Here's another video from RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service:
Pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk rehearsed on May 5 for an upcoming Victory Day parade. The separatists of the self-proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic drove tanks, grad rockets, and other military hardware through the city as at least 1,000 spectators gathered to watch.
We're now closing the live blog for today, but we'll leave you with this update from our news desk before we go. (Don't forget that, until we resume again tomorrow, you can still follow all our ongoing Ukraine news coverage here):
Ukrainian and separatist representatives have met in Minsk for the first time since the two sides signed a peace deal in February.
The two sides plus officials from Russia and the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) held closed-door talks on May 6 to discuss ways to shore up the faltering truce in eastern Ukraine.
Both Kyiv and the pro-Moscow rebels accuse each other of continuing to violate the cease-fire.
Kyiv's representative, former President Leonid Kuchma, said after the meeting that it had been a "serious step towards the political resolution" of the conflict but stressed the need to ensure that the shooting stops completely.
Kuchma told journalists that the separatist representatives had been "constructive."
Russian representative Azamat Kulmukhametov said the talks had given hope for a "political solution" to the fighting.
The meeting also set up expert groups that are expected to start looking into the next steps contained in the peace plan.
OSCE representative Heidi Tagliavini said that the first of the groups would begin work on May 19.
The talks came as Ukraine said five of its soldiers were killed in the east over the past 24 hours.
(AFP and Reuters)
Separatists poised for offensive in Ukraine: US
Washington, May 6, 2015 (AFP) -- Pro-Russian separatists appear to be making preparations for a fresh offensive in eastern Ukraine, US Defense Secretary Ashton Carter told lawmakers on Wednesday.
The Pentagon chief also said that sanctions imposed by European countries and a decline in oil prices were the most effective way to exert pressure on Russia over its role in the conflict.
"It does appear that clearly, Russian-backed separatists in eastern Ukraine are preparing for another round of military action that would be inconsistent with the Minsk agreement," Carter told the Senate Appropriations defense subcommittee.
A shaky truce agreed in Minsk in February has dampened the violence overall but clashes continue to erupt in pivotal flashpoints.
Ukrainian government forces and analysts have warned that pro-Moscow rebels are readying for a push to extend their control to the key seaport of Mariupol, the largest remaining Ukrainian-controlled city in the conflict zone.
NATO's top commander, General Philip Breedlove, said last week actions by Russia and the separatists were "consistent" with "preparations for another offensive."
The United States has provided radios, radar, armored vehicles and other non-lethal supplies to Kiev but so far stopped short of providing weapons to the government army.
But Carter said that "if there is anything that influences Russian behavior, it's the combination of economic sanctions and the fall in oil prices.
"That is punishing Russia now."
He added that "it is the weight of European sanctions that matters, mostly because they do most of the trade done with Russia."
Carter spoke as Ukraine's warring sides met in Minsk to shore up the ceasefire deal.
Ukraine's representative, former president Leonid Kuchma, said after the meeting that it had been a "serious step towards the political resolution" of the conflict but said the shooting had to stop completely.
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (CLICK TO ENLARGE):
EU says no further delay on Ukraine trade deal
Brussels, May 7, 2015 (AFP) -- The EU said Thursday it would not bow to Russian demands to delay further the planned January 2016 implementation of a free trade deal with Ukraine which is bitterly opposed by Moscow.
"The date is the first of January next year," EU Trade Commissioner Cecilia Malmstroem said.
"It is not for Russia to decide," Malmstroem said, adding that the 28-nation European Union has been very clear on the issue.
The free trade accord is part of the broader 2014 EU Association Agreement at the heart of the Ukraine crisis and was originally due to come into effect in January this year.
In September however, the EU postponed implementation for a year to support peace efforts as a first Ukraine ceasefire accord was negotiated.
In return, Russia promised to hold off on the retaliation it had threatened if the EU and Ukraine went ahead with the trade pact without resolving its concerns.
Russia claims that what is known as the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Agreement will damage its own important economic ties and interests in its Soviet-era satellite.
Several rounds of talks between EU, Ukraine and Russian officials have been held but no progress has been reported although Malmstroem said there would be another meeting at ministerial level this month.
"We are willing to talk on practical difficulties with the Russians, we will do so, there will be a ministerial meeting later this month to find practical solutions," she said.
Russia's ambassador to the EU Vladimir Chizhov said earlier this week that Moscow's request for another DCFTA delay was "not met with great enthusiasm" although its concerns "have been taken on board."
An EU diplomat said that at talks last month Russia had asked for a delay to 2017 and had threatened retaliation against Ukrainian goods if it was not agreed.
Moscow had been told that was out of the question but at the same time, "we do not want to break the contact with the Russians," the diplomat said.
The EU is also involved in separate, equally difficult talks with Kiev and Moscow on ensuring Russian gas supplies to Ukraine, and onward to Europe, are secured for the coming winter.