04/10/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - A reform of Security Service of Ukraine is coming?

04/10/2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Militant’s attacks on Ukrainian army positions and shelling of residential areas are ongoing despite the «truce». Territories controlled by DPR and LPR move closer to humanitarian catastrophe. SSU is getting ready to structural reforms and continues its efficient fight against terrorist groups.

02/10/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - hina will not join the sanctions of the West against Russia

02/10/2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

China is taking Russian markets from Europe and the US. Donetsk International Airport is a «die hard» for DPR terrorists.

30.09.2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Heroic defenders of Donetsk airport continue to fight off continuous tank attacks by militants

30.09.2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Heroic defenders of Donetsk airport continue to fight off continuous tank attacks by militants. Russia is preparing the next phase of the invasion of Ukraine. OSCE sabotages the monitoring of terrorists' actions. Activists are beating up running for parliament members of the Party of Regions because of the reluctance of the authorities to carry out lustration. "Lenin-falling" continues.

17/09/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights -While visiting North America, President Poroshenko attempts to get both financial and military support to Ukraine

17.09.2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

While visiting North America, President Poroshenko attempts to get both financial and military support for Ukraine. Understanding that conflict with Russia will inevitably widen and EU member states will get involved, is coming Europe. Numerous cease-fire breaches by Donbass militants are being evidenced by OSCE.

15/09/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - President Poroshenko introduced his initiatives to Verkhovna Rada, that almost copy Putin’s demands to provide amnesty to the participants of illegal combat organizations and to provide a special status to Donbass

15.09.2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Introduced by President Poroshenko to the Verkhovna Rada legislative proposals on the special status of Donbass, currently controlled by terrorists and Russian troops, will not stop the Russian aggression. Ukrainian economy demonstrates steady decline during ongoing combat operations.

11/09/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Russia has intensified its pressure to Ukraine on the energy front

11.09.2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine is continuing its fight on the energy front under pressure of coal mining infrastructure destructions and cuts in natural gas deliveries to Europian partners by Gazprom.

10/09/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Founding congress of new party "Narodny Front" headed by prime-minister Yatsenyuk took place in Kyiv - Fragile truce in the Donbass

10.09.2014 Daily Highlights from “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Russia is going to open the second gas front in war with Ukraine. Cease-fire in eastern Ukraine could be terminated at any moment.

07/09/2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - A shaky truce has taken hold in Donbas, which is regularly interrupted by terrorists

07.09.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

A shaky truce has taken hold in Donbas, which is regularly interrupted by terrorists shelling Ukrainian army positions and sleeping neighborhoods in cities. The exchange of prisoners is ongoing. Russia brings additional military hardware and troops to Donbas.

31.08.2014 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - Several hundreds of Ukrainian military from volunteer battalions and regular army broke through the encirclement near Ilovays’k - The EU sanctions against Russia were not introduced during the EU summit on August 30 due to positions of some countries

31.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Citizens of Kherson broke up a pro-Russian rally. Participants detained by police confessed, that they’ve came from Zaporizhya and have been paid for participation. Border guards and Armed forces are strengthening the border line between Crimea and continental Ukraine

Kyiv

• As situation in the east of Ukraine have recently worsened, block posts have been introduced around the capital, with traffic police and special battalion «Kyiv-1» being on duty twenty-four hours a day.

26.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Head of the State Election Committee Ohendovsky announced the price tag of the early parliamentary elections - 986 mln. UAH, as well as claimed that it will be sourced from the reserve fund of the Government. As long as the election law hasn’t been changed, 438 deputies (excluding 12 majoritary areas of annexed Crimea) should be elected to the renewed Verkhovna Rada.
• New business week brought one more consecutive historical minimum of the official exchange rate of Ukrainian Hryvnya: 13.66 UAH/1$ (-30 cop), 18.02 UAH/1€, 3.78 UAH/10 RUR (-10 cop). Interbank quotes fluctuated in the range of 13.50-14.17 UAH/1$ and 17.82-18.70 UAH/1€.

24/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digest & Analytics” News Agency

Ukraine

• The Independence Day have been celebrated in Ukraine. Holiday military parade have been conducted on Maidan Nezalezhnosti with participation of military and police units, as well as of various military technology, that after the end of the parade were moving to the zone of antiterrorist operation. President Poroshenko participated both in the parade of land forces in Kyiv and navy ones in Odessa during the same day. In his keynote speech, President Poroshenko promised to allocate 40 bln. UAH (~3 bln.$) for army rearmament during the coming three years.

23.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• National Flag Day have been celebrated in Ukraine. President Poroshenko participated in the Ceremony of hoisting the flag on Sofyivska square.
• German Chancellor Angela Merkel visited Kyiv with a formal call. During negotiations, she has expressed her vision of Ukrainian decentralization, calling that «federalization», claimed that Germany will never agree to recognize Russian annexation of Crimea and occupation of Ukrainian territory, as well as that Germany is ready to welcome those injured in combat operation in Donbass for further treatment in Germany. At the same time, direct military aid is not being considered. However Germany is ready to provide 500 mlm. EUR for renovation of the damaged economy of the region. Ukrainian Prime Minister Yatsenyuk, during negotiations with the Chancellor, suggested that German companies could participate in the development of the Ukrainian energy infrastructure.

21.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Military equipment and units, that will participate in the Independence Day parade in Kyiv, will afterwards depart to the combat area in Donbass.

• As claimed by the advisor of the President Poroshenko, parliament could be dismissed on August 27th. Existing parliamentary elections law allows elections through majority districts. This is being considered as an approach to obtain significant number of votes by the Party of Ukrainian Development, a direct heir of the Party of Regions.

• National Bank pushed back the exchange rate of Ukrainian Hryvnia (UAH) slightly: 13.11 UAH / 1$ (+11 cop), 17.42 UAH / 1€ (+24 cop), 3.62 UAH / 10 RUR (+4 cop).

• President Poroshenko decided to sell his business via the Rothschild investment company. From Ukrainian side the deal will be conducted by the company “Investment Capital Ukraine”, which's ex-general manager, Gontareva, became the Head of the National Bank of Ukraine.

19.08.2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• State Office of General Prosecutor arrested assets of the VETEK company amounting to 2 bln. UAH, belonging to Kurchenko, closest friend of the son of ex-president Yanukovych, accusing the legal entity of illegal accusation of the state property on a mass scale.
• National Bank continue to strengthened Ukrainian hryvnia via currency interventions: 12.95 UAH / 1$ (+12 cop), 17.33 UAH / 1€ (+17 cop), 3.59 UAH / 10 RUR (+4 cop).
• Deputy Head of the Presidential Administration, announced during the briefing, that extended top level meeting of EU, Ukraine and the “Eurasian Trinity” (Belarus, Kazakhstan and Russia) is being planned for August 26, aimed to discuss implementation of Ukrainian association agreement with the EU, energy security and conflict in Donbass.

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

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.

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

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.

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

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.

13/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Bishops of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church under Moscow Patriarchate elected the new Archbishop Onufriy, who’ve previously served as Bishop of Chernivtsi and Bykovyna and known for his pro-Russian position and being against the reunification of orthodox churches in Ukraine.
• Ukrainian Government created special commission to defend Ukrainian interests in getting back the part of the property of former USSR belonging to the sovereign, aimed at audit of assets and liabilities of the former USSR and defense of Ukraine in the international courts.
• Minister of Fuel & Energy Prodan reported that decision have been taken within the meeting of the Government on the order of implementation of the state of emergency in the electricity energy field due to absence of coal on stock of the thermal electricity stations as the result of combat operations, that could limit the export of electricity.
• Official exchange rate of the Ukrainian Hryvnya (UAH) slightly stabilized, being at the level of historical minimum: 13.11 UAH / 1$ (+3 cop), 17.50 UAH / 1€ (+8 cop), 3.62 UAH / 10 RUR (+1 cop). Interbank Fx rate went down a bit as well as the spread since the opening go the trade session.

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

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.

09/08/2014 Daily Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

Ukraine

• Lustration committee hold a meeting near Verkhovna Rada, urging deputies to adopt the Law on Lustration on the nearest session planned on August 12.
• Supporters and opposers of Kharkiv mayor Kernes clashed on parallel strikes.

Kyiv

• Common cleaning have been conducted on Maidan and most of tents have been dismantled despite activists opposed and fired tires. Mayor Klitchko took active part in the activity. Only scene, few tents and carcass of the christmas tree remained on Maidan, as well as block stones and tile, for further renovation of pedestrian areas.