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

SUNDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Glory to Ukraine: Viral video welcomes Trump in his own words. Two militants committed suicide in ATO zone.  16 Ukrainian soldiers wounded yesterday.  In Crimea three years of Russian occupation because of political beliefs killed 12 people.  Dutch Lawmakers Vote In Favor Of EU-Ukraine Deal.  Russian military admits significant cyber-war effort.  U.S. to deploy Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets to Europe.  The Russians have provided guarantees under the ceasefire Avdiyivka.  

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Russian authorities have admitted for the first time the scale of their information warfare effort, saying it was significantly expanded post-Cold War, according to BBC.

Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu said that Russian "information troops" were involved in "intelligent, effective propaganda", but he did not reveal details about the team or its targets, BBC reported. The admission follows repeated allegations of cyberattacks against Western nations by the Russian state, while NATO is reported to be Moscow's top target. Speaking to Russian MPs, Mr Shoigu said "we have information troops who are much more effective and stronger than the former Soviet 'counter-propaganda' section". Keir Giles, an expert on the Russian military at the Chatham House think-tank, has warned that Russian "information warfare" occupies a wider sphere than the current Western focus on "cyber warriors" and hackers.

"The aim is to control information in whatever form it takes," he wrote in a NATO report called "The Next Phase of Russian Information Warfare".................

unian.info

The Ukrainian television news service TSN has produced and shared a viral video welcoming U.S. President Donald Trump in his own words, according to tsn.ua.

The Ukrainian video has followed other countries' trendsetting introduction clips, first made by the Dutch "Zondag Met Lubach" TV show, which released its "The Netherlands Welcomes Trump in His Own Words" after the U.S. president's inauguration on January 20. "Unlike [a video produced] by Germans, Italians, Austrians and many others who have produced similar clips, our welcoming has become a song," TSN said. "Dear Mr. President, welcome to this introduction video about Ukraine. It is going to be a great video. It's gonna be absolutely fantastic," the song performed in a rapping style begins its narration.



"We stand against Russian aggression on the eastside," it continues about challenges faced by Ukraine. "No, they [terrorists from Russia] cannot beat us. Can't do it. Losers." A "politically sensitive" topic of languages in Ukraine, which is a favorite tool of Russian propagandists inciting language-based hatred, was also mentioned: "Russian is not even a real language. It's fake! It's a fake language." Then the video boasts the Ukrainian wall in Bucha, which is even "greater" than the Mexico wall, one of the commitments Trump undertook during his election campaign. "This is Bucha. The city near the capital. It's small, but it has a great, great wall that ex-officials and their relatives built to protect themselves. Protect from… not water, not animals but from common people. And they made those people pay for it. The tremendous wall. Nobody builds walls better than we do. You should keep in mind, thinking about Mexicans. Help us help you, OK?" the song goes on. The most popular theme about Ukraine – corruption – has also gotten into the song: "People tell us, very important people, they tell us we've got one of the highest levels of corruption in the whole world. It's just unbelievable!" It concludes: "We totally understand it's going to be America first. But can we just say: Ukraine second?".............

unian.info

The U.S. Air Force is preparing to deploy Lockheed Martin's F-35 fighter jets to Europe, according to Defence Blog.

The head of U.S. Air Combat Command said Friday the U.S. Air Force's F-35 joint strike fighter will soon fly over Europe, Defence Blog wrote. "Europe is certainly a place that I think we would like to send that airplane so I can see that happening," Gen. Herbert "Hawk" Carlisle told reporters in Washington Friday morning.

Carlisle, the head of Air Combat Command, said the top priorities for the deployments are to non-combat zones where the fighters can play a valuable role with respect to intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance operations. That includes in Ukraine and NATO-allied countries worried about Russian President Vladimir Putin's expansionist goals.........

unian.info

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has signed a decree on the establishment of a Ukrainian delegation to participate in the International Criminal Court’s proceedings into the violation by Russia of the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on the Elimination of All forms of Racial Discrimination.

The delegation will be headed by Ukrainian Deputy Foreign Minister Olena Zerkal, according to the presidential press service.

The Ukrainian side will also be represented by Director of the EU Department at the Foreign Ministry Vsevolod Chentsov, Deputy Prosecutor General Yevhen Yenin, Head of the Main Department of Foreign Policy and European Integration at the Presidential Administration Ihor Zhovkva, Head of the Secretariat of the Parliamentary Commissioner for Human Rights Bohdan Kriklivenko, and Head of the Staff of the Chairman of the Security Service of Ukraine Oleksandr Tkachuk.

The hearings in The Hague are scheduled for March 6-9.

As UNIAN reported earlier, January 16, Ukraine lodged a lawsuit against Russia with the International Criminal Court. The lawsuit was filed under the International Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism and the International Convention on Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination. The Ukrainian side states that the Russian Federation has been violating the Convention for the Suppression of the Financing of Terrorism by providing weapons and other support to illegal armed groups who have committed a number of terrorist acts in Ukraine.

Ukraine also claims that Russia violates the Convention on the Elimination of All Forms of Racial Discrimination, by taking part in the discrimination campaign against non-Russian communities living in the occupied Crimea – in particular, ethnic Ukrainians and Crimean Tatars........

unian.info

The Netherlands' lower house of parliament has voted for the ratification of the EU-Ukraine Association Agreement, leaving a vote in the upper house -- the Dutch Senate -- as a final hurdle before the deal, which was signed in March 2014, finally can enter into force.

It has been expected that the House of Representatives would vote in favor of the deal, as the governing coalition enjoys a majority there.

The Senate vote is expected to take place only after the next month's parliamentary elections in the Netherlands on March 15, despite the fact that the composition of the Senate isn't affected by the general election.

The Netherlands is the only EU country that still hasn't ratified the Association Agreement with Ukraine after 61 percent voted against it in a citizen-driven referendum in the country in April 2016.

Although the result was consultative, the Dutch government decided to negotiate a legally binding supplement to the Association Agreement with the other 27 EU member states........

rferl.org

Militants of ‘Oplot’ illegal armed unit, headed by nowadays ‘DPR’ leader Alexander Zakharchenko at that time, intentionally mortared Donetsk city in order to discredit the Armed forces of Ukraine.

The militant of 'Vostok' battalion Dmitriy Redkin, nicknamed Mityai, told the 'DPR' journalist Mikhail Polynkov, Censor.NET reports.

"'Oplot' militants drove around the city, mortared it and blamed Ukrainian soldiers. Finally, 'Sparta' militants detained the provocateurs and put them into jail," he said.

Moreover, Redkin confirmed that 'Oplot' militants shelled 'Vostok' positions with Grad rocket systems in the vicinity of Zhovtneve village. At the same time, they can't explain the reasons of such actions.



ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Aggressive promotion of Russia exceeds in scale propaganda of Soviet times.

According Tsenzor.NET with reference to UNIAN , it was declared by MP from the "Block Petro Poroshenko," authorized the President on affairs of the Crimean Tatar people Mustafa Cemil.

"The aggressor has a very powerful propaganda machine - mind-numbing, zombie, aggressive propaganda machine I am not familiar with the methods of the Nazi-Goebbels's propaganda, but I can safely say that the degree of aggressiveness, falsehood, shamelessly current Russian propaganda is far superior to the propaganda of the Soviet totalitarian regime." - he said.

"Runs a huge staff of highly paid professionals in lies, disinformation world community There are entire factories trolls, where hundreds of people paid in all languages written comments on all publications, reflecting, so to speak, the pro-Putin point of view." - Added the politician.

"Unfortunately, we feel, we see the negative effects of this propaganda, even if the head of a great democratic country in the course of his election campaign says that "yes, I heard, as if the people themselves Crimea would be in the occupation, and therefore should probably agree with Putin on the future status of Crimea", you can guess what the awareness of millions of people whose lives to do with politics, "- said the parliamentarian.

He also believes that the need to improve awareness and Ukrainian citizens. "If our people, our entire political establishment, our deputies adequately would be informed about the position in which there were people in the occupied Crimea, especially those people who want to preserve their national and human dignity without causing damage while the basic interests of the country and its people, then maybe there would be less or no there were no such clever men who offer to postpone the issue of de-occupation of the Crimea for a couple of decades or lease of Crimea, together with its inhabitants to Putin "in Ukraine - added he.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Russian hybrid forces continue to violate cease-fire in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone.

The militants attacked the positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 92 times over the past 24 hours. 12 Ukrainian servicemen wounded and four suffered traumas, Censor.NET reports citing the ATO Staff.

In the Mariupol sector, the militants mortared Pavlopil and Hnutove with 122 mm shells. 120 mm mortars hit Krasnohorivka, Hnutove and Shyrokyne. Vodiane was shelled with 82 mm mortars. The militants fired at Novotroitske, Pavlopil, Hnutove, Vodiane and Shyrokyne from grenade launchers and small arms. Shyrokyne and Pavlopil came under IFV fire.

In the Donetsk sector, the militants shelled Verkhniotoretske with 122 mm artillery. Shells hit Troitske, Pisky, Luhanske, Dacha, Zaitseve, Kamianka, Novoselivka, Verkhniotoretske and Avdiivka. The militants also fired at Avdiivka, Dacha, Maiorsk, Zaitseve, Pisky and Luhanske from grenade launchers and small arms. Militants' tanks fired at Pisky and Kamianka, while IFVs fired at Luhanske.

In the Luhansk sector, the militants fired at Novooleksandrivka, Troitske and Novozvanivka from mortars, grenade launchers and small arms. Novozvanivka came under IFV fire.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Security Service of Ukraine together with kiberpolitsiyeyu stopped relaying Russian TV channels banned in Brussels

The press center of the SBU.

"Law enforcement officers found that two local residents provide clients TV using an illegal service. The package included the banned Russian television channels that disseminate anti-Ukrainian propaganda" - said in a statement.

During searches at the residence of intruders special operatives seized telecommunication equipment: IP-receivers, TV-tuners and set-top box to receive the digital signal, server hardware, network switches.

Opened criminal proceedings under Part. 2, Art. 361 of the Criminal Code of Ukraine. Continues pre-trial investigation.




espreso.tv , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The Russian side in the joint center for control and coordination have not provided written guarantees ceasefire in the area gusts near power lines Avdeevka.

About this on his page in the social network Facebook wrote the chairman of the Donetsk military and civil administration Paul Zhebrivskyi.

"The Russian side in STSKK has not provided written guarantees ceasefire in the area impulses

transmission lines near Avdeevka. We hope to receive guarantees for tomorrow morning and electricians ready to go to restore the transmission line. As of today found two places damaged power lines," - said in a statement.

According Zhebrivskyi, the powerful electric generator is operating Hospital, Department of Ukrtelecom and other services that are vital for the city. Police working in emergency mode.

"Tomorrow morning plan from a powerful generator to run the pumping station and serve the people in the apartment water. Avdeyevka Coke from his batteries maintains proper heat in heating systems. Turned to Kyivstar to the time until restore power in Avdiyivka, they hooked their transmitters in to generators and ensure that the Web works, "- said Zhebrivskyi.


Translation: Russian side in stskk never helped written guarantee ceasefire in poryviv lep near #avdiivka. Hopefully get a guarantee on tomorrow and morning elektromontazhnyky ready quit on restoring lep. Status for today found two places corruption line tower.

Now on burley elektroheneratorakh work hospital, compartment ukrtelekomu and other services that provide biological process of the city. Police works at posylenomu mode and provides pravoporyadok in town.

Tomorrow morning plan from power generator run nasosnu station and give people a place in the water. Avdiyivka koksokhim from their battery supports dues warmth in teplomerezhakh city.

Heaven to kyyivstaru to the time before, restore electricity in avdiyivtsi, they they their peredavachi in town to elektroheneratoriv and zabezpechyly proper job network.

Recall that during the evening of February 24 Avdeevka Donetsk region aggravated the situation , the militants resumed shelling with heavy weapons.

espreso.tv , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Also, 17 missing, another 39 were arrested on political grounds.

As of February 25, 2017 in the occupied Crimea because of political beliefs killed 12 people, 17 missing, another 39 were arrested on political grounds. This was announced on February 25 Deputy Prime Minister for European and Euro-Tsintsadze Joanna Klympush during a speech at the International Forum "Crimea under occupation: Implications for Ukraine and the world," the Tsenzor.NET referring to Espresso. TV.

" These are people who have suffered because of their political, ideological conviction, because of its affiliation with the Crimean Tatar people, the habit of freedom of speech, because they decided to stay to those who are - citizens of Ukraine", - said the Minister.

Also Klympush-Tsintsadze said that 3 years of occupation in the Crimea there are cases of oppression of civil rights and freedoms. In particular, associated with politically disappearance of 17 people, another 39 were arrested on political grounds. "Over the past 3 years Crimea has reached almost complete destruction of personal and civil rights and freedoms. Currently, the Crimea can serve as valuable reference violations and harassment of human rights . Almost all known methods of dealing with freedom has been applied and continue to apply occupation authorities" - said Klympush-Tsintsadze.

"(The government of the Russian Federation. - Ed.) Introduces pro-Ukrainian activists in the lists of terrorists, preclude the right to peaceful assembly pursuing national cultural and representative bodies of the Crimean Tatar people Majlis declared extremist organization ... However occupiers to transform Crimea militarized zone, a military base" - said Klympush-Tsintsadze.

The Minister added that Russia aims to turn the Crimea in the "militarized zone", placing its troops there. As a result, Crimea became a "territory of fear."

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Several suicides of pro-Russian militants reported in the occupied Donbas.

Censor.NET reports citing Main Intelligence Directorate (HUR) of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.

A soldier of the "9th separate assault motorized rifle regiment of marines" (Novoazovsk) of the "1st Army Corps" of the Russian Federation committed suicide. He exploded himself with a hand grenade. At the same time, Russian command is trying to conceal this fact.

Moreover, a militant of the "separate UAV company" (Donetsk) of the "1st Army Corps" committed suicide on Feb. 24.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The president once again told about the likelihood of a full-scale invasion of Russia.

According Tsenzor.NET with reference to the Facebook president, Petro Poroshenko does not exclude the possibility of full-scale war with Russia.

"Russia will try to realize their imperial plans, both in the form of continuation of hybrid war, and it is not excluded, - Open aggression with massive use of military force in all directions and the main ally of Ukraine, the stronghold and the foundation of its independence is the Armed Forces of Ukraine - he wrote - We are radically and directly in the course of hostilities reconstruct not only them but the whole sector of security and defense of our country, bring it into line with NATO standards Over the years greatly increased the combat capability of the army it's another army She Therefore... another war!"

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The Security Service of Ukraine will verify the reports on MP Nadia Savchenko’s alleged instigation of the Ukrainian military to leave their defensive positions in Donbas in favor of taking part in a coup in Kyiv, according to SBU spox Olena Hitlyanska.



"The SBU will check the information on Savchenko inciting troops to a coup," she said. As UNIAN reported earlier, MP Tetiana Rychkova (BPP) on Friday said that Savchenko had incited Ukrainian troops to leave their positions in the ATO zone and head toward Kyiv "to overthrow the criminal government."

The deputy has also called on the Prosecutor General and the Security Service of Ukraine to open criminal proceedings against MP Savchenko. Adviser to Interior Minister Zorian Shkiryak later wrote on Facebook: "As it turned out, she [Savchenko] went there with an openly provocative aim and appeals [to the troops] to "put down their weapons and head from the frontline to Kyiv to overthrown the "criminal government."

Shkiryak also emphasized that this was a direct appeal to overthrow the constitutional order.

In an astonishing political fall from grace, Nadia Savchenko over the past year has issued numerous provocative statements regarding the need for a direct dialogue with the pro-Russian militants in Donbas – something the official Kyiv firmly rejects........

unian.info, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

The "DNR" said they wanted to exchange prisoners according to the "all for all", but the demand to release 475 persons

It is reported by " RIA Novosti " referring to the representative of the "DNR" Daria Morozova.

She said Friday the deputy Hope Savchenko visited the colony in Makeyevka, where prisoners are held Ukrainian security forces and appealed to the leaders of the Normandy format with a call to promote the exchange of prisoners in the Donbass according to the "all for all".

"Those proposals voiced hope through the Internet and the media, in this case is unacceptable," - said Morozov.

She also said that the separatists demand from Kyiv to release 475 people.

Recall that on February 24 unaffiliated MP Hope Savchenko in the occupied Donetsk urged leaders "Norman Quartet" to speed up the liberation of Ukrainian prisoners .

espreso.tv , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові