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A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.
A woman carries a baby as she passes destroyed houses following what locals say was overnight shelling by Ukrainian forces in the eastern town of Slovyansk on June 9.

Live Blog: Crisis In Ukraine (Archive)

Summary for June 9

-- Ukraine's Foreign Ministry says that Moscow and Kyiv have reached a "mutual understanding" on key parts of a plan proposed by President Petro Poroshenko for ending violence in separatist-controlled eastern Ukraine.

-- Reports say up to 20 armed gunmen were trying to seize property from a factory (Topaz) that makes communications and electronic-warfare equipment in the Donetsk region.

-- A deputy foreign minister says Russia will consider any expansion of NATO forces near its borders a "demonstration of hostile intentions" and "take the necessary political and military-technological measures to support our security."

-- A two-man crew for Russian Zvezda TV arrived in Moscow after being released from detention in Ukraine.

-- Serbian officials say their own work on the Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline will have to be suspended after Bulgaria stopped construction of its portion based on EU and U.S. concerns.

-- Ukrainian security forces are reportedly still battling pro-Russian separatists in the east near Slovyansk and Donetsk.

*NOTE: Times are stated according to local time in Kyiv
06:12 15.5.2014
The Crimean Desk of our Ukrainian Service is reporting that farmers in the peninsula are suffering water shortages after being cut off from the water previously supplied from the Ukrainian mainland (in Russian here).
06:26 15.5.2014
From our news desk:
The OSCE has welcomed the launch of Ukraine's first national dialogue on constitutional reform and the crisis in the country's east.

Swiss Foreign Minister Didier Burkhalter, who is the OSCE's chairman in office, said the roundtable meeting in Kyiv on May 14 "allowed for constructive and engaged discussions and set the tone for the following editions to take place in the regions."

The talks were attended by former leaders, government officials, and lawmakers -- but not pro-Russian separatists waging an armed insurgency in the east.

Burkhalter expressed hope that an "inclusive national dialogue" would help stabilize the political situation ahead of a presidential election set for May 25.

Acting President Oleksandr Turchynov said the government is ready for dialogue but will not bow to "blackmail" by pro-Russia rebels.

Meanwhile, Interfax quotes the Ukrainian Defense Ministry as saying an offensive against the rebels is under way near Kramatorsk. (Interfax and ITAR-TASS)
06:51 15.5.2014
06:56 15.5.2014
Behind the balaclava was a family man in his 30s, who did not want to be identified for fear of reprisals, but said he was fed up with the daily struggle to earn a meagre wage and complained of rising prices for food, gas and electricity.

"I want our standard of living to get better, at least to be equal to Russia, so we can live a normal life."
07:12 15.5.2014
Calls for federalization from Ukrainian parliament:
07:31 15.5.2014
The latest profile of that elusive "Russian colonel":
07:33 15.5.2014
08:19 15.5.2014
Ukraine's east-west disconnect described in air routes:
08:21 15.5.2014
Ukraine gets a foot in the EU door today:
08:31 15.5.2014
Poland's PM Tusk and Hungary's PM Orban disagree on Ukraine:

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