16:47
13.4.2014
From our news desk:
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power has said the latest events in Ukraine bore "the telltale signs of Moscow's involvement."
Power told ABC television on April 13 that the United States was prepared to step up sanctions “if actions like the kind we've seen over the last few days continue."
U.S. Ambassador to the UN Samantha Power has said the latest events in Ukraine bore "the telltale signs of Moscow's involvement."
Power told ABC television on April 13 that the United States was prepared to step up sanctions “if actions like the kind we've seen over the last few days continue."
16:53
13.4.2014
Our Ukraine Service reports on skirmishes, injuries in Kharkiv.
16:57
13.4.2014
17:22
13.4.2014
Another live stream video of events in Zaporozhia, where it appears that a group of pro-Russian protesters are surrounded by a larger crowd of flag-waving Ukrainians. Only a thin line of police and security forces separate the two groups.
17:35
13.4.2014
Reporter Askold Krushelnycky describes his visit to "the people's republic of Donetsk" in this compelling article in the "Sunday Times."
I was escorted by a guard wearing body armour and a helmet, and wielding an iron bar which, I felt, he would have dearly loved to use on a representative of the western press. Others wore makeshift uniforms and masks and carried baseball bats. One was even clad in medieval chainmail.
I was escorted by a guard wearing body armour and a helmet, and wielding an iron bar which, I felt, he would have dearly loved to use on a representative of the western press. Others wore makeshift uniforms and masks and carried baseball bats. One was even clad in medieval chainmail.
17:57
13.4.2014
The latest from our news desk:
Ukraine’s acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the country will launch a "large-scale anti-terrorist operation" to resist Russia's aggression. Turchynov spoke in a live televised address from parliament.
18:04
13.4.2014
18:06
13.4.2014
18:26
13.4.2014
Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov, addressing the nation in a live televised address:
"The blood of Ukrainian heroes was spilled for our land, for a unified, sovereign and indivisible Ukraine. The blood was spilled in war that is being waged against Ukraine by the Russian Federation. The aggressor has not stopped and continues to organize disorders in eastern Ukraine.
"This is not a war between Ukrainians. This is an artificially created situation of confrontation aimed at weakening and destroying Ukraine itself. However, ultimately, this is weakening our enemy. The entire civilized world condemns Russia today.
"We have done everything to avoid casualties. However, we are prepared to repel all attempts at invasion, destabilization and armed terrorist activities.
"The National Security and Defense Council [RNBO] has taken a decision to launch a large-scale antiterrorist operation involving the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We will not allow Russia to repeat the Crimean scenario in the eastern regions of Ukraine.
"To those who have not fired at our law-enforcement officers, those who choose to lay down arms and vacate the seized administrative buildings by Monday morning [April 14], I have signed a decree guaranteeing that they will not be prosecuted for their actions.
"We are prepared to consider the possibility of considerable expansion of the region's powers and a wide-ranging reform of local self-government, as well as renovation of local authorities.
"However, none of those who support the aggressors and occupiers by fighting our country with arms in hands will evade prosecution.
"I am addressing all compatriots in the east of our country. Do not be tools in the cynical alien war against your own country. Do not support those who want to ruin peace and calm and are pushing your region into the abyss of an economic catastrophe and civil confrontation."
"This is not a war between Ukrainians. This is an artificially created situation of confrontation aimed at weakening and destroying Ukraine itself. However, ultimately, this is weakening our enemy. The entire civilized world condemns Russia today.
"We have done everything to avoid casualties. However, we are prepared to repel all attempts at invasion, destabilization and armed terrorist activities.
"The National Security and Defense Council [RNBO] has taken a decision to launch a large-scale antiterrorist operation involving the Ukrainian Armed Forces. We will not allow Russia to repeat the Crimean scenario in the eastern regions of Ukraine.
"To those who have not fired at our law-enforcement officers, those who choose to lay down arms and vacate the seized administrative buildings by Monday morning [April 14], I have signed a decree guaranteeing that they will not be prosecuted for their actions.
"We are prepared to consider the possibility of considerable expansion of the region's powers and a wide-ranging reform of local self-government, as well as renovation of local authorities.
"However, none of those who support the aggressors and occupiers by fighting our country with arms in hands will evade prosecution.
"I am addressing all compatriots in the east of our country. Do not be tools in the cynical alien war against your own country. Do not support those who want to ruin peace and calm and are pushing your region into the abyss of an economic catastrophe and civil confrontation."
18:44
13.4.2014