Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Saturday 26 September. [Ukrainian sources]

SATURDAY

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NEWS-
The Russians fired 4 times yesterday at the Ukrainian people.
Reading of no soldiers injured or killed by Putin yesterday. That is good news.

Weather -
Very humid today in Kiev. Sticky. Warm. 28 about midday. A little cooler now - chance of a thunderstorm maybe.

Observation - Nelson
Driving around Kiev today - there seem to me to be more and more cars from Donetsk and Lugansk.
Everybody who has anything is leaving the Russian occupied area and travelling to free-Ukraine.
Nobody who has a choice wants to live in Putin's hell.

More News - Admin
Ukraine President Poroshenko has been increasing the pressure on the Kremlin and emphasizing its target to Russia's economy, which of course will come back to haunt Putin.

Recent sanctions have been put in place towards Russia's airline and investment sectors. As of the 25th airlines have been banned from landing in Ukraine. Russia came out today to say they're stopping them from going to Ukraine, but obviously they must say that so Russians can look at Putin as being the powerhouse he wants to be seen as within Russia, until Russians will find out that it was initially implemented by Ukraine and not Putin.  

Business from Russia has been banned, including any kind of investments. This includes any kind of bidding.

He recently signed a bill the attacks corruption deeply. He has been getting pressure from the US, regarding how much anti-corruption has been investigated, even within its government. The PGO was pointed at, as not doing enough to attack corruption. There's never been seen in Ukraine the amount of hard work against corruption as there is now, but it seems it's so entrenched deeply, it's going to take some time to really get it under control. But credit must be given where it's due. Judges have been incarcerated and charged recently, like never before. Mayors and heads of government departments have also been caught. There are also investigations of some MPs within his own party, so nobody's out of bounds.

I post almost on a daily basis events and arrests by the SBU. This has been going on since July. Currently six pages. It'll show how they're attacking crime. You can see those busts at: Ukraine's SBU at work and its accomplishments (HEADLINES)!

If Putin fails to cut a deal with the US, he may deliberately destabilize the situation in Donbas, Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin said, speaking to lb.ua Sept. 26.

Specifying his statement, Klimkin assumed that Russia may launch an offensive similar to the one near Maryinka.

Regrettably, Ukraine is vulnerable to such Putin’s tactics. Ukrainians have to learn to live with it, Klimkin said.

zik.ua

Three today’s and tomorrow’s flights were canceled to Kharkiv, and one to Odesa.
Russian state Aeroflot airline has canceled four flights to Ukraine from Russia, Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN

This happened after the last Cabinet has extended sanctions and banned the company's flights to Ukraine. In particular, as noted on the electronic scoreboard airports, today and tomorrow three flights canceled in Kharkiv, another - in Odessa.

It has happened just after the Cabinet of Ministers, together with National Security and Defense Council, banned Russian airlines (Aeroflot and Transaero) from Ukraine. The Cabinet of Ministers also prohibits all transit flights of Russian airlines over the territory of Ukraine "if they carry military goods, dual-use goods, or Russian military manpower."

Thus, Russian airlines were put into Ukraine's sanctions and will not be able to operate properly since Oct. 25.

"In pursuance of presidential decree No. 549/2015 on decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine of Sep. 2, 2015 on application of personal, special, economic, and other restrictive measures (sanctions) and by order of Prime Minister of Ukraine Arsenii Yatseniuk, the State Aviation Service of Ukraine has started to inform the Russian airlines, which have been put on the sanctions list, that they will not be granted permission to carry out flights to Ukrainian cities effective winter navigation 2015/2016 (Oct. 25, 2015)," the State Aviation Service reads.

censor.net.ua In Russian


The conflict between Kyiv and Moscow continued on Friday as Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk announced during a government meeting that major Russian airlines would be banned from flying into the Ukraine - starting on October 25. The move would become part of an ongoing series of sanctions Kyiv has imposed upon nearly 100 Russian companies.

“Russian planes with the Russian tricolor have no business in Ukrainian airports,” Yatsenyuk was quoted as saying on the government website.

According to the government's website, Yatsenyuk also said that planes carrying military equipment or troops would not be allowed to fly over Ukraine's territory either - although commercial flights would still be permitted to fly over Ukraine.

In response, Russian Transport Minister Maxim Sokolov said later that day that Moscow would be forced to retaliate if the restrictions went into effect, according to the Interfax news agency.

Of the more than 90 Russian companies Kyiv blacklisted this month as threats to national security, 25 were aviation companies. Aeroflot has said that it was not informed about the ban prior to the decision being made.

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

Addressing the cabinet Sept. 25, Premier Arseny Yatseniuk said Russian companies, covered by Ukraine’s sanctions, will not be allowed to take part in tenders in Ukraine.

The ban will stop the use of budget money by the Russian companies, he said.

Sept. 2, Ukraine National Defense and Security Council passed a resolution to impose new sanctions against Russia’s 400 physical and 90 legal persons related to the annexation of Crimea.

zik.ua

Russia’s President, Vladimir Putin, has said he may agree to the deployment of international peacekeepers in eastern Ukraine,

Ukraine Foreign Minister Pavlo Klimkin informed, Censor.NET reports citing Ukrainska Pravda

Mr Putin, who is said to have made the remarks during informal talks at peace negotiations in Minsk earlier this year, has shown no public sign of accepting such a move. But as Ukraine prepares to push its own peacekeeper proposals at the United Nations General Assembly in New York this week, diplomats are scrutinising Moscow carefully for its reaction.

"We need a stabilizing force, a neutral arbiter on the ground. Such peacekeepers could take the form of either UN troops, or a hybrid force made up with EU law enforcers," Klimkin said.

He said Mr Putin had told him he "might accept a peacekeeping force" as Russia and Ukraine met alongside the leaders of France and Germany to hammer out the deal that has brought a partial halt to fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian rebels in the area known as Donbas.

How the Russians respond to Ukraine's proposals will prove a litmus test for the whole Minsk peace deal.

"Peace is entirely in Russia's hands. If Russia is truly interested in stability and de-escalation, it will accept peacekeepers as the best way to go. If they aren't ready to accept them, that tells you all you need to know about the political will in Moscow for implementing the Minsk agreements." Pavlo Klimkin said.

Under the agreement, control over the border between terrorists' areas and Russia is to be returned to Ukrainian forces by the end of this year. Ukraine insists that this is a "red line", but most observers regard this as optimistic.

censor.net.ua In Russian

As you can see, he's more or less owning this conflict, by saying he might consider peacekeepers. Another way for him to freeze it and let it stretch out. But at the same time, it's not only a continuous cost for him, but on top of the cost from the Syrian conflict. I really don't think he knows what he's doing to his country. Obviously, he doesn't care. He's got most of them in shackles, sad to say.

As the OSCE has been threatened and shot at, along with being asked to leave, he'll do the same with peacekeepers, but they'll be armed. So is this increase the intimidation, in order to escalate?

"This is the night before our visit to the UN General Assembly. Colleagues are working on the text. I am reading it. You have to be ready for any kind of meeting in New York. Such is the specificity of the event. Next seven days are extremely important. We are going to pay a heavy price for a mistake. I believe in our victory, because the truth and facts are at our side. And we have more than enough facts," Klimkin wrote.

Ukraine would also use the General Assembly to secure broad support for an international tribunal to investigate the shooting down of flight MH17 more than 14 months ago, killing all 298 on board.

Evidence made available soon after the tragedy suggested the jet was downed by a sophisticated surface-to-air missile, launched from an area controlled by Russian-backed separatists - but Russia and the separatists have rejected such claims and, in July, Russia used its UN Security Council veto to block attempts to establish a UN tribunal. Ukraine is now pushing, instead, for a tribunal formally subordinate to the UN, but organised by the five nations involved in the MH17 criminal investigation team: Malaysia, Australia, Ukraine, Belgium and the Netherlands. Otherwise, Ukraine will pursue prosecutions against Russia in the International Court of Justice.

More than 150 world leaders are expected to attend the UN Sustainable Development Summit from September 25-27 at UN headquarters in New York to formally adopt an ambitious new sustainable development agenda. This momentous agenda will serve as the launch pad for action by the international community and by national governments to promote shared prosperity and well-being for all over the next 15 years.

censor.net.ua In Russian

The consequences of the blockade of the occupied Crimea will become obvious next week when local salesmen will run out of purveyance.
This was announced by Mejlis Deputy Chairman Ilmi Umerov on Channel 5, Censor.NET reports.

"There is a certain stir about the prices. The prices for some products, such as onions, potatoes, and even bread have increased slightly. Businessmen who transported food from mainland Ukraine tried to stock up and fill their warehouses and refrigerators in advance", he declared.

"I think that we will witness the consequences of the blockade in a week (after the blockade started. - Ed.). What we see now is emotional stir," he stressed.

censor.net.ua In Russian

Pres Poroshenko is supportive of the proposals to cancel bail for suspects charged with committing grave crimes, his office says in response to the electronic petition on Poroshenko’s website.

“The Verkhovna Rada has to pass the law banning bail for highly placed officials suspected of committing grave crimes,” Poroshenko said.

Many corrupt officials, released on bail, were able to dodge justice by running for cover in Russia or other countries.

zik.ua

Rebel leaders of the so-called Luhansk People's Republic on September 24 said they had refused accreditation to 10 out of 11 foreign humanitarian agencies, ordering them to leave Luhansk by September 25.

United Nations agencies were also told to leave, prompting sharp protests from the UN and affected groups.

Ukraine said the move violated a peace plan it inked with the rebels in Minsk in February, which requires safe access and distribution of humanitarian aid through "international mechanisms."

"This is an attempt to disrupt the Minsk process," Iryna Herashchenko, spokeswoman for Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko, told Reuters. "Ukraine expresses its deep concern, as banning the work of international organizations primarily affects civilians."

The U.S. State Department also condemned the decision.

"Expelling these organizations puts at risk up to 3 million people in separatist-held parts of Donbas by denying them access to food, water, medicine, shelter, and clothes in advance of winter," it said.

rferl.org

A militant sniper fired on a Ukrainian stronghold in Zaitseve at 6:35 p.m., and a grenade launcher and small arms were used against Ukrainian army positions in the same area at about 9 p.m.

The militants used small arms near Troitske at 9 p.m. and fired grenade launchers on Ukrainian strongholds in Leninske and Kirove at 10 p.m.

ukrinform.ua

Non-affiliated people's deputy of Ukraine Serhiy Kaplin said that Kyiv's Pechersk District Court had satisfied his petition and ordered the Prosecutor General's Office (PGO) to open a criminal case against Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk on suspicion of accepting bribe in the amount of $3 million, the MP's press service reported.

It is noted that Yatsenyuk has allegedly accepted a bribe for appointing Volodymyr Ishchuk as general director of Broadcasting, Radiocommunications and Television (BRT) Concern.

Kaplin also argues that Ishchuk has been involved in sabotage regarding the resumption of Ukrainian TV channels broadcasting in Donbas.

As UNIAN reported earlier, in early August, the Cabinet of Ministers appointed Volodymyr Ishchuk as general director of BRT Concern.................

unian.info

In the center of Donetsk, near the flags, "DNR", "New Russia" and gangs "Sparta" is now flying the flag of Syria. As they say residents of Donetsk in social networks, they do not understand the fact of the appearance of the Syrian flag in a "company."

"Seconded militants" DNR "are fighting on the side of the Syrian government army, shooting at the same bearers of the ideas of separatism and" independent republics ", seasoned with religious fanaticism," -nedoumevayut donchane.



Recall that in the ranks of the personnel of the brigade "Hold" the panic and observed cases of desertion. Terrorists are actively writing a report on the dismissal, fearing transfer to Syria.

informator.lg.ua In Russian

An assassination attempt against Polish Prime Minister Ewa Kopacz and her Ukrainian counterpart Arseny Yatsenyuk was averted in Ukraine on September 17, according to Polish media.

Yatsenyuk's bodyguards found ready-to-fire-weapons - RPG-26 grenade launcher - on the route chosen by Kopacz's and his convoys. .

Ewa Kopacz visited in Ukraine to mark the 76th anniversary of the Soviet attack on Poland.

Apart from the weapon, the bodyguards discovered the place from where the convoy vehicles were to be shelled. The weapon was hidden under a railway bridge, wrapped in foil. At first glance it looked like a tube.

The Polish Government Protection Bureau and Ewa Kopacz itself confirmed what media reported.

"Yes, we have received this information. We changed the route, and PM Yatsenyuk said that his services had found a grenade launcher. I said that this is our job," said the head of the Polish government............

To read further go to this link: uatoday.tv/PHOTOS

http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/09/26/7082707/
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http://www.ibtimes.com/mh17-update-russia-could-face-legal-action-over-plane-disaster-eastern-ukraine-2115467
Russia could face legal action over its alleged role in the downing of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH17 in eastern Ukraine in July last year as leaders of affected countries are set to meet in New York next week. The scheduled meeting comes after possible parts of a Russian missile system were recently found at the crash site, serving as the first physical evidence that a missile strike could have downed the aircraft.
Australia’s foreign minister, Julie Bishop, is expected to meet her counterparts from Belgium, Malaysia, the Netherlands and Ukraine during the annual United Nations general assembly summit Tuesday. At the meeting, the leaders are likely to propose a tribunal similar to the one formed to prosecute Libyan suspects over the bombing of a Pan Am flight over Lockerbie, Scotland, in 1988, the Australian Associated Press (AAP) reported.
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70 dead children.
Putin, Lavrov and that lying scumball at the UN Cherkin, should be locked up for life. Absolute scum of the earth.

Russian officials demand exhaustive measures to find and bring to justice those who desecrated 57 graves at a cemetery in Milejczyce

Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reports: The Russian Foreign Ministry summoned the Polish ambassador to Moscow on September 25 after graves of Soviet soldiers were vandalized in a Polish village.

Poland's Foreign Ministry also condemned the act.

The incident comes just over a week after Ambassador Katarzyna Pelczynska-Nalecz was summoned in Moscow to explain the removal of a Soviet-era statue in a Polish town.

The Russian ministry demanded exhaustive measures to find and bring to justice those who desecrated 57 graves at a cemetery in Milejczyce.

It was not clear when the graves were damaged. Photographs showed smashed tombstones with red stone Soviet stars scattered across the ground.................

To read further go to this link: uatoday.tv

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/292703.html
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A good deal. See also
Gas price for Ukraine in Q1, 2016 may be lower than price in Q4, 2015 – Gazprom CEO
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/292704.html

See also
Gazprom CEO: another $800 mln for Ukraine was discussed at gas talks, may not be enough amid cold winter
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/292705.html
===
Miller - gazprom scumball trying to get Ukraine worried.
But Ukraine does well to wait. The price will likely fall lower in January.
Normally it trails the oil price, perhaps 4 or 6 months behind...

http://www.5.ua/polityka/Poroshenko-poikhav-do-SShA-na-Henasambleiu-OON-94119.html
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Various events during the next 2 or 3 days, most in NY, as far as I can tell.

Early this month, Reuter’s reported that Moscow started building a major military base near the town of Valuiki, in Belgorod Oblast, close to the Ukrainian border.


From RFE/RL, Sep 23, 2015

Russia is reportedly planning a second major military base near the Ukrainian border.

Citing public documents, Reuter’s news agency reported on September 23 that the Defense Ministry intends to turn an old military depot in the town of Boguchar, 45 kilometers from the border with Ukraine, into a base.

The new base in Voronezh Oblast is to house dozens of buildings and special facilities for more than 5,000 troops and 1,300 armored vehicles.

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

I don't believe Putin's building these bases on Ukraine's border for just being near Ukraine. It's possibly for future use. He knows some NATO countries on Ukraine's western border are or want to have NATO bases within their boundaries. Does want to have these bases just for looks and intimidation, or perhaps in preparation for a move west? He's well aware that if he heads west he's toast. He doesn't have the capability for a victory against the entire western forces, unless his intention is to just cause cost and destruction to the west as they've cost him a pretty penny, so deservedly.

If he did head west and was finally defeated, his head will be wanted globally for his crimes. China won't harbor him. Anyone that does will have sanctions if not in place currently put in place. All the money in the world will protect him. He'll also be limited where he can travel and have to fear of being caught elsewhere. He won't stay in Russia as Russians themselves won't want the extra burden they'll acquire for harboring an international criminal. So his future's toast, one way or another, if he pulls anything crazy.

He's lost his power globally and wants to get it back, by looking like the savior from the likes of ISIS, although we all know that's not his goal with Syria. As Poroshenko said, it's the same scenario he used in The Crimea that he's using now in Syria. Will he get rid of the Assad regime and make it his new home, knowing his Russia's going down the tubes under his command.

There's no bright or positive future for the Kremlin and Putin. Just a matter of time when we can say to him proshai.

It became known from the definition Podolsk Kiev court September 21.

As it became known from the materials of the case, the Interior Ministry in Kiev is investigating embezzlement of state funds related to the reconstruction of the capital's roads. In particular, the investigation found that in 2011-2012 QC "Kievavtodor" provedel tendering for public funds for the reconstruction of Victory Avenue and Bazhana Kiev. The winner was named the Turkish firm "Onur constructional International", which subsequently entered into a contract to carry out these works.

The cost of works on reconstruction of "significantly overvalued, and the resulting" Onur constructional International "public funds transferred to the account of a number of businesses with fictitious", according to the materials of the investigation.

Recall, June 5, 2012 KP "Kievavtodor" on the results of the tender has entered into an agreement with "Onur constructional International" for the reconstruction of Victory Avenue in Kiev, worth 418.3 million. UAH ..

For the half year was supposed to repair the roadway, 18 underpasses and overpasses near the metro station "Nivki" platform "Svyatoshyn" metro station "Svyatoshyn" at the intersection. Victory Prospect. Palladin, as well as the bridge over the city and pedestrian Nyvky bridge near the hotel "Snowdrop".

the cost of services on the repair, "Onur constructional International" avenue Nicholas Bazhana was four years ago 259 997 000 UAH.

glavcom.ua In Russian

Russian President Vladimir Putin and the King of Saudi Arabia, Salman bin Abdul Aziz Al Saud discussed the establishment of cooperation in the fight against the Islamic state. The talks were held on the phone at the initiative of the Russian side.

According to the Kremlin press service, "during a telephone conversation the leaders of the two countries exchanged views on regional security issues, especially in terms of finding ways to resolve the situation in Syria and the establishment of effective international cooperation in the fight against so-called" Islamic State "and other terrorist groups ".

Recall that on Monday, September 28 on the sidelines of the 70th UN General Assembly session in New York, scheduled to meet Putin and US President Barack Obama. The two leaders met for almost a year. The White House said that US President Barack Obama agreed to meet with Russian leader Vladimir Putin after "repeated requests" of the Russian side. At the same time statements by the parties on the subject of the meeting differ. Putin's spokesman, Dmitry Peskov, said that the key issue is the situation in Syria and "if you have time" - in Ukraine. But in front of the White House said that Obama plans to discuss with Putin in the first place the situation in Ukraine and the implementation of the Minsk Agreement.

Russian Ambassador to France Alexander Orlov told reporters today on the plan of the President of Russia on Syria, which it intends to propose in New York.

"Putin proposed on Monday at the UN General Assembly a plan for the settlement of the Syrian crisis. His proposal envisages the creation of a broad international coalition with the participation of countries in the region of Syria, Iran, Iraq, Turkey, Russia and the West against" the Islamic State (IG), "- the diplomat said .

Orlov said that only one air operation IG not win, we need a ground operation, which must carry out "the Syrian Kurdish and Iraqi army." He said that Russia will continue to support Bashar al-Assad, and need to get his troops also took part in the international coalition.

glavcom.ua In Russian

He's really trying desperately hard to clean his reputation. First wants to talk to Obama and now wants to talk to the Saudi big boys to offer help. He MUST KNOW he's in dire straits, or he wouldn't suddenly be doing this. "Help me to get rid of sanctions and I'll help you. My cantri hurting".

NATO Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg during his visit to Kiev assured that the door of NATO for Ukraine is still open.

This is the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, said in an interview to Ukrainian TV channels, reports Ukrinform.

"It was made clear that there is a decision of the Bucharest summit of NATO from 2008, and this decision has not been canceled. It concerns the two countries - Ukraine and Georgia. Then, it was clearly stated - the door to NATO for Ukraine and Georgia are open," - said Poroshenko .

The President recalled that the program of Ukraine's Association with the EU coincides with the action plan for NATO membership.

"The only thing we need to do - and to work to change the country. Each in his place, because the alternative to the most effective security association of the world does not exist", - said the head of state.

glavcom.ua In Russian

Interesting that NATO wasn't pushing Ukraine that much for it to decide to join them before. Probably to avoid Russia getting a hair up its ass. Seems those times have changed and NATO members are tired of having that hanging over their heads and will be glad to confront it. We know the Kremlin's going to cry and threaten till the cows come home, but that is all it'll be. By now, everyone's familiar that the Kremlin blows smoke and can't shoot any flames with it. And the bases being built on Ukraine's border could be a response for Ukraine to possibly become a NATO member. This is NO time for him to have a on-on-one with the west. He can't afford and neither can his country. If he starts a confrontation with the west, he'll lose. If he backs off the west he'll lose in the home-front.