- More of the latest from Ukraine here and here
- Seven Ukrainian Targets for “New Russia”? “ “Voyennoye obozreniye,” an online Moscow journal directed at the Russian military and military analysts, has published today list of seven targets Russian forces are likely to attack in the course of what it describes as “the probable future of the war for Novorossiya.” Of course, which ones the Kremlin and Russian commanders will attack and in what order depends not only on Ukrainian resistance but also on the reaction of the West to Moscow’s moves. But this list itself says something about the nature and scope of Vladimir Putin’s intentions in Ukraine ….” (via Window on Eurasia blog)
- “…. The situation in the ATO area remains difficult. It continues countrer-offensive of the RF Armed Forces and separatists gangs in south-eastern of Donetsk region. Armored Russians and their mercenaries located around Novoazovsk. Today the armed forces of Ukraine several times entered in the fire contact with guerillas near the settlements Zolote and Gorske in Luhansk region. In other parts of the ATO areas it has been ongoing positional battles on the outskirts of Luhansk, under Novosvitlivkf and Hryaschuvate, Donetsk and Ilovajski, Marinka, Starobeshevo and Olenevka Volnovakha (Donetsk region). In settlements Perevalsk, Zorynsk, Maloivanivka, Mala Faschivka, Verhuliyivka, Rozsypne it is fixed income of reinforcements for terrorists. The militants continue to fire Debaltseve with mortars installed in cars. On 26 and 27 August positions of ATO forces in the area Novoazovsa were fired from multiple launch rocket systems “Grad”. It is noticed that in time of explosion of shells it deposited out unknown lacrimatory substance. According to preliminary analysis, it may be caused by outdated combustion of solid rocket fuel used in 220 mm unguided rocket projectiles. By existing labeling it is revealed that these shells – 9 M 27 – are in service in RF Armed Forces. This confirmed additionally by the data of Classifier of the Chief Rocket Artillery Directorate of the Ministry of Defense. In Mariupol direction jointed ATO forces improve engineering and fortification equipment of roadblocks and strongholds and carry out preventive measures in the city. Inhabitatts with settlers from captured terrorists cities help to build fortifications to prevent the Russian military assault on the outlying areas of the city. Mariupol locals are rushing to the Army Recruiting Offices expressing a desire to defend their city from the invading of Russian army ….” (National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine)
- “The army of the unrecognized federative state of Novorossia in war-torn east Ukraine has taken control of Donetsk regional city of Novoazovsk and several neighboring settlements in a counteroffensive operation, the spokesman of the Ukrainian Security Service said. The situation has complicated in the combat zone over the past day, he said, adding that militias continued the counteroffensive in the south-eastern part of Donetsk region ….” (ITAR-TASS)
- “Pro-Russia separatists, relaxed and well-equipped, held firm control on Friday of the strategic coastal town of Novoazovsk, a day after Ukraine claimed tanks and armored vehicles had invaded from Russia. Associated Press reporters saw at least a half-dozen tanks in the town of about 12,000 people, bearing the flags of Novorossiya, the would-be state proclaimed by rebels in two eastern Ukraine regions. None of the tanks bore Russian markings, but ready-made meals seen near one of the tanks carried markings that they were issued by the Russian army. “There is no Russian equipment coming through here. We are fighting with the machinery the (Ukrainian forces) abandon. They just dump it and flee,” said a rebel commander who identified himself only by the nom-de-guerre Frantsuz (The Frenchman) ….” (Associated Press)
- “Ukrainian border guards have been armed with anti-tank guided missiles to defend Mariupol and the Sea of Azov coast, the Ukrainian Border Guard Service said on Friday. Earlier in the day, the Novorossiya news agency said the self-proclaimed republics’ forces had practically encircled the city of Mariupol in Ukraine’s embattled south-eastern Donetsk region. “During the fighting overnight, the Novorossiya forces took control of the villages of Starchenkovo, Respublika, Zeleny Yar, Boyevoye, Malinovka, Demyanovka, Starodubkovka, Chervonoye Pole and Osipenko,” the news agency said ….” (ITAR-TASS)
- “An army convoy came under gunfire near the Luhansk airport on Thursday night. Several servicemen were wounded and four vehicles were disabled, the Defence Ministry’s press service reported on Friday. According to the report, heavy fighting also continues near the strategic port of Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov. Rebel forces are trying to capture the city but government troops are digging in, reinforcing their camps and strongholds, installing engineering equipment at roadblocks in all sectors, and planting mines on approach roads. As we have reported, separatists backed up by two Russian battalions seized the nearby town of Novoazovsk on Thursday. The advance has raised fears that the Kremlin might seek to create a land corridor between Russia and the Crimean peninsula annexed by Russia in March. Rebels are also reported to have encircled government soldiers in several places further north, near the city of Donetsk. Ukraine forces near the town of Ilovaysk say they are cut off and have been urgently asking for supplies and reinforcements. It was reported on Friday that two wounded officers of the 51st Brigade blew themselves up, killing 12 Russian paratroopers. Witnesses said they saw 12 Russian paratroopers surround the wounded officers and tell them at gunpoint to surrender. The officers put up their hands holding something that looked like hand grenades. In a second, there were powerful explosions that killed all on the spot ….” (Ukrainian Radio First Channel)
- “The situation in the area of responsibility Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine is steadily controlled” (Ministry of Defence, in Ukrainian)
- “Arseniy Yatsenyuk: The Government submits to the Verkhovna Rada a bill to abolish non-alignment status of Ukraine and resume the course towards NATO membership” (Department of Information and Communication of the Secretariat of Cabinet)
- “NATO Secretary General statement after the extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission — We have just held an extraordinary meeting of the NATO-Ukraine Commission, following the serious escalation of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine. The meeting was held at Ukraine’s request. Despite Moscow’s hollow denials, it is now clear that Russian troops and equipment have illegally crossed the border into eastern and south-eastern Ukraine. This is not an isolated action, but part of a dangerous pattern over many months to destabilise Ukraine as a sovereign nation …. Today, we expressed strong solidarity with Ukraine. At the Wales Summit next week, we will meet President Poroshenko to make clear NATO’s unwavering support for Ukraine …. we fully respect Ukraine’s decisions as regards Ukraine’s security policy and alliance affiliations. This is a fundamental principle that each and every nation has an inherent right to decide itself on security policies and its alliance affiliations.I’m not going to interfere with political discussions in Ukraine but let me remind you of NATO’s decision taken at the Bucharest summit in 2008 according to which Ukraine will become a member of NATO provided of course Ukraine so wishes and provided that Ukraine fulfil the necessary criteria. In the meantime Ukraine has decided to pursue a so called non-alliance policy, we fully respect that, we fully respect if the Ukrainian Parliament decides to change that policy because we adhere to the principle that each and every nation has a right to decide itself without interference from outside and we hope that other nations adhere to same principle ….” (NATO)
- “Ukraine Makes Nato Membership Move as Russia Crisis Rages” (European Commission news aggregator)
- Report on the human rights situation in Ukraine, 17 August 2014 (32 page PDF) “…. the armed groups are now professionally equipped and appear to benefit from a steady supply of sophisticated weapons and ammunition, enabling them to shoot down Ukrainian military aircraft such as helicopters, fighter jets and transport planes …. Armed groups have continued to prevent residents from leaving, including through harassment at checkpoints where residents report being robbed, and firing at vehicles conveying fleeing civilians …. armed groups continued to commit killings, abductions, physical and psychological torture, ill treatment, and other serious human rights abuses and violations of international humanitarian law continued to be committed by the armed groups …. The (United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission in Ukraine) also received reports of human rights violations committed by territorial battalions under the Ministry of Defence or special battalions under the Ministry of Internal Affairs …. The continued violence by the armed groups and the ongoing security operation being undertaken by the Government of Ukraine, will leave deep psychological scars on Ukrainians living in the affected areas ….” (Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights)
- “Intense fighting increases civilian deaths in eastern Ukraine: UN report” (European Commission news aggregator)
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