Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Wednesday 13 July. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day

News:
41 attacks by Putin's Russian forces yesterday.
Down from a high of 91 a couple of days' ago.
Putin playing games; presumably going for a "high" during the Nato summit. He is that stupid, and evil.

Update - Sadly - one more soldier died yesterday, and 4 wounded.

Weather:
"Good morning Ukraine!" Yeah. Hot.
Blue sky, sunshine. Expect a high around 32 through much of the country today. And tomorrow. And Friday.

ATO: Yesterday gunmen opened fire 41 times on Ukrainian positions
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/07/13/7114576/
Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 7:08

During the last day recorded 41 cases opening fire, including 19 in Donetsk, Mariupol and 18 to 4 in Lugansk areas.
The press center ATO headquarters.
In Donetsk toward the enemy with 122-mm artillery hit the positions of the Armed Forces in the Second Mykolayiv and 120mm mortars used in Zaitsev, Avdeevka, Semyhir'yi, Novoselivtsi and Novoselivtsi second.
In Novgorod and towns Cottage occupation forces fired 82 mm mortars. In addition, under fire 82 mm mortars, grenades of different systems, heavy machine guns and small arms were Ukrainian position in Avdiyivka.
In Mariupol banned the direction of Minsk II 122-mm artillery and 120 mm mortar shells fired on enemy positions forces ATO in Krasnohorivtsi. Mortars 82 mm caliber were used in Hnutovomu and heavy machine guns - in Shyrokynomu. Also, in the strongholds of the Armed Forces in Mar'yintsi enemy snipers fired.
Lugansk region Ukraine AP position near the village of Lugansk enemy fired from grenade launchers and heavy machine guns, and near the Crimean led unstructured chaotic fire.

9:52
Air France and KLM have introduced prices without luggage on flights to Ukraine
http://www.epravda.com.ua/news/2016/07/13/598954/
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Becoming fairly standard practice now. I think several airlines are now doing this.

Zakharchenko’s ex-guard surrenders to Ukraine forces
http://www.unian.info/war/1413936-zakharchenkos-ex-guard-surrenders-to-ukraine-forces.html
....The State Border Guard Service of Ukraine earlier reported that the detainee is a Russian citizen registered in South Ossetia, who had fought in the ranks of the terrorist gangs, particularly in the illegal armed group Vostok, between August 2014 and May 2016....
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Interesting that the terrorists are beginning to prefer to surrender to Ukrainian forces, rather than return to Russia!
....

Former Kyiv mayor's son accused of money laundering in Barcelona – media
http://www.unian.info/society/1413277-former-kyiv-mayors-son-accused-of-money-laundering-in-barcelona-media.html
....Spain's El Pais daily newspaper reports from police sources that Stepan Chernovetsky, along with other detainees, "laundered" some EUR 10 million through the restaurant. Leonid Chernovetsky was mayor of Kyiv from April 2006 through June 2012. He now resides in Georgia....

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I posted this story yesterday, but a few more details here.

Original, in Spanish, here

11 detenidos por blanqueo en Barcelona, incluido el dueño de un lujoso restaurante
http://ccaa.elpais.com/ccaa/2016/07/12/catalunya/1468305839_086571.html
Anticorrupción lanza una redada contra un grupo con 11 arrestados, la mayoría ucranianos y rusos.....
también ha sido detenido otro importante miembro de la banda, hijo del exalcalde de Kiev Stephan Chernovettsky....

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I like the phrase - miembro de la banda.
If you look at the video in the link - looks like some famous people visit this restaurant - Messi, Suarez...
I am sure the lawyers of these rich kids will get them out in time for Barca's first game of the season.

"We shelled both Ukraine and our positions," - captive Russian mercenary Sedikov spoke of provocations in Donbas. VIDEO



http://en.censor.net.ua/video_news/397120/we_shelled_both_ukraine_and_our_positions_captive_russian_mercenary_sedikov_spoke_of_provocations_in
....Sedikov also said that Russian officers are actively involved in fighting against the Ukrainian armed forces as "advisers." They are also appointed commanders of militants' battalions. The captive also dwelt on provocative shelling carried out by Russian proxies.....

Russian officers-gunners arrived in occupied Donetsk, - MP Tymchuk
http://en.censor.net.ua/news/397166/russian_officersgunners_arrived_in_occupied_donetsk_mp_tymchuk
...."A group of artillery officers of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation arrived in Donetsk. Two of these Russian officers identified as mobile mortar squads commanders, another one - as the artillery battalion commander. ...

While NATO Discussed Russian Aggression, Fighting Spiked in Eastern Ukraine
http://dailysignal.com/2016/07/12/while-nato-discussed-russian-aggression-fighting-spiked-in-eastern-ukraine/
KYIV, Ukraine—Over the weekend, as NATO leaders in Warsaw, Poland, were discussing ways to counter Russian aggression, the conflict in eastern Ukraine concurrently spiked to its worst level in months.
“I don’t think it’s a coincidence,” Stephen Blank, senior fellow for Russia at the American Foreign Policy Council, told The Daily Signal. “It makes sense that it would be related to the Warsaw summit.”...

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Interesting.
American journalist Peterson had the same thought I had regarding the increase in number of attacks by Putin. Timed for the Nato conference.

Crimean Filmmaker Sentsov Turns 40 In Russian Prison
http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-crimea-sentsov-40th-birthday/27854793.html
....Ukraine will honor Sentsov with a rally on Kyiv's iconic Independence Square, scene of the Euromaidan protests that drove a Moscow-allied president from power and preceded Crimea’s seizure by Russia in March 2014. ...

Ukrainians 'Inhabit' Lenin's Shadow On Site Of Toppled Statue
http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-lenin-installation-site-toppled-monument/27854301.html
....But thanks to a temporary art installation that put a staircase in place to allow people to ascend to the pedestal, Ukrainians are getting a chance to stand in Lenin's shoes, so to speak.
"I told Sasha," Turchenko says, using a diminutive of his son's name, "Lenin's absence means Ukraine is free."....

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Interesting report. The location is sort of becoming a new type of tourist attraction!
If you want to go there you'll notice - in the photo - the Bessarrabsi market across the road.
Nearest metro I would think is Kreshatik. Then go south (left, with your back to Macdonalds), until you get to the market. 4 minutes' walk?
Admin probably knows this area better than I do.

Moscow Lists Crimean Journalists, Activists As 'Terrorists' And 'Extremists'
http://www.rferl.org/content/ukraine-russia-crimea-journalists-terrorists-extremists/27854555.html

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The road to North Korea.
Don't expect to find this story from Russiaprofile "journalist" Shaun Walker in Milne's Stalin-loving Guardian.

The European Parliament will not consider Ukrainian visa-free travel before 05 September
http://www.eurointegration.com.ua/news/2016/07/13/7052034/

The report, which will be asked to support the initiative of the European Commission to Ukraine visa-free regime will be presented at the European Parliament on September 5.
This was reported by the European Parliament rapporteur on the issue of visa liberalization with Ukraine Maria Gabriel, UNIAN reports.
"I was planning to submit its report by the summer, but unfortunately, due to the results of the referendum in the UK some committee meetings were canceled and agenda - postponed. That is why my report will be presented on September 5," - she explained.
According to Gabriel, its report would be "available" for the summer.
"I got a lot of information from the European Commission and the Ukrainian government, and I want to thank the Ukrainian side for the excellent cooperation. The signals on the progress is positive. My report supports the Commission proposal and explain the evaluation of all information received in order to conclude that the European Parliament really must to support the liberalization of the visa regime with Ukraine, "- MEP detailed contents of his report....
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Blaming Brexit.
My bet on 01 September for sure goes out of the window.
01 January 2017??

12:17
Rada closed early due to lack of deputies (Strana.ua)
http://strana.ua/news/22515-rada-dosrochno-zakrylas-iz-za-deputatov-progulshikov.html
Verkhovna Rada closed early morning plenary session due to the fact that the room did not have the necessary number of deputies (226- Ed) for decision-making. Regarding the closure of the meeting curled Speaker Andrew Paruby, transmit "Ukrainian News".
"In the hall do not have enough votes to make decisions. I wish you all today in committee work, conduct preventive conversations on fractions. Tomorrow at 10 o'clock, I call for responsibility, so that we come to the gym and could spend a full working day. This morning plenary session of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine declared closed, "- said Paruby....

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One has to feel sorry for the Ukrainian deputies. "Working" - if you can call it that - most of them seem to spend all their time on their mobile phones -
"working" for two days in a row is really not fair. Very difficult for them.
What happens to an ATO soldier if he/she goes absent? A year in jail?
They should do the same for deputies.

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB  23 ч.23 часа назад
According to a survey, the decision to unite Crimea with Russia is now supported by 95 percent of Crimeans who don't want to be jailed.

The KGB ‏@DietKGB  31 янв. 2015 г.
We allow freedom of speech. But not freedom after speech.

Darth Putin ‏@DarthPutinKGB  10 июл.
Your propaganda works when after two years peeps like this call it a "civil war" not an invasion
CBC News Alerts @CBCAlerts
PM Justin Trudeau arrives in #Kyiv, #Ukraine for for talks with President Petro Poroshenko about trade, Russia, Ukraine's civil war.

Soviet Sergey ‏@SovietSergey  1 ч.1 час назад
Bubonic plague is believed to be the cause of the "Black Death", so now we're back in the 1300s.
X Soviet @XSovietNews
TASS: Child with bubonic plague hospitalised in Republic of Altai. https://twitter.com/tass_agency/status/753144958106804224 …

Soviet Sergey ‏@SovietSergey 12 ч.12 часов назад
Next up, People's Republic of Texas.
The Hill @thehill
JUST IN: Leader of Brexit movement plans to attend GOP convention http://hill.cm/Kl0huRv

Kerry to meet with Putin on Thursday
http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2016/07/13/7114610/

Wednesday, July 13, 2016, 12:45
Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night to meet with US Secretary of State John Kerry.
The journalists said the press secretary of the Russian president, Dmitry Peskov, reports "Interfax".
"Deep in the afternoon on Thursday, President Putin will Secretary Kerry and Foreign Minister Lavrov," - he said.
He said the topics to be discussed, quite predictable - is Syria, Ukraine and bilateral relations.
As you know, earlier reported that during his visit to Moscow to meet with Kerry Lavrov. His visit to Moscow will take place within the great European tour.
Kerry was in in March. His visit was remembered through a red suitcase, which he carried with him.

One soldier killed, 4 wounded yesterday, in the ATO zone
http://nbnews.com.ua/ru/news/185056/

Over the past day in the zone of the antiterrorist operation killed one Ukrainian soldier and four were wounded. This was at a briefing on Wednesday, 13 July, the representative of the Presidential Administration on ATO Andrei Lysenko, reports BNN correspondent.
"For the past day killed one Ukrainian soldier, four were injured," - said Mr. Lysenko.

Russia’s representative in the UN Vitali Churkin puts the blame for Moscow’s present dire economic and political condition on Ukraine, the official said, speaking on Radio Eho in Moscow July 13.

 “I believe the Ukrainian crisis should have long been solved, and there is a real chance to do so. Maybe, in Kyiv they take some Masochistic pleasure in creating the difficulties for Russia, but the crisis hit Ukraine the hardest,” he said.

The way out of the crisis in Donbas is very simple: Ukraine has to comply with the Minsk agreements.

Ukraine must first implement all Minsk agreements, including the elections in the rebel-held territories despite the fact that the shelling by the rebels continues.

zik.ua

Speaking on Polish television on July 11, the country’s Defense Minister Antoni Macierewicz put part of the blame for fueling the Volyn massacre on Russia, Ukrayinska Pravda reports.

Answering a question on the role of the Russian propaganda in covering the Volyn bloodshed in 1943-1944, the minister said Moscow is fanning the tragedy.

The role of Russia in provoking the inter-ethnic conflict is obvious, the minister said.

 “The true enemy which used some nationally-minded Ukrainians in 1943-1944 was Russia,” A. Macierewicz said.

Many in Poland still put most of the blame on Ukrainians and their military organizations.

Recently in Poland for the NATO summit, Pres Poroshenko visited the monument to the Polish victims and apologized to Poland - in a gesture of reconciliation.

Polish Pres Duda praised this step by Poroshenko, calling it a clear message from Ukraine to let bygones be bygones. Pres Duda called the Polish people to leave the Volyn tragedy to scholars.

zik.ua

The Obama administration’s offer to coordinate air attacks in Syria with Russia has opened a deepening rift between senior national security officials who insist it could quiet Syria’s civil carnage and further larger counterterrorism goals, and those who consider it a counterproductive sellout to the Kremlin.


Censor.NET informs citing The Washington Post.

Secretary of State John F. Kerry, who said last month that reaching an "understanding" with Russia was "the most important thing" in moving Syria forward, plans to push the deal when he meets Thursday in Moscow with President Vladi­mir Putin.

The U.S. proposal, which has not been made public, calls for the establishment of a "Joint Implementation Group" with Russia, through which the two countries would initially exchange intelligence and operational information on the locations of Jabhat al-Nusra, al-Qaeda's Syrian affiliate, and "synchronize" their independent operations against the Islamic State. Once al-Nusra targets have been agreed, they would determine what action to take and "deconflict" their air operations.

In exchange, Moscow would use its leverage to effectively ground Syria's air force, limiting its operations to non-combat humanitarian and medical-evacuation missions. Both the United States and Russia would recommit themselves to pushing for a political settlement to Syria's civil war.

Kerry is "extremely frustrated," State Department spokesman John Kirby said. "And that's one of the reasons why we're going to Moscow, to see if that change is actually going to be possible - if the Russians are going to do what they've said they were going to do." Administration officials have declined to discuss details of the proposal.

But as Kerry and Robert Malley, the chief White House point man on Syria, negotiate with the Kremlin, a growing chorus of defense, diplomatic and intelligence officials have voiced objections.

"We do this, and then what?" said a U.S. official, one of several who spoke on the condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to discuss the issue and feared identification as internal critics.

"You need to solve the Assad problem, because as long as Assad is in power, Syria is a failed state. And as long as it's a failed state, it will be a breeding ground for extremists," including the Islamic State and al-Nusra, the official said.

Frederic C. Hof of the Atlantic Council, who served as the administration's special adviser for Syria until resigning in late 2012, advised the administration to "take a deep breath and think things through very carefully."

"As desirable as it is to damage a loathsome al-Qaeda entity, military collaboration with Russia could also exact long-term costs to America's reputation and the broader fight against extremism, costs potentially far exceeding the benefits of a here-and-now body count," Hof wrote in the Huffington Post on Tuesday.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian/український

The members of the Trilateral Contact Group expect the soonest initialing via video conference of an instrument on withdrawal of troops in the Donbas, which they failed to agree on during today's meeting.

OSCE Special Representative Martin Sajdik told journalists, Censor.NET reports citing Interfax-Ukraine.

The security subgroup continued discussing basic principles of forces withdrawal, Sajdik said, being hopeful of tomorrow's elaboration of respective document via video conference.

According to him, the subgroup will continue its work on Wednesday evening and possibly on Thursday.

In addition, Sajdik said the political subgroup focused on the discussion of the modalities of local elections in the Donbas.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian/український

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) has expressed concern over the decision by Russian authorities to publish what they called an updated "list of terrorists and extremists," which includes journalists and activists.

"Publishing this list could put the journalists at risk and jeopardize their safety," said OSCE Representative on Freedom of the Media Dunja Mijatovic.

"It's the government's responsibility to ensure journalists' safety; it should not put them in harm's way based on state prosecutors' suspicions under an antiextremism law," Mijatovic said in a statement on July 12.

The list, published on July 12 by Russia's Federal Financial Monitoring Service (Rosfinmonitoring), includes journalists, civil activists, and political prisoners who have criticized Moscow's occupation and illegal annexation of Ukraine's Crimea region.

Among those named is Mykola Semena, a contributor to Krym.Realii (Crimea.Realities), a news site run by RFE/RL.

In April, Semena was charged by Crimean officials with using his journalism to make calls for separatism.

Russia, which illegally annexed Crimea in 2014, has banned as "extremist" or "separatist" any description of Crimea as a continued part of Ukrainian territory.

The list also includes Anna Andriyevska, a Crimean investigative journalist who now works in Kyiv as a staff reporter for Krym.Realii.

Prior to joining RFE/RL, she was investigated by Russian security services for extremist content in her work.

The list also named several Ukrainian prisoners held in Russia -- including Oleh Sentsov, Oleksandr Kolchenko, Oleksiy Chemiy, and the recently freed Hennadiy Afanasyev.................

To read further go to this link:  rferl.org

Admin wrote:

Russian officials complains of Ukraine’s masochism

Russia’s representative in the UN Vitali Churkin puts the blame for Moscow’s present dire economic and political condition on Ukraine, the official said, speaking on Radio Eho in Moscow July 13.

 “I believe the Ukrainian crisis should have long been solved, and there is a real chance to do so. Maybe, in Kyiv they take some Masochistic pleasure in creating the difficulties for Russia, but the crisis hit Ukraine the hardest,” he said.

The way out of the crisis in Donbas is very simple: Ukraine has to comply with the Minsk agreements.

Ukraine must first implement all Minsk agreements, including the elections in the rebel-held territories despite the fact that the shelling by the rebels continues.

zik.ua

What utter crap! The blame lies solely with Russia for the illegal annexation of Crimea and invasion of eastern Ukraine BOTH for no reason other than to satisfy the ego of one very nasty midget.