MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 28, 2017
27 June 2017 Cyber Attack
- “CSE statement on Global Ransomware Attacks — CSE continues to closely monitor the recent global cyber/ransomware attacks. As we have seen in recent attacks, today’s attacks continue to indiscriminately target both organizations and individuals …” (Communications Security Establishment)
- “Cyberattack Hits Ukraine Then Spreads Internationally”
- “Cyberattack reaches Asia, new targets hit by ransomware”
- “Global Ransomware Attack Hits Ukraine, Causes Worldwide Turmoil”
- “Cyber attack sweeps globe, researchers see ‘WannaCry’ link”
- “Wave of new cyberattacks spreads, hitting multinationals”
- “Firms scramble to recover from wave of cyberattacks”
- “Massive cyberattack hits Europe with widespread ransom demands”
- “Petya cryptoware to blame massive cyber-attack at companies in Ukraine, Russia – Group-IB experts”
- “What is the Petya ransomware spreading across Europe? WIRED explains”
- “Petya malware cyber attack potent, uses multiple techniques”
- “Ukraine deputy prime minister says government computer network down”
- “Websites of (UKR) National Police and Ministry of Internal Affairs disabled due to cyber attack”
- “Huge cyber-attack at Ukrainian govt agencies’ network stopped”
- “Ukraine cyberattacks disrupt some Chernobyl radiation checks”
- “DPR communications minister notes low-level cybersecurity in Ukraine”
- “Ukrainian Interior Ministry Accuses Russia of Cyberattacks”
- “Huge cyber-attack at Ukraine organized by Russian intelligence services – advisor to interior minister”
- “Ukraine’s Internet association chief rules out Russia’s role in Petya ransomware attack”
- More via Google News
Internal Security
- “Canada’s Military Gets More Cyber, and the Headaches That Come With It”
- “The battle over encryption and what it means for our privacy”
- “Peter MacKay: Canada cannot afford to turn soft on terrorism. It still needs C-51”
- “Trudeau says national security not jeopardized in China takeover of Norsat”
- “We desperately need a way to defend against online propaganda”
- “Global effort needed to stop online radicalization”
#CANvsISIL
- “Canadian sniper’s shot ‘entirely consistent’ with non-combat role, Trudeau says”
- “Le «kill shot» en Irak: un appui clair et fort de Justin Trudeau”
- “Canadian Sniper’s Record Kill In Iraq ‘Entirely Consistent’ With Non-Combat Mission: Trudeau”
- “Canadians should “celebrate” JTF2 sniper’s killing of Islamic State gunman, says Trudeau”
- “Un tireur d’élite canadien fait la fierté de Justin Trudeau”
- “Justin Trudeau: Record-Breaking Canadian Sniper Who Killed ISIS Jihadi With Two-Mile Shot Should Be ‘Celebrated’ “
Everyone Else Vs. ISIL
- “Will ISIS Survive the Collapse of the Caliphate?” (Counter Extremism Project)
- “Iraq’s Kurds question motives behind independence vote — The political establishment in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq is divided in opposition to and support for holding a referendum on independence and what the government’s priorities should otherwise be …”
- “ISIS Is Almost Defeated in Iraq, but Thousands of Christians Refuse to Return to Their Homes”
- “U.N. goes stealth to help rebuild ISIS-ravaged Iraq”
- “The Islamic State’s Internal Rifts and Social Media Ban”
#Syria
- “Pentagon says it has detected ‘active preparations’ by Syria for chemical attack” – “US Suspects Activity at Syrian Air Base Used in Chemical Attack” – “As Chemical Accusations Flew, U.S. Spy Planes Gathered Off of Syria” – “Why the White House scrambled to put out a new warning about chemical weapons in Syria” – “UN stops short of commenting US reports of chemical attack preparations in Syria” – “Russia: U.S. chemical attack assertions complicate Syria peace talks – RIA”
- “Russia in Syria Monitor, June 20-27, 2017” – “Syrian President visits Russian air base at Hmeymim in western Syria”
- “Turkey returns fire on Kurdish YPG in northern Syria: military”
- “UN envoy maps out ‘ideal trajectory’ to next round of intra-Syrian talks in Geneva” (UN info-machine) – “Trilateral agreement on Syria helping reduce level of violence — UN envoy”
- “Diplomat vows CNN will not get off the hook with ash-covered toddler clip — The Russian Foreign Ministry will take more measures regarding the CNN report on three-year-old Omran Daqneesh, who was allegedly injured during the Russian Aerospace Forces’ operation in Aleppo, the ministry’s official spokeswoman has said …” – “Omran Daqneesh, young face of Aleppo suffering, seen on Syrian TV” (CNN)
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Canada, European NATO states to raise defense spending by 4.3 percent in 2017” – “NATO chief: US allies to spend $12 billion more this year”
- “Minister Sajjan to attend NATO Defence Ministerial in Brussels — Defence Minister Harjit S. Sajjan will travel to Brussels, Belgium for a series of bilateral meetings on June 28, and for the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) Defence Ministerial Meeting on June 29 …”
- “Russia forms new military transport branch to deploy divisions”
- Really??? “Russian Senator Denies NATO Claims of Nuclear Missile Deployments in Kaliningrad”
- “Is Diplomatic War Possible Between Vilnius And Minsk?”
- “The Birth of a European Defence?”
- “Envoy says military dialogue may help ensure safety over Baltic Sea”
- “Belarus receives Chinese armoured vehicles”
- “Russia starts design work on Priboy advanced helicopter carrier”
- “Kremlin Watch Monitor: Americans want to add a helping hand”
- “Soviet Docs Shed Light on the Red Army’s Booze-Fueled Nuclear Vacation in Cuba”
- “The activity of pro-Russian extremist groups in Central-Eastern Europe”
#Ukraine
- “Canada’s Veterans Transition Network Helping Ukrainian Charity Develop Mental-Health Programs for Former Troops in Strife-Torn European Nation — In both countries, emotionally suffering Veterans often feel they have few options to turn to for support apart from private charities lie the Veterans Transition Network and the International Association for Support of Ukraine …”
- “Ukrainian military sailors and NATO experts discussed ways of reforming and developing the Navy of the Armed Forces of Ukraine” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
- “Kyiv to step up counter-terrorism security after cyber attacks, car blasts” – “NSDC approves number of measures to step up counter-terrorism measures in Ukraine” –“Oleksandr Turchynov held an operational meeting with the leaders of the security and defense sector of Ukraine — Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine Oleksandr Turchynov held an operational meeting with the leaders of the security and defense sector devoted to working out adequate measures to counter Russian hybrid threats …” – “National Security Council boosts counter-terrorism measures — Decision made due to today’s murder of Ukrainian officer, presumably designed by Russian special services, – Council Secretary …”
- Latest on Car-bombed UKR MilInt Officer “Main investigation version towards car blast In Kyiv is Russian trace, – Matios” – “Kiev’s Accusation of Ukraine Officer’s Death ‘Imagination’ – Russian Lawmaker” – “Former LPR Deputy: Poroshenko Could Be Behind the Blowing Up of the Colonel of Ukrainian Intelligence” – “Details of death of Ukraine’s intelligence officer Shapoval”
- Updates from All Sides “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 26 June 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 27, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Ukraine Conflict Monitor, June 20-27, 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 28 June 2017 – UKR govt ATO map, 27 June 2017 – “OSCE reports almost 70 explosions in Donbas within one day” – “Russian proxies attack Ukraine 31 times in last day” – “Seven ceasefire violations reported in LPR” – “Donbas conflict: 31 shelling reported over the day” – “21 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Ukrainian army violates ceasefire 21 times over 24 hours – DPR Operations Command” – “Ukrainian commandos trained to carry out terrorist attacks in DPR during “harvest ceasefire” “ – “Kiev forces prepare for terrorist attacks in DPR during truce”
- “Oh, Those Russians …” “Defense Ministry refutes BBC reports on alleged capture of Russian serviceman in Ukraine” – “In the Lugansk region, Russian military serviceman Victor Ageyev, who was drafted in the Altai Territory and served under a contract, was taken prisoner. The BBC was informed about this by the interlocutors in the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine and the command of the 93rd separate mechanized brigade of the armed forces of Ukraine …” (BBC, in Russian) – “Aggressive Russian “soft power” in Ukraine on eve of the war” (InformNapalm.org) – “Russia’s Neighbor Ukraine Besieged by ‘Fake News’ and Hacking Years Before United States”
- “500 Young Guard activists pledge loyalty to LPR — Some 500 activists of the Young Guard youth organization operating under the aegis of the Mir Luganschine social movement took a loyalty oath to the Republic, which is home to the famous World War II underground resistance group …”
- RUS media: “Russian Radars Could Not ‘Miss’ Missile Approaching MH17 Flight in Donbass”
- “US State Department informs on labor camps for DPRK citizens in Russia”
- “LPR addresses human rights defenders to help liberate AFU-captured soldiers — The LPR People’s Militia appeals to international human rights organizations to assist in the liberation of the Republic’s servicemen captured by Kiev’s security forces, stated the official representative of the LPR Defense Ministry, Lieutenant-Colonel Andrei Marochko …”
- “Donbass Settlement Decisions Shouldn’t Be Made Without DPR, LPR – Kremlin”
Cold War 2.0: China/Asia-Pacific
- “India, China trade accusations of border incursion”
- “Launch of China’s New Fully Homegrown 10,000-ton Class Destroyer” – “China launches first 10,000-ton-class guided-missile destroyer” – ‘China’s navy launches latest generation destroyer” – “China launches new 10,000-tonne guided-missile destroyer”
- “PLA to parade prowess in Hong Kong” – “China makes its military more visible in Hong Kong”
- “YJ-12 Sea-Skimming Supersonic Anti-Ship Missile”
- “China, Japan to hold talks on maritime affairs”
- “China strives to reconcile Kabul, Islamabad” – “China defends Pakistan, says it’s fighting terror” – “A day after India and the US asked Pakistan to stop cross-border terror, China today put up a strong defence of its ‘all-weather’ ally, saying Islamabad was at the frontlines of the fight against terrorism …”
- “China hits back at US for speaking ‘irresponsibly on China’s domestic affairs’ “
- “China passes tough new intelligence law”
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
- “Imagery Confirms Recent Media Reports of Rocket Engine Test”
- “What China wants in return for pressuring North Korea”
- “Can Moon close gap in US-S.Korea alliance?”
- “U.S. worries Russia could step up North Korea support to fill China void”
- “South Korea’s bold plan for dealing with the nuclear-armed North: Walkom — South Korea President Moon Jae-in wants talks with the North’s Kim Jong Un. But will Donald Trump sign on? …”
#Afghanistan
- “Hockey Hall of Fame to display boards used by Canadian military — Rink served as outlet for soldiers stationed in Kandahar, Afghanistan from 2006 to 2016 …”
- “Trump, Mattis, and the Future of Afghanistan”
What’s Canada Buying?
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
- “Minister Hehr announces appointments to the Veterans Review and Appeal Board” – “Le ministre Hehr annonce des nominations au Tribunal des anciens combattants”
Sexual Assault/Harassment in the CF
Other
- “Canadian military conducting operation in Northwest Territories”
- “Canadian is first female infantry officer to lead Queen’s Guard”
- “Canadian Armed Forces Welcomes New Judge Advocate General”
- “Unions warn private contractors could jeopardize public security under Liberals’ new defence plan”
- “An upcoming Penticton performance of Canada’s Snowbirds aerobatic team this summer could be hazardous to your health, will cost you too much as a Canadian taxpayer and will be bad for the nation as a whole — according to 62 people from across the country …” – “Cancel military display at Penticton Peach Festival Petition” (GoPetition)
- “New exhibit opening at the Canadian Forces Museum of Aerospace Defence”
- “How dare Trudeau buy all that military hardware”
- “How Canada will punch above its weight”
MILNEWS.ca Highlights – June 27, 2017
#CANvsISIL
- “Battle brewing as Canada mulls Iraq mission”
- “Canada keeping mum as Iraqi Kurds prepare for independence referendum”
- “Fmr CIA Director: Kurds have right to independent state, but may stay longer with Iraq”
Everyone Else Vs. ISIL
- “A Military Assessment of the Islamic State’s Evolving Theory of Victory”
- “US-led coalition says Islamic State foreign fighters now trapped (in SYR, IRQ)”
- “Iraqi forces battling for last ‘one percent’ of Old Mosul” – “Iraq army: ISIL will fall in Mosul ‘in a few days’ “ – – “Islamic State Tries to Regroup as Mosul Losses Mount”
- “Six IS leaders, including Baghdadi aid(e), killed in coalition airstrike in Kirkuk”
- “In Iraq, military defeat of ISIS is only the beginning”
- “Nick Turse: The Special Ops Fallacy – Throwing Elite Resources at “Winless Wars” “
#Syria
- “White House Warns Syria Potentially Preparing New Chemical Attack” – “White House Warns ‘Heavy Price’ Should Syria Use Chemical Weapons” – “Assad regime preparing new chemical attack in Syria – White House”
- “Bellingcat Buffoonery on Khan Sheikyoun by Publius Tacitus — The pushback against Sy Hersh’s latest piece of genuine investigative journalism in which he exposes the lie that the Government of Syria hit Khan Sheikyoun with a sarin gas attack on 4 April 2017 is based on ignorance and misinformation …”
- “Changing the mandate of UN forces in southern Syria”
Cold War 2.0: China/Asia-Pacific
- “China slams Indian troops’ provocation on border — Indian troops recently crossed the border with China in an attempt to block a road construction in Donglang(Doklam) area by the Chinese side, China’s defense ministry confirmed on Monday in response to the media enquiries on the news about the recent China-Indian border confrontation …” – “China urges India to withdraw border guards crossing the boundary” – ” ‘Complicating an already difficult relationship’: China accuses Indian border guards of crossing into its territory” – “China accuses Indian troops of ‘crossing boundary’ in Sikkim section” – “China ‘asks India to withdraw troops ‘ from Nathu La pass” – “Indo-Sino border tension increases as China closes Nathu La pass” – “China claims Indian troops crossed boundary in Sikkim” – More via Google News
- “PLAAF to send J-10B for ‘Aviadarts’ military aviation competition”
- “Chinese crew of modern Type 96B main battle tanks preparing for 2017 «Tank Biathlon»”
- Colonel Ted’s Take: “Water wars (3) … The Chinese thirst for resources (pun intended) is well understood and Siberia is a resource treasure house that is ripe for exploitation. While i really do believe that the Chinese would rather buy that fight I also believe that Russia will, more likely than not, to want to deny the Chinese access to those resources and that, I fear, is what will start a Sino-Russian war in Siberia …”
- “Infiltration of Islamic State into Southeast Asia brings lingering danger”
- “Bumbling Ex-CIA Officer Charged With Selling Secrets to China”
Cold War 2.0: The Koreas
- “Reading Through the Rhetoric: (PRK) Trends Speak Louder than Words” (38 North blog)
- “China Weaponized N. Korea. Will It Now Disarm It?”
- “US Deploys 10 Long-Range Air-to-Ground Missiles to South Korea”
#Ukraine
- CAF: No Canadian troops where Russia’s military TV network reports “Canadian instructors”
- As opposed to the seemingly unlimited supply of weapons & ammo getting to the separatists from someone? “US Supplying Weapons to Ukraine ‘Will Only Add More Fuel’ to Donbass Crisis”
- “Ukrainian military intelligence officer killed by car bomb in Kiev” – “Senior Ukrainian intelligence officer killed in car blast in Kiev” – “Senior Ukrainian intelligence officer killed in Kiev car explosion: reports” – “Car explosion in Kyiv being investigated as terrorist act” – “Defense Ministry‘s head of intelligence special forces dies in car blast in Kyiv” – “Ukrainian serviceman killed in car blast in Kyiv” – “Active duty serviceman killed in Kyiv car blast, case being investigated as terrorist attack” – “Colonel In Ukrainian Military Intelligence Killed In Kyiv Car Bomb” – “Ukraine’s Defense Ministry confirms the death of Maksym Shapoval in a car blast in Kyiv” – “As a result of a car explosion in Kiev, a serviceman of the Ministry of Defense of Ukraine was killed” (UKR MoD, in Ukrainian)
- “Volodymyr Groysman about the blockade in Donbass: Billions of revenues were redirected from the Ukrainian budget to the Russian due to the leaders of the blockade” (UKR cabinet info-machine)
- Updates from All Sides “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 25 June 2017” – “ATO News: Situation Update, east of Ukraine as of morning, June 27, 2017” (UKR MoD) – “Militants violated ceasefire in Donbas 18 times in last day” – “Four ceasefire violations reported in LPR” – “DPR reports 11 ‘silence regime’ violations, damages recorded”
- ” “We look into possibility of expanding troops in the south of Odesa region” – Stepan Poltorak” (UKR MoD)
- “Fourteen Ukrainian wounded soldiers to undergo treatment in Germany” (UKR MoD)
- “More photos of Russian sniper weapons in the Donbas” (informnapalm.org)
- From the Separatist (Dis?)Info-machine “Foreign mercenaries teach Ukrainian doctors in ATO zone” – “Q&A session with the Head of Donetsk People’s Republic to be held on June 28 Q&A session with the Head of Donetsk People’s Republic to be held on June 28” – “Weapons From The “ATO” Fall Into the Hands of Other Terrorists in the Middle East” – “Civilian dies after Kiev law enforcers at Stanitsa checkpoint detain him for 3 hours in the heat”
- “Macron, Poroshenko Hopeful of Progress on Resolving Ukraine Conflict” – “Poroshenko admits settlement of Donbas Conflict on Macron formula” – “Macron says Normandy Four meeting may take place in early July” –
“Kremlin disagrees with Macron’s remarks on Ukraine” - Meanwhile, back in France … “DPR MFA announces opening of Republic’s representative centre in France” – “DPR is to open its Representative’s Office in France”
- “Germany sees ‘very difficult’ situation in eastern Ukraine” – “Germany sees ‘very difficult’ situation in eastern Ukraine – media”
- “President Poroshenko: Ukraine intends to purchase 55% of nuclear fuel from Westinghouse”
- “Ukraine ready to follow Minsk accords, disengage forces with round-the-clock presence of OSCE – Poroshenko”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Canada removes restrictions on exporting to Belarus”
- “Belarus to Acquire Iskander Missile Systems — Belarus is considering buying some Russian-made Iskander missile systems, according to Belarusian Ambassador to Moscow Igor Petrishenko …”
- “Kremlin is ready for any format of negotiations between Putin and Trump”
- “US, NATO Conclude Saber Strike 17 Exercise” – “US Military, NATO Conclude Saber Strike 17 Cooperative Training Exercise”
- “Lithuanian prosecutors want Russian spying suspect in prison for over 10 years”
- “NATO’s senior military officer: Russia threat growing on all fronts”
- “We Have To Take Russia’s Provocations In Eastern Europe Seriously” (The Federalist)
- “Russian Navy to get four frigates by 2020”
- “Russia to lay down 2 diesel-electric submarines for Pacific Fleet in July”
- “Russian intelligence chief extols covert operatives as cream of the crop”
Afghanistan
- “Top US military officer arrives in Afghanistan to finalize plans for troop increase”
- “Taliban promotes 4 previously unidentified training camps in Afghanistan”
- “AQIS emphasizes allegiance to Ayman al Zawahiri, Taliban in new ‘code of conduct’ “
Way Up North
- “Canadian armed forces begin exercises in the Arctic” – “Operation NUNAKPUT 2017 launches today in the Northwest Territories” – “L’opération NUNAKPUT 2017 débute dans les Territoires du Nord‑Ouest” – “Début du camp OKPIAPIK à Valcartier pour les Rangers juniors canadiens du 2e GPRC”
- “Russia Fires Ballistic Missile in Arctic Military Tests” – “Bulava launch from Yuri Dolgorukiy” (Russian strategic nuclear forces blog) – “Northern Fleet strategic submarine Yuri Dolgorukiy successfully launched a Bulava ballistic missile — The underwater launch was carried out in the Barents Sea to engage the assigned training targets on Kamchatka …” (RUS MoD)
- ” “Arctic” gas mask is being developed in the interests of the Russian army” (RUS MoD)
- “Is the Arctic the Next Superpower Battleground?”
- “Far Eastern military school graduates first Arctic force officers”
Internal Security
- ” ‘Before tragedy strikes’: Liberals launch centre to prevent homegrown terrorism” – “Liberals launch counter-radicalization centre but special adviser to be appointed later” – Info-machine announcement: “New Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence supports local efforts … Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale announced the launch of the Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence (CCCEPV). As a centre of excellence, the CCCEPV will provide national leadership, coordination and support to community groups, frontline practitioners and stakeholders in their efforts to prevent individuals from radicalizing to violence …” – “Canada Centre for Community Engagement and Prevention of Violence” (Public Safety Canada page)
- “Liberal government waiting for more details on Trump travel ban decision — Dual nationals travelling with Canadian passports will not be subjected to restrictions …”
- “La Chine accepte de cesser tout espionnage industriel au Canada”
- “Pro-ISIS hacker claims Ohio attacks are “only the beginning” “
What’s Canada Buying?
- “Pentagon to review contracts with Norsat after Chinese takeover”
- Wanted: “Water Vulnerability Assessments … The Department of National Defence requires two Task Authorization Contracts (TAC) to conduct drinking water vulnerability assessments, and preparation of monitoring and management plans …”
- Wanted: “Chapel Musician … A requirement exists for a pianist to provide accompaniment music for the 8 Wing Chapel Services namely: Protestant Worship Services, Roman Catholic (RC) English Masses, and RC French Masses as well as RC Bilingual Masses regularly, and occasionally for other chapel services as outlined below. This type of service is an essential part of any vibrant worshipping community …”
Veterans & Helping Veterans (or Not?)
Other
- “$1.6M for private eyes to probe government harassment complaints … Of the nine bodies that issued contracts for this purpose, the Department of National Defence has easily spent the most money …”
- “RCAF concludes Exercise Maple Flag 50” – “France’s newest tactical aircraft participates in Exercise Maple Flag 50”
- “(RCN) Naval Security Team conducts readiness training”
- “Military goal to reflect society deserves support: Editorial”
CAF on Reported “Instructors” in Eastern Ukraine: They’re Not Ours
The Russian military TV network says Canadian and U.S. “instructors” are close to the line between Ukrainian forces and Russian-supported separatists in eastern Ukraine.
I checked with the CAF Info-machine, and Canadian Joint Operations Command spokesperson Major Steve Neta, was pretty clear in an email:
“I can confirm 100% that we do not have any personnel in Konstaninovka.”
Stay tuned for more lies from the Russian (Dis)Info-machine …
RUS Army Media: “Canadian instructors” near UKR front lines?
This from a pro-Russian/separatist website (looking like it might be registered via a URL-hosting agency in Toronto) carrying “news” from Ukraine (archive.org link here):
Basurin: 50 American and Canadian Instructors Arrived Near Konstantinovka in the DPR
A railway echelon with staff and heavy weapons of the UAF, including a MLRS BM-21 Grad, arrived at the district of the settlement of Vladimirovka in southern Donetsk. This was reported by the second-in-command of the operative command of the DPR Eduard Basurin. He also stated that the Ukrainian Armed Forces used the “grain truce” in Donbass to rearrange forces and means in the conflict zone.
“The development of the situation on the contact line allows to draw the conclusion that under the cover of the ‘grain truce’ the Ukrainian Armed Forces carry out the strengthening of units in the Donetsk and Mariupol directions, distributing forbidden arms,” noted Basurin.
In addition, near Volnovakha the militiamen recorded three railway echelons of carriages with ammunition for tanks, and also shells for MLRS and shells and powder charges for 122 and 152-mm barreled artillery. A column of 28 UAF tanks moved towards Avdeevka. And the “Kharkov” battalion of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is already entrenched in the city.
About 50 American and Canadian instructors arrived near Konstantinovka. According to the intelligence data of the DPR, the foreign experts plan to begin work in Mariupol.
Where’d this originally come from? Here (original article in Russian – archive.org version here), at Zvezda (Russian for “The Star”), a TV network run by Russia’s Ministry of Defence. Here’s a Google translation of that story:
VSU (Ukrainian forces) draws Grads to the line of contact
A trainload with personnel and heavy armament of the Armed Forces, including the ML-21 Grad missile system, arrived in the area of the village of Vladimirovka, south of Donetsk. This was announced by Eduard Bazurin, deputy commander of the operational command of the Democratic People’s Republic of Donbas.
The Ukrainian siloviki used the “bread truce” in the Donbass to regroup their forces and assets in the conflict zone. This was stated by Eduard Bazurin, deputy commander of the operational command of the Democratic People’s Republic of France.
“The existing situation on the contact line allows us to conclude that under the cover of the” bread truce “Ukrainian security forces are strengthening the units in the Donetsk and Mariupol directions, dispersing the prohibited weapons,” said Basurin.
According to him, a railway train with personnel and heavy weapons, including the BM-21 Grad missile system, arrived in the area of the village of Vladimirovka to the south of Donetsk. In addition, at Volnova, militiamen recorded three railroad echelons of goods wagons with ammunition for tanks, as well as shells for MLRS and shells and powder charges for 122 and 152-mm barrel artillery. Towards Avdeevka, a column of 28 tanks of the APU moves. And in the city itself there is a battalion of Ukrainian siloviki “Kharkov”.
About 50 American and Canadian instructors arrived at Konstantinovka. According to the intelligence of the DNR, foreign specialists plan to start work in Mariupol.From 00:00 on June 25 in the Donbass the so-called “grain truce” began at the time of harvesting . The silence mode should last until August 31.
The full text of both the English & Russian stories are also downloadable here (PDF).
Where’s Konstantinovka? Here – about 200 km by road north of Mariupol (where they’re alleged to be getting ready to work in), and more than 1,200 km east of where the CAF Info-machine says Canadian troops are based to help train Ukrainian troops.
I’m waiting for an official response from the CAF re: Canadian troops being there (I’m going to guess a loonie they’re not), but caveat lector …
MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 251915UTC June 2017
Ukraine
- ” “Harvest ceasefire” in Donbas fails” – ” “Harvest ceasefire” in Donbas: 2 KIA’s, 2 WIA’s” – “Ukrainian units violate «bread ceasefire» with Donetsk Republic – (DPR) command” – “Turchynov announces disruption of ‘harvest ceasefire’ by Donbas militants”
- “Putin arrives in annexed Crimea” – Ukraine’s Foreign Ministry forwards note of protest to Russia over Putin’s visit to Crimea”
- “US State Secretary to Visit Ukraine in July – Poroshenko” – “Law on ratification of agreements on secret information with NATO operates in Ukraine” – “Defense agreements with US to help resolve issue of lethal weapons for Ukraine, – Ambassador”
- “Fake: Ukrainian security forces bombarded the OSCE mission” (in Ukrainian)
- Updates from All Sides “Latest from the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30, 23 June 2017” – UKR govt ATO map, 25 June 2017 – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 06/25/2017” (DNR) – “Donetsk Defense: Situation Report, 06/24/2017” (Donbass News Agency) – “Donbas conflict: 6 enemy shelling reported, two Ukrainian soldiers killed” – “Ukraine’s punishers launch almost 300 ammos on LPR territory over 24 hours” – Seven ceasefire violations recorded in LPR in 24 hours” – “19 ceasefire violations recorded in DPR in 24 hours” – “Ukraine Says Two Soldiers Killed Despite Cease-Fire” – “Two Ukrainian soldiers killed, three more wounded over past day, — Defense Ministry” – “26 attacks reported in Eastern Ukraine conflict zone, two soldiers killed” – “Ukrainian military seven times violate ceasefire in Lugansk Republic” – “Ukrainian media: Separatists continue attacking Ukrainian military’s positions”
- “OSCE opened another patrol base in Donbas conflict zone”
- “Military commander from DPR detained in Crimea on suspicion of killing a Ukrainian activist in Donetsk” – RUS Duma member asks DPR leader detained in Crimea not to be extradited to Ukraine (RIA Novosti, in Italian) – “Russia is not going to hand detained commander of the DPR to Ukraine”
- “Russian upgraded BMD-2 and KAMAZ-5350 in occupied Donetsk” (InformNapalm.org)
- “2 Russians among members of sabotage group destroyed by Ukraine troops in Donbas” – “Two Russians among members of sabotage group destroyed by Ukraine troops in Donbas” – “Ukrainian Armed forces disband a group of pro-Russian separatists capturing a Russian national” – “Ukrainian military capture militia group in Donbas, Russian among them, — HQ”
- From the Separatist Media “Kiev plotting provocations against OSCE observers on Crimean border” – “OSCE Observers Recorded the Provocation of “Right Sector” in the Zolotoye Region” – “Red Cross: SBU Interferes With Our Work, Not the DPR & LPR” – “Q&A session with the Head of Donetsk People’s Republic to be held on June 28” – “LPR: American Mercenaries Wearing NATO Uniforms Arrived at Positions Near Lugansk”
- “Red Cross proposes creating security zones around water supply facilities in Donbas”
- “Ukraine fails to show draft law on Donbass reintegration to Minsk Contact Group”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Another Incident Involving Drunk NATO Serviceman Occurs in Lithuania”
- “Deployment of US marines in Norway destabilizes situation in the North – Russia’s embassy” – “Russia Warns Norway That Hosting US Marines Will Hurt Ties”
- “Pope Francis salutes Lithuania’s first Soviet-era martyr” – “Lithuanian bishop beatified as first Soviet-era martyr”
- “Are We In a New Cold War?”
- “In Kaliningrad region there are collections of snipers and grenade launchers of coastal forces of the Baltic Fleet” (RUS MoD, in Russian)
- “About 2,000 Unarmed detachments were formed in the Western Military District — Under the guidance of experienced officer-mentors and employees of military commissariats, the military men take part in various military-patriotic events, as well as master the disciplines of combined arms training …” (RUS MoD, in Russian)
- “Russia will create a national missile defense system by 2025”
- “Veteran Russian Deep-Cover Intelligence Agent Described the Plans of NATO to Destroy Russia” (pro-RUS page)
- “Russia hands over data on five Americans captured in Vietnam to the US”
MILNEWS.ca #UKR + Cold War 2.0 Update as of 241200UTC June 2017
Ukraine
- How Dare You Want Your Own Land Back! “Lavrov slams Kiev’s attempts to gain control over Donbass”
- ANOTHER Ceasefire ” ‘Bread ceasefire’ begins in Donbass” – “Ukrainian forces declare readiness for “harvest ceasefire” and right to respond to threats” – “Ukrainian military announce readiness for “harvest truce” in Donbas” – “Ukrainian units violate «bread ceasefire» with Donetsk Republic – (DPR) command” – “Ukraine reports 48 enemy attacks, 2 WIA’s in last day” – “Ukrainian Army units shell Donetsk Republic in first hours of new ceasefire” – “Donbas conflict: 18 attacks reported over past day” – “Ukrainian forces committed 7 ceasefire violations over two hours of Donbass truce” – “Pro-Kiev units shell township in Donbass right after start of another ceasefire”“Putin to visit Crimea on June 24” – “Putin to visit Crimea, to take part in opening session at Artek summer camp”
- “Crimea needs no trade restoration with Ukraine — The Crimea does not need to resume trade with Ukraine, said the head of the State Committee of the Government of the peninsula Zaur Smirnov …”
- UKR govt ATO map, 24 June 2017
- “Donetsk Defense: Weekly Situation Report, 06/23/2017”
- “Ukraine’s military launch 2,800 projectiles on DPR territory over past week”
- “OSCE accuses Donbas warring sides of barring monitors’ access to 2 villages on dividing line”
- “Spot Report by the Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM): Small-arms fire, explosions occur close to SMM in Zolote” (OSCE)
- “Ukraine to buy 10 new Oplot main battle tanks in 2018” – “Oleksandr Turchynov: Ukrainian forces should be armed with domestic tank “Oplot” “
- “Ombudsperson’s office: six DPR supporters captured by Ukrainian security forces”
- “Interpol detained commander of the DPR Army”
- “Ombudswoman’s office receives six notifications of DPR supporters detained in Ukraine”
- “DPR shall inevitably turn away from Kiev as it ignores Minsk Agreements – Pushilin”
- “DPR to inevitably turn back on Kiev as it ignores Minsk Agreements”
- “Ukraine failes to show draft law on Donbass reintegration to Minsk Contact Group”
- Really??? “Some 500 Ukrainian soldiers commit suicide during operation in Donbass”
- “US State Department Bemoans ‘Russian-Led, Russian-Funded, Russian-Trained So-Called Separatists’ “
- “State Department: US concerned about actions of pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine”
- “Murphy’s Law: Do Not Underestimate Ukrainians”
- “Ukraine planning to strengthen forces grouping in south of Odesa region”
Cold War 2.0: Russia/Baltics/Eastern Europe
- “Russia in Review, June 16-23, 2017”
- “Russian Fighters Scrambled 14 Times to Intercept Foreign Aircraft in Past Week”
- “US Reveals Intense Photos Of Armed Russian Fighter Buzzing Air Force Jet”
- “CBC: Anti-Canada Propaganda Greets Troops in Latvia”
- “An Understanding of the Canadian-led NATO Mission in Latvia” (NATO Association of Canada) – “US, NATO wrap up Saber Strike 17”
- “Exercise Iron Wolf ends with a bang” – “Year’s largest exercise in Lithuania Iron Wolf 2017 came to a wrap” (Lithuaninan DefMin info-machine) – “NATO battle groups demonstrated combat capabilities and readiness during Exercise Iron Wolf 17” (Pentagon Info-machine)
- “Lithuania hosts multinational medevac exercise”
- “Accusations highlight Nato-Russia tensions amid war games”
- “US Army Chief Wants Vladimir Putin to Let Russia’s Nervous Neighbors Watch His War Games”
- “Latvia boosts defence spending”
- “Marines Will Get More Norway Deployments, And Russia Will Not Be Happy”
- “Russia’s Defense Ministry mulls option of light radar surveillance aircraft”
- Don’t Believe Anything Until Russia Denies It! “Lavrov: Russian troops will not stay in Belarus after the Zapad 2017 army exercise” – “Lavrov rules out possibility of Russian military presence in Belarus without authorities’ consent” – “Lavrov says no plans to occupy Belarus on pretext of conducting military drills”
- “Belarusian military training internationally recognized as effective”
- “Lavrov slams NATO for its geopolitical ambitions”
- “Russia launches serial production of seaborne air defense missile system”
- “Report: Russia may have accidentally revealed new military satellites”
- “Intelligence officials worry State Dept. going easy on Russian diplomats”
