Ukraine crisis. News in brief. Wednesday 1 March. [Ukrainian sources]

WEDNESDAY

Please scroll to view news items added during the day.

NEWS:
Russia's activities among main challenges that US is facing.  Russian special forces transferred to the Donbas, howitzers, ammunition and more than 3000 tons of fuel.  "Great Britain and Poland fully support Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression. Five US Air Force Black Hawks reinforce NATO battalion in Latvia.  Russian militants opened fire upon Ukrainian positions 117 times yesterday, employed artillery and hardware.  The Daily Vertical: One Man's Stand. Canada calls to drop charges against journalist Semena, detained in annexed Crimea.

WEATHER:
12c / 54f HI | RealFeel® 12c / 54f
Precipitation 25%
Not as cool with clouds giving way to some sun

On Wednesday morning, March 1, five U.S. Black Hawk helicopters were delivered to Latvia as part of Operation Atlantic Resolve.

Censor.NET reports citing Delfi.

The U.S. Air Foirce 3rd General Service Aviation Battalion of the 10th Combat Aviation Brigade is the first aviation unit that arrived in Europe on a rotation basis to demonstrate the readiness of the U.S. to maintain the security of NATO's eastern flank. The brigade is normally based at Fort Drum, New York.

As reported, 2,200 soldiers, 86 helicopters and more than 700 pieces of equipment are expected to be dispatched to Latvia, Germany and Romania. Some 60 brigade representatives will engage in air operations and take part in the international exercise Atlantic Resolve at Lielvārde Air Base.

The current U.S. contingent in Europe is also represented by the 1st Battalion of the 3rd Aviation Regiment of the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade equipped with attack helicopters Apache and stationed in the German town of Ansbach in Bavaria.





ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Canadian authorities are concerned about the repression of free speech in illegally annexed Crimea.

Canada's Foreign Ministry wrote on Twitter, Censor.NET reports.

Canada calls for charges against journalist Mykola #Semena in illegally-annexed #Crimea to be dropped. #UnitedForUkraine #CrimeaIsUkraine pic.twitter.com/Sx0CMc9MyO

— Foreign Policy CAN (@CanadaFP) February 28, 2017

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Former Republican Senator Dan Coats, who has been nominated for the top U.S. intelligence official post, pledged on Tuesday to support thorough investigation of any Russian efforts to influence the 2016 presidential election in the United States.

Censor.NET reports citing Reuters.

"I think this is something that needs to be investigated and addressed," Coats told the Senate Intelligence Committee during his confirmation hearing.

Coats, 73, a former member of the intelligence panel, also promised that it would have full access to all of the documents and other materials needed for an investigation.

Trump denounced intelligence agencies for their assessment that Russia sought to influence the election on his behalf, prompting concerns about his support for them. Trump has also repeatedly praised Russian President Vladimir Putin, leading some in Washington worry that he might not take a hard enough line in dealings with Moscow.

"I have no intention of holding anything back from this committee," Coats said.

In his opening statement, Coats addressed that concern by listing activity by Russia, along with that of China and North Korea, as among the main challenges faced by the United States.

"Russia's assertiveness in global affairs is something I look upon with great concern, which we need to address with eyes wide open and a healthy degree of skepticism," Coats said.

Although he was ambassador to Germany under President George W. Bush, Coats would be the first director of national intelligence who has not spent most of his career in the military, in intelligence agencies or as a diplomat.

Coats, who is popular with Democrats and his fellow Republicans, is expected to be easily confirmed.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Over the past 24-hour period, Feb. 28, Russian-supported separatists in the east of Ukraine committed 117 cases of shelling upon Ukraine's Army positions in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area.

As reported by Censor.NET, this was announced by the ATO Staff's press center on its Facebook page.

In Mariupol direction, Vodiane came under 122 mm artillery fire. Hnutove, Shyrokyne, Pavlopil, and Vodiane were shelled from mortars. Krasnohorivka, Talakivka, Pavlopil, and Hnutove came under mortar fire. A sniper was operating upon Shyrokyne and Troitske. Marinka came under an IFV fire.

In Donetsk directions, militants shelled Butivka mine, Verkhniotoretske, and Novhorodske from tanks; 152 mm artillery impacted Luhanske and Troitske, 120 mm and 82 mm mortars were used against Pisky, Zaitseve, Troitske, Novoluhanske, Kamianka, Avdiivka, Opytne, Novotoshkivske, and Luhanske. Separatists used grenade launchers, large-caliber machine guns and small arms to fire upon Zaitseve, Verkhniotoretske, Nevelske, Bohdanivka, Avdiivka, and Luhanske. An IFV impacted Luhanske.

In Luhansk direction, militants fired 152 mm artillery upon Krymske. Popasna, Orikhove, Novozvanivka, Novooleksandrivka, and Krymske came under mortar fire. Small arms were employed in Stanytsia Luhanska and Novooleksandrivka. IFV and APC fired at Novozvanivka. A sniper operated in Zhovtneve.

"A total of 117 cases of shelling was recorded," the report reads.

On Feb. 27, Russian militants opened fire upon Ukrainian Army's positions 84 times.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Mykola Chaus, a judge of the Dniprovskyi district court of Kyiv suspected of bribery, has been detained in Moldova.

Larysa Sarhan, the spokesperson for Ukraine's prosecutor general, wrote on Facebook, Censor.NET reports.

"Judge Chaus, who tried to evade justice, has been detained in Moldova at the request of the Prosecutor General's Office of Ukraine, initiated by the National Anti-Corruption Bureau (NABU)," she wrote.

"After the extradition check is over, Chaus is awaited at home," Sarhan wrote.

Earlier, the court overturned a request by the Special Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office (SAP) to allow the prosecution against Judge Chaus in absentia.

On Aug. 9, 2016, NABU detectives exposed Chaus accepting a $150,000 bribe. The money was put into two glass jars that the judge was trying to bury in the yard of his private house.

Chaus is known for trying Euromaidan activists, former leader of UKROP party Hennadii Korban and Yanukovych's ally Yurii Ivaniushchenko, also known in criminal world as Yura Yenakievskyi.

On Sep. 6, 2016, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine sanctioned criminal prosecution, detention and arrest of Chaus.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

‘DPR’ leader Alexander Zakharchenko voiced true intentions of the Donetsk terrorists regarding trade blockade of the occupied Donbas in a conversation with ‘chief of internal and foreign policy department of the ‘DPR administration’ Trapeznikov, which was wiretapped by the Ukrainian Security Service (SBU).
Censor.NET reports citing the press service of the law enforcement agency.

Trapeznikov asked Zakharchenko what they would do if Ukraine accepts their ultimatum to lift Donbas blockade by Wednesday March 1. The 'DPR' leader said: "We must add one single point there that we actually do not care what kind of blockade they do - we put trade embargo on Ukraine from now. We will give them no more coal, not a single lump, all right? Add this to the body of the statement."



ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

From the beginning, the growth of wages in Ukraine has already felt some 4 million people.

As Tsenzor.NET with reference to UNIAN , told Prime Minister Vladimir Groisman.

"According to our estimates, 4 million Ukrainian citizens have received higher salaries," - he said.

According to him, the next step - to provide citizens a fair pension system. "In 2017, we must present a fair pension system with the increase of pensions, every pensioner was protected. We will present it" - said the head of government.

Earlier, Deputy Prime Minister Pavlo Rozenko said that the government's decision to increase the minimum wage to UAH 3,200 from January 1, 2017 today perform in full - both in public and in the private sector.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Great Britain and Poland supported Ukraine in the fight against Russian aggression.

As Tsenzor.NET , told the Foreign Minister of Great Britain Boris Johnson in Twitter during his visit to Kyiv.

"In Kiev, with the joint visit of Polish Foreign Minister Vaschykovskym, Ukraine to show that we are 100% support in its fight against Russian aggression" - he writes.

Recall, the foreign ministers of Poland and the United Kingdom Witold Vaschykovskyy and Boris Johnson on March 1 are on a visit to Ukraine . On the agenda - the settlement of the situation in the Donbass, human rights in Russia occupied Crimea reforms, EU-Ukraine relations and the prospects of the negotiation process in "Norman format".

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

For completing and improving the combat capabilities of the Russian-terrorist forces of the Russian Federation arrived at Donbass special forces units of the Armed Forces.

It informs Tsenzor.NET , reported by MP from NF, coordinator of the "resistance Information" Dmitry Timchuk on his page in Facebook.

"For the sake of completing and improving the combat capabilities of the Russian-terrorist forces from the territory of the Donbass Russian special forces unit came from the 2 teams of Special Forces GRU General Staff of the Armed Forces - 10 fav SF (permanent place of dislocation - Molkino NP) and the Armed Forces air defense SF 16 mod (Tambov) ZVO Armed Forces, "- he wrote.

In addition, Timchuk added that Russia in Donbass and then enter items logistics for the needs of the occupying forces.

"At railway stations Lugansk, Rovenky, Ilovaysk delivered a total of more than 3,000 tons of fuel to the railway station Khartsyzsk - 5 cars with food supplies and medicines. There overturning of the Russian Federation through checkpoint Dovzhansky 2 units of 122-mm self-propelled howitzers 2C1 "Carnation" and 7 trucks of ammunition for them, "- said Timchuk.

ua.censor.net.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson paid a visit to Pizza Veterano, the pizzeria founded by a veteran of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in Kyiv.

Founder and manager of Pizza Veterano project Leonid Ostaltsev wrote on Facebook, Censor.NET reports.

"We met with British Foreign Minister Boris Johnson today. He is cool. It was our pizzeria that hosted his working meeting with our mayor. But before that, we have spent some 40 minutes talking about the war. And guess what, he knows nothing about what is going on in our country (or just pretends). We are also very glad that the British side insisted on holding meeting at our pizzeria. You are always welcome here! " the veteran wrote.



ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Commons committee sceptical of calls for investigation into alleged war crimes in Syria

Britain is not Russia’s enemy, and should stop accusing Vladimir Putin of war crimes in Syria, a committee of MPs have said, effectively calling for a reappraisal of relations with Moscow.

The UK has been among the strongest advocates of a hard line towards Russia, differentiating itself from Donald Trump, US president, and French presidential candidates François Fillon and Marine Le Pen.

But MPs from the foreign affairs committee said greater engagement was needed, and criticised Boris Johnson’s Foreign Office for appearing “not to know what it wants”.

A report published on Thursday is particularly sceptical of the UK’s calls for the UN to investigate alleged Russian war crimes in Syria. Without evidence of war crimes, that “risks bolstering the Kremlin’s narrative that Russia is held to unfair double standards by hostile and hypocritical western powers”, the report said.

Less than a fortnight ago, parliament voted for a bill with power to freeze assets of foreign human rights abusers, a version of the US’s so-called Magnitsky Act. The draft legislation, which still requires approval by the House of Lords, is in memory of Sergei Magnitsky, the Russian lawyer beaten to death in a Moscow jail after exposing a $230m fraud from the state budget involving a criminal gang and corrupt officials..............

Access complete text of the editorial:   (Financial Times) In English

Military aviation of Russia and Syria are not attacked by coordinates, which were identified by the US military as the US District action of pro-American opposition.

This was reported on Wednesday in the Defense Ministry, reports Tsenzor.NET with reference to Interfax.

"No strike on the American side of the specified areas of the Syrian and Russian air force was not applied", - said in the Defense Ministry, commenting on the statement of the US military air strike in Syria by pro-American opposition forces.

The Russian Defense Ministry said on 28 February were contacts established channels of communication between the Russian representative of the Command Air Group FSI Russian airbase "Hmeymim" with his US counterpart at the air base in El Udeyd (Qatar).

"During the talks, the representative of the United States Air Force expressed concern that the Syrian and Russian aircraft in combat missions against LIH south g . Menbidzh can cause unintentional blow to the US-controlled armed groups", - said the Russian military.

"In order to avoid any incidents US official said the Russian officer of the exact coordinates of the location in the area of US-backed militants" opposition "This information was taken note of the Russian command." - Said the Russian Defense Ministry.

ua.censor.net.ua, Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

President Petro Poroshenko expressed Compassion to Klimkin

In the Foreign Minister of Ukraine Pavlo Klimkin father died. Sympathy was expressed by President Petro Poroshenko, the press office of the President.

"With great sadness learned of the death of your father. Together with you I bow my head in sorrow and share your pain due to irreparable loss of a beloved person. Your father gave you a piece of their own soul and proud of your achievements. Please accept my sincere condolences and wishes of endurance and strength of spirit. Light his memory" - said in a statement.

glavcom.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Lawyers offer to pay money to victims of Russian aggression through a loan issued by Moscow in 2013

Families of the dead Ukrainian soldiers serving millions of claims against the Russian Federation. Their lawyers are demanding to compensate moral and material losses due trohmilyardnoho loan granted to Russia Yanukovych euromaidan.

By May London High Court can decide on the fate of $ 3 billion - loan funds granted to Russia Ukrainian government four years ago. The Kremlin is the prospect attract to their side the British justice, but little chance to return the money. This may prevent claims of victims of aggression from Moscow Donbas and Crimea Ukrainian, requiring compensation. Their attorneys offer to make payments through the so-called debt Yanukovych - credit facilities granted to Russia Yanukovych-Azarov government - and through requiring courts to block its share of this debt that must be returned to Russia.

"Yanukovych Debt" - a loan received in 2013 as a result of redemption Ukrainian Eurobonds of the Russian Federation. 24 December 2013 Ukraine has signed a trust agreement with The Law Debenture Trust Corporation plc, trustee holder of the obligations of the Ministry of Finance. Under this contract, Ukraine received $3 billion and the Ministry of Finance issued a commitment to a specified amount. The loan was the result of agreements between President Viktor Yanukovych, head of the Russian state. The media called this deal a bribe in Moscow for refusing to Kyiv from European integration. Maturity these Bond ended in 2015. Ukraine unsuccessfully tried to agree on debt restructuring, a year ago Russia against Ukraine filed a lawsuit in the High Court in London to return the funds.

Today already have at least two positive decisions on claims the families of dead soldiers to Russia, demanding compensation. This "Commander" reported in the public organization "Force of Law", which represents the interests in court of victims of Russian aggression in Ukraine.

The last of them passed Yarmolinetskiy District Court Khmelnitsky region. In December last year, the Court allowed the family of the deceased in the area ATO Ukrainian soldier in the Russian Federation on recovery of moral damages in the amount of USD 5.3 million (180 thousand. Euros). Still about 270 thousand. UAH has to be paid as compensation for property damage.

This plaintiffs do not stop. The next step - a requirement to fulfill this and other similar judgments by credit granted to Russia Yanukovych-Azarov government over three years ago.

So, as the single registry of court decisions in legal proceedings required not only compensation. Parents of soldiers who died in the area ATO, while insisting on the enforcement of decisions through the seizure of funds from the so-called debt Yanukovych.

Such a decision is not yet taken. But already taken the precautionary step. As you know, last year the claim Advisory Board of NGO "Power of Law" Irina Verihinoyi Holosiivskyi Court of Kyiv seized trohmilyardnoho payment of debt. "This solution - a kind of shield law, according to which all agencies and services is legally prohibited from making any steps related to making payments on the loan. Next, on behalf of the victims with the support of "Force of Law" submitted claims for the arrest of the loan funds in the amount of claims of each plaintiff - commented the press office of the NGO. - Relatively speaking, the credit "dismantled to pieces", ie legally "vidpysuyetsya" victims by name. "

Lawyers clarified that a total of 34 already have positive solutions for the benefit of citizens of Ukraine who suffered as a result of military aggression of the Russian Federation.

Among these 21 decisions in the interests of IDPs, seven - wounded six - members of the families of the victims. Mostly they relate to the requirements for recognition of legal facts damage as a result of military aggression of Russia against Ukraine. Including the two decisions was granted property claims on behalf of family members of the victims.

Calculating the size of the damage is based on the European Court of Human Rights, as well as the provisions of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine regarding payments to persons affected by natural disasters (compensation for lost movable and immovable property).

On average amounts are:

Family of dead soldiers and civilians - the expected compensation of 60,000 euros for each family member;

soldiers and civilians who were injured, injury and psychological trauma - the expected compensation of 20 000 euros (for the wounded) + compensation for disability + compensation costs for treatment and prosthetics:
soldiers who visited in captivity - expected compensation of EUR 20 000;
civilians who were unlawfully detained - the expected compensation of EUR 20 000;
internally displaced persons from the occupied territories of Crimea and Sevastopol, Donetsk and Lugansk regions - the expected compensation of EUR 35 000 + compensation of material damage;
citizens who lost personal property - the amount of compensation depends on the value of the lost property.

Overall, the organization assesses damage caused by Ukrainian result of military aggression of Russia, more than 100 billion dollars.

Earlier, Finance Minister Alexander Danyluk predicted that the High Court in London on "debt Yanukovych" can be issued in April 2017.

glavcom.ua , Original in Ukrainian / на українській мові

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko says the seizure by Russia of Ukrainian assets in Donbas is another evidence of Russian occupation of the east of Ukraine.

"There was another brutal and dreadful violation of international law – Russia has de facto confiscated Ukrainian state and private assets located in the occupied territory. This is another evidence of Russian occupation of eastern Ukraine," he said at a meeting with Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs of Great Britain Boris Johnson and Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Poland Witold Waszczykowski in Kyiv on Wednesday.

He also called for the introduction of sanctions against individuals who illegally appropriate Ukrainian assets: "Sanctions should be applied against those who will enter into the so-called possession of confiscated assets for the violation of international and Ukrainian legislation." Poroshenko also noted that the Kremlin had been demonstrating escalation of the situation in eastern Ukraine. Particularly, he pointed out to the issue of security: a drastic increase in the number of shelling incidents and casualties among civilians and the Ukrainian military, as well as the use of heavy artillery. The Ukrainian president reminded that in the course of the Munich Security Conference, Russian President Vladimir Putin approved a decision to recognize documents issued by the so-called Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and Luhansk People's Republic (LPR)................

unian.info