Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Friday 25 December. [Ukrainian sources]

FRIDAY - "Polish" Christmas Day

Please scroll down to view news items added during the course of the day

News -
Putin's Russian forces attacked Ukrainians 35 times yesterday.
Budget passed. Tymoshenko and Yanukovich parties (opposition block) voted strongly against.
Update - no dead or injured soldiers in the ATO zone yesterday

Weather -
-1 last night. But still above average for late December. +5 maybe for the capital.
Early fog has now given way to bright sunshine.

Observation -
Christmas Day in the west. And also a full moon at 11.11 am GMT. For the first time in 34 years.
A Happy Christmas to all our "western" readers. )

7:17
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/12/25/7093696/
During the last day the militants fired 35 times position ATU forces and Ukrainian forces attacked twice.
The press center reported ATO Staff page on Facebook.
"Yes, about 19.00 hours the illegal armed groups with up to 30 people under the guise of 82-mm mortars tried to break the boundaries of our defense at Mayorska. During the two-hour battle, the attackers suffered losses and retreated," - said the headquarters.
Also at the same time a small group of militants made a similar attempt on the outskirts of Marinka. Terrorists have suffered losses and had to retreat...

http://www.radiosvoboda.org/content/article/27448350.html
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Finally got passed at 4am - this morning.
I haven't found the vote sheet yet, but I understand Samopomich, Batkivshina and the Opposition block did not support it.
Batkivshina and the Opposition block I understand. Tymoshenko and the Regions supporters want to bring down the government.
Strange from Samop. The Rada supported this party in approving new mayoral elections in Krivy Rog on Wednesday.
Basically in return for support for the budget. But they didn't support it.

8:06
http://vsviti.com.ua/newss/50243
Abnormally warm weather finally "hit biorhythms" plants. Nikolaev blooming roses and cherry blossomed in Mukachevo.
December 21 in Nikolaev was recorded temperature record - 13.5 degrees above zero. Therefore it is not surprising that in areas around Nikolaev began to bloom plants which would normally "fall into hibernation," the Joinfo.ua.
In social networks, residents share photos of roses, magnolia and even strawberry buds that appear due to abnormal heat.
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I've been saying over the past few days how warm it is here.
Normally the Ukrainian people do not talk too much about the weather - but - this last week has been a major exception!
But a bit foggy this morning where I am.

8:13
http://glavcom.ua/news/349984.html
Central Geophysical Observatory Climatologists have determined that the current autumn weather, which started in Kiev on September 6 lasted for 110 days and exceed the climatic norm is 33 days....
In December, already 13 recorded temperature records, and since the beginning of the year in the capital, there are already 49....
===
But, looking at the forecast, there may be another warmish spell at the start of the New Year. We will see.

Please scroll down to view news items added during the course of the day

http://glavcom.ua/news/350132.html
Who voted for the budget-2016 (LIST)
Today, at 07:59, "Commander in Chief"
Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted the Law "On State Budget of Ukraine for 2016". For the corresponding bill №3000 a whole voted 263 deputies in the 226 minimum required.
The site of the Verkhovna Rada published a list of names of deputies who voted for this budget.

BPP 112 / 3 / 10
NF  80 / 0 / 0
No affiliation 16 / 9 / 3
Opp 0 / 11 / 1
Samo 1 / 1 / 20
Liashko 16 / 0 / 0
Volya 17 / 0 / 1
Batkiv 0 / 12 / 0   Where first number in favour / against / abstained. Some other possibilities stated. Like not there. I didn't record all.
=====
That doesn't add up to 263. I make that only 242 in favour. Must be some votes missing somewhere.
Anyway - interesting. Against the budget - most votes from Tymoshenko and Yanukovich parties - Batkivshina and Opposition block.
Bizarre. Tymoshenko theoretically "in the government", but working against! As always.

http://www.unian.info/economics/1222351-russias-federation-council-votes-to-end-free-trade-with-ukraine.html
The Federation Council, which is the upper house of the Russian parliament, endorsed unanimously the bill "On the suspension by the Russian Federation of the Treaty on the free trade area in respect of Ukraine," according to an UNIAN correspondent in Russia.
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Probably not much left to lose now, business wise. I know several businessmen in Kiev who flatly refuse to travel to Russia now. They simply say that it is too dangerous.

10:57
http://hvylya.net/news/digest/na-donbasse-byil-podnyat-myatezh-s-ogromnyim-uchastiem-predstaviteley-rossii-rossiyskiy-oppozitsioner.html
Russian opposition politician Boris Vishnevsky said that in eastern Ukraine there is no separatism and that the armed conflict was organized exclusively by Russians.
He stated this in an interview with "apostrophe".
"For any impartial observer from the very beginning it was clear who and why in the east of Ukraine. It was clear that no it's not a popular uprising, and that this is not separatism.
====
How many tv stations in Russia will broadcast that? Zero, for sure.

11:48
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2015/12/25/7093724/
National Bank of Ukraine on April 11, 2016 update introduces into circulation banknotes 500 UAH sample 2015 advanced security system.
This is stated in the message NBU.
As noted, the bill will be introduced to improve the organization of cash circulation and within the planned release in 2016 to replace worn, damaged and withdrawn from circulation.
===
Looks pretty much like the old one to me.



But looking more closely Skovoroda is looking the otherway.
Reverse side - Mogila academy. Skovoroda studied there, according to wiki.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gregory_Skovoroda
I didn't know that. That explains why his statue is close by, across the road at Kontraktova plocha.
I used to live there. Lovely sound of bells from the academy on a Sunday morning ))

Nelson wrote:http://glavcom.ua/news/350132.html

BPP 112 / 3 / 10
NF  80 / 0 / 0
No affiliation 16 / 9 / 3
Opp 0 / 11 / 1
Samo 1 / 1 / 20
Liashko 16 / 0 / 0
Volya 17 / 0 / 1
Batkiv 0 / 12 / 0   Where first number in favour / against / abstained. Some other possibilities stated. Like not there. I didn't record all.
=====
That doesn't add up to 263. I make that only 242 in favour. Must be some votes missing somewhere.

You have to be present to vote. The days of the piano playing morons are over.

If I have it correct, only need 226.

The village Bobrikov, which is located in the occupied territory of the self-proclaimed "LC" in schools give report cards, marking the Ukrainian as their mother tongue. The corresponding photo was published blogger under the name Necro Mancer at Twitter. Among the items marked with Ukrainian mother tongue. Also, as the native literature contains the Ukrainian literature. As is known, the self-proclaimed separatist LC seized part of the Lugansk region, demanding independence. All "official documents" in psevdorespublike drawn in Russian. Also, LC militants have repeatedly spoken of his pro-Russian course.



newsdaily.com.ua In Russian

Tbilisi still have not watched the preconditions for the restoration of diplomatic relations with Moscow, said the TV channel Rustavi 2 representative of the head of the Georgian government for relations with Russia Zurab Abashidze.

"At this stage we do not consider the possibility of restoring diplomatic relations with Russia," - said Abashidze. According to him, the normalization of Russian-Georgian relations is possible while the implementation of "serious steps to restore the territorial integrity and sovereignty of Georgia."

As recalled by the Interfax news agency yesterday, Deputy Foreign Minister Grigory Karasin said that Moscow is ready to restore diplomatic relations with Georgia.

newsdaily.com.ua In Russian

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that the Library of Ukrainian Literature in Moscow, should be preserved.

"First, I learn about the library's director, just have no idea what it meant. But what we do need to pay attention - this is a library. It should not be lost in any case ", - Putin said at a meeting of the Presidential Council on Culture and the Arts, responding to literary critic Alexander Arkhangelsk.

As Vladimir Putin said, "Ukrainians in Russia - the third largest titular nation: Russian, Tatars, Ukrainians in third place - 3 million people." "I'm not talking about that - and you know my position - I think Russian and Ukrainians, one nation in the long run, maybe someone does not agree, that's another question. Because, of course, has its own roots in Ukrainian culture, Ukrainian literature "- the president added.

newsdaily.com.ua In Russian

It is time to abandon the Julian calendar in the holiday dates, the politician believes.

NSDC Secretary Alexander Turchinov was in favor of the Christmas celebration in Ukraine on December 25.

"Maybe it is time to go and Ukraine to celebrate Christmas on December 25 with the majority of civilized countries? But it has to decide, first of all, the Council of Christian Churches of Ukraine. But during the transition, I think we can leave the celebration and 25th December and 7 January, "- he wrote in facebook.

Turchinov cites a number of arguments in support of the celebration of Christmas on December 25.

He recalled that the Bible is not the date of Christ's birth. Only in 431 at the Council of Ephesus, it was decided about the celebration of Christmas on the eve of the start of the New Year, it was December 25th. In those days it was the day after the winter solstice when the light overcomes the darkness, when the increases and decreases day night, writes Turchinov.

Given the imperfections of the Julian calendar, Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 he introduced a more accurate, which got its name - Gregorian. The reason for the introduction of the new calendar was to get rid of a significant discrepancy between the astronomical and calendar time, taking into account, in particular mismatch astronomical and calendar time of the winter solstice and the spring equinox. So, since the introduction of the Julian calendar until the sixteenth century, this discrepancy was already 10 days. Now this distinction for nearly 14 days.

Russia and Ukraine have switched from the Julian to the Gregorian calendar, which was used by most of the world, only in 1918.

"Today, no country lives by the Julian calendar. None. The Julian calendar was to determine the fixed calendar holiday dates only some Orthodox churches, particularly in Russia, Ukraine and Belarus. While the Church themselves in their ordinary life and enjoy the Gregorian calendar. Go to church and ask: "What's the date today" - "25 December" - hear the response, "- said Turchinov.

newsdaily.com.ua In Russian

The company of businessman Dmitry Firtash Ostchem completely pay off debt before "Naftogaz Ukraine". This was during a meeting of the Cabinet on Friday, Prime Minister of Ukraine Arseniy Yatsenyuk, the press service of the government.

He recalled that the company had Ostchem before "Naftogaz" debt of 3 billion USD.

"As a result of the criminal proceedings the Interior Ministry and our hard and clear actions," Naftogaz of Ukraine "has received the full amount of the debt on the company Ostchem, which is owned by Dmitry Firtash, - 3 billion UAH", - said the prime minister.

"This is a real fight against corruption. This is the real deoligarhizatsiya country. This is only the first steps, but 3 billion hryvnia - is a serious step "- summed up Yatsenyuk.

newsdaily.com.ua In Russian

The pro-Russian militants shelled Vodiane village located in the neutral area near Mariupol.

At the same time, the terrorists are trying to put blame on the Ukrainian defenders, Censor.NET informs citing the situation report by the ATO press center.

According to the latest update, the bandits of the pro-Russian illegal armed groups have shelled Vodiane, located in the so-called "gray zone" near Mariupol today, Dec. 25 at about 12 p.m.

The criminals have employed 82-mm mortars from the part of Shyrokyne village controlled by them to carry out the strike. A total of five mines have exploded in Vodiane and its suburbs. The information about casualties among the local residents is currently specified.

Read more: Enemy IFVs and APCs drove into neutral area and opened fire, - Information Resistance

"Thus, the pro-Russian hybrid gangs have once again endangered lives of civilians and once again tried to put blame for committing this crime on ATO forces. The position of the ATO command remains unchanged. According to the Minsk agreements, the Ukrainian detachments involved in the anti-terrorist operation must observe "complete cease-fire" and are strictly complying with this requirement. In turn, the gangs of the Russian-terrorist forces have been systematically violating all accords on the peaceful settlement of the conflict over the last three days. They commit new provocations against the ATO forces daily," the press center stressed.

censor.net.ua In Russian

Dec. 24, representatives of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission visited Kominternove village in neutral zone in the Donetsk region, which had previously been captured by the militants of the hybrid Russian-terrorist troops.
Censor.NET reports citing the special report by the OSCE SMM on its observers' visit to Kominternove.

The report reads: "An SMM patrol arrived in Kominternove (92km south of Donetsk, 23km north-east of Mariupol) at 10:25 a.m. Dec.24 from the village's eastern entrance, escorted by armed "Donetsk People's Republic" ("DPR") members. For the last two days, the SMM had attempted to reach the village to follow up on reports about the presence of armed "DPR" members, but had not been able to do so due to security concerns and the restriction to its freedom of movement imposed by armed personnel.

"The escorting "DPR" members did not allow the SMM to go beyond the main street of the village, citing possible sniper fire. While on the main street, the SMM saw multiple fresh caterpillar tracks, consistent with infantry fighting vehicles and tanks.

"Five residents (three women and two men), in the presence of the escorting armed personnel, told the SMM that armed "DPR" members had entered the village on Dec. 22 and had been present until Dec. 24, when they had left the village in the early morning.

"The SMM left the village at 1 p.m. During its time there, the SMM did not observe any armed persons or weaponry, with the exception of the escorting armed "DPR" members; nor did the SMM observe any cease-fire violations.

"The SMM also conducted a mirror patrol in the west of Kominternove but could not get closer than a Ukrainian Armed Forces checkpoint located 1.7km west of the village as explosive devices (including anti-tank mines) were still on the road between the checkpoint and the village."

censor.net.ua In Russian

There is no snow in Moscow - it all has melted - but the city is decked out in lights as we head towards the end of the year and the biggest holiday in the Russian calendar: New Year.

No idea what to buy that special someone? Fear not. DW's Moscow correspondent Emma Burrows looks at the unusual gifts on sale in the Russian capital - from calendars of Stalin to Orthodox priests and their cats.

Giving a calendar as a gift is popular as Russians traditionally celebrate New Year rather than Christmas. During the Soviet Union the religious holiday was banned but since the fall of communism, the Orthodox Church has undergone a revival - and its priests are now unlikely pin-up stars.

The Russian Orthodox pin-ups.................

To read further go to this link:   time-ua.com

Kyiv's Holosiiv district court has extended the detention of two Russians alleged to be members of Russia's armed forces until at least February 20.

The extended arrest of Yevgeny Yerofeyev and Aleksandr Aleksandrov was requested by the state prosecutor and granted by the court on December 23.

Aleksandrov and Yerofeyev were detained in Ukraine's Luhansk region in May. Ukrainian investigators that month announced that they were suspected of terrorist activities and fighting alongside separatists in the east.

The district court began hearing charges against them on November 10. Aleksandrov and Yerofeyev deny the charges.

In a video published days after their capture, the two men said they were on active duty with the Russian military in eastern Ukraine when they were captured...........

To read further go to this link:   rferl.org

A pupil of Kharkiv tennis club “Unicourt”, Daria Lopatetskaya, won a single category in the tournament “Orange Bowl”, which was held in Miami. Daria played tennis tournament for the age group under 12 years and younger. The Kharkiven successfully held seven matches at the tournament and won all of them in two sets................

To read further go to this link:   thekharkivtimes.com

Vladimir Putin views Russia not as an end in itself but rather as a means to create a new world order, a view that means he is quite prepared to sacrifice the well-being of Russians in the pursuit of his vision of a new Yalta, according to Moscow commentator Andrey Illarionov.

For the Kremlin leader, Russia itself ranks no more than second in his hierarchy of values; and thus, “it is not important [to him] what happens inside the country” but only how the country’s resources can be deployed for his geopolitical goals (echo.msk.ru/guests/2160/ and apostrophe.com.ua/news/world/2015-12-25/eks-sovetnik-putina-rasskazal-o-ego-stremlenii-ustanovit-novyiy-miroporyadok/45460).

Unfortunately for Putin and his plans, Illarionov continues, this resource is ever smaller: The Russian economy now ranks eighth or ninth in the world and is getting smaller. Its demographic resources are contracting, and its “scientific-technical resources” are declining as well.

Indeed, the only resource that is growing is Russia’s military, and consequently, that is the one Putin is relying upon, the Moscow economist says.

It is far from clear whether with such limited resources, Putin has any hope of achieving the establishment of a new world order of “the Yalta-2 type,” one in which Moscow would have equal weight with “the largest power of the world today, the United States” in making decisions about all issues.

But Putin believes it is possible, and he is ready to sacrifice “everything else – Russia, the economy, society, and people” – to that end. Indeed, for the Kremlin leader, these are all “petty questions” that he will ignore in pursuit of “a certain parity, a certain appearance of parity” on some issues with the United States....................

  ukrainebusiness.com.ua