08/16/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - The leader of DPR militants Zakharchenko announced the continuation of the offensive in the Donbass

The leader of DPR militants Zakharchenko announced the continuation of the offensive in the Donbass

08.16.2015 Daily Highlights by the Digests & Analytics Ukraine News Agency

Topics from Media and Social Networks

• The leader of DPR militants Zakharchenko announced the continuation of the offensive in the Donbass.
• There are casualties among the civilians as a result of militants’ shelling of Mariupol outskirts.
• The first "logistics center" near the frontline in the Donetsk region  will open next week.

Key Events in Ukraine

• Prime Minister Yatsenyuk said that 4.5 million Ukrainian households will get subsidies for utilities before the end of the year. About 7000 households a month receive a government lending for enhancing of energy efficiency of their houses.

Ukraine at War

• The last day was marked by intense shelling of the Ukrainian army positions and settlements on the territory controlled by Ukraine despite the statements by the chiefs of the anti-terrorist operation about reducing tensions in the war zone. The leader of the terrorist Donetsk "republic" Zakharchenko said that the peace agreements was thwarted and militants preparing attack in the Donbass. According to official reports, six Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. As a result of the shelling of outskirts of Mariupol there are numerous casualties among the civilian population. Villages in the vicinity of Donetsk and Horlivka as well as Stanitsa Luhanska were also under the fire. Ukrainian artillery was allowed to return fire.
• DPR terrorists disrupted a prisoner exchange during which it was planned to release 13 soldiers. Advisor to the head of the Security Services of Ukraine Tandit says that talks may continue on Monday. According to him, terrorists held more than 170 people till now.
• UN Coordinator for Humanitarian Affairs Walker said that the organization intends to solve two problems in the Donbass: satisfaction of citizens’ humanitarian needs and restore jobs.
• Chairman of Donetsk military-civilian administration Zhebrivskyi said that the first "logistics center" in the Donetsk region will be opened in a week near the Zaitsevo checkpoint close to Horlivka.

Ukraine and the World

• Britain increases 10 times spending on defense measures against cyber threats  from Russia and China up to £ 2 billion.
• Attorney of Ukrainian deputy Savchenko who was captured and illegally held in Russia, has published video evidence of her innocence.
• German Foreign Minister Steinmeier said that the situation is explosive in the Donets Basin, a new round of escalation can begin at any time, so meeting between the parties of the conflict is necessary as soon as possible.