August 19, 2014

18/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Donbass terrorists receive powerful weapons such as multiple rocket launchers “Uragan”

Ukraine

  • Luhansk mayor, who had been collaborating with terrorists and have been recently captured by Aydar battalion, was reelased from detention by the court.
  • National Bank slightly strengthened Ukrainian hryvnia: 13.07 UAH / 1$ (+6 cop), 17.50 UAH / 1€ (+6 cop), 3.63 UAH / 10 RUR (+1 cop).
  • As terrorists weren’t able to guarantee security to the Red Cross specialists, customs clearance of the “humanitarian aid” haven’t been performed yet. Ukrainian border guards prevented the attempt of several Russian trucks to enter Ukraine through the checkpoint “Izvaryno”.
  • As reported by the Washington Post, “Motor Sich” company from Zaporizhya continue to supply Russia with military produce.

Kyiv

  • Kyiv authorities launched the investment competition on creation of the major network of points of sales, with direct access to consumers by the bread producers, aimed to prevent sharp price increases for the social types of bread.

War in Ukraine

  • As per official reports from NSDC, fights are ongoing in the center of Luhans’k, Stanitsa Luhanska, Ilovays’k, as well as in the outskirts of Donets’k.
    Donbass terrorists receive powerful weapons such as multiple rocket launchers “Uragan”, use of prohibited by the international conventions antipersonnel mine cassette ammunition have been evidenced. Russia supply hundreds of heavy ammunition, armored technique, artillery systems and mercenaries to Donbass, through parts of the border uncontrolled by Ukrainian troops. Technique is being supplied without the license plates, mercenaries carry no insignia. Russia put surface-to-air missile systems on their side, that prevents the use of Ukrainian aviation in the borderline zones.
  • Water supply to Donets’k was cut as terrorists damaged  main filtration station. 94 settlements have been cut from electricity supply within the Donets’k region, around half a million of inhabitants are cut off from the electricity supply, as reported by the region authorities.
  • Organized refugees column was shelled by terrorists with multiple rocket launcher “Grad”, dozens of civilians were killed, including children. As stated by the head of the polish humanitarian mission this accident could be recognized as the crime against humanity.

International

  • Energy Minister of Ukraine Prodan met with the Deputy Minister of Energy of the US, questions of energy security during absence of gas supply from Russia were discussed and participation of the US specialists to the work of the anticrisis energy council agreed.
  • As reported by the Eurostat, since the beginning of the year export of goods from the EU member states to Russia declined by -14%, import from Russia by -7%.
  • Bulgaria fully stopped construction of the “South Stream” pipeline until the project will not comply with the European legislation.
  • Minister of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine Klimkin, announced during the breeding, that German Chancellor Merkel will come to Ukraine with special visit on 23rd of August. He also stressed that during negotiations in Berlin Russia refused to recognize facts of ammunition and mercenaries supply through its border, shillings of Ukrainian territory, as well as to allow effective border control by the OSCE observers.
  • Verkhovna Rada speaker Turchynov during the joint press conference of the parliament spacers in Lithuania stressed, that compromises with aggressors hadn’t ever led to anything good. Ukraine is ready to protect Europe from Russian aggression but arms supply is necessary.
  • European Union is ready to provide Ukraine with extra financial aid for refugees and re-settled subjects from the east of Ukraine, as confirmed by the EU representative responsible for humanitarian aspects and civil defense during the meeting with the Vice-Prime Minister Groysman.
  • Prime Minister of Finland stressed that provision of the military aid to Ukraine from the side of the EU is impossible.
  • OSCE observers, responsible for monitoring of the situation in Ukraine, will be provided by surveillance drones not earlier than by the end of the month.
  • As reported by the Radio Liberty, anti Ukrainian propaganda in Russia have been just launched on children’s channels.

Trends


  • Intensive preparation of troops for the winter campaign is ongoing from Russian and Ukrainian sides.
  • Russia has no other option to resolve the transport connection with Crimeas but through the land route through Ukraine.

August 18, 2014

11-17.08.2014 Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

11-17.08.2014 - Ukraine Weekly Highlights
War in Ukraine
  • Cities of Donbass slide into chaos due to continuous terrorists shelling - water and electricity supply have been cut of in Luhansk since two weeks, water supply have been as well cut in Donetsk. Residential areas being chaotically shelled, civilians being killed. Terrorists blast bridges and railroads, systematically destroying the region infrastructure. Antiterrorist Operation Forces opened humanitarian corridors to let civilians leave the battlegrounds, but militants bar the evacuation, considering to use civilians as a live shield.
  • Fights are ongoing in regional centers of Donbass - Donetsk and Luhansk. Ukrainian army took over the control of Maryinka, Yuasinuvata, Panteleymonovka, Zhdanovka and Uglegorsk.

17/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

No agreement have been reached during the quadrilateral meeting of Foreign Ministers of Ukraine, Germany, France and Russia, on Donbass crisis resolution, in Berlin.
Ukraine
  • First part of trucks with Russian «humanitarian aid» reached the customs checkpoint Izvaryno. OSCE experts will check the shipment on monday or tuesday, transfer of goods will be performed only through the International Red Cross. Humanitarian aid, provided by Ukraine, is being already distributed by the Red Cross in 10 cities of Luhansk region.
  • Slovyans'k inhabitants during the meeting decided to dismantle the monument of Lenin, as well as stressed subversive terrorists groups are acting in the city, as well as within the zone liberated by the Ukrainian army.

August 17, 2014

16.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine
  • Pilot gas reverse pumping to Ukraine have just started from Slovakia.
    Slovakia and Ukraine started the test gas pumping, going to Ukraine in reverse scheme. Gas supply is being planned for September.
  • Based on the list of goods, provided by the International red Cross, Social Policy Minister Denisova  signed the order of humanitarian aid recognition for the shipment supplied by the  Russian “humanitarian convoy”. Ukrainian humanitarian aid is being already unloaded in Starobilsk and Severodonetsk.

August 16, 2014

15.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

International journalists evidenced Russian APCs cross ing Ukrainian border.
Ukraine
  • Financial Minister Shlapak stressed at the briefing, that major state lotteries «MSL», «Patriot», «UNL» are illegal and suggested to boycott them, as well as to legalize the gambling business, rationalizing this by need to fulfill the budget.
  • UAH exchange rate of slightly declined and keeps at the level of historical minimum: 13.13 UAH / 1$ (-4 cop), 17.57 UAH / 1€ (-8 cop), 3.64 UAH / 10 RUR (-3 cop). As mentioned by latest trading participants, NBU intervened under the Fx rate of 13.0 UAH / 1$. From 15th of August NBU will publish the status of the interbank currency exchange on its web site.

August 15, 2014

14.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Populous meeting took place near the Verkhovna Rada building during the session, in support of lustration law adoption.
Ukraine
  • Verkhovna Rada declined to include into agenda any options of the election law with open lists. The law on elections funding  wasn’t adopted as well. The law on the gas transportation system (GTS) was adopted, giving an opportunity for companies with foreign capital from the EU and the US to operate gas transportation and accumulation processes, that in principle prohibits participation of Gasprom in the management of Ukrainian GTS. The law on taxation of enterprises within the free economic zone Crimea, was adopted in the second reading. The law on voluntary reunification of the territorial communities was sent for the second reading. The law on sanctions was adopted, providing opportunity for Ukraine to apply sanctions to foreign states, legal entities and physical persons from foreign countries and Ukraine, as well as to other subjects. The Parliament put into agenda the law on the prosecutors office, creating the office of the military  prosecutor. The law on lustration went through the first reading. The parliament went on vacations till the 2nd of September. Populous meeting took place near the Verkhovna Rada building during the session, in support of lustration law adoption.

August 12, 2014

11.08.2014 | Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Russian President Putin announced that "humanitarian aid convoy", as if agreed with the Red Cross  and Ukrainian Government.
Ukraine
  • Traditional Sorochynska Fair have been cancelled by the Government due to the complicated socio-political situation in the country.
  • Official Fx rate, established by the National Bank of Ukraine (NBU), continue to decline: 12.82 UAH / 1$ (-22 cop), 17.17 UAH / 1€ (-32 cop), 3.52 UAH / 10 RUR (-5 cop). Daily rates fluctuated within the range of 12.6-13.2 UAH / 1$ and 16.87-17.67 UAH / 1€. NBU explains Fx erosion by the military actions in the east of Ukraine, experts stress currency deficit on interbank trade. So far none of the NBU attempts to calm down the market with interventions have succeeded.

August 11, 2014

4-10.08.2014 Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

August 04-10, 2014 Ukraine:Weekly Highlights
War in Ukraine
  • Russia continue to concentrate invasive military units on Ukrainian border, continuously shelling Ukrainian military strongholds and cities from its territory, supply LPR and DPR terrorists with armored vehicles, artillery, ammunition and mercenaries through parts of the border not covered by Ukrainian border guards.
  • Ukrainian army, contain terrorists forces near big cities, advance to their territories, recently cut the supply between Donetsk and Luhansk, successfully combat near the border and liberated Popasna and Miusinsk. Terrorists are trying to build massive strongholds in big sites and use civilians as a shield.

10/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Acivists tents and scene have been fully dismantled on Maidan.
Ukraine
  • Odessa Anti-Maidan leder Davydchenko, conditionally charged by Odessa court on accusation for separatism, fled from Ukraine.
Kyiv
  • Acivists tents and scene have been fully dismantled on Maidan, traffic zones of Khreshatyk and nearby streets have been cleared. Mayor Klitchko promised to keep Institutska street as pedestrian area.

August 08, 2014

07/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Security Services head Nalyvaychenko, stressed at press conference that Russia planned to invade Ukraine on July 18, after Aeroflot plane flying from Moscow to Larnaca should have been shot in the sky over the Ukraine.

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Ukraine
  • President Poroshenko signed the resignation of the National Security and Defense Council Secretary Parubiy.
  • National Bank continued to devaluate Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH): 12.45 UAH/ 1$ (-10 cop), 16.63 UAH / 1€ (-9 cop), 3.45 UAH / 10 RUR. Quotes ranged during the day: 12,40-12,63 UAH / 1$ 16,59-16,85 UAH / 1€.
  • National Bank of Ukraine instructed Ukrainian banks to suspend all kinds of financial transactions in territories, not controlled by Ukrainian authorities.
  • Foreign currency reserves of the National Bank of Ukraine in July decreased by 6% to $ 16.07 billion. Decrease is related to servicing of the sovereign debt.

August 05, 2014

04/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Security Service of Ukraine asked the Internet Association of Ukraine to block of Internet resources related to terrorism and advocating war
Ukraine
  • Notification of resignation of the Secretary of the National Security & Defense Council shared by Ukrainian online media, have been refuted.
  • President Poroshenko cancelled orders, issued by the former presidents during 1992-2010 years, on life-long social security and protection of former officials, as well as a number of benefits transferred to the generals in reserve and justice officials.
  • After a marginal stabilization on Friday, National Bank of Ukraine sharply decreased the Fx rate of UAH vs major currencies: 12.18 UAH / 1$ (-22 cop), 16.31 UAH / 1€ (-31 cop) and 3.41 UAH / 10 RUR (-4 cop). During the market session, quotes ranged in 12,28-12,50 UAH / 1$ and 16,48-16,77 UAH / 1€.
  • Security Service of Ukraine asked the Internet Association of Ukraine to block of Internet resources related to terrorism and advocating war, ethnic hatred and challenging the constitutional order of the country.

August 04, 2014

28.07-03.08.2014 Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

  • Russian army continues shelling Ukrainian Armed Forces from its territory, using multiple rocket launchers and artillery. Aircraft and helicopters of Russian Air Forces routinely violate Ukrainian airspace, but are not shot down so far. Columns of armored vehicles, artillery, multiple rocket launchers, ammunition trucks and mercenaries, penetrate from Russia to Ukraine through the part of land borders, controlled by terrorists of LPR.
  • Terrorists are shelling residential areas of Donetsk, Luhansk, Avdiivka, Shakhtarsk and Terez with multiple rocket launchers "Grad" and artillery, civilian casualties are reported.
  • Mayor of Stakhanov, "information minister" of DPR Bloha and Mayor of Popasnaya have been arrested for collaboration with terrorists.
  • Ukrainian troops with a rapid maneuver split the group of terrorists in Debalcevo, captured the strategic heights Saur-Mohyla, are fighting for Torez, Snizhne, Shakhtersk, Pervomais'k, Luhansk, Donetsk stripped from militants are Ilovajsk, Avdiyivka, Debalcevo.

03/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

"The Minister of Information Policy" of DPR, Bloha have been detained in Mariupol while trying to flee to Crimea.

Ukraine

  • "The Minister of Information Policy" of DPR, Bloha have been detained in Mariupol while trying to flee to Crimea. She is being accused of participation in terrorist organization and transmission of information on Ukrainian activists and journalists of Donetsk to terrorists.
  • The territory of Kharkiv tank plant was shelled with flamethrower, police classified the event as a terrorist attack.

August 03, 2014

02/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Luhansk is at the edge of humanitarian and ecological catastrophe after terrorists' attacks

Ukraine

  • General Prosecutor’s Office of Ukraine is working on the project of the Law on In Absentia Denunciation of crime suspects within the criminal proceedings, that will allow to return to Ukraine significant amounts of assets, stolen by officials from Yanukovych regime, and allow include some individuals to the Interpol investigation database.
  • General Prosecutor Yarema said at the briefing that strong reorganization have been conducted within the agency and ¾ of central office cadres have been renewed, but tipping point haven’t yet occurred.
  • According to experts, many of those who served under the Yanukovych regime came back, as well as unexperienced in the prosecutor's office job have been appointed.
  • Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, through Russia's ambassador to Ukraine Zurabov, summoned for questioning and announced under suspicion of "the organization and financing of illegal armed groups" against Russian citizens Zyuganov, Mironov, Zhirinovsky, Defense Minister Shoigu billionaire Malofeeva.

August 02, 2014

01/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Kyiv mayor Klitschko initiated transformation of Andryivsky Uzviz street into a pedestrian zone and arrangement of the street trade, in order to create a tourism "business card" of the capital.

Ukraine

  • President Poroshenko signed several important laws previously adopted by Verkhovna Rada. In particular, he signed the Law on Higher Education, that determines self-governance and integration of universities into the European space, based on the Bologna process, as well as Amendments to the State Budget and the Tax Code, providing additional funding to Kyiv, martial tax on personal income, reduction of state official salaries.
  • President Poroshenko announced in TV interview creation of international Donbass recovery aid fund, involving US, UK, Japan and most European countries. Additionally, Ukrainian oligarchs money should be used for the region's recovery.
  • President Poroshenko insists on change of electoral law and introduction of a fully proportional system and open party lists.

UKRAINE: JULY, 2014 Monthly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Pro-Russian terrorists shot down over the Donbas of Malaysian Airlines' plane with 298 passengers on board

Politics


  • President Poroshenko appealed to the international community, asking to recognize DPR and LPR as international terrorist organizations.
  • US, Canada and EU imposed sectoral sanctions against largest Russian companies and banks, as well as against those from terrorist organizations and Crimea, and also to the inner circle of Russian President Putin.
  • Archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (Moscow Patriarchate) Vladimir passed away. Archbishop of Moscow didn’t attend the funeral "to avoid provocations"
  • Parliamentary groups «Udar» and «Svoboda» left the parliamentary coalition, allowing president Poroshenko appoint parliamentary re-elections.
  • Ukrainian Parliament adopted majority of bills, proposed by Ukrainian government,

July 31, 2014

30/07/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said that Russia will submit to UN Security Council a resolution, proposing to put Russian peacekeeping forces  to protect the perimeter of the crash of Malaysian jetcraft
Ukraine
  • Mayor of Stakhanov town, Borisov, who had been actively cooperated with terrorists and organized a "referendum" on secession from Ukraine, was arrested for two months period of the investigation.
  • Official exchange rate of Ukrainian Hryvnia, as established by the National Bank of Ukraine is as fooolows: 12.00 UAH / 1$ (+2 cop), 16.11 UAH / 1€ (+1 cop), 3.36 UAH / 10 RUR (-3 cop).
  • Ukrainian government has abandoned plans of sharp increase of rent for natural resources use, including oil and gas.
  • List of objects to be privatized, have been strongly expanded by the Government of Arseniy Yatsenuk, including recreation, tourism, construction and mining enterprises. As claimed by Prime Minister planned privatization will be the largest in recent years.

Kyiv
  • Almost a one third of all rented apartments in Kiev are being occupied by settlers from Crimea and eastern Ukraine that led to cost of rent increase.

War in Ukraine
  • Vice Prime Minister of Ukraine Groisman, announced on a briefing that Ukraine will not attempt to advance to the crash site of Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 but, on the contrary, will seek the accession of international experts through coordination group meeting with the participation of the OSCE and the Russian ambassador in Minsk.
  • During the day, Ukrainian Armed Forces were fighting throughout Donetsk and Luhansk regions. Ilovajsk have been taken under control, counterattack on Avdiyivka successfully repulsed, military actions are ongoing in Pervomaysk. Terrorists stronghold have beed destroyed by air strike in Makyivka. Demining of liberated cities is ongoing. Donetsk, Luhansk and Gorlivka are under continuous erratic artillery shelling to create a "picture" for Russian TV channels. 19 civilians dead and 31 injured  in the Donetsk region. Rail links to mainland Ukraine being completely absent due to destruction of railways, electricity lines and bridges by terrorists. Shelling of Ukrainian army positions are ongoing from the Russian territory.
  • Ukrainian military have been ordered not to respond to provocations. 7 tanks broke through Ukrainian border from Russian territory.
  • Casualties of Ukrainian armed forces since the beginning of antiterrorist operation reached 363 killed and 1 434 wounded.
International

  • Council of Europe approved the list of sanctions against Russia and DPR and LPR terrorist organizations, including officials close to President Putin, military corporation "Almaz-Antey" Company "Dobrolet" and the Russian National Commercial Bank. In addition, EU banned the financing of several sectors of the economy and imports of goods and services from the Crimea.
  • According to NATO data, announced by commander of NATO forces in Europe Breedlove, number of Russian troops on the borders of Ukraine has risen to 12,000 people and continues to grow, intensifying military training, exercises, under war-like conditions as.
  • Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov said in Dushanbe that Russia will submit to UN Security Council a resolution, proposing to put Russian peacekeeping forces "as the only means to protect the perimeter of the crash of the Malaysian Airlines MH17 flight". In response, Speaker of the National Security & Defense Council Lysenko stressed that Lavrov doesn’t fully capture the situation in the region, as Ukrainian military don’t conduct any combat operations in the area in accordance with the presidential decree and on the contrary, terrorists mined approaches and established powerful artillery strongholds.
  • Moscow stock exchange didn’t respond to the sanctions imposed by EU, Canada and USA.

July 30, 2014

29/07/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine
  • President Poroshenko approached the President of Belarus Lukashenko, to organize on July 31 in Minsk a meeting of the contact group on access of international experts to the crash site of MH17 Malaysian Airlines flight and hostages release. The group should above all include  ex-President of Ukraine Leonid Kuchma, Russia's ambassador to Ukraine Zurabov and OSCE representatives. Lukashenko confirmed his readiness to arrange a meeting.
  • Hotline for relatives of the military, involved in the anti-terrorist operation, have been launched on behalf of President Poroshenko.

July 28, 2014

21-27/07/2014 Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

21-27/07/2014 Weekly Highlights of Ukraine
War in Ukraine
  • Ukrainian troops captured Shakhtersk city that dissected DPR and LPR terrorist groups and interrupted weapons and mercenaries supply chain to Donetsk.  Antiterrorist coalition forces liberated Rubezhne, Soledar, Dzerzhinsk, Lysychansk and Severodonetsk, as well as started operation to clean Debalcevo, Pervomaisk and Torrez from terrorists. Since the beginning of anti-terrorist operations, ⅔ of territory previously controlled by terrorists have been already cleared, according to the information center of the NSDC.
  • Russian troops, in close cooperation with terrorists, shelled Ukrainian positions with artillery and multiple rocket launchers from Russian territory. Russia continue to supply terrorists with military equipment, gear, arms, ammunition and mercenaries, through section of the border in the Luhansk region, not guarded by Ukrainian border guards.
  • Russia continues to concentrate troops on the border of Ukraine, the threat of invasion is still high.
  • Terrorists shelled residential areas of Donbass cities with mortars and multiple rocket launch systems "Grad", dozens of civilians have been killed and injured, numerous houses and public buildings - destroyed. Bandits rob shops, steal cars, announced mobilization of men and curfew in the cities on the territory they control.
  • Terrorists shot down two Ukrainian military SU-25 jets with MANPADS over the combat area. Ukrainian military does not exclude that missiles could be launched from the Russian territory.
  • Results of preliminary analysis of "black boxes" from Malaysian Airlibes Boeing 777 crashed in Tores, confirm that the plane was shot down by a missile. Research of collected evidence is ongoing in the UK. Ukraine transferred the rights to investigate the incident to the Netherlands. Dead bodies of passengers transferred to the Netherlands for identification. DPR terrorists block access of international experts to the crash site and destroying evidence.
Economy
  • Gazprom and Centragas company, belonging to Mr. Firtash, started to liquidate the joint RosUkrEnergo venture, kneaded in a high-profile corruption scandals.
  • Official exchange rate OF Ukrainian Hryvnia slightly weakened during the week. Foreign exchange market practically didn’t react to parliament coalition dissolution and dismissal of the government.
  • Naftogaz estimated the cost of the Ukrainian gas transport system at the level of $ 25-35 billion, depending on the profitability of the transit business.
  • EU imposed additional sanctions against terrorists, persons involved in supporting terrorists in Donbas and number of companies and organizations involved in financing of terrorism and arms supplies.
Politics
  • Parliamentary groups “Udar” and “Freedom” left ruling coalition and thus launched the process of parliament reelection, as announced by speaker Turchinov during Verkhovna Rada meeting. Communist Party fraction have been dissolved by a separate decision.
  • Prime Minister Yatsenyuk resigned, appointing vice-premie minister Groisman as acting PM, due to the refusal of the Verkhovna Rada to vote for government bills to reorganize the gas transportation system and to fundi anti-terrorist operation.
  • President Poroshenko signed a decree on partial mobilization of men of different ages for the rotation of armed forces within the antiterrorism operation zone. Both under and postgraduate students are out of scope of mobilization.
  • Kremenchug mayor Babaev was killed on July 26 by unidentified killer. Lviv mayor's house was fired with grenade launcher the same day.  Police qualifies both cases as terrorist acts.
  • Dozens of mining reports of public buildings and shopping centers received in Kiev and Lviv. The information has not been confirmed, but the situation remains tense.
  • White House spokesman blamed Russia and President Putin personally for the terrorist act that led to the catastrophe of the Malaysian Airlines passenger airliner.
  • National Council on Radio and Television broadcasting in Ukraine has banned four Russian TV channels for dissemination of deliberately false information.
  • Voronezh court upheld the detention of Ukrainian pilot Nadiya Savchenko, kidnapped by LPR terrorists and illegally detained on the territory of Russia.
  • President Poroshenko appealed to the international community to recognize the LPR and DPR as international terrorist organizations.