Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Tuesday 22 November. [Ukrainian sources]

MONDAY

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NEWS:
Russia’s Defense Ministry accuses SBU of abducting two its members in occupied Crimea.  Putin moves his missiles in new threat to Europe. Russian 'red star' memorial collapsed in militant-held Luhansk.  The prosecutor who was caught on a bribe of $ 25 thousand, held a fine of 25 thousand.  Ukraine detains Russian soldiers on Crimea border.

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Russia claims the two men were abducted from the contested peninsula

Ukraine says it has detained two Russian soldiers near the contested peninsula of Crimea, the latest in a series of tense cross-border incidents.

Kiev’s State Security Service said late on Monday that the two men were former Ukrainian servicemen who “betrayed their oath and went to serve in the Russian army” after Moscow annexed the peninsula in 2014, according to Interfax. Ukraine claimed it had detained the men after they crossed into Ukrainian territory near the town of Chongar and would prosecute them for treason and desertion.

Russia’s defence ministry identified the men as Maxim Odintsov and Alexander Baranov, and claimed Ukraine had abducted them from Crimea. The ministry said their detention was “yet another crude provocation” and claimed the men were likely to undergo physical and psychological torture to extract false confessions from them..............

Access complete text of the editorial:  ft.com In English

Italian lawmaker Paolo Alli was elected Monday as new President of the NATO Parliamentary Assembly for at least one year at the organization's Annual Session in Turkey, taking over at the helm from US Congressman Michael R. Turner, according to the NATO PA website.

"I am proud and humbled at being entrusted with such a great responsibility and let me assure you that I am acutely aware of the difficult and challenging times we are facing," he told the lawmakers; part of the body linking the world's biggest military alliance to the citizens of member and partner countries, the report reads..........

uatoday.tv

Russia is deploying short-range ballistic missiles to its western European enclave, it emerged yesterday as President Putin threatened "counter-measures" against NATO expansion. A senior Russian MP said that Moscow would permanently station the nuclear-capable missiles in Kaliningrad, a region between the NATO states of Poland and Lithuania, in retaliation for a military build-up by the alliance in eastern Europe.

John Kirby, spokesman for the US State Department, said that the deployment of the missiles was "destabilising to European security". He added: "We call on Russia to refrain from words or deeds that are inconsistent with the goal of promoting security and stability."..............

uatoday.tv

Eight-meter commemorative sign 'Zvezda Pobiedy' ('Victory Star') in militant-held Luhansk has collapsed, the separatist media inform. The incident happened on November 21 overnight.

uatoday.tv

The Ministry of Defense of the Russian Federation claims two of its members were abducted by agents of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) in Crimea. The servicemen were allegedly taken to the Mykolaiv region of Ukraine.

Censor.NET reports citing TASS news agency.

"The members of the Security Service of Ukraine have illegally detained Russian servicemen - warrant officer Maxim Odintsov and contract junior sergeant Alexander Baranov - and took them from the territory of Crimea to the Mykolaiv region (Ukraine) at about 1 p.m. Nov. 20," the statement reads.

The Russian Defense Ministry did not rule out that moral and physical coercion could be exerted on the Russian military to obtain desired confessions.

"We consider these actions of the Ukrainian special services against the Russian citizens another crude provocation and demand their immediate return to the territory of the Russian Federation," the defense establishment of the aggressor state emphasized.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Faced with aggressive behavior on part of Russia, Sweden is redeploying its mothballed Cold War missile launchers out of storage in museums to shore up the defenses on its Baltic Sea front line.

Censor.NET reports citing The Times.

The traditionally neutral nation, not a member of NATO, is sending the land-based Kustrobotbatteri 90 to its former stronghold on the island of Gotland, the newspaper reports.

The Scania launcher lorries, built in 1987, were developed for the Saab Robotsystem 15 (RBS-15) anti-ship missile system but only one of four planned batteries was delivered before Sweden's coastal artillery was taken out of service in 2000.

"We analysed whether we would be able to put something back together again which was capable of launching with," Rear Admiral Thomas Engevall told Sweden's Dagens Nyheter newspaper, quoted by The Local SE.

"A number of the trucks still remained. We have have taken components from existing missile boats and warships which had the same missile system," Engevall added.

Mike Winnerstig, security policy analyst at the Swedish Defence Research Agency, said that the decision showed that Sweden was stepping up its defense capabilities.

"This decision is national, but it is also a contribution by Sweden to the international defense capability in the Baltic Sea after Russia's annexation of Crimea and the invasion of Ukraine," he said. "If you group together these kinds of systems on Gotland, you can control quite a lot of territory in the mid-Baltic."

"I do not think Sweden is a primary goal for Russia," he added. "But we would still be involved in any conflict in the Baltic Sea area related to EU countries."

Sweden defense minister Peter Hultqvist on Friday visited the test site on Sweden's east coast where the reconstituted system is being put through its paces.

"It is extremely good that we have land-based coastal missile systems back in our National Defence," he said. "It means that we can shoot anti-ship missiles from land over great distance. They provides increased flexibility and capability in marine warfare. It increases military capability and that's something we need."

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

For a bribe of 25 thousand. Dollars Prosecutor Kherson paid 25 thousand. UAH fine

The court fined 25.5 thousand UAH. Prosecutor Kherson Denis Prokhorenko local prosecutor's office, which received $ 25 thousand bribe for his help in closing the criminal proceedings and rebuked him three years to hold positions in law enforcement. This is evidenced by the resolution Golopristanskiy District Court of Kherson region on 8 November.

The court found that in April Prochorenko met the two suspects trustee in respect of which opened criminal proceedings on charges of fraud and drug possession. The prosecutor said that has the ability to affect first deputy prosecutor of Kherson oblast Sergei Gypsy , with whom he had friendly relations, and offered a bribe to ensure the closure of two criminal proceedings.

According to investigators, Prokhorenko said that it is necessary to give $ 30 thousand illegal benefit, an amount later reduced to $ 25 thousand.

In early May Tsiganok closed the criminal proceedings 12016230250000252 number of 27/04/2016 art. 190 Criminal Code of Ukraine (fraud), and local prosecutor Genichesk Kherson region prosecutor's office closed the criminal proceedings 12016230250000168 number of 21/03/2016 art. 309 (possession of drugs). Prochorenko handed trustee and another representative suspects copy of the closure of the two proceedings.

Further Prochorenko police detained him in his office and confiscated illegal profits of $ 21.1 thousand. Money brought mediator who left a $ 500, and before that at the request of the prosecutor Prochorenko gave a friend $ 2,000 debt.

The Court has described the action as Prochorenko the proposal to make impact on the decision by a person authorized to perform state functions for giving undue advantage for themselves and obtain undue advantage of such an influence on decision-making by a person authorized to perform state functions (in Part 2 of Art .369-2 CC).

Prochorenko made a deal with the prosecutor on the recognition of guilt and received a penalty of a fine in the amount of 25.5 thousand UAH., Three years deprivation of the right to hold positions in law enforcement with the special confiscation of 35.5 thousand UAH.

The court also ordered the arrest of apartments prosecutor cancel and return the seized phones, keys, bracelets, watches, cash in the amount of $ 4,853, flash and laptop.

Prochorenko matter of national anti-corruption bureau was engaged. According to investigators, information on the arrangements bribe prosecutor for assistance in closing the criminal proceedings provided NABU citizen Ukraine Humushtekin Khaldun, who learned about it from the trustee suspects.

According Henichesk local prosecutor's office, which is involved in criminal proceedings number 12016230250000252 in 2007-2008, unidentified persons fraudulently took possession PE "Harystron" Khaldoun when he was treated in Turkey.

Then of agricultural property "Harystron" illegally transferred Ltd. "Global Invest", which in 2008 belonged Khaldun and citizen of Turkey Ahmet Caudan. The last local media called raiders seized "Harystron" and "Global Invest" and reported that it filed against him under section fraud, which covered Tsiganok. The prosecutor's office determines the amount of material damage Khaldoun loss of corporate rights to "Harystron" and "Global-Invest".

Currently, the owner of PE "Harystron" is a citizen of Turkey Ahmet Sayhun. In 2008-2014. Founder and co-founder of the company was Ahmet Caudan. The owner of the 54% contribution to the statutory fund "Global-Invest" is another resident Errol Karakash Turkey, 45% - Ahmet Caudan and 1% - Khaldun.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov said the detention of two former Ukrainian soldiers who joined the Russian army after the peninsula occupation was a provocation.

Censor.NET reports citing RIA Novosti.

"Our relevant agencies are dealing with the situation. We believe it to be an illegal provocation conducted by secret services of Ukraine in the territory of the Russian Federation regarding Russian citizens," Lavrov said.

Earlier, the Defense Ministry of Russia announced that Ukraine's Security Service (SBU) allegedly detained and evacuated from occupied Crimea two Russian military.

SBU, in turn, said the soldiers were detained at the border with occupied Crimea and are deserters who joined the Russian army after the Crimea occupation.

ua.censor.net.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Former chairman of the Russian bank "Trust" Ilya Yurov was in the international wanted list through Interpol

Ukrainian border guards detained at the airport "Borispol" in Kiev, former chairman of the Russian bank "Trust" Ilyu Yurova, who was internationally wanted by Interpol at the request of Russia.

Told the spokesman of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine Oleg Slobodyan, reports Liha.net.

The detention took place on 20 November. According Slobodyan, Yurov was transferred to the Interior Ministry of Ukraine.

According to the BBC , Yurov personal affairs flew from London to Kyiv. At passport control, he presented a passport of Cyprus.

Tver Court of Moscow in December last year in absentia arrested three leaders of "Trust" - Yurova and Nikolay Fetisov and Sergey Belyaev.

They are accused of involvement in the embezzlement of funds depositors.

In February this year the "Trust" sent to London to Yurova lawsuit, Belyaev and Fetisov for damages in the amount of 830 million dollars.

The High Court in London as a result of frozen assets of the former owners of the bank.

Yurov tried to appeal, but the court rejected it. He denies guilt.

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

The Trump Foundation admitted violating IRS rules by improperly giving money to someone close to the organization, according to a recent federal income tax filing.

The filing, which was first reported by the Washington Post, was published on the website GuideStar, and raises more questions about potential IRS violations.

In one instance, the Foundation checked a "yes" box when asked: "(Did the Foundation) transfer any income or assets to a disqualified person (or make any of either available for the benefit or use of a disqualified person)?"
A Senior Research Fellow at GuideStar, Chuck McLean, told CNN that "disqualified person" is essentially "IRS speak" for a person who "has significant influence over the activities of the organization or someone related to those people."

Trump overseas business interests subject to new scrutiny

GuideStar is a nonprofit information service that specializes in reporting on American nonprofit organizations. It has offices in Washington and Williamsburg, Virginia, that collect thousands of nonprofit tax returns annually and post them on its website.

The Trump Foundation also checked "yes" when asked if it had engaged in any acts of "self-dealing" in prior years.
McLean told CNN in an email that by checking that box, those actions had not been corrected.

There's no indication on the 990 filing about precisely who the "disqualified person" was or even what activities are involved. The Trump Foundation, GuideStar says, has to file a form called a 4720 and then explain what took place and possibly pay an excise tax on them.

There were some other interesting items of note in the recent foundation document. In its section devoted to contributions, the largest single donor was the Trump Corporation to the tune of $566,370.

The largest individual donation, though, came from a Ukrainian businessman who previously had donated more than $6 million to the Clinton Foundation over the years: Victor Pinchuk, who through his own foundation based in London, gave the Trump Foundation $150,000.

Pinchuk's total net worth has been valued by Forbes Magazine at just around $1.4 billion. According to emails reported by WikiLeaks, Pinchuk also hired a lobbyist to arrange meetings at the State Department while Hillary Clinton was secretary of state. Some Republicans had called for a special prosecutor to look into both the donations by Pinchuk to the Clinton Foundation and to the reported hiring of the lobbyist................

Access complete text of the editorial:  cnn.com In English

A Ukrainian oligarch who donated millions to the Clinton Foundation over the years made a $150,000 donation to the Donald Trump Foundation as a speaking fee for Trump.

Recently released tax returns for the Trump Foundation show that the six-figure donation was made by the London office of the Victor Pinchuk Foundation in 2015.

The Victor Pinchuk Foundation confirmed Tuesday that the $150,000 payment to Trump’s foundation was for a 2015 speech Trump gave via video at a conference organized by the Pinchuk Foundation.

“The payment to President-elect Trump’s foundation was in support of video link appearance at a conference called Yalta European Strategy Annual Meeting, which the Victor Pinchuk Foundation and Yalta European Strategy (YES) — an NGO founded by Mr. Pinchuk — organize annually in September in Ukraine,” wrote Thomas Weihe, head of the board of the Pinchuk Foundation, in an email to BuzzFeed News.

One of the richest men in Ukraine, Pinchuk is a pro-Western businessman whose father-in-law, Leonid Kuchma, was Ukraine’s second president...............

Access complete text of the editorial:  buzzfeed.com In English

The establishment of a common defense alliance supported by 369 MEPs

The European Union must step up its efforts to ensure security and cooperation in defense, which should lead to the creation of a European defense union. This is stated in the resolution of the European Parliament, published by the press service of the department.

The establishment of a common defense alliance supported by 369 MEPs. This 255 MEPs were against, and 70 abstentions.

" The situation in the field of security in Europe and around it has deteriorated in recent years due to problems such as terrorism, hybrid threats, cyber and energy instability, which no country can not solve on their own " , - stated in the resolution.

According to the document will be increased costs of the EU military mission and the expansion of the total arsenal of equipment, including helicopters,. MEPs urge EU countries to conduct joint procurement capabilities.

MEPs also call for the appointment of 2% of GDP on defense. In addition, the European Parliament proposed the creation of a multinational force headquarters and the EU to plan and coordinate joint action in crisis situations where NATO does not want to act.

Decision of the European Parliament shall not be binding character for the Member States.

glavcom.ua/news In Ukrainian / на українській мові

That's a laugh. The European NATO members don't want to dish out 2% of GDP for NATO, and they're going to dish out even more for this?

The plane godfather of Russian President Vladimir Putin, Viktor Medvedchuk received permission to fly to Russia from Ukraine by registering in the Netherlands.

This was the " 112 Ukraine " with reference to the State Aviation Service.

"The plane Medvedchuk received 21 permission for flights from Ukraine to Russia", - the channel.

The department said that from October 2015 implementation of a ban on air links Russian airlines and aircraft with Russian registration. However, the board Medvedchuk registered in Aruba (Netherlands) as well as a ban on him does not apply.

As reported by the "Observer", November 14, 2016 by a Moscow airport "Vnukovo" flew a private plane "Falcon 900" that smoothly came to Kyiv, crossing the Ukrainian border by the Bryansk region of Russia. It is this aircraft flew from the capital of Medvedchuk, the aircraft which fly direct between Ukraine and Russia, despite the fact that direct flights between the countries is prohibited.

ukr.obozrevatel.com In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Counselors in the transitional group elected President Trump prefer Romney to the post of Secretary of State

US President-elect Donald Trump prefers the candidacy of Mitt Romney, former US presidential candidate in elections in 2012, the post of Secretary of State. This writes The Wall Street Journal.

Inside Trump headquarters, as noted, is fighting a group of supporters of different candidates. Among them are those who support Romney, who advocate opt for the former mayor of New York Rudolph Giuliani and who insist on continuing the search for a suitable candidate.

But councilors in the transitional group elected president prefer Romney, and, according to sources, Trump himself also inclined to his candidacy.

Previously reported that Trump can offer the post of Secretary Romney.

In March last year, Romney called Trump "swindler" and "fraud". The president-elect said, saying that Romney "choked like a dog" and repeatedly called Romney "loser." Their relationship began to warm up after Romney Trump telephoned to congratulate him on an unexpected election victory, told " Voice of America".

In 2012, Romney called Russia a "geopolitical enemy №1» for the US. Media write that Mitt Romney even called "Republican Party chief of Russophobia."

glavcom.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

More than 500 thousand. Residents of Lugansk region. may be left without water

Due to non-payment of certain regions Lugansk region (Orloj) for delivered water over half a million people in the region, most of which resides in the territory uncontrolled Ukraine may remain without water, according to the Ministry of temporarily occupied territories and internally displaced persons

"This situation is due to the systematic underpayment payments for the amount of water consumed in an uncontrolled territory in recent years. As a result, the debt of water supply companies KP" Popasnaja district water utility "for electricity has exceeded 121 million USD and threatened bankruptcy. The result can be a complete cessation water supply in the region, both uncontrolled and controlled on Ukrainian territory government that will lead to a humanitarian and environmental disaster,"- said in a statement.

The department noted that Ukraine is taking all possible measures to prevent the development of the situation in such a scenario. In particular, water pipes were repaired, installed meters, take appropriate tariff for water supply and so on.

Also, as a temporary measure, an agreement was reached with the International Committee of the Red Cross, which provided funds that enabled not stop water supply for the past two months. It is also possible to start the heating season because they were filled with water to the heating system outside the control of Ukrainian government areas.

"In turn, representatives Orloj, despite the Minsk agreement, continue to ignore the Ukrainian side initiated proposals to address the issue of payment for delivered water" - said the ministry.

ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

BBC: Train "Barguzin" rockets with launchers will be disguised as a civilian structure



Russia is working on a reproduction of the famous "nuclear train" - Martial railway systems, armed intercontinental missiles, says the Russian service of BBC.

Masquerading as a civilian trains, storage of missiles launchers "Jars" will run on conventional railway network, lost among ordinary trains.

About the work in this field has repeatedly reported by Russian news agencies. General Designer of land defense systems Moscow Institute of Heat Engineering (set designer) George Solomon said that testing BZHRK "Barguzin" are scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2016.

Two weeks ago, the Internet rumors about the successful test cosmodrome "Plesetsk" rocket launch systems for ballistic "Barguzin".

Official confirmation of these tests have not yet received, but confirmed on the eve of this information portal Defence.ru consultant SRF Commander Viktor Esin, and Interfax on Tuesday got another confirmation from an anonymous source in the industry.

ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Syrian troops began to assault the eastern districts of Aleppo


A man walks past damaged buildings in the locked area of ​​Aleppo, Syria on October 19 2016h.
Rueters

The US State Department believes that Russia is responsible for air strikes on hospitals in Aleppo. Told a regular briefing, State Department spokesman John Kirby.

"Even if it's not Russian planes and Syria, Russia bears responsibility, as it can influence the Assad regime. It can stop it." - Said Kirby. He also noted that the alleged bombing made "recognized humanitarian organizations" - World Health Organization (WHO), "Doctors Without Borders" Syrian Council for Supervision of human rights.

"This is not the United States expresses claims and allegations. This is an international consensus of authoritative institutions and organizations and news agencies," - said Kirby.

According to Tass, citing local media, forced Syrian troops began an operation to free the eastern regions of the Syrian city of Aleppo.

It is reported that Syrian troops are moving towards the area Baydyn. However, the attacking artillery positions militant group "Dzhebhat Fatah al-Sham" in the quarter-Hanan Masakyn.

Additionally, Command demanded Syria stop gangs using civilians as human shields and leave them to the eastern half of the city.

Recall that in Aleppo continuing fierce fighting, government forces supported by Russia strongly bombarded the eastern part of the city.

ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

Admin wrote:

"LNR" threatens the water supply of over 500 thousand. Residents of Lugansk region. non-payment

More than 500 thousand. Residents of Lugansk region. may be left without water

"This situation is due to the systematic underpayment payments for the amount of water consumed in an uncontrolled territory in recent years. As a result, the debt of water supply companies KP" Popasnaja district water utility "for electricity has exceeded 121 million USD and threatened bankruptcy. The result can be a complete cessation water supply in the region, both uncontrolled and controlled on Ukrainian territory government that will lead to a humanitarian and environmental disaster,"- said in a statement.


ua.112.ua In Ukrainian / на українській мові

You really have to read the translations. Just a quick look, especially when MONEY is involved.

121 млн грн = 121 m UAH (Hryvnia) and is therefore is 25 times smaller than the translation reports!