08:21
16.4.2014
Interesting: This TV clip appears to show the chairman of the Independent Trade Union of Donbass miners saying that no anti-Russian discrimination exists in the region:
08:29
16.4.2014
"The Moscow Times" has been explaining why an orange-and-black-striped ribbon has become de rigeuer for pro-Kremlin Duma deputies:
Read more here
Amid a government drive to rally support behind Russia's move to annex Crimea, this piece of cloth with orange and black stripes known as a St. George ribbon has become an almost obligatory accessory for politicians and pro-Kremlin patriots.
Along with the Russian tricolor, which Moscow City Hall has encouraged residents to hang from their balconies to show their approval of the Crimea takeover, the St. George ribbon, also known as the Georgian ribbon, has seen a major revival as the authorities seek out symbols to unite the country behind its controversial actions in Ukraine.
The ribbons have been worn for years to commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Now they have been adopted by Russians who oppose the Western-backed regime in Kiev, which the Kremlin says is led by Nazi sympathizers and "fascists." Members of the Berkut, the special units of Ukraine's police notorious for their brutality, also wore the ribbons before being disbanded by the new Ukrainian government.
Along with the Russian tricolor, which Moscow City Hall has encouraged residents to hang from their balconies to show their approval of the Crimea takeover, the St. George ribbon, also known as the Georgian ribbon, has seen a major revival as the authorities seek out symbols to unite the country behind its controversial actions in Ukraine.
The ribbons have been worn for years to commemorate the Soviet Union's defeat of Nazi Germany in World War II. Now they have been adopted by Russians who oppose the Western-backed regime in Kiev, which the Kremlin says is led by Nazi sympathizers and "fascists." Members of the Berkut, the special units of Ukraine's police notorious for their brutality, also wore the ribbons before being disbanded by the new Ukrainian government.
Read more here
08:55
16.4.2014
Pro-Russian armed men driving through Kramatorsk on 4 troop transports & 2 trucks, w/Russian flag. Where did they get the armor!?
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 16, 2014
09:04
16.4.2014
This may be start of the Ukrainian Civil War: Pro-Russian men in 5 armed troop carriers & special forces in truck driving toward Slaviansk
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 16, 2014
09:18
16.4.2014
Despite the Kyiv government's moves against some separatists yesterday, our news desk reports that tomorrow's four-party talks in Geneva will probably still go ahead.
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov says a planned April 17 four-party meeting on Ukraine remains on the agenda for now.
Russia previously had said the use of force against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine would imperil the talks in Geneva between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine's security forces retook a small military air base in the east in an "antiterrorist" operation launched on April 15.
The separatists continue to occupy official buildings in about nine eastern Ukrainian cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Ukraine's parliament is to discuss the crisis in the east behind closed doors today.
The UN Security Council is due to meet later today to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine.
Russia previously had said the use of force against pro-Russia separatists in eastern Ukraine would imperil the talks in Geneva between Ukraine, Russia, the United States, and the European Union.
Ukraine's security forces retook a small military air base in the east in an "antiterrorist" operation launched on April 15.
The separatists continue to occupy official buildings in about nine eastern Ukrainian cities.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Ukraine's parliament is to discuss the crisis in the east behind closed doors today.
The UN Security Council is due to meet later today to discuss the human rights situation in Ukraine.
09:27
16.4.2014
A couple of ominous-sounding tweets:
So pro-Russian unmarked militia now has armored troop carriers & are driving from Kramatorsk to Slaviansk. A definite escalation of tensions
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) April 16, 2014
One of the six tanks of the Ukranian army that I just saw in #Kramatorsk that switched sides. Now w Russian flag. pic.twitter.com/Ig0qJQ5jWM
— Raniah Salloum (@Ranyah) April 16, 2014
09:51
16.4.2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
The wires are now also reporting APCs with Russian flags:A group of armored vehicles has entered the eastern Ukrainian town of Slovyansk. The lead vehicle is showing the Russian flag.
10:07
16.4.2014
!!! BREAKING NEWS !!!
Armed pro-Russian separatists have taken control of the Donetsk City Council building, according to a council spokeswoman. (Reuters)
10:21
16.4.2014
Our news desk has a little bit more detail on developments in Slovyansk and Donetsk:
Armored vehicles bearing the Russian flag have been seen driving in eastern Ukraine.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
The vehicles drove through the city of Kramatorsk, heading into the city of Slovyansk.
A witness told the Reuters news agency that the armored vehicles stopped outside the city hall in Slovyansk, which is still occupied by separatists.
Dozens of men in camouflage were seated on top of the vehicles.
Meanwhile, separatists on April 16 broke into the city hall in the region's main city of Donetsk.
Separatists also continue to occupy official buildings in at least eight other eastern cities.
Yesterday Ukraine's security forces launched an "antiterrorist" operation in the east of the country and retook a small military air base in Kramatorsk.
Russian President Vladimir Putin has warned that Ukraine is "on the verge of civil war."
Russia denies accusations by Ukraine and the West that it is organizing the unrest.
10:28
16.4.2014
This YouTube video purportedly shows tanks in Slovyansk this morning: