a prisoner "Soviets" on Polish soil, and then miraculously "escaped the fate of several thousand Polish officers at Katyn by Stalin destroyed." Kara escaped to Warsaw, where he fought for Poland.

"As Lieutenant Kara and Lieutenant Savchenko time stood captivity. Stand the sheer force of will and spirit. Withstood also thanks to support free people who want peace," - said Voznyak.

Karski - a member of the Polish resistance movement, the righteous of the world. The award "Eagle" by Jan Kara awarded since 2000. Previously, the award received Polish politicians Jacek Kuron, Lech Vasensa posthumously Russian opposition leader Boris Nemtsov, reports UNIAN.

glavcom.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Supporters of Putin opposed the so-called "law of spring", which

Former US intelligence officer who is hiding in Russia Edward Snowden spoke out against the decision of the State Duma to support the so-called "law of spring", authored by MP Iryna gullies. According to the provisions of the document Russian special services get much more power and rights than they have now, reports "Echo of Moscow".

In particular, the text document is the position that the cellular operators for three years should keep the facts about connection of subscribers and six months - recording conversations. But the owners of social networks and instant messengers can not delete information during the year of the transfer data and information about users.

In addition, the bill lowers the age of responsibility for international terrorism for 14 years, and the criminal Code introduces the concept of "international terrorism" - "exercise outside the territory of the explosion, arson or other acts which endanger life, health 'I, liberty or security of Russian citizens, "said " Novaya Gazeta ".

In itself at Twitter Snowden writes , that mass surveillance is not improving their safety , said Snowden. According to his words, Act Big brother should not be signed.

Раніше засновник месенджера Телеграм Павло Дуров заявив про refusing to carry out demands of anti-terrorism law to store data.

glavcom.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Foreign Minister of Ukraine said that in Moscow, many who share his opinion.

Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin said that until the Crimea will be a part of, the peninsula has no future. He saidTV channel ATR .

Ukrainian Minister t akozh noted that many people in Moscow, according to his opinion. And its Western partners in this support.
He said Mr Eid meetings in "Norman format" repeatedly spoke of a colleague Sergey Lavrov, Minister of Foreign Affairs. However, the Russian minister insisted that these meetings focused on issues of Donbass and does not apply to the Crimea.

Foreign Minister of Ukraine particularly insisted that Russia occupied Crimea, and to distract global attention from this fact unleashed the conflict in Donbas. Foreign Ministry has not yet commented on this statement.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

Russian President Vladimir Putin strengthens the military pressure on Ukraine, demonstrating the commitment to resort to radical actions in the east, according to Ukrainian volunteer Yuriy Kasyanov.

President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko went to the front in the ATO zone to enlist the support of the military and veterans in the event of an adverse scenario of events in the country. Such an opinion on Facebook expressed Ukrainian volunteer Yuriy Kasyanov.
He noted that there is a favorable scenario, and Russian President Vladimir Putin wants to introduce a "LC" and "DNR" in Ukraine.

"Putin has set the deadline - until mid-August to complete the implementation of the legislative clearance cancer LC / DNR back to Ukraine To be sure, the Kremlin dwarf military pressure intensifies, showing determination to resort to a much more radical action in the East.", - Said the volunteer.

He suggested that it is now at the front can be expected to attack the terrorists.

"Putin may well hold against us small victorious (so he thinks) war forces Ukrainian collaborators, summarized in the so-called 1st and 2nd Army Corps of the occupation forces in this case the loss of regular units of the Russian Federation will be minor;. No one in Russia they will not notice, but a general exultation - in case of victory - ensured Putin understands that the bluff in world politics only worth something when he occasionally turns into a blood-If Ukraine does not give way, he will have to start a war to show.. the world that Putin is not a yard boy from St. Petersburg, as a decisive politician, whose opinion must be considered, "- said Kasyanov.

He added that Poroshenko "desperately afraid" of the war.

"Legalize LC / DNR does not want to, fearing that will endure and not to have taken out, trying to negotiate." - Summed up the volunteer.

gordonua.com In Russian/русский

People's Deputy Anton Gerashchenko said that the proposal of the national deputy Hope Savchenko on the need to direct talks with the leaders of terrorist organizations "DNR" and "LNR" due to its correspondence with representatives of armed groups, and published the photo of letters, which caused outrage Savchenko Vera.

Blaming the People's Deputy of Hope Savchenko in connection with the terrorists from the People's Deputy of the "People's Front" Anton Gerashchenko is a provocation with the old correspondence.

Such an opinion on his Facebook page expressed sister Faith Hope Savchenko.

She noted that the letter Savchenko convicted in Ukraine on charges of espionage, reconnaissance and sabotage activities in favor of Russia Maria Koledov were published in 2014 and 2015, but did not attract attention. Koledov, who wrote the MP, Savchenko Vera called "entangled girl in his miserable life."

According to Vera Savchenko, Gerashchenko "took the letter from the naphthalene cabinet" and now "makes them the news zrade".

"Do not kill Nadia tired" news "?" - She wrote.

In response, Gerashchenko himself said in Facebook, that earlier this news, "walked past him."

"Just then, almost no one believed that this may be true now, after breaking the volunteers of the site." The Peacemaker "address head of the department for relations with the terrorist organization of the public" DNI "Mary Koledov, this correspondence have been confirmed," - he said he.

Earlier Gerashchenko said that recent statements on the need to Savchenko direct talks with the leaders of terrorist organizations "DNR" and "LNR" due to its correspondence with the gangs by sharing publication of the project "The Peacemaker" with letters photo.

June 7, 2016 MP Nadezhda Savchenko stated its readiness to engage in direct talks with the leaders of the prisoners "DNR" and "LNR" Alexander Zakharchenko and Igor carpentry.

Statement by the People's Deputy has caused heated discussion in Ukraine. Representatives of the militants "DNI", including the leader of group Alexander Zakharchenko said that are willing to negotiate with Savchenko , if it receives the necessary powers.

The SBU initiative Savchenko criticized, noting that Ukraine Zakharchenko and carpentry are criminals , instead of negotiating partners. Chairman of the party "Batkivshchyna" Yulia Tymoshenko opposed the People's Deputy initiatives of direct negotiations with terrorists.

gordonua.com In Russian/русский