Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Monday 19 September. [Ukrainian sources]

MONDAY

Please scroll down to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Lutsenko comments on investigation of possible Moscow Patriarchate crimes.  ATO troops in Donbas attacked 18 times in last day, Avdiyivka being "hottest spot".  Seventh country condemns Russian ‘elections' in Crimea.  The turnout for the elections to the Duma was the lowest in the history.

WEATHER:
Kyiv, Ukraine
17c / 62f HI | RealFeel® 19c / 66f
Precipitation 1%
Times of sun and clouds

The Russian occupation forces attacked Ukrainian troops in Donbas, eastern Ukraine, 18 times in last day, no heavy weapons were used, according to the press center of Ukraine's Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) Headquarters.

In particular, three instances of the violation of the ceasefire in the Luhansk sector were reported, the ATO HQ wrote in an update as of 06:00 local time on September 19, which was posted on Facebook. The enemy resorted to armed provocations in the villages of Novo-Oleksandrivka and Novozvanivka, where militants were firing from small arms. Read also Ukraine reports 26 attacks in Donetsk region in last day amid lull in Luhansk What was more, nine attacks were reported in the Mariupol sector. Militants were shelling ATO forces stationed near the town of Maryinka, the villages of Pavlopil and Starohnativka, using machine-guns and small arms. "Six instances of the violation of the ceasefire were reported in the Donetsk sector. The industrial area in the town of Avdiyivka was the 'hottest spot' – the enemy was firing on Ukrainian defenders, using grenade launchers, machine-guns and small arms. The village of Verkhniotoretske also came under small arms fire," the update said............

unian.info

Putin earlier called the high turnout, despite the fact that it is, in his words, was "not the greatest compared to the last election campaign"

The turnout for the elections to the State Duma was 47% in processing 93% of ballots. It was the lowest in the history of Russia, seen from Tsentrzbirkoma, transmits television channel "rain" .

"The turnout as the turnout," - commented the head of the CEC turnout Ella Pamfilova.

Until lowest turnout in the elections to the Duma was recorded in 1993 - 54.81%. In 2011, the turnout was 60.21%, in 2007 - 63.78% in the 2003 elections voted 55.75% of Russians.

Yesterday at 12:00 Moscow time the turnout reached 23%, which, according to the deputy head of the CEC Nikolai Bulaeva was "slightly higher than 2011 and other years." 15:00 turnout reached 30.60%, and at 18:00 in Moscow turnout was 40.37%.

Following the vote in Parliament were four parties - "United Russia", KPRF, LDPR and "Fair Russia". Russian President Vladimir Putin earlier called the high turnout, despite the fact that it is, in his words, was "not the greatest compared to the last election campaign." People showed citizenship, said Russian President.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

“I do not understand how could the people who believed His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr to be the best head of the Church can object to the prosecution of those who actually caused his early death,” Lutsenko said.

Prosecutor General Yuri Lutsenko expressed his surprise at the fact that clergymen of Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) are opposing the investigation into the dismissal of Metropolitan Volodymyr (Sabodan) from the Church leadership.

Lutsenko’s remarks came in an interview given to LB.ua, commenting on the statement of the Synodal Information Department of the UOC (MP).

“It is a very sad statement,” the Prosecutor General said.

“I do not understand how could the people who believed His Beatitude Metropolitan Volodymyr to be the best head of the Church can object to the prosecution of those who actually caused his early death,” he added.

Lutsenko said that after he was released from prison, he underwent surgery in the same hospital where Metropolitan Volodymyr stayed before his death.

“We were staying at the same floor in a corridor. I came up to him – his physical condition was grave. I saw that this man was almost driven to early death. All the medical records were taken away from Drabynko... I reiterate all the records of Volodymyr’s medical history were taken away from him. You know how a patient can be treated,” he stressed.

Lutsenko also said that according to the investigation it was [then-President Viktor] Yanukovych who ordered former Interior Minister Zakharchenko to detain Metropolitan Volodymyr and Metropolitan Oleksandr (Drabynko) to force the Primate of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) to resign in favor of Yanukovych’s crony - Metropolitan Anthony (Pakanych). Changing the leadership of the Church, Yanukovych planned to use it for election 2015......

ukrainebusiness.com.ua

Sweden will not recognize the results of Russian Duma elections on the annexed Crimean Peninsula. Swedish Foreign Minister Margot Wallström wrote this on Twitter.

"Deplore Russia's holding of Duma elections today in illegally annexed Crimea. Not recognising any that are "elected" in Crimea," Wallström wrote......

uatoday.tv

Paruby said that two years Russia has not fulfilled any of the PACE resolution

Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Andriy Paruby believes that is no reason for Russia to return to full delegation of the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe is not. He said this at a meeting of the PACE Committee on Education, Culture and Science.

"For the last two years no point, none of the resolutions that took PACE, Russia were not met. I want to stress that any item - no resolution, "- said Paruby.

" And when I hear that a return delegation to Russia to complete the work of the Parliamentary Assembly, I have a question: what are the reasons for this is and what steps are made ​​of, to return to the circle of states to which human rights, dignity and territorial integrity of states is the highest value? In my opinion, no reason for this. I am convinced that attempts to flirt with the aggressor - it only encourages more of its aggressive actions ", - he said.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

Swedish Armed Forces have planned several audits of readiness Army

Sweden posted regular troops on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea after receiving information about the growth of military threat from Russia. It is reported by the Swedish newspaper Dagens nyheter , citing a source in the Swedish army intelligence.

It is reported that the military threat from Russia to Sweden is growing. The nature of the threat and its contents are classified as top secret and "critical to national security." At the same time in the armed forces of the country reported that several planned inspections readiness of military units.

It is noted that the army was sent rapid response to the passage of such control on the island of Gotland in the Baltic Sea. The structure of the group included 150 Swedish soldiers.

Professor of intelligence analysis at the University of Lund Ahrell Wilhelm told the publication that "something happened in the intelligence picture". He said the redeployment of the military on the island of Gotland is an exceptional measure for defense.

Recall that NATO has decided to enter the multinational forces to deter aggression of Russia in the Baltic region by May 2017. The troops sent to Lithuania, Latvia, Estonia and Poland.

ua.112.ua In Ukrainian/український

The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) probably will prolong the controversial deportation Kremlin propagandist Graham Phillips, who has repeatedly publicly demonstrated his anti-Ukrainian position.

About this in comments to "Observer" said department spokeswoman Helen Hitlyanska.

"We drove Phillips in July 2014, prohibiting him from entering Ukraine for three years. I have no information about SBU criminal proceedings against him, but most likely this issue deals with military prosecutors. Entrance forbidden him exactly, and when the ban expires we will certainly continue, "- said Hitlyanska.

Recall recently Phillips grossly insulted crippled Ukrainian Vladimir Zhemchugova during the liberation of the captivity terrorist "DNR."

ukr.obozrevatel.com In Ukrainian/український

For the Ukrainian side falsifying charges of involvement in the sabotage is expected to present the body of the deceased person with bullet wounds documents confirming the citizenship of Ukraine or military service in the Armed Forces

Using mode relative silence in the temporarily occupied territories of the east Ukraine opponent prepares to staging acts of sabotage against its own forces and civilian infrastructure at the sites with further charges ATU forces in committing them. This was reported by the Defence Intelligence of Ukraine.

"In the period from 19 to 23 September in towns Pervomaysk and Kirovsk enemy planned a series of explosions, and for the falsification allegations Ukrainian party involvement in the diversions expected to present the body of the dead from bullet wounds person with documents confirming the citizenship of Ukraine or military service in the Armed Forces of Ukraine ", - informs Defence.

In addition, intelligence reports that, despite official orders of the General Staff of the Armed forces to ban the use of weapons, the enemy continues to violate the ceasefire and conduct random bombardment forces ATO.

"in the area of industrial zone Avdiyivka more active work units separate assault battalion (Makiyivka) 1 AC (Donetsk ) Armed Forces. September 17 this year, in violation of the "silence" selective mortar fire control calculations of the unit carried out directly Officer of Missile Forces and Artillery headquarters AK 1 (Donetsk) Armed Forces, according to the orders received from the Center of territorial troops (Novocherkassk) South military district (Rostov-on-Don) Armed forces, "- said in a statement GUR.

During the current day in certain areas carried out attacks with small arms (including manual and mounted grenade launchers) to provoke ATO forces and their subsequent prosecution in violation of agreements.

The main effort of the enemy focused on maintaining combat readiness of troops, resupply units, improving engineering equipment items, restocking material and technical means and ammunition, preparing for the autumn-winter period.

By the intelligence forces ATO involved three tactical unmanned aerial vehicles in the areas of responsibility OTU "Donetsk" and "Mariupol". Planned output of intelligence towards towns Popasna.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

NATO is eager to return to training plans repel potential aggression from Russia

Russia can accommodate tens of thousands of soldiers on NATO territory for 48 hours in support of military aircraft and ships, while at the same NATO would have taken months. Said retired British General Richard Barrons, writes The Times .

As a result, control of the land, airspace and territorial waters may be lost before the 28 NATO member states even agree on how to respond to it, warned the former head of the Joint Command of the armed forces of the United Kingdom.

According Barronsa, NATO is eager to return to training plans repel potential aggression from Russia. "States that border with Russia, actively urge other member countries of the alliance to change the position, but countries such as France, Greece, Italy, Hungary and to a lesser extent Germany would not want to offend Russia", - says the article.

Barrons considers it necessary to hold a debate on the changing nature of the threat posed by countries such as Russia, can destroy the economy by using cyber warfare.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

PACE critical of the schedule of new political parties and the State Duma said that the Assembly does not recognize elections in Crimea.

This was stated by chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee Stefan tion, reports Deutsche Welle .

Tion said that PACE "does not accept the elections," which were annexed by Russia in the territory of Crimea.

"If we can not enter the territory of Crimea, prepare a report, then, sorry, but no one can recognize what happened there," - said the politician.

He also said that as chairman of the committee addressed with an appeal to the Russian authorities to allow the PACE mission to visit Crimea, but the answer never received.

Tion recalled that the Russian authorities have not invited the PACE monitoring mission to observe the parliamentary elections. "But we already know the results, and they are not a good future for Russia", - he said.

Chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee refused a direct answer to the question that the Assembly would do if in the new State Duma delegation will include MPs elected in the Crimea.

"This is a very hypothetical question, because the current Russian delegation has not yet been formed, and a wizard for the stars I do not want" - said tion.

Recall Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the decision to recognize the authority of the majority of deputies of the State Duma, elected 18 September.

Also, France said it would not recognize the results of elections in the Russian Crimea.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

PACE critical of the schedule of new political parties and the State Duma said that the Assembly does not recognize elections in Crimea.

This was stated by chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee Stefan tion, reports Deutsche Welle .

Tion said that PACE "does not accept the elections," which were annexed by Russia in the territory of Crimea.

"If we can not enter the territory of Crimea, prepare a report, then, sorry, but no one can recognize what happened there," - said the politician.

He also said that as chairman of the committee addressed with an appeal to the Russian authorities to allow the PACE mission to visit Crimea, but the answer never received.

Tion recalled that the Russian authorities have not invited the PACE monitoring mission to observe the parliamentary elections. "But we already know the results, and they are not a good future for Russia", - he said.

Chairman of the PACE Monitoring Committee refused a direct answer to the question that the Assembly would do if in the new State Duma delegation will include MPs elected in the Crimea.

"This is a very hypothetical question, because the current Russian delegation has not yet been formed, and a wizard for the stars I do not want" - said tion.

Recall Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine announced the decision to recognize the authority of the majority of deputies of the State Duma, elected 18 September.

Also, France said it would not recognize the results of elections in the Russian Crimea.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

OSCE transformed Washington and Brussels a platform for propaganda exercise, convinced Russian Foreign Ministry

OSCE fact samousunulasya impartial analysis of the situation in Ukraine, massive human rights violations Kyiv practically do not receive proper evaluation of the organization. This was stated by Director of the Department of Humanitarian Cooperation and Human Rights Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Russia Anatoly Viktorov, writes RIA "News" .

"On the situation in the field of human rights in the OSCE eloquently chosen organization model of behavior in relation to the events in Ukraine. OSCE fact samousunulasya impartial analysis of the situation in that country, which is the third year internal armed conflict continues, the cause of which was a coup with the use of force, sponsored the West, "- he said at the Council of OSCE in Warsaw.

He noted that "the facts of mass violations Kyiv human rights, including the right to life, did not actually get a proper assessment of the organization and its specialized agencies."

"Instead OSCE transformed Washington and Brussels a platform for propaganda exercise. Talk about objectivity in such circumstances, we do not have, "- said Viktorov.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian/український

The prosecutor general’s office is to incorporate a service for secret surveillance of prosecutors. The service will be set up with the help of American colleagues, Prosecutor General Yury Lutsenko told journalists Sept. 19, Ukrayinska Pravda reports.

At present, there is a service in the PGO for checking the work of prosecutors headed by Petro Shkutyak, Lutsenko said.

 “PGO jointly with the Americans is to form a IG unit. Its staff is now being selected in a competition, with 99 applicants vying for its head.

The unit will be empowered to secretly check the work of any prosecutor. It will be accountable only to the prosecutor general, Lutsenko clarified. 

Both services will deal with corruption among the 15,000-strong force of Ukrainian prosecutors.

zik.ua