08:50
19.5.2014
The "Kyiv Post" reports that pro-Russian separatists went on the offensive in eastern Ukraine over the past couple days:
Over the weekend, one Kremlin-backed separatist was killed, one wounded and an unspecified number were taken prisoner, including two Russian journalists, in clashes near Izium, Kharkiv Oblast, and Sloviansk and Kramatorsk in Donetsk Oblast, Ukrainian authorities say.
Starting on May 17 and up to the morning of May 19, according to the interior and defense ministries, Moscow-backed separatists attacked five Ukraine-held checkpoints near Sloviansk. They also targeted the Kramatorsk airfield and an encampment near the counterterrorism headquarters in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast.
Starting on May 17 and up to the morning of May 19, according to the interior and defense ministries, Moscow-backed separatists attacked five Ukraine-held checkpoints near Sloviansk. They also targeted the Kramatorsk airfield and an encampment near the counterterrorism headquarters in Izium, Kharkiv Oblast.
09:34
19.5.2014
The battle for security ahead of Sunday's presidential vote continues in eastern Ukraine:
10:02
19.5.2014
10:19
19.5.2014
"Ukrayinska pravda" talks to an FBI agent about the case of former Ukrainian Prime Minister Pavlo Lazarenko, who served eight years in a U.S. prison, about that case, but also about current Ukrainian politicians, including presidential candidate Yulia Tymoshenko (in Ukrainian).
10:35
19.5.2014
Crimean Tatars held a rally in Simferopol on March 18 to mark the 70th anniversary of their mass deportation from the Crimean peninsula ordered by Soviet leader Josef Stalin. The demonstration took place in spite of a ban on public gatherings imposed by Crimea's pro-Russian authorities, but was moved from the planned site, Lenin Square, to the Tatar neighborhood of Ak-Mechet. More than 200,000 Crimean Tatars were deported to Central Asia in 1944 and many thousands died as a result. (RFE/RL's Ukrainian Service)
11:08
19.5.2014
In our latest "Ukraine Unspun," Carl Schreck looks into what appears to be Russian TV's use of rehashed video footage to back up claims that a civilian was killed by Kyiv's forces to intimidate pro-Russian separatists in the eastern Donetsk region.
11:10
19.5.2014
12:07
19.5.2014
LATEST from our news desk:
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says while the alliance has gone "a long way toward our goal of a Europe whole, free, and at peace," NATO cannot take what it has achieved for granted. He said Russia's "aggression" has posed a challenge to its fundamental idea -- "the right of sovereign states to choose their own path." He said there is a completely new security situation in Europe -- "less predictable and more dangerous."
12:22
19.5.2014
More from Rasmussen, via our news desk:
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen told a news conference in Brussels on May 19 that Russia's "aggression" against Ukraine has posed a challenge to a fundamental idea -- "the right of sovereign states to choose their own path."
Rasmussen said there Europe is facin a completely new security situation -- "less predictable and more dangerous."
He said the alliance has "unfortunately" not seen "any evidence at all" that the Russians have started a withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border.
Rasmussen called for increased defense spending, saying "our security is the foundation of our prosperity."
Rasmussen spoke as Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 19 he had ordered troops stationed near Ukraine's border to return to their home bases, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for a "serious rethinking" of Moscow's relations with the West.
Rasmussen said there Europe is facin a completely new security situation -- "less predictable and more dangerous."
He said the alliance has "unfortunately" not seen "any evidence at all" that the Russians have started a withdrawal of troops from the Ukrainian border.
Rasmussen called for increased defense spending, saying "our security is the foundation of our prosperity."
Rasmussen spoke as Russian President Vladimir Putin said on May 19 he had ordered troops stationed near Ukraine's border to return to their home bases, while Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov called for a "serious rethinking" of Moscow's relations with the West.
12:33
19.5.2014
More from Rasmussen:
NATO chief Anders Fogh Rasmussen says the lack of stability in the east of Ukraine is a "matter of concern" for the upcoming presidential election. That is exactly why he said NATO urges separatist groups in the east to stop their "illegal activities" and allow the vote to go forward in an orderly manner. He said Russia could play a "much more constructive role" in the process. "I think Russia should demonstrate a clear will to let the presidential elections go forward" so that they can produce a result that is considered to be a true reflection of the will of the Ukrainian people.