Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Ottawa, Ontario
31 July 2015


PM announces the extension of Operation REASSURANCE

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced the extension of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s contribution in support of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization’s (NATO) Assurance Measures in Central and Eastern Europe, until June 2016. Canada’s continued support of NATO’s efforts to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe demonstrates the Government's steadfast commitment to our Allies in the region.

It is also part of Canada’s broader response to the Putin regime’s aggression in Ukraine. Canada’s position on Ukraine has been clear: we recognize the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and will never recognize the illegal Russian occupation of Crimea or any region of that country.

Operation REASSURANCE refers to the military activities undertaken by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) to support NATO Assurance Measures through the provision of military capabilities for training, exercises, demonstrations and assigned NATO tasks.

“The Putin regime’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine has highlighted the continued importance of assuring the security of NATO Allies, and Canada remains steadfast in its commitment to continue to work to promote stability and security in Central and Eastern Europe, including through the extension of Operation REASSURANCE.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

“On behalf of all Canadians, I want to express my deepest gratitude to all members of the Canadian Armed Forces for advancing the cause of freedom and security with our allies facing ongoing aggression by the Putin regime.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2015/07/31/...on-reassurance

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 5h5 hours ago

Militants decreased number of attacks in all sectors but #Donetsk, fired 83 times on 1 Aug, 51 in Donetsk sector

3h3 hours ago #Marianka has been heavily shelled by #Russian terrorists, 6 #Ukrainian soldiers wounded, no casualties among civilians

2h2 hours ago Ukraine
No casualties in #ATO over the last day, 8 Ukr servicemen were WIA - ATO daily report

[Natalka]

#Footage from #Vodyane and #Opytne - entirely destroyed from daily Russian artillery fire.

[Natalka]

[Natalka]

On the day of airborne forces, the President of Ukraine made a working visit to Donetsk region. In Sloviansk, the President congratulated warriors who defend our Homeland on their professional holiday.

On the occasion of professional holiday of highly mobile airborne troops, President Petro Poroshenko signed a Decree on awarding 109 paratroopers. 25 paratroopers were awarded personally by the President today in Sloviansk.





Addressing the attendees, Petro Poroshenko noted that it was a great honor for him to congratulate paratroopers personally.

"Continuing glorious traditions of previous generations of our paratroopers, you write your own heroic and bitter history today," the President said.

The Head of State emphasized that this year's Day of Airborne Forces is completely different from the previous ones.

"This holiday has much deeper heroic sense now. It is a holiday of true knights and guardian angels of Ukraine, its sovereignty, independence and territorial integrity. Looking at you, I see self-confident, highly mobile, professional and physically strong warriors who are a real threat for the enemies of Ukraine," the President noted.

"The enemy knows that you are getting stronger. That's why the enemy is afraid of you! It means that we are on the right way. This way will lead us to the complete liberation of the Homeland from insolent invaders and their henchmen," the Head of State emphasized.

http://www.president.gov.ua/en/news/...istoriyu-35753

[Natalka]

Meet Babusia (grandmother) Liuda. She’s 86 and a volunteer.

Babusia grows flowers and various vegetables in her native village, then sells them in Dnipropetrovsk and spends all the money to help Ukrainian soldiers. She cooks soup and carries it to the wounded in the Mechnikov Hospital.

Babusia Liuda spends the rest of her time at a place that has become a sort of cult venue. It is called “Vokzal Dnepr” (like the FB group). A group of volunteers associated with the “Foundation for Defense” organized a rest area for soldiers at the Dnipropetrovsk railway station. Volunteers serve tea and coffee to military personnel, feed them sandwiches, and give them a “doggie bag” for the road. There’s even Wi-Fi and a small library.





Babusia is often in the area. She feeds the men, places soft cushions under the heads of dozing soldiers, hugs and kisses them when it’s time to say goodbye, and prays for them to return home safe and healthy.

Babusia Liuda loves Right Sektor soldiers. She knows that everyone is having a hard time, and that most boys have someone to care for them, “but only we, grannies, care for you, my dearest!”

Babusia Liuda regrets that she’s so old. She’d definitely go to war if she were younger. Volunteers have offered to take her to the “ATO zone”, but she’s thought it over and refused. She thinks it’s too far; she’d get very tired and probably get others killed, so better to stay and help out here.

Babusia has a good head on her shoulders, is aware of all the latest news and follows politics closely. She recognizes soldiers that appear at the station for a second or third time.

[Natalka]

Militants opened fire 6 times in #Mariupol sector this am. Last night shelled residential parts of Hranitne 3 times

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 4h4 hours ago Ukraine 4 Ukr servicemen were KIA in the last day, 15 were WIA - ATO

[Natalka]

Ambulance that Ukr diaspora in #Portugal purchased is being blessed b4 it starts to #Ukraine

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 40m40 minutes ago

Militants fired 109 times at Ukr troops on 3 Aug. Mortared areas of Adviidka where no Ukr forces are stationed

20m20 minutes ago
UAV (drone) was spotted above the hospital in #Ukraine-controlled Krymske, soon after it was mortared. No casualties reported

19m19 minutes ago

Company commander of 128th brigade got wounded near Stanytsia Luhanska as militants shelled area w/ grenade launchers

9m9 minutes ago Militants shelled Avdiivka, #Donetsk region. Shells damaged the power supply line of the coke plant. No casualties

(5:30 a.m. my time)
2h2 hours ago 3 Ukr servicemen were killed in action in the last day, 7 were wounded in action - National Security Defense Council

[Natalka]

So very sad.



Two Ukrainian soldiers captured by Russian terrorists during Ilovaysk massacre in August 2014 were killed while in captivity of L-DNR. Their bodies were recently found beheaded and dressed in winter clothes. At first when they were captured they were allowed to get in touch with the families but then it ended. After they were brought to Dnepropetrovsk through DNA testing became known that the POWs were from Dneprodzerzhinsk, east Ukraine. We are grieving with the family and friends of the Ukrainian heroes.

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 4h4 hours ago

Militants fired 81 times at Ukr troops on 4Aug, intensified aerial recon in #Luhansk region: 8UAVs btwn 7pm/midnight

4h4 hours ago
Militant subversive groups tried to break thru Ukr defense near Verkhnyotoretske #Donetsk region twice, stepped back

In #Luhansk sector militants mortared Krymske and Troyitske villages. 1 Ukr servicemen got wounded in Troyitske

44m44 minutes ago Ukraine
No casualties in #ATO in the last day, 7 Ukr servicemen were wounded in action - ATO daily report

[Natalka]

Ukraine now - no wonder our ancestors came to the Prairies - this photo could just as well have been taken in Saskatchewan!

[Natalka]

(gah!)

From Yesterday,

Boy- "How's it going in Ukraine?"
Putin- "Not bad"

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 13h13 hours ago

2 Ukr servicemen of 92nd brigade got wounded in action as militants shelled Shchastia w/ automatic grenade launchers

12h12 hours ago Combat actions lasted incessantly in the area of Horlivka, Maryinka, #Donetsk airport - Col. Motuzyanyk, ATO

Residential areas of Avdiivka were shelled 3 times by militants w/ artillery on 5 Aug

5 Ukr servicemen were killed in action in the last day, 6 were wounded in action - ATO spox Col. Motuzyanyk

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 2h2 hours ago Ukraine



3 Ukr servicemen were liberated from militant captivity: are of 80th, 81st brigades and 25th Kyiv Rus battalion

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 4h4 hours ago

Situation in #ATO escalated overnight: militants fired incessantly at Ukr troops near #Donetsk from 6pm to midnight

Engagement near Krasnohorivka, #Donetsk reg: militant group of 20 tried to break thru Ukr stronghold, was repelled

1h1 hour ago Ukraine
2 Ukr servicemen were KIA in the last day, 7 were WIA - ATO