Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Head of the Ukrainian Greek Catholic Church Major Archbishop Sviatoslav Shevchuk
spoke to Vatican Radio about the situation in his country



Each day we receive news about new killed, people new wounded, not only soldiers, but even civilians. So many people are in danger. The number of those who are forced to leave their homes is increasing. Right now there are almost two million of displaced persons who had to flee from their homes. In that territory of Donbass, which is under occupation of the Russian troops, each day receive news of incoming of heavy weapons. What strikes me personally, that in last few months, more than seven hundred tanks entered tanks entered in that territory. My question is “Why”? If we agreed to ceasefire, if we agreed to start a political process, if we are in favour of saving human beings in that territory, why somebody is investing in war?

First of all, on that occupied territory, we have twelve parishes. It was a period when our priests were forced to leave that territory. But step by step we came back, even if our priests are in constant danger, direct threat against their lives. In the city of Donestk, we have three priests and three parishes, Greek Catholics, at the moment there are not any of the Roman Catholic priests, and it was a very touching moment that in the Feast of Easter, Greek Catholic priests were serving both the Roman Catholics and to the Greek Catholics as well, in both calendars. But in other parishes we do not have a possibility to have a pastoral assistance for our priests. Because on that occupied territory, there is no local authority which takes responsibility for the security of the people. That territory is fragmented between different bands, who are in constant fight against each other. So travelling in that territory is getting extremely difficult.

Our chaplains, right now are present in almost whole front line, everywhere, especially in the most dangerous places. But we see our presence there as an encouragement and a help to save human lives, to prevent the escalation of anger and hatred, and also to help our soldiers to remain Christians, even in those unhuman situations. It is very interesting to listen to those chaplains, who are giving assistance not only to the soldiers, but even to their relatives. Right now, whole Ukrainian society, the soldier and civilians in that zone are affected by so-called Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, and we are trying to, through the presence of our priests, to help, even to prevent and treat that kind of stress disorder.

The Ukrainian Caritas, is the biggest humanitarian aid association in Ukraine after the Red Cross. So we are assisting refugees in different ways. Almost 50,000 people are under the direct assistance of Caritas through different programs. We are providing assistance, not only in that territory which is close to Donbass, but we are also developing our programs of welcome of those refugees and persons in whole territory of Ukraine, especially where we have our communities. Because many of those refugees, are present in the territory just nearby the front line.

There are some primary needs, first a place to stay, so homes, then we have to provide for them medical care and psychological and spiritual assistance, we have to help them to find a job and to integrate into Ukrainian society as well, the economic crisis which also affects Ukraine right now, does not help at all. We have to provide a special assistance to the children, because they have to go to school somewhere, and also we have to create some sort of network in order to study the needs and urgent appeals. But most important thing is not to forget those people. Pray for them and we are very grateful that really the Catholic solidarity, worldwide, right now is very efficient. And I would take this possibility to transmit our gratitude to everybody who is helping Ukraine, spiritually, financially, through the organisation of Caritas Internationalis and in the other ways. Those people are praying for you in Ukraine each day.

http://en.radiovaticana.va/news/2015...evchuk/1147898

[Natalka]

PM Harper to visit Ukraine

Ottawa, Ontario

1 June 2015

Prime Minister Stephen Harper today announced that he will travel to Germany to participate in the G-7 Schloss Elmau Summit on June 7 and 8, 2015. Prior to the Summit, he will travel to Kyiv, Ukraine, on June 6.

The G-7 Summit brings together the leaders of Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, the United Kingdom, the United States, and the European Union.

Discussions at this year’s G-7 Summit will focus on the global economy, development and key foreign policy and security challenges, including Russia’s continued aggression in Ukraine, actions by the so-called Islamic State of Iraq and Syria (ISIS) in Iraq and Syria, and Boko Haram in Africa.

During his visit to Ukraine – his third to the country since January 2014 – Prime Minister Harper will meet with President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk ahead of the G-7 Summit to discuss the international community’s response to Russian aggression and Canada’s continued support for Ukraine’s ambitious economic and democratic reforms.

“Canada continues to stand with the Ukrainian people against Russian aggression. We will continue to support the country as it takes the necessary steps towards freedom, security and prosperity. I look forward to receiving a personal update on the situation in Ukraine from President Poroshenko and Prime Minister Yatsenyuk prior to attending the G-7 Summit.” – Prime Minister Stephen Harper

http://pm.gc.ca/eng/news/2015/06/01/...-city-and-rome

[Natalka]

Good-bye #Lenin: monument in #Sloviansk was dismantled this am "in a civilized manner"

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 1h1 hour ago

Today #Odesa met its soldiers, who spent 9 months at the front in E #Ukraine







http://mayak.org.ua/news/orchestra-f...t-zone-photos/

[Natalka]

5h5 hours ago

#Russia|n's have shelled a hospital in Ukraine held #Krasnohorivka and is burning no word on casualties as of yet
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Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 3h3 hours ago

#Kyiv-1 battalion commander Deidey: massive artillery shelling started at Maryinka, Krasnohorivka this am, militants try to break through
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3h3 hours ago

Rus-backed militants concentrated their attacks on #Donetsk direction @ night/this am. Used mortars, artillery, tank
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Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 3h3 hours ago

Civilian vehicle w/ an elderly couple came under mortar fire near Kapitanove, #Luhansk region. Both were killed

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3h3 hours ago

Militants shelled areas in #Mariupol sector 5 times from midnight till 6am. Yesterday 1 serviceman was wounded
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Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 2h2 hours ago

BREAKING:battle nr #Maryinka is ongoing frm 4am,#Russian militants try to encircle #Ukraine's 28 brigade, ~25 UAs WIA
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1h1 hour ago

BREAKING #Russian army proxies shell #Donetsk

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Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 39m39 minutes ago
Ukraine

3 #Ukrainian servicemen were wounded in action in the last day, there were no lethal casualties - #ATO daily report

[Natalka]

Russian-Backed Forces Launch Major Assault Near Donetsk


Fighting erupted around the government-controlled town of Marinka (23km west-south-west of Donetsk city centre) in the morning of 3 June.

Reports of 2 Ukrainian Troops Killed, 39 Wounded, 3 Civilians Killed, 4 Wounded

1 - 43rd Independent Motor Rifle Brigade
26 - 28th Independent Motor Rifle Brigade
11 - 30th Independent Motor Rifle Brigade
1 - Ukrainian National Guard

According to the report, three Ukrainian military vehicles, one GAZ-66 truck and 2 UAZ-452 vans, were destroyed.

Biriukov (Yuri Biriukov, an adviser to the Presidential Administration) noted that while earlier reports had stated that three Ukrainian soldiers had been killed, one of those listed as such did in fact survive.
The soldier, from the 30th Brigade, pulled through "by a miracle."

Novosti Donbassa reported earlier this evening that the Interior Ministry had announced the deaths of 3 civilians in Marinka.

Four civilians were reported to have been wounded by shelling.

according to the Ukrainian military, 10 Russian-backed troops have been killed, four of which were Russian GRU Spetsnaz (Special Forces) soldiers, and more than 80 separatist fighters were wounded. Now the separatists themselves are saying that they suffered even higher casualties than this

[Natalka]

5h5 hours ago Ukraine Blast crater and damage to railroad from RU terrorist attack near #Odesa

[Natalka]

Full-scale Russian invasion real threat to Ukraine: Poroshenko


President Petro Poroshenko has warned of a future ‘full-scale' Russian invasion of Ukrainian territory and said some 9,000 regular Russian troops are already deployed in the country.

He made the comments during an annual speech to parliament in Kyiv on June 4. The statement was part of a speech centred around issues of war, the economy, reforms and Ukraine's path towards further EU integration.

Poroshenko told lawmakers: "A colossal threat of renewal of full-scale military actions by the Russian terrorist groups remains. Now on the territory of Ukraine there are 14 Russian tactical groups with total number of personnel exceeding 9,000 servicemen. Concentration of the Russian servicemen near the state border is bigger by half than a year ago,"
The military must be ready as much for a renewal of an offensive by the enemy in the Donbass as they are for a full-scale invasion along the whole length of the border with Russia. We must be truly ready for this."

And ready, Ukraine is. Poroshenko added that some 50,000 servicemen are deployed in eastern Ukraine.

http://uatoday.tv/politics/full-scal...ko-432696.html

[Natalka]

Update on losses in Maryinka

About 80 militants were killed and more than 100 injured during the battle near the town of Maryinka on Wednesday, presidential administration speaker for Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) issues, Colonel Andriy Lysenko said at a briefing in Kyiv on Thursday.

"According to operational information, the enemy suffered heavy losses yesterday. As a result of the battle near the town of Maryinka, the militants lost 10 armored vehicles, 80 people were killed, and more than 100 wounded," Lysenko said.

Ukrainian army also suffered casualties - five Ukrainian soldiers have been killed and another 38 injured in the Donbas conflict zone over the last 24 hours, according to Lysenko.

http://uatoday.tv/news/about-80-mili...ys-432828.html

[Natalka]

Canadian Armed Forces

22 hrs ·

#HMCS #Winnipeg is preparing to deploy overseas to join NATO forces in the Mediterranean Sea, as part of Operation REASSURANCE, Canada’s measures to promote security and stability in Central and Eastern Europe in light of the Putin regime’s aggression against Ukraine.

The ship is expected to set sail in the coming weeks and will replace HMCS Fredericton, which has been part of Standing NATO Maritime Forces since January 2015.

• In addition to the maritime component, Canada’s contribution to Operation REASSURANCE has included an Air Task Force to augment the NATO Baltic Air Policing mission in Lithuania, and currently includes a Land Task Force (LTF) in Eastern and Central Europe. The LTF is taking part in training exercises designed to develop and enhance interoperability, readiness, joint operations capabilities, and multinational responses to potential crises.
• HMCS Winnipeg’s deployment in support of NATO assurance measures will provide Canada with the flexibility to execute a range of missions in support of international efforts in the region. This includes surveillance and monitoring, regional defence, diplomatic engagement, and capacity-building.

Based out of Maritime Forces Pacific in Esquimalt, British Columbia, HMCS Winnipeg is a Halifax-class frigate with a crew of 250 personnel of all ranks, including a CH-124 Sea King helicopter and air detachment.

“HMCS Winnipeg’s participation in Operation REASSURANCE is key to Canada’s ongoing commitment to stand with Ukraine and to support our partners and allies in Central and Eastern Europe.”
Defence Minister Jason Kenney

“I look forward to seeing HMCS Winnipeg working in close cooperation with our NATO allies and partner nations to help bring security and stability to the region. The Royal Canadian Navy continues to be ready to deploy anywhere in the world, providing excellence at sea on behalf of the Government of Canada.”
Vice Admiral Mark Norman, Commander of the Royal Canadian Navy



http://news.gc.ca/web/article-en.do?...784.1419427179

[Natalka]

Stephen Harper says Russia can’t rejoin G-7 with Vladimir Putin in power


TORONTO — Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper said Thursday that Russia should never be allowed back in the Group of 7 as long as Vladimir Putin is president.

Harper said in an exclusive interview with The Associated Press that he expects the group won’t ever let Putin back in. He made the remarks ahead of his trip to Ukraine and the Group of 7 meeting in Germany this week.

Harper said even long before the Ukraine crisis, Russia has eroded any basis for belonging to the group of wealthy nations. He also noted that Russia has ramped up long range bomber patrols near North American airspace. The G-7 suspended Russia last year but hasn’t ruled out welcoming him back.

“I don’t think Russia under Vladimir Putin belongs in the G7. Period,” Harper said. “Canada would very, very strongly oppose Putin ever sitting around that table again. It would require consensus to bring Russia back and that consensus will just not happen.”

“This is a country that has shown a willingness to invade its neighbors, to actually seize territory that does not belong to it, and so I don’t think we should take this escalation of a hostile military posture lightly. It needs to be treated seriously,” Harper said.

http://globalnews.ca/news/2037124/st...utin-in-power/

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR ‏@EuromaidanPR 1h1 hour ago

Yana Zynkevych,19y.o. evacuated 128 WIA UA soldiers from the battlefields.
Awarded with medal "Hero of #Ukraine".BRAVO

[Natalka]

3 Jun

1more #Maidan hero Victor Orlenko joined Heavenly Hundred aftr struggling fr life >1yr

RIP

[Natalka]

--- on the lighter side ----

Ukrainians conquer America’s Got Talent with a stunning show

A powerful show of a couple dancing in the rain gained Golden Buzzer in America's Got Talent 2015 on 2 June.

Dance duo Freckled Sky was awarded with the Golden Buzzer by Howard Stern who sent Olga and Jaylin right to the live show. Many believe the duo is very likely to win the whole competition.


What does all of this have to do with Ukraine? The thing is, the performance was created by Ukrainian producer Oleh Bondarchuk, invited by the creators of the show, with the assistance of other Ukrainians: choreographer Olha Goldis, costume designer Anna Asmekhina and provider of visual and interactive solutions Front Pictures. The preparation stage and rehearsals took place in Kyiv.

[Natalka]

Stephen Harper arrives in Kyiv


Prime Minister Stephen Harper is presented with bread and salt as he and his wife Laureen arrive at the Boryspil airport in Kyiv, Ukraine, Saturday.

Harper is in Kyiv ahead of the G7 summit in Germany and will be meeting with Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko later today after a morning meeting with Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

"Canada is one of the strongest allies of Ukraine," Yatsenyuk told Harper as he thanked him and the Canadian people for their support.

During a visit to a local police academy, Harper said Canada would be sending 10 police officers to Ukraine to help reform the country's security sector in a partnership with the United States.

Harper announced the $5 million project during a visit in which he watched training exercises by police cadets. He also saw a display of some of the non-lethal military aid that Canada has given to Ukraine, including helmets, flak jackets and medical kits.



Prime Minister Stephen Harper speaks as Ukraine Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk looks on during a visit to the Academic Institute of the National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine for Training of Specialists for Public Safety, Psychological Service and National Guard of Ukraine Units in Kyiv, Ukraine Saturday June 6

http://www.ctvnews.ca/politics/shell...kyiv-1.2409589