09:45
15.4.2014
Another case where the Ukrainian military seems to be its own worst enemy.
10:22
15.4.2014
As posted in the latest official EU journal, the four new names added to the bloc's sanctions list of Ukrainians, on page 38 here.
10:32
15.4.2014
From our news desk:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says Kyiv's offer of dialogue with pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine is "a step in the right direction, albeit very belated."
Lavrov, speaking on a visit to Beijing on April 15, said it is "unacceptable" to use force to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where separatists have seized government buildings in at least 10 towns.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said security forces overnight on April 15 launched an "antiterrorist operation" in Donetsk region.
Turchynov accused Russia of harboring "brutal plans" to destabilize Ukraine's southeast.
U.S. President Barack Obama, in a telephone conversation on April 14, urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence to make separatists in eastern Ukraine stand down.
Russia denies any involvement in the unrest.
Lavrov, speaking on a visit to Beijing on April 15, said it is "unacceptable" to use force to resolve the crisis in eastern Ukraine, where separatists have seized government buildings in at least 10 towns.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said security forces overnight on April 15 launched an "antiterrorist operation" in Donetsk region.
Turchynov accused Russia of harboring "brutal plans" to destabilize Ukraine's southeast.
U.S. President Barack Obama, in a telephone conversation on April 14, urged Russian President Vladimir Putin to use his influence to make separatists in eastern Ukraine stand down.
Russia denies any involvement in the unrest.
11:20
15.4.2014
Disturbing news about brutal attacks on pro-Russian politicians:
There is a video of Tsaryov talking about the incident and one apparently showing the attack taking place.
Two pro-Russian politicians have been attacked in the Ukrainian capital as tensions grow over unrest in the country’s eastern regions.
The press service of Oleh Tsaryov, a lawmaker from the ruling Party of Regions and a presidential candidate, saidsaid on April 15 that he had been beaten by pro-Ukrainian activists.
It said the incident took place overnight overnight near a television station headquarters, where he was expected to take part in a live TV program.
In a separate attack late on April 14 at the same place, another member of the Party of Regions and presidential hopeful, Mykhaylo Dobkin, was sprayed with a green disinfectant and had flour thrown at him.
The presidential election is scheduled for May 25.
The press service of Oleh Tsaryov, a lawmaker from the ruling Party of Regions and a presidential candidate, saidsaid on April 15 that he had been beaten by pro-Ukrainian activists.
It said the incident took place overnight overnight near a television station headquarters, where he was expected to take part in a live TV program.
In a separate attack late on April 14 at the same place, another member of the Party of Regions and presidential hopeful, Mykhaylo Dobkin, was sprayed with a green disinfectant and had flour thrown at him.
The presidential election is scheduled for May 25.
There is a video of Tsaryov talking about the incident and one apparently showing the attack taking place.
11:28
15.4.2014
From our news desk:
A UN report on human rights in Ukraine says propaganda and incitement to hatred need to be "urgently countered" in order to de-escalate the crisis in the country.
The report, issued on April 15 by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, analyzed the situation in Ukraine since November 2013.
It said "excessive use of force" by the Berkut special police and other security forces radicalized the Euromaidan protesters in Kyiv.
The report said several measures taken by pro-Russian officials in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula before and after a March 16 referendum are "deeply concerning from a human rights perspective."
It added that while there were some attacks against the ethnic Russian community in Crimea, they were "neither systematic nor widespread."
The report said it found in Crimea credible claims of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and torture targeting activists and journalists who opposed the referendum.
The report, issued on April 15 by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights, analyzed the situation in Ukraine since November 2013.
It said "excessive use of force" by the Berkut special police and other security forces radicalized the Euromaidan protesters in Kyiv.
The report said several measures taken by pro-Russian officials in Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula before and after a March 16 referendum are "deeply concerning from a human rights perspective."
It added that while there were some attacks against the ethnic Russian community in Crimea, they were "neither systematic nor widespread."
The report said it found in Crimea credible claims of harassment, arbitrary arrests, and torture targeting activists and journalists who opposed the referendum.
11:44
15.4.2014
Putin has said that ethnic Russians in the east are asking for Russia's help. Here is one of them, Vyacheslav Ponomaryov, a separatist leader in Slovyansk, eastern Ukraine, who called a news conference at the occupied city council building on April 14. Video by our Ukrainian Service.
11:57
15.4.2014
12:59
15.4.2014
This is likely to annoy the Russians.
A German daily has launched a petition to remove a pair of Russian tanks from a World War II memorial in central Berlin in protest against Russia's actions in Ukraine.
The tabloid-style “Bild” newspaper called on its readers on April 15 to sign and mail the letter to the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.
The petition said, "At a time when Russian tanks are threatening free, democratic Europe, we don't want any Russian tanks at the Brandenburg Gate."
The monument, one of three Soviet war memorials in Berlin, is located near the Bundestag.
It features columns, a giant statue of a Russian soldier, and two T-34 tanks.
The memorial is dedicated to the 80,000 Red Army troops killed during the Battle of Berlin in the spring of 1945.
The tabloid-style “Bild” newspaper called on its readers on April 15 to sign and mail the letter to the lower house of parliament, the Bundestag.
The petition said, "At a time when Russian tanks are threatening free, democratic Europe, we don't want any Russian tanks at the Brandenburg Gate."
The monument, one of three Soviet war memorials in Berlin, is located near the Bundestag.
It features columns, a giant statue of a Russian soldier, and two T-34 tanks.
The memorial is dedicated to the 80,000 Red Army troops killed during the Battle of Berlin in the spring of 1945.
13:00
15.4.2014
Meanwhile...
The German energy supplier RWE says it has started delivering gas to Ukraine.
The move comes with Ukraine facing a sharp price increase – more than one-third higher – for its gas from Russia, amid high tensions between the neighboring countries.
Moscow has warned that Russian gas supplies to Ukraine could be halted if Kyiv doesn’t pay its bills.
RWE said in a statement that the deliveries, via Poland, began April 15.
It said up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas could be supplied to Ukraine per year under a 2012 agreement.
RWE said the deliveries would be based on "European wholesale price levels,” including delivery costs.
The gas is being transported to Ukraine through what’s known as "reverse flows." Usually, gas from Russia is transported in the other direction to Europe, via pipelines in Ukraine.
RWE said it is the first supplier in Western Europe to deliver gas to Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz this year.
The move comes with Ukraine facing a sharp price increase – more than one-third higher – for its gas from Russia, amid high tensions between the neighboring countries.
Moscow has warned that Russian gas supplies to Ukraine could be halted if Kyiv doesn’t pay its bills.
RWE said in a statement that the deliveries, via Poland, began April 15.
It said up to 10 billion cubic meters of gas could be supplied to Ukraine per year under a 2012 agreement.
RWE said the deliveries would be based on "European wholesale price levels,” including delivery costs.
The gas is being transported to Ukraine through what’s known as "reverse flows." Usually, gas from Russia is transported in the other direction to Europe, via pipelines in Ukraine.
RWE said it is the first supplier in Western Europe to deliver gas to Ukraine's state energy company Naftogaz this year.
13:04
15.4.2014