Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Friday 04 March. [Ukrainian sources]

FRIDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News -
Russian forces attack the Ukrainian people 57 times yesterday.
Update - three soldiers wounded; Mariupol area.

Weather -
I will say today - the last cold day of March. -1 this morning. High only of 2 or 3.
But +10 predicted for Sunday and beyond.

Norman 4 meeting -
Reading between the lines, nothing new happened. Putin wants the terrorists elected as leaders. Ukraine wants the border returned.
Russia will not return the border to Ukraine, that is for sure.

8:00
http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/donetsk/rossiyskiy-oficer-rukovodit-lichnym-sostavom-1-korpusa-boevikov-razvedka-696828.html
Colonel Markov arrived in Donetsk from Ekaterinburg
In his role as "deputy commander for work with personnel 1 AK Center territorial forces of the Southern Military District of the Russian Federation Armed Forces" in the city of Donetsk is a career officer of the Russian army, Colonel Evgeny Chirkov. It is reported by Defence Intelligence of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine.
It was established that Colonel Chirkov came from the position of "deputy commander for work with personnel 28 separate motorized rifle brigade of the Central Military District of the Armed Forces" from the city of Yekaterinburg. The term of his trip in Ukraine - from December 2015 to June 2016, and the place of permanent residence and of service - the city of Yekaterinburg, said in a statement....



===
Put him on the list for war crimes in Ukraine. Alongside Hitler and Putin and Goebbels and Lavrov.

Having read various articles posted yesterday by Admin, it appears to me that no progress was made at the Norman Four meeting in Paris yesterday.
Lavrov wants "elections" in the Donbass - Shaun Walker Crimea type elections - where the terrorist occupiers are elected at the point of a Russian kalishnikov.
Ukraine wants its border returned to it. I do not see Russian ever doing this.
It seems to me as if a stalemate in the process has been reached.
Personally, I think Ukraine needs to forget about Donbass. Secure the new effective border with terrorist Russia. And turn west. And get the economy working.
Putin still wants to control Ukraine. He wants Ukraine to pay for restoring the Donbass. But this is pointless and stupid during a Russian occupation.
The Donbass has become a South Ossetia. Or Transdniestr. Land occupied illegally by Russians. Ukraine needs now to accept this. And get on with life.
Putin clearly has no interest whatsoever in resolving the problem. He wants to either control all of Ukraine, or destroy it - one way or another.

http://www.segodnya.ua/regions/donetsk/russkiy-mir-prevrashchaet-goroda-donbassa-v-pustyni-696835.html
8:40
"Russian world" Donbass transforms the city in the desert (Segodnya.ua)
is the google online translation. Original - "Русский мир" превращает города Донбасса в пустыни (видео)
Pystoi - last word... empty - emptiness - I've translated above as wasteland.
Text via online -
Dozens of settlements in the Donetsk and Lugansk regions are destroyed. Cities like Avdiyivka turned into desert as a result of the fighting, and residents forced to leave their homes, because to live in such conditions is intolerable. However, due to the separation of the eastern regions they have a new "capital".
Can provide conflict depressed cities of Donbass new breath? As objectively affected by armed conflict in the cities and towns of Donbass? The situation is different on both sides of the line of contact? What is the difference between the liberated lands and territories occuped by -Russian separatist forces? On this - on "Radio Liberty".

Video is from tv program - about 25 minutes long

http://www.unian.info/politics/1282497-klimkin-paris-talks-of-normandy-four-fms-not-decisive-but-just-another-step.html
===
Not a bad write-up by unian.info.
But - my interpretation - "just another step"?
Talking Heads - just another step on "the road to nowhere".

https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2016/03/syrian-and-russian-forces-targeting-hospitals-as-a-strategy-of-war/
Russian and Syrian government forces appear to have deliberately and systematically targeted hospitals and other medical facilities over the last three months to pave the way for ground forces to advance on northern Aleppo, an examination of airstrikes by Amnesty International has found.
Even as Syria’s fragile ceasefire deal was being hammered out, Syrian government forces and their allies intensified their attacks on medical facilities....
===
Russia. A nation of barbarians.

http://en.censor.net.ua/photo_news/377531/grad_missile_strike_committed_from_residential_neighborhood_of_donetsk_journalist_tsaplienko_on_night
====
Showing the Russians' complete disregard for civilian life. Using people as human shields. Barbarians.

The army is to test the first Ukraine-made missiles made without Russian spare parts. The missile has been developed by a number of Ukraine defense sector plants, National Security and Defense Council head Oleksandr Turchynov told to Interfax-Ukrayina, Ukrayinska Pravda agency reports March 4.

Now, we can do without the parts formerly supplied by Russia, Turchynov said.

Ukrainian engineers are working on five types of missiles, military experts say.

zik.ua

Good comments, as always, from Whitmore, on how Putin switches from the war in Ukraine, to Syria, and back to Ukraine, and so on.
I have a lot of respect for this guy.

17:14
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/03/4/7101156/
...."One of our drones recorded 11 battle tanks in open areas in the residential district of Donetsk" - said Hug.
According to him, this is a direct violation of the Minsk agreements.....

Holding elections in Russian-occupied Donbas will mean the legalization of terrorists.

Poroshenko Bloc Chairman Yurii Lutsenko wrote on his Facebook page, Censor.NET reports.

"Elections in the occupied territories legalize terrorists. No matter what Putin's appeasers come up with, there is only one acceptable way of the reintegration of the Donbas:

"1. Taking the border under control of an OSCE military mission;
2. Removing the occupation troops and disarming militants;
3. Ensuring the presence of an OSCE police mission in these territories. Pardoning those who have not committed serious crimes and have repented of them;
4. Restoring Ukrainian legal, social, and humanitarian environment;
5. Holding elections to the local councils under Ukrainian law," Lutsenko wrote.

Earlier, German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier said he was disappointed by the results of the Normandy Four meeting in Paris. He noted there was a real threat of political and military escalation of the conflict in the Donbas, undermining all subsequent attempts to implement the Minsk agreements.

According to him, elections in the Donbas will help ensure progress in the political process and can not be delayed any more.

Ukraine, in turn, insists that elections in the Donbas can only take place under Ukrainian law, after the occupation forces withdraw, militants are disarmed, and control over the Ukrainian border - regained.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian

13:45
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/03/4/7101129/
..."In a single system of training the South Military District (RF) occur combat training activities of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps. In January and February in the occupied territories continued intensive study of various units virtually all components of the Russian-occupation forces," - said Skibitskyy.
"In general in landfills near Mospine, Torez, Markin, Amvrosiyivka, Shymshynivka, and other Buhayivka conducted more than 20 combat training of the Russian-occupation forces," - he added....

The Ukrainian side has provided the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission with information about banned tanks, self-propelled guns, and Grad rocket systems deployed in the vicinity of Monakhove and Donetsk.

Censor.NET reports referring to Defense Intelligence press service.

The situation in the area of anti-terrorist operation (ATO) is characterized by intense enemy fire impact on Ukrainian positions.

Over the day, terrorists committed 57 attacks, employing small arms, grenade launchers, anti-aircraft guns, 82-mm mortars, and Grad rocket systems, of which 19 on Myronivskyi, Luhanske, Lozove, Zaitseve, Maiorsk, Troitske, Novoselivka (the Slaviansk direction); 33 - Avdiivka, Butivka mine, Opytne, Pisky, Kamianka, Krasnohorivka, Marinka (the Donetsk direction); one - Starohnativka (the Volnovakha direction); four - Pavlopil, Vodiane, Lebedynske, Shyrokyne (the Mariupol direction).

In addition, an uptick in sniper activity against ATO forces positions at the Slaviansk direction has been recorded, which is connected with the arrival of a group of Russian snipers in Horlivka.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian

Investigation of the Ministry of Defence said the death of 6 Russian soldiers and wounded five in the Donetsk region on 3 March.

It informs Tsenzor.NET , as is stated in the press service of the Defence Ministry of Defence. "Confirmed ordinary loss of Russian troops. March 3 killed six Russian servicemen from the sabotage and reconnaissance groups operating in the direction Krasnogorivka, another five were injured" - said in a statement. The department also said that the battalion commander 3 separate motorized rifle brigade (Gorlovka) 1 Army corps terrorist was seriously wounded and evacuated quickly in Russia.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian

http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/328885.html
...The association said that Renault was the leader in sales over the period: sales grew by 56%, to 690 cars.
Toyota is second with 657 cars sold and a ruse of 88% in sales, and Nissan was third with a 2% rise in sales and 581 cars sold.
Russian Lada cars were fourth with 438 cars sold and Volkswagen was fifth with 416 cars sold (a rise of 35%)....
===
Crisis? What crisis?
Toyota cars are very expensive here.

http://www.themoscowtimes.com/news/article/normandy-four-fail-to-reach-agreement-on-eastern-ukraine-elections/561514.html
....As a result of the four-hour meeting, the group known as the ‘Normandy Format’ was unable to reach consensus on the issue of elections in the Donbass in eastern Ukraine....
===
no real details. Very short article.

The EU economic sanctions against Russia expire in July this year.

The UK and France agreed on the need to retain the EU sanctions against Russia until the complete fulfillment of the Minsk agreements intended for the settlement of the conflict in the east of Ukraine. Head of the British Foreign Ministry Philip Hammond said, Censor.NET informs citing Interfax-Ukraine.

Hammond wrote in Twitter that such an agreement had been reached at the Franco-British summit held in the French city of Amiens.

As previously reported, French President Francois Hollande and British Prime Minister David Cameron after the meeting in Amiens called on Russia to use its influence on insurgents in eastern Ukraine in order to stop the violence in the region.

The two leaders also urged the government of Ukraine to join efforts in implementing reforms in the country.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian

19:36
http://www.ostro.org/general/politics/news/494308/
===
I have no doubt that Putin is paying politicians in France, Germany, Italy, Greece etc to block any free travel for Ukrainians.
The fascist right French, like Le Pen, and other fascist and communists in Europe will support dictator Putin, given a nice backhander or a free loan of a few million.

19:21
http://socportal.info/2016/03/04/prezident-estoniyi-porivnyav-okupatsiyu-krimu-z-anshlyuzom-gitlerom-avstriyi.html
....In particular, Ilves said that Russia violated the principles that prevailed after World War II, according to which no European country should not annex the territory of neighboring countries. - Because Estonia will support anti-Russian sanctions until it is released peninsula, whose annexation, in principle, repeats the Anschluss of Austria in 1938 - said Ilves.
===
Absolutely. One honest politician. The rest - thinking about business and money before morals and murder.

The experts from key Ukrainian and foreign economic institutions predict multidirectional dynamics of development of Ukraine's economy in 2016 – from a 5% growth to a fall by 2.3% compared to 2015, head of ICU Group analytical department Oleksandr Valchyshen wrote on Facebook.

In particular, according to ICU Group, the most optimistic scenario for Ukraine was presented by London Institute of Capital Economics – 5% growth on the results of 2016. ICU experts also see positive development for the economy of our country (2.6% growth on the basis of the year). The Cabinet of Ministers and a key creditor – the International Monetary Fund, both sources predict growth of 2%. The National Bank of Ukraine, Dragon Capital investment company and BBG Consensus forecast 1 -1.2% growth on the basis of 2016.........

unian.info/

There is a growing level of threat of the Russian amphibious assault on the Azov coast under the guise of local maneuvers of the 1st Army Corps, said Vadym Skibitskyi, representative of the Main Intelligence Department of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine, according to an UNIAN correspondent.

"There is a growing level of threat of the Russian amphibious assault on the Azov coast under the guise of the 1st Army Corps," he said.

According to Skibitskyi, the level of danger in the Donetsk and Mariupol sectors is growing on this background.

He also said that the Russian Federation continued setting up the so-called Azov flotilla. "It will include boats and other floating craft, which will be based in the villages of Siedove, Azovske and Bezimenne. For the establishment of the flotilla, seven barges and boats had been seized from the local population," Skibitskyi said.........

unian.info

The Russian Federation has deployed Grad-K multiple rocket launchers near the town of Horlivka; it also continues to supply terrorists in Donbas with fuel and ammunition, according to the Main Intelligence Directorate of the Ukrainian Defense Ministry.

The intelligence says that the Russian Federation continues delivering ammunition, fuel and lubricants, material and technical means for the needs of the 1st and 2nd Army Corps. In particular, the arrival of trains has been recorded in the following destinations: Debaltseve – 240 tonnes of diesel fuel; Ilovaisk – 120 tonnes of diesel fuel, and five railcars with material and technical resources; Yasynuvata – 320 tonnes of ammunition; Krasnodon – 120 tonnes of diesel fuel and 400 tonnes of ammunition........

unian.info

Ukrainian TV Channel 24 journalist Volodymyr Runets posted on his Facebook page photos of writing skills tests from an exercise book of a student from the village of Kuchurgan in southern Ukrainian Odesa region, at the border with unrecognized Transnistria.



The Ukrainian language exercise book is full of typical messages of the Kremlin's anti-American propaganda, the journalist says.

"In 1919, the United States sent agents in Russia named the Bolsheviks in order to organize a coup d'etat and economic crisis. The United States, as our allies, mobilized troops, when the Soviet army had already entered Germany and had provided food assistance. Everyone who ate canned food was poisoned to death. Nowadays, by all secret, but criminal, means, the U.S. seeks to dominate the world," a student was told to write in his notebook during class.........

unian.info

The Council of the European Union approved a legislative act on Friday for the year-long extension of restrictive measures on the Ukrainian citizens which the EU deems to be responsible for embezzling public funds, a European diplomat has told Interfax.

The Environment Council made the decision without holding debates, the source said.......

interfax.com.ua

French foreign minister Jean-Marc Ayrault told press after meeting his German, Russian, and Ukrainian counterparts in Paris that Kiev must deliver on a promise to hold local elections in what are in effect Russia-occupied regions in east Ukraine.

“We underlined the importance of adopting an electoral law to hold local elections by the end of the first half of 2016,” he said, according to French media...............

To read further go to this link:  euobserver.com

They want the terrorists/Kremlin to get something out of it so they can end this. They'd rather see Ukraine sacrifice something so they don't have to. Nothing but selfish greed.

For one thing, the border must be secured and the Kremlin's not going to do that, till they have assurances they're getting a piece of the pie. And all foreign forces must be out of Ukraine, before ANY election can occur per the Minsk agreement. That won't happen either.

There is NO democratic government that has given ANY country within its sphere a special status. Neither Europe nor North America.

Ukraine must stand strong and not give-up any part of Ukraine. For one thing, even if they want to join NATO or the EU, they can't have any kind of internal conflict going on as Georgia for example has had for years. Stand strong Ukraine.

The doctors from Odesa in southern Ukraine completed a unique heart operation. Roman Lekan, a local surgeon corrected the aortic arch of a baby girl. The patient is just one month old. Previously the only place where the patients could treat their pathology was in the capital Kyiv. The operation was successful, and now little Sofiya and her mother are at home.

The girl who underwent a complicated operation is now in the care of her family including an older sister. Now, that the surgery is behind Sofiya, her mother believes everything will be alright...............

To read further go to this link:  uatoday.tv

Ex-Prime Minister of Ukraine Mykola Azarov spoke cynically about the advantages of the Revolution. In an interview with "Novaya Gazeta", he said that until Friday, 30 November 2013 on the Maidan will not remain a single student, but only with the homeless in Western Ukraine.

"In the early days there were like students of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy, about 50 people maximum. I'm out of the office could see everything, I myself watched them every day. Until Friday the students have gone at all. And there were only proplachennye from Western Ukraine, mostly homeless sorts, absolutely trash mob "- Azarov said.

He argues that in the bloody night of December 1, at the Independence remains a maximum of 30 people. And when the mayor decided to put the Christmas tree, there suddenly from "Ukraine" hotel gathered "200 people, the fans," pravosєki "," Trident "and others".

"We came down and attacked the policemen, who were guarding the students. They began to beat the police, armed only with clubs, snatched from the fires burning logs and beat them. Senior attire, of course, is reinforced, "- says ex-prime fugitive.

In addition, he said that on this night came to the Maidan 12 channels, and the chief of police just had to think of his head when he made the decision about the direction of the "Golden Eagle" in the area.

glavcom.ua In Russian

To ensure stability in relations with Russia, it is necessary to talk to a position of strength. This Krakow said NATO Deputy Secretary General Alexander Vershbow, reports "Interfax".

According to him, in spite of the occupation of the Crimea and the aggression against Ukraine, the world can not completely turn away from Russia.

"We need to maintain an open and honest dialogue with Russia. We need a dialogue to maintain transparency with regard to our own actions and intentions; to reduce the risk of further incidents, such as knocking down a Russian plane that violated Turkish airspace last year, "- NATO Deputy Secretary General said.

He added that the Alliance must have patience to defend their principles, but this is not the only thing that makes NATO.

"In order to ensure stable relations with Russia in the long term, we need to talk with Russia from a position of strength," - said Vershbow.

glavcom.ua In Russian

International rating agency Moody's Investors Service put the issuer rating and the rating of Russian government bonds, which are at the level "of Ba1" on review for possible decline, reports "Interfax".

According to a press release from the agency, among the main reasons for this decision: the price of oil, the state of the Russian economy and the balance of payments.

glavcom.ua In Russian

Former Prime Minister Mykola Azarov said that he feels responsible for what happened in Ukraine in the last months of his work in the Cabinet. He said this in an interview with Russian "Novaya Gazeta".

"People often ask me: but admit it's you started with the association, is that you have left for Russia and the Crimea talk about (the lawfulness of accession to the Russian Federation). Well, if you feel better - yes, guilty! But what? I have in mind could not imagine what would happen in the Crimea or Donbass ", - he said.

"I feel responsible for what, perhaps not clearly explained to the people our position. As a result, the economy was positive, let them try better. But on my hands no blood, theft and corruption. Although two years they have invented against me ridiculous charges ", - said the former prime minister.

He also added that he had never met with former President of Ukraine Viktor Yanukovych after he fled to Russia.

"With him I never met here. And nowhere is nothing critical about it did not. The fact that he went for his life, I can not in any way condemn. he would have stayed, he would have been destroyed, "- Azarov said.

When asked whether he misses the Ukrainian language, the former Prime Minister said: "I liked his melody."

glavcom.ua In Russian

The US Congress will continue military support to Ukraine in its opposition to Russian aggression. This was discussed at a briefing in Washington with representatives of the Ukrainian and American authorities, said Embassy of Ukraine press service.

"During the discussion, members of Congress pledged to support Ukraine in particular member of the Armed Services Committee, Duncan Hunter informed of the status of the draft law" On the support of the Ukrainian military, "which he initiated in the Congress," - the report says.

Valeriy Chaly, Ambassador urged the United States to expand the training program, as well as the provision of military equipment Ukraine defense.

Participants of the meeting paid special attention to responding to information threats and cyber threats.

glavcom.ua In Russian

Militias so-called "third separate motor-rifle brigade of the army of the first set of DNI" abolished surcharges for "republic awards", as well as compensation for the injury.

According to a source "to Informator" , approximate to the "militia" these "reforms" caused violent discontent among the fighters.

"If earlier the treatment is paid for, but now it takes only at his own expense," - said the source.

Earlier it was reported that the militants aimed at "army DNR" are trying to shirk their responsibilities

glavcom.ua In Russian

The OSCE Mission in using drone saw 11 tanks in the residential district of Donetsk. This was announced by First Deputy Head of the OSCE special monitoring mission in Ukraine, Alexander Hug.

"Although in general we noticed that there is a certain decrease in the use of artillery and mortar fire, but it is a concern. We have seen greater use of systems of volley fire. In this environment, our observers in Debaltsevo, which is not controlled by the government, heard about 40 shots from the MLRS, occurred within a few minutes ", - he said.

This Hug said that the mission has recorded an increase in the number of other types of weapons.

"For example, one of our drones found 11 tanks on the site in a residential area of ​​Donetsk", - said Hug.

glavcom.ua In Russian

This thread, continued for Saturday 05 March, now at
https://ukraine-english-news.forumotion.com/t2307-ukraine-crisis-news-in-brief-saturday-05-march-ukrainian-sources

or go to
https://ukraine-english-news.forumotion.com/
and select Ukraine news