Ukraine News. Saturday 16 February. [Ukrainian sources]

SATURDAY HEADLINES:
Putin boasted tests of a nuclear missile.  Members of Putin's RAM will hang on pillars: Russia told about the end of Putin's regime.  The OSCE mission found 33 Russian tanks near Lugansk.  I'm on Poroshenko's side, but Europe will not break the relations with Russia. Russian gas remains Russian gas, - Merkel.  "Protecting the White Race": "Azov" cooperates with neo-Nazis from the United States .  Manaforth faces at least 19 years in prison: violated the law, pressured witnesses, lied.  Apologize for Ukraine: Poroshenko's protection rigorously put Putin's propagandists in place. British politicians were expelled from the party for plans to visit the occupied Crimea. EU has agreed new sanctions against RF due to aggression in the Kerch Strait. Independent and unbiased: 50 Canadian observers have begun work in Ukraine.

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In Russia, they said successful testing of a small-scale nuclear power plant for a rocket launcher "Purevisnik".

Tass writes with reference to the source in the rocket industry of the Russian Federation.

"In January, at one of the landfills, the most important phase of the test of the cruise missile of the Burevisnik complex was successfully completed - a nuclear power plant test," the source said.

It is noted that the tests "confirmed the declared characteristics of the reactor, which provide an unlimited range of rocket flight".

As you know, in March 2018, Russian President Vladimir Putin stated in a message to the Federal Assembly that Russia had developed a small-scale nuclear power plant that could be used in a cruise missile. According to Putin, the missile will be "low-flying, unobtrusive, with an unpredictable flight path and will receive a nuclear warhead."

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Present actions of the regime of President Vladimir Putin show that after his fall for the members of the former government nothing good is expected.

This was told by the Russian financier and blogger Slava Rabinovich "Apostrophe".

In particular, the arrest of a large American investor, Michael Kalvi, on February 15th shows that Putin's investment and business can not be considered safe.

"An international scandal, a top-notch CNBC and Wall Street magazine, in the Wall Street Journal and the Financial Times, among US and EU governments, and there will be no illusions about the preservation of investment in Russia under Putin's regime ."The political structure of Russia under occupation Putin's RAM: fascism: the economic structure of Russia under the occupation of Putin's RAM: gangster neo-feudalism", - says Rabinovich.

In his opinion, this incident is another link in the long chain of crimes of the Russian authorities.

"In NKVSivtsi, Putin could not have otherwise been different." Terror of Putin's RAM: dismantling of the constitutional order. "A whole bunch of grave articles of the Criminal Code of Russia cry for Putin's RAM, and Putin's RAM should not be astonished when its members hang on the pillars. forget and definitely not forgive,"- says the financier.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In the region of Ternovoy (south-east of Lugansk), an unmanned aerial vehicle of international observers recorded 33 tanks of pro-Russian security forces.

According to Censor.NET, with reference to the press center of the OS in Facebook, it was noticed twenty-four T-72 and nine T-64.

The Russian-occupying forces continue to grossly violate the Minsk requirements for heavy weapons, reports the press service of the OS.

According to the report of the OSCE's PMM of February 15, 2019, armaments and military equipment from the armed forces of Russia are located in violation of the line of withdrawal of heavy weapons.

The Ukrainian SSRC noted that such insidious actions by the occupation administration and armed forces of the Russian Federation "once again show unwillingness to adhere to the Minsk accords".

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

According to Federal Chancellor Angela Merkel, Russia's isolation is unacceptable, despite all the problems that creates for the Moscow world. From the Russian Federation, it is necessary to preserve not only dialogue but also partnership, says Merkel.

The federal chancellor of Germany stated this, speaking at an international security conference in Munich, reports Censor.NET with reference to "GORDON".

According to Merkel, Europe was counting on a completely different relationship with Russia.

"After the fall of the Berlin Wall, we thought our relations would be completely different. At the Munich Conference in 2011, Hillary Clinton and Sergey Lavrov ratified the treaty on disarmament, and then both sides believed that there was a strategic partnership between them. What happened in recent years , changed the situation, "Merkel said.

The Crimean annexation has taken place, the conflict has intensified in the east of Ukraine. This is a very bad news this year - the termination of the treaty of the Republican Communist Party due to a violation of the treaty by Russia for many years, "the Chancellor continued.

At the same time, Merkel considers it necessary to maintain not only a dialogue but also a "partnership" with Putin's Russia. "Geostrategically, Europe has no right to break its relations with Russia," she stressed.

Merkel has repeatedly expressed support for the North Stream-2, rejecting criticism from partners about this decision.

"Of course, I'm on the side of Mr. Poroshenko, but the issues associated with the North Flow-2, too, remain important to me," she explained.

"Russian gas will remain Russian gas, no matter what way it has come to us, through the Baltic Sea or through Ukraine, and Russia will remain our partner," the chancellor continued.

At the same time, Merkel added that Ukraine should remain a transitor of Russian gas. And he noted that all other gas pipelines, including Yamal, extending by Poland and Belarus, would not change the transit role of Ukraine.

Also, according to the Chancellor of Germany, new sanctions against Russia must be agreed with Ukraine.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Investigators found that "Azov" representatives are cooperating with American right-wing extremists who advocate a "world conservative revolution" to "protect the white race."

This is stated in a new investigation by Bellingcat , according to Censor.NET with reference to UNIAN.

The authors of the investigation argue that the representatives of "Azov" systematically cooperate with American right-wing extremists to promote their own international program.

"The international secretary of the National Corps, responsible for the global strategy of Azov," said Bellingcat, who was looking for "all potential supporters" and "potential lobbyists" in the United States and hoped to "establish contacts with American military personnel," journalists say.

In the publication Bellingcat describes the contacts of representatives of "Azov" with foreign, in particular, American, representatives of right-wing radical organizations. Among them - the late Andriy Oneshchuk. He was a member of the American neo-Nazi organization Atomwaffen Division.

Onoschuk discussed the issues faced by Americans who wanted to join Azov and expressed his interest in bringing young people to American nationalism, and was advised to try to join Azov, "says Bellingcat.

In addition, according to journalists, in the fall of 2018, the "National Corps" supported the efforts of a Norwegian citizen and national-socialist revolutionary Joachim Furholm to engage American nationalists in Ukraine to participate in the war on the Donbass.

"These efforts specifically provided for participation in the Ukrainian war against Russian aggression as an opportunity for American right-wingers to gain combat and other practical experience that would be used later in the United States upon returning home. Furholm also spoke at a political rally organized by the National Corps before the Ukrainian parliament September 2018 ", - reporters write.

Bellingcat also claims to have evidence that the "National Corps" is in contact with alleged former members of the US armed forces who are now in Ukraine.

"In the sound statements found by Bellingcat, this agenda (on cooperation with foreigners - Ed.) Is generalized by the international secretary of the" Azov "political wing of the" National Corps "as a" world conservative revolution "aimed at" protecting the white race" - reporters conclude.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

In the United States, the prosecution has recommended condemning Donald Trump's former head of the election head Paul Manafort, who has been convicted of tax evasion and other crimes, for a term of 19 to a half to 24 and a half years in prison.

It is reported by Associated Press, informs Tsensor.NET.

The prosecutors noted that 69-year-old Manafort had violated the law for more than 10 years, and during the investigation tried to influence the witnesses and repeatedly lied, even agreeing to cooperate and confess guilty.

The date of the sentence has not yet been assigned.

According to the indictment, Donald Trump Manafort, former head of the election headquarters in the period from 2006 to 2017, received $ 30 million for counseling pro-Russian politicians in Ukraine. At the same time, he was lobbying without proper registration.

In mid-September 2018, Manafort agreed to an agreement with Muller in the so-called political affair. He found himself guilty of two accusations of seven.

Since June 15, a political technologist is held in custody. The trial of Manafort's "financial" case began on July 31st. On August 21, a jury trial found Manafort guilty of 8 of the 18 charge points.

 censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko refused to speak with Russian propagandists, demanding apologies for Ukraine.

Tass reports.

The incident occurred during the Munich Conference on Security.

Journalists of the TV channel "Russia-1" tried to ask a question passing by Poroshenko, but were stopped by his protection.

"We do not give interviews to the Russian TV channels until you apologize to Ukraine," the head of state said.

It is noted that at the same time, the presidential guard began to push the journalist while holding the hand in which he held the microphone.

As reported by the "Apostrophe", earlier in Munich, Russian propagandist Eugene Popov refused to answer the question of the honor of his wife Olga Skabeeva , which Ukrainians publicly humiliated in the PACE, calling her a mouth with a drain tank.

apostrophe.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Vice-President of the British Libertarian Party, Bill Etridge, was forced to leave the party when he learned that he was about to head a political delegation to the occupied peninsula.

Mr. Etridge's actions are detrimental to the reputation of the party, said the BBC's leader of the British Libertarians Andrew Wieser, informs Censor.NET.

Last week, one of the organizers of the Yalta International Economic Forum, Andrei Nazarov, said that British politicians, experts and entrepreneurs plan to visit the Russia annexed by Crimea. In general, according to Mr. Nazarov, the delegation will include about 15 people, and will head it to Bill Etridge.

The politician himself did not respond at the request of the Air Force about comments.

"We sent Mr. Etridge a compromise agreement that stipulated his departure from the party on March 29, 2019. He refused to sign the agreement, but subsequently sent a letter confirming that he would leave the party on March 29," - confirmed Air Force Andrew Wieser.

According to the head of the Libertarian Party, the head of the Eritrea secretariat Paul Bortwood, who also planned a trip to the Crimea, was also expelled from the party.

Bill Etridge is a former member of the UKIP (British Independence Party) right-winged British party, advocating for immigration restrictions and supporting the country's exit from the European Union. A year later, Bill left the party and became deputy chairman of the Libertarian Party. Politician Paul Bortwood served as Chief of the Etridge Secretariat.

The full composition of the delegation that was supposed to go to the Crimea was not called, but it is known that Jim Bhutto, the manager of the company "Tikka kebab", which is engaged in the manufacture of dishes of Indian national cuisine, should join Etridge and Bortwood.

In a talk with the Air Force, Mr. Bhutto confirmed that he would like to go to the Crimea, but noted that the final decision on the trip will be decided later.

In the past three years various European politicians came to the "forum" in Yalta, mostly from representatives of ultra-right parties or left-wing political forces. Also, the occupied Crimea was visited by little-known businessmen and experts.

European countries repeatedly condemned such visits and warned their citizens about the responsibility for illegal entry into Crimea without the permission of Ukraine.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Council of Ambassadors of the EU member states has decided to impose sanctions against Russian citizens involved in the detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors in the Kerch Strait in November last year.

As Cenzor.NET, reported on Twitter permanent correspondent of "Radio Liberty" in Brussels Ricard Yozvyak.

"EU diplomats have agreed new sanctions against Russia in connection with the incident in the Azov Sea. The ban on issuing visas and freezing assets for 8 people related to the detention of 24 Ukrainian sailors must be completed in the coming weeks," he wrote.

Recall that on November 25, the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that the Russian Federation's border ships committed aggressive actions against Ukrainian ships that were carrying out a planned transition from the port of Odessa to the port of Mariupol of the Azov Sea. In particular, the Russian border ship "Don" carried a ram of the Ukrainian raiding tug, which damaged the main engine of the ship, lining and liner fencing, and also lost the life raft. The Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine emphasizes that the intention to implement the transition was warned in advance and acted within the framework of international law.

At the same time, the Russian Federal Security Service states that the three Ukrainian warships in the Azov Sea "illegally entered the territorial waters of the Russian Federation and headed to the Kerch Strait."

As a result of illegal actions of Russian security forces, three ships of the Ukrainian Navy were captured and 24 Ukrainian servicemen captured. The Russian-controlled Russian court of the occupied Simferopol has chosen a precautionary measure for 24 sailors in custody until January 25, 2019.

On November 30, seamen were transported to Moscow: 21 Ukrainians were taken to the Moscow Siege "Lefortovo", and three wounded - in "Sailor's Ticks".

On January 15 and 16, the Lefortovo Court of the Russian Federation decided to extend the term of seizure of 24 captured Ukrainian sailors for three months . Consequently, they will remain under arrest at least until the end of April.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український

The Canadian Election Observation Mission in Ukraine has officially announced the start of its work - a group of 50 long-term observers begins its work in all regions of Ukraine, where voting will take place.
This is with reference to "Interfax-Ukraine" reported Censor.NET.

"We are independent and unrestrained, we do not in any way interfere in the electoral process... Canada supports Ukraine on the way to raising the level of democracy, and election observation is one of the most important tools in this," said Deputy Chief of Staff in Kiev on Friday. Mission of Canada to Ukraine in 2019 Olya Odinska Grod at a briefing timed to the start of Canadian observers.

She noted that the mission was based on the key principles of international election observation.

"This mission will assess whether elections are conducted in accordance with national legislation and whether they meet international standards. International election observation standards are based on respect for political freedoms and basic human freedoms. The 2019 mission consists of 50 long-term observers, as well as hundreds of short-term observers... The mission will be present in all regions of Ukraine, where the elections will take place, "she said.

According to the deputy head of the mission, Canadian long-term observers plan to stay in Ukraine for quite a long time - before the elections, during and after. According to her, the estimated date of departure of observers in the case of the second round - April 27.

"The mission will also assess and analyze the key stages of the election process, including the political context in which the elections will take place - the implementation of the legal framework, the work of the electoral administration, the registration of voters and candidates, the role of the media during the campaign, the role of civil society," she emphasized.

Odynska-Grod added that the mission will assess the election campaign at all stages - voting and counting, the results of the vote, post-election activities, including the appeal process.

Short-term Canadian observers will arrive in Ukraine one week before the election date.

censor.net.ua  In Ukrainian/український