-
US accuses separatists of ceasefire violations in eastern Ukraine
The State Department's Deputy Spokesperson, Mark Toner, stated that pro-Russian separatists are responsible high number of ceasefire violations in the Donbas.
“We are certainly concerned at the level of violence in eastern Ukraine which has reached its highest level since the ceasefire agreements in September,” Toner said.
He emphasized that about 30,000 ceasefire violations were registered in April; which he described as “a huge number.” At the same time, as Toner noted, “The OSCE reports …
-
Sentsov and Kolchenko finish the paperwork necessary for extradition to Ukraine
Ukrainian political prisoners Oleg Sentsov and Alexander Kolchenko, who are being held in Russia, filled out all necessary documents for their extradition to Ukraine. Radio Liberty journalist Anton Naumlyuk posted on Facebook about this recent development in their plight.
"Oleg Sentsov and Olexandr Kolchenko finished all paperwork necessary for their transfer to Ukraine. The documents were handed over to the Federal Penitentiary Service to be transferred later to the Ministry of Justice," …
-
Ukrainian border guards and Navy on high alert during May holidays
The State Border Service of Ukraine announced that security will be increased during the May holidays, especially along the coastal areas, Interfax-Ukraine reported. Naval forces and aircraft will be used on a daily basis during this time to monitor Ukraine’s coastlines and administrative border between the mainland and the Crimea.
“Tactical ship groups are to cover approaches from the sea. In the air are ‘Diamond’ planes to monitor the situation in the sea and the administrative border with …
-
Ukrainian special forces move to Odessa as tensions rise in the city
Several units of Ukrainian special forces "Alpha" have been moved from the front line in eastern Ukraine to the city of Odessa.
The order to transfer the units was given by the head of the Ukrainian Security Services (SSU), Vasyl Hrytsak.
“The leadership of the SSU believes that during the May holidays there is a high probability of unrest in the city,“ Alexander Tkachuk, the Chief of Staff of the SSU, told Ukraine 112 News Channel.
He noted that the units of the special forces "Alpha", …
-
Ukrainian Samopomich party demands dismissal of Deputy Foreign Minister over his comments about the Donbas
The Ukrainian Samopomich party (Self-Reliance) has demanded that Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs Vadym Prystaiko be immediately dismissed from his post, according to a statement published on the party’s official website.
“Prystaiko, in his interview with Golos Ameriki [Voice of America], said that Ukraine has to hold elections in the separatist territories of the Donbas this summer and that the current separatist leaders may be elected since they ‘exert some influence over the territories’ …