Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Thursday 30 June. [Ukrainian sources]

THURSDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News:
66 attacks by Putin's forces. The figure is yo-yo-ing. But the average number of attacks is steadily rising.
The EU has extended sanctions, so Putin sees no reason to cut back on the deaths and carnage.
Update - 1 soldier killed, and 11 wounded yesterday.

Weather:
22 again at 0900. But blue sky this morning. I expect it to be 30 or more today. Toasty, but not too humid - currently.

ATO zone: Militants fired with banned weapons [66 times]
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/30/7113236/
Thursday, June 30, 2016, 7:41

For the past day militants in the area of ​​ATU opened fire 66 times, 28 of them - in Donetsk, 21 - in Mariupol and 17 - in Lugansk areas.
The press center ATO Staff reports page on Facebook.
In Donetsk area hardest was near Lugansk, where Ukrainian bases were under heavy fire mortars, tanks and self-propelled artustanovok.
With heavy mortars and gunmen struck in the strongholds of forces in the area ATO Novoselivka Second and Birch. By MAT positions near the Trinity shot even with 122 mm artustanovky. Ukrainian forces near the mine and Avdeevki Module terrorists opened fire with machine guns and automatic grenade launchers, and near the heater - with anti-aircraft installation.

9:50
In queues at the border with Poland, there are 640 cars - guards
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/30/7113246/
According to DPS, the point of entry and exit "Yagodyn cars" are 200 machines, "Uhryniv" and "Ustilug" - 120 avtivok in "Shehyni" - 80, a point "Rava-Ruska" - 50 in "pear" - 40, claims "Smilnytsia" - 30.
Meanwhile, on the border with Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Moldova queues, according to the guards, no.
As explained "Ukrainian Truth" senior officer on the sector interact with the media Western Regional Department of State Border Roman Stakhiv, queues associated with both the holiday and the beginning of the active phase of the tourist season and holidays in schools.

Russia extends food embargo until end of 2017
http://www.unian.info/economics/1392075-russia-extends-food-embargo-until-end-of-2017.html
...Putin signed a decree restricting imports of certain products from the US, EU, Canada, Australia and Norway in August, 2014. Later, the measures were extended to Albania, Montenegro, Iceland and Liechtenstein, which had joined the anti-Russian sanctions. At the end of last year, Ukraine was also put in that list. The supplies of beef, pork, poultry, fish, cheese, milk, fruits, vegetables, as well as some other categories of products, were all banned...
===

This should help keep food prices down in Ukraine. Also expect cheaper imports from Turkey and the EU of certain products.

For pro-EU Ukraine, a chill wind blows with Brexit
http://www.csmonitor.com/World/Europe/2016/0629/For-pro-EU-Ukraine-a-chill-wind-blows-with-Brexit
...Vladislav Lukyanov, a former anti-Maidan member of parliament, says Brexit is a symbolic blow that will "separate Ukrainians from their pipe-dreams." Ukrainians have been living on hope that the EU will solve their problems, and now they have to wake up to the world they've made, without the carrot of EU association, and a broken relationship with their former main economic partner, Russia....
===
General summary. Not bad.

U.S. says Russian ship raised false signal in incident
http://www.reuters.com/article/us-usa-russia-navy-idUSKCN0ZG01L
...On Wednesday, Hernandez said the Russian ship raised the “ball-diamond-ball" signal on its mast ...
That combination of simple geometric shapes is used to indicate that a ship's ability to maneuver is restricted.
.....
Hernandez said the Russian ship maneuvered to get closer to the Gravely, changing course and speed as the U.S. ship did, which he said showed it was not in fact restricted in its ability to maneuver, and was thus intentionally displaying a false international signal.
As a result, he said, the U.S. destroyer believed the Russian ship was intentionally trying to interfere with Harry S. Truman operations.
===

More stupid potentially deadly games from that idiot, Putin.

Russia To Move 10,000 Troops To West; Baltic Fleet Chief Sacked
http://www.rferl.org/content/russia-move-10000-troops-west-baltic-fleet-chief-sacked-response-to-nato/27829708.html
....Shoigu was referring to plans by NATO to deploy new battalions to Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, and Poland to ease fears in those countries following Russia’s forcible annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in 2014 as well as Moscow's support for separatists in eastern Ukraine.....

1 soldier killed, 11 injured yesterday in the ATO zone - Staff
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/06/30/7113276/
Thursday, June 30, 2016, 13:01

One day in the area of ​​military anti-terrorist operation 1 killed, another 11 injured.
This at a traditional briefing on Thursday, spokesman of the Presidential Administration on ATO Andrei Lysenko.
"For the past day as a result of active hostilities one Ukrainian soldier was killed and 11 were injured," - said the colonel.
According to him, these losses Ukrainian troops were on Svetlodarsk arc, near Trinity and Luhansk.
Lysenko said that in recent days there is a general deterioration of the situation in the zone ATO.

14:13
Turkey increased its term stay visa for Ukrainian
http://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2016/06/30/7051446/
Turkey increased time for Ukrainians visa-free stay to 90 days

Turkey's cabinet decided to increase the period of visa-free stay for the citizens of Ukraine from 60 to 90 days.
This document is published in the official government bulletin Resmi Gazete, reports the Turkish state news agency Anadolu.
The decision of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, dated 27 May, stated that the total period of stay of citizens of Ukraine in Turkey increased from 60 to 90 days within 180 days from the date of entry.
As reported, the Foreign Ministry recommends citizens of Ukraine temporarily refrain from traveling to the city of Istanbul, particularly for tourism and business purposes, after the terrorist attacks at the airport "Ataturk".

Bombers at the airport in Istanbul came from the former Soviet Union - the Turkish media (Tyzhden.ua)
http://tyzhden.ua/News/168558
Their nationalities were identified as Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Dagestanis.
CNN Turk Publishing with reference to the Turkish news agency Doğan stated that nationality identified the terrorists who committed the attack at Ataturk Airport in Istanbul.
"Terrorists identified as Uzbek, Kyrgyz and Dagestani", - stated in the text.
Similar information reported by British newspaper Daily Mail, citing the "pro-government Turkish newspaper Yeni Safak». The report stated that the newspaper did not name the sources of the information received.
Also publications is not specified whether the terrorists are citizens of Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan and Russia (Dagestan is one of Russia - Ed.) If we are talking about their nationality....
===

"Putin tourists".

Istanbul airport attackers 'Russian, Uzbek and Kyrgyz'
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-36670576
....Some agencies named one of the men as Osman Vadinov, said to have crossed into Turkey from the IS stronghold of Raqqa in Syria in 2015. He is believed to be from the Russian Caucasus....

Ukraine resumes railway transportation of coal from occupied territory – Chernysh
http://www.unian.info/economics/1393056-ukraine-resumes-railway-transportation-of-coal-from-occupied-territory-chernysh.html
...."We are talking about transportation of coal, which the country needs, especially in such heat when everyone turns on their air conditioning," the Minister said....
===
Air conditioning!

Naftogaz to start importing gas to pump into USFs in July – Kobolev
http://www.unian.info/economics/1393156-naftogaz-to-start-importing-gas-into-usfs-in-july-kobolev.html
....At the same time, Kobolev said that Naftogaz was in talks to buy gas both from Europe and from Russia....
====

It will be interesting what the price is. It might be below 170.
I think the latest price in Europe is around 143 - 149!! (depends upon the quality of gas)
https://ycharts.com/indicators/europe_natural_gas_price
https://www.reference.com/science/convert-1-cubic-meter-natural-gas-mmbtu-1f94a8a0fa536f7e  [for conversion info]

But I am sure Tymoshenko can offer a super discount price of 450, with a 1 billion dollar bonus to Nauru offshore account, given the opportunity.
Read all about this from Taras Kuzio in the Yulia Post aka Kyiv Post. (joke - I hope, but you're never sure when it comes to Kuzio, or Ukrainian economics! )

Poroshenko, Bulgarian PM agreed on free long-term visas for Ukrainians
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/395485/poroshenko_bulgarian_pm_agreed_on_free_longterm_visas_for_ukrainians
===

Not quite sure how this works out with the visa-free regime being worked out with the EU. But this appears to be "long-term" visas.

Gazprom to begin supplying Q3 gas to Kyiv at $167.57 per 1,000 cu m upon prepayment
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/353659.html
====

Not a bad price, but will Ukraine find cheaper in the EU? Could be...
This also - of course - from Gazprom.
Putin wants Ukraine to pay for gas in the occupied territories. Why?

Naftogaz debt for gas supplies to southeastern Ukraine rises to $718.5 mln - Miller
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/353657.html
...The gas debt has not been submitted yet in Stockholm arbitration....
===
If Russia wins on this in Stockholm, then the court is a joke.
You invade a country, and then charge it for supplying gas?!

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB  3 ч3 часа назад
We've spent years and countless billions trying to destroy the UK & in the end they do it themselves. What a waste.

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB  1 ч.1 час назад
If my tanks turned up in Kiev it wouldn't make page 6 of the European press today.

Soviet Sergey ‏@SovietSergey  4 ч.4 часа назад
Boris is like the guy who shows up at the party uninvited, starts a fight, throws the TV from the balcony, shits in the pool and leaves.

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB  20 ч.20 часов назад
Corbyn is sticking to the principle that a communist never leaves office voluntarily.

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB 19 мин.19 минут назад
Boris right now..



[British politics. Johnson, right-wing goofball, campaigned to take UK out of the EU, forced resignation of PM, but doesn't want to be PM himself.
Somebody else has to clear up the mess. He starts the fire, and watches London burning. ... ]

The recent accusations and hard talk around inter-ethnic violence in Volyn during WWII is provoked and fanned by the Russian intelligence, even among some Polish parliament lawmakers, Academician and former Rada lawmaker Ihor Yukhnovsky told Radio Svoboda June 30.

Ukraine intellectuals called on their Polish counterparts to support the campaign ‘Forgive and Forget’ as the only way to restore peace and trust in Ukraine-Poland relations.

 “The driving motive of the majority of Ukrainian and Polish militants, many of whom merely disguised themselves as such, was plunder and enrichment,” Yukhnovsky said.

The Volyn massacre should become the topic for historians and researchers whereas now it is the center of speculation by unscrupulous politicians – and not without the help from Russia, Yukhnovsky said.

 “The issue has been inspired by the Russian intelligence. Definitely, in Poland there are many opponents of Ukraine and lovers of Russia, some bought up by Moscow. I regret it very much that the Polish fell into such Moscow trap,” the former lawmaker said.

zik.ua

On June 30, Dnipro bid its last good-bye to Ukrainian volunteer soldier, famous opera singer Wassyl Slipak who died in the area of anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the Donbas.

The farewell ceremony began at around 2 p.m. outside the Mechnikov hospital morgue where the body of the fallen hero had been taken, Censor.NET reports citing UNIAN.



Slipak will be buried in his native Lviv region on July 1.

"We saw him off with applause. Lviv, meet the Cossack. It's a pain..," Dnipro Mayor Borys Filatov wrote on Facebook.





Fighter of the 7th Battalion of the Volunteer Ukrainian Corps, opera singer Wassyl Slipak (call sign "Meph") was killed in the ATO area at 6 a.m. on June 29. He had lived and worked in France for 19 years as a Paris opera singer but abandoned his career and chose to defend Ukraine when Russia unleashed its aggression against the country.

censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

Officers of the National Police are currently conducting investigating activities in a case of bribe-taking in Kharkiv city council.

People's deputy, Interior Ministry Adviser Anton Herashchenko wrote on Facebook, Censor.NET reports.

"The head of the Housing, Transport, and Communications Division of the Legal Department of the Kharkiv City Council and a legal adviser of the same Department were detained in their offices after accepting a bribe in the amount of $4,000.

"The suspects extorted and received a bribe for rejecting a claim on the recognition of ownership rights to apartment disputed in terms of inheritance.




"The Prosecutor General's Office is now examining the investigative materials, seeking to expand the circle of suspects as regards the chiefs of the detained persons, if there is enough evidence for this. The court will decide further," Herashchenko wrote.

ua.censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Chief Sanitary Officer of Ukraine Sviatoslav Protas has been detained for organization of a scheme for embezzlement of public funds.

As reported by Censor.NET, this was announced by Interior Minister of Ukraine Arsen Avakov on his Facebook page.

"Moments ago, Chief Sanitary Officer of Ukraine Sviatoslav Protas together with Sanitary Service Department head Chepurnyi were detained in the office. At the same time, searches are being conducted around the country, and 19 regional chief sanitary officers are being interrogated, some of who will be detained as well," he wrote.

According to Avakov, a group of officials headed by Protas developed and implemented a criminal scheme for embezzlement of state funds.

"The group has been detained upon encashment and receipt of the first tranche of the stolen funds - 400,000 UAH ($16,000).

"The joint operation has been developed and conducted by the National Police and the NABU. It's a great example of joint coordinated activities!" Avakov said.

"Protas was detained in his own office as an organizer of the embezzlement. He was acting cynically, having agreed in advance on the rules for stealing and laundering of the state funds. Everyone was informed of his or her 'responsibilities,' and all of them agreed to take part in the scheme, except for one (!) person who said NO," the minister stressed.

Avakov also said that officers of the NABU and National Police have documented 11 cases of extortion and acceptance of bribes by Protas from his subordinates.

ua.censor.net.ua   In Ukrainian/український

The first party involves former deputy prosecutor generals Vitaliy Kasko and David Sakvarelidze, whose reform efforts were supported by the U.S. government but met with resistance by the Poroshenko administration. “The stage of preliminary consultations has concluded,” Kasko stated on his Facebook page, adding that it has begun forming local organizations. The party has yet to declare a name and it could eventually be led by Odesa Regional Administration Head Mikheil Saakashvili, said Petro Poroshenko Bloc MP Viktor Chumak, among its founders.

Another group of reformers, led by Democratic Alliance Head Vasyl Gatsko and MP Serhiy Leshchenko of the Poroshenko Bloc, announced plans to hold a closed meeting to create what Leshchenko referred to in a June 25 interview as a “right wing-liberal party that is committed to the principles of free markets, privatization, human rights, and non-discrimination.” It will be financed by small and medium business, as well as donations from citizens, Gatsko said the same day, who stressed along with Leshchenko the party’s anti-oligarch agenda, rejecting any financing from them. Leshchenko estimated at least 10 percent of the Ukrainian electorate is ready to support such a party.

Concorde analyst Zenon Zawada added: “We were under the impression that a single party would emerge this year uniting all the reformers, who splintered into various parties following the Euromaidan and saw their influence utterly diluted. Now we’re seeing two separate parties form, which would dilute the reform vote not only among themselves, but with existing reform-oriented parties such as Self-Reliance...............

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

Not sure if it would be a good idea on Odesa Regional Administration Head Mikheil Saakashvili becoming the leader. He's done some good things for Odesa, but at times he goes off on a tangent. Could become a loose cannon.

The two top officials were detained in their offices while at the same time across the country 19 other high medical officials were under interrogation. There are expectations of more arrests among those under investigation.

Avakov claims that a group of officials, led by Protas, developed and implemented a criminal scheme for the theft of a large amount from the budget. When the first tranche of funds stolen from the state budget were received, arrests of the scheme’s participants began.

The joint operation was designed and carried out by the National Police and the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU). Avakov said this was an excellent example of coordinated joint action.”

Avakov went on to point out that the thefts from the state budget were organized and managed by Protas. Opportunities to participate in the action and share in the illegal proceeds were presented to 20 persons. Of that number, Avakov said only one refused to participate..............

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

After the change of government in 2012, under the influence of Russian oligarch Ivanishvili, Chatayev immediately released, because many of the new government leaders declared him a political prisoner.

Russian citizen Chatayev Ahmed was arrested in Georgia during the counter-terrorist operation, but after the change of government in 2012 declared him a political prisoner and released.

This was written by the chairman of Odessa Regional State Administration Mikheil Saakashvili, commenting on the attack at Istanbul airport on his page in Facebook.

"Russian citizen Ahmed Chatayev reportedly is the main organizer of the terrorist attack at the Istanbul airport. He was arrested by my government in Georgia during the counter-terrorist operation led by General George Lordkipanidze, who is currently the head of the police of Odessa. Three employees of our security forces were killed in that operation. After the change of government in 2012, under the influence of Russian oligarch Ivanishvili, Chatayev immediately released, because many of the new government leaders declared him a political prisoner, "- Saakashvili said. " I was still president - said the politician - and strongly objected to his release, but the sentence was revoked prosecution. Now he is at liberty after allegedly killed so many innocent people. "

"My 10 year old son traveled through this terminal on the eve of the attack, so I feel complete solidarity with the relatives of victims of ruthless killings. Does the Government of Georgia feels the same? "- Concluded Saakashvili.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

The effects of depletion of the Reserve Fund can be difficult, experts say

The current deficit of the Russian budget, which is above the planned 3%, it becomes increasingly difficult to cover the expense of the Reserve Fund (RF). The fund can also be exhausted in the first half of 2017. The Russian government is spending it at a speed of more than 2 trillion rubles. for a year. And by January 2017 the fund will total only 0.9 trillion rubles. This writes "Nezavisimaya Gazeta".

Out of the budget crisis the Russian authorities have sought not only by freezing spending and domestic borrowing, but also by increasing revenues. What periodically notify the Western press and consequences of exhaustion Reserve Fund can be difficult, experts say "NG". Exhaustion fund will need to sequester most serious budgetary expenditure, the director of the Center for Economic Research University "Synergy" Andrew Koptyelov. First of all, costs will be reduced under "national economy", "Education" and "Housing and communal services". "The most well protected before the election will be in 2018 article" Social Policy "and" Health ". Slightly can cut costs under the "National Defence" and "National security and law enforcement", - the expert believes.

"For replenishment can be used and privatization, and increasing the tax burden, and the launch of" printing press "and internal borrowing. Even external borrowing can not be excluded, though obviously limited capabilities "- lists Associate Professor of Russian Economic University (REU) them. GV Vladimir Plekhanov Kolmakov.

Rising budget deficits make borrowing grow, but to attract "foreign" money will continue to be difficult, confident CEO auditing company "confidence" smooth-Maksim Rodionov.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

Russia is ready to cooperate with members of Normandy four and US its settlement

Russian President Vladimir Putin said that Russia sincerely wishes a speedy settlement of the "Ukrainian crisis" and finds it unacceptable to accuse the State of dragging out the process. "TASS" reports this.

"We sincerely wish that the settlement of the Ukrainian crisis can be reached as soon as possible", he said. According to him, Russia is ready to continue to cooperate on this issue with both the United States and with the participants of "Normandy Four" (Russia, Germany, France, Ukraine).

Putin stressed that Russia wants to see Ukraine as the "good neighbor, predictable and civilized partner".

"Kyiv has finally come to understand the inevitability of a direct dialogue with the Donetsk and Luhansk, the need to fulfill its obligations under the Minsk Peace Deals", said Russian President.

Putin believes that it is unacceptable to blame Russia, as this "would lead to a deterioration of the already unhealthy situation on the European continent".

112.international

"Ukraine and US common position will not only allow to coordinate their actions on the eve of the summit, but also to plan their future"

The visit of United States Secretary of State John Kerry to Ukraine will be held in the coming days - before the NATO summit scheduled for July 8-9 in Warsaw. This was told by Ukrainian Ambassador to the United States Valery Chaly in an interview with "Ukrinform".
"I think (during the visit of Kerry - ed.) we will focus on the coordination of steps before the NATO summit in Warsaw. Ukraine and US common position will not only allow to coordinate their actions on the eve of the summit, but also to plan their future, "- said Chaly, while refusing to tell specific dates of US Secretary of State visit.

He also suggested that among the main issues of the visit it will be discussed "the continuation of progress in the peaceful settlement of the situation in Donbas, the coordination with European partners regarding further pressure on Russia in its implementation of the Minsk agreements, and the US support in the implementation of reforms in Ukraine."

112.international   In Ukrainian/український

Groups of children recruited militants to areas outside the control of

Pro-Russian militants in Donbas using minors in its composition of illegal armed groups, involve them as informants or hide behind them as a "human shield."

This is stated in a new annual report of the US State Department on the situation of human trafficking in the world, according to " Krym.Realiyi ."

"In areas controlled by militants recruit a group of children. Then the pro-Russian separatists use them as informants and as" human shields "- the report said.

Also, the document says that the conflict in eastern Ukraine has turned into internally displaced around 2 million people, and this category of the population are particularly vulnerable in terms of potential exploitation.

US State Department reports that the Ukrainian authorities take steps to eradicate human trafficking and exploitation, but these measures are not enough.

News on: Militants claim that an agreement on the cultivation of forces in two areas of Donbass will be signed July 13
Recall, July 7 in Ukraine will arrive Secretary of State John Kerry . He will meet with President Petro Poroshenko, Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman and other Ukrainian leaders. Among the issues scheduled to discuss progress in reforms and implementation of the Minsk agreements.

ua.112.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Savchenko still in elementary school and she Ukrainian politicians have much to learn Hryniv said.

The current head of the Bloc Petro Poroshenko Games Hryniv in an interview with "Commander" told that MP Hope Savchenko today is a classic example of "no politics" in politics.

"Oh, look at Savchenko. What could be a project the Kremlin? It is still in elementary school and she Ukrainian politicians have much to learn, "- said Hryniv.

He explained why it measured rating.

"Rating politicians are not in politics - it is an interesting phenomenon. Savchenko today is a classic example of "no politics" in politics. This trend is back to the 90s, when the Green Party withdrew from its advertising: "We are not politicians - vote for us." Of course, it must be considered surveys. Moreover, such people can adjust the temperature of the "fire" that burns in society. These people need to control the temperature, "- said the faction MFP.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

Undue advantage he demanded in exchange for a promise not to prosecute a citizen to justice.

In Kiev on a bribe 1,5 thousand. USD arrested the chief investigation department of one of the regional branches of State Natspolitsiyi. He was detained by the Department of National Economy Protection Police and the Department for Combating Economic Crimes SBU.

Bribe 1.5 thousand. USD police officer demanded that the citizen is not promising to bring him to justice, the report said. He was arrested after receiving the money.

The attacker arrested on suspicion of having committed a crime under h. 3. 368 (obtaining undue advantage by an official) Criminal Code of Ukraine. Sanction this Article provides for punishment of imprisonment for up to 10 years, with disqualification to hold certain positions or engage in certain activities for up to three years with confiscation of property. Continues pre-trial investigation.

glavcom.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The US State Department made public a report on the situation in the occupied territories of Donbass

Russian militants and terrorist groups recruit minors into their ranks inhabitants of the occupied territories, using them as informants and as "human shields."

This is stated in a new annual report of the US State Department on the situation of human trafficking in the world, according DT.ua .

"The recruitment of children is groups of militants in the territory, which is controlled by the central government, and where authorities are unable to ensure the ban on the use of children in armed conflict. Pro-Russian separatists also continue to use children as informants and "human shields" - the document issued June 30.

In the State Department noted that the conflict in Donbas forced nearly 2 million people to flee their homes. IDPs are vulnerable in terms of potential exploitation.

The report also noted that Ukraine is a source of life for human trafficking and transit country. In the State Department stressed that the Ukrainian authorities take measures to eradicate human trafficking and exploitation, but these measures are not enough.

glavcom.ua   In Ukrainian/український

This thread, now continued for Friday, at
https://ukraine-english-news.forumotion.com/t2704-ukraine-crisis-news-in-brief-friday-01-july-ukrainian-sources