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.
-- 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
Donetsk separatists might be taking on eastern Ukrainian magnate Rinat Akhmetov, whose workers this week began patrolling cities alongside pro-Kyiv police, potentially turning the tide against pro-Russians and other separatists. It is suggesting he should pay his (considerable) taxes to the "Donetsk People's Republic," according to this Interfax report.
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From our newsroom:
UN monitors in Ukraine said there has been an "alarming deterioration" in the human rights situation in the eastern part of the country and report serious problems in Russian-controlled Crimea.
In a report issued on May 16, UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay said "those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine" [must]...rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart."
It added that there are "serious problems" of harassment and intimidation facing the Tatar community in Crimea.
Russia's Foreign Ministry said in the report lacked any "objectivity" and was full of "double standards" that proved that it was trying to "whitewash" the activities of the Kyiv government.
Information for the report -- which covered the period of April 2 to May 6 -- was gathered by 34 UN monitors in Ukraine.
Based on reporting by Reuters and ITAR-TASS
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Here's more of the UN human rights watchdog's statement warning of an "alarming deterioration in the human rights situation in the east of [Ukraine], as well as serious problems emerging in Crimea, especially in relation to the Crimean Tatars." It also highlights the worsening media climate.
UN High Commissioner for Human Rights Navi Pillay...called on “those with influence on the armed groups responsible for much of the violence in eastern Ukraine to do their utmost to rein in these men who seem bent on tearing the country apart.”...
While noting that many peaceful rallies and demonstrations continue to take place in Ukraine, the report describes “an increasing tendency in some critical urban areas for rallies of opposing groups to be held simultaneously, often leading to violent confrontations.” It also notes “repeated acts of violence against peaceful participants of rallies, mainly those in support of Ukraine’s unity and against the lawlessness in the cities and villages in eastern Ukraine. In most cases, local police did nothing to prevent violence, while in some cases it openly cooperated with the attackers.”
Listing numerous specific examples of targeted killings, torture and beatings, abductions, intimidation and some cases of sexual harassment – mostly carried out by well-organized and well-armed anti-Government groups in the east – the report also draws attention to missing persons, including 83 still unaccounted for after disappearing during the events related to the original “Maidan” protests in Kiev. In the east, there has been a worrying rise in abductions and unlawful detention of journalists, activists, local politicians, representatives of international organizations and members of the military, the report says. While some have subsequently been released, the bodies of a number of others have been dumped in rivers or other areas, and some remain unaccounted for. The problem has been especially marked in and around the town of Slovyansk, in the Donetsk region, with a group called the ‘Slovyansk self-defence unit’ heavily implicated.
The report also notes cases when the State Security Service and army units operating in the east have been accused of killing individuals and of being responsible for forced disappearances. “Security and law enforcement operations must be in line with international standards and guarantee the protection of all individuals at all times,” the report says, adding that “Law enforcement bodies must ensure that all detainees are registered and afforded legal review of the grounds of their detention.”
Interfax says Russian President Vladimir Putin has emerged from a meeting with Crimean Tatars offering a qualified assurance and warning against using that community as "a bargaining chip" with Kyiv.
The quotes are:
"There is one aspect I must definitely draw your attention to. We, the federal and regional and local authorities, are ready to work with all the people who sincerely -- I want to stress that -- aspire to ensure that people live a better life on their land.
"But in no way can we allow the Crimean Tatars to become a bargaining chip in some disputes, including interstate ones, especially in those between Russia and Ukraine."
