Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR @Euro maidanPR · 3h 3 hours ago

Loud salvos audible in #Mariupol come from Ukrainian anti-aircraft systems targeting enemy UAVs

Meanwhile, in #Donetsk shelling is heard around railway station & International airport

Explosions in the centre of Mariupol




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Near Shyrokyne off-road vehicle w/ Ukr servicemen hit an anti-tank mine. 2 were KIA, 1 WIA, now in #Mariupol hospital

[Natalka]

(note - Bing translation from FB post by a mom in Ukraine)

My 16 year old daughter Masha has autism. But she found a way to help the country. She had a gorgeous, long, thick hair. She went to the Barber, short podstriglas′, and the hair is sold. Got 830 UAH. (note - just over $44 CAD)

With the money she bought a set of tremobel′â, warm Balaclava, a pair of socks and gloves. Wrote a warm letter from our soldiers and took it all in the reception point for ATO.

Think of a country where even a child suffering from autism, trying to be helpful, Putin does not handle

[Natalka]

Russian-backed militants violate truce 10 times on Sunday

From 0000 to 18000 Kyiv time on April 5, Russian-backed militants did not cease fire and were shelling the Ukrainian forces participating in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in Ukraine's east.

"Militants used mostly small arms in their attacks. In addition, they opened artillery and mortar fire and used anti-tank guided weapons," the ATO press center reported.


In particular, at 1530 local time on Sunday the enemy used 100mm caliber cannons to fire at ATO troops near on the village of Leninske in Donetsk region.


At 1320 terrorist gangs were shelling the Ukrainian positions near the town of Mayorsk from 120mm caliber mortars and automatic grenade launchers.


What is more, Russian-backed militants haven't given up attempts to oust the Ukrainian troops from the town of Avdiyivka and the villages of Opytne and Pisky in order to advance and grab more territory in Donetsk region.
The enemy also used anti-tank missile systems to fire at the ATO forces near the town of Schastia in Luhansk region and the village of Chermalyk near the Ukrainian-controlled city of Mariupol in Donetsk region.

Read more on UNIAN: http://www.unian.info/war/1063907-ru...on-sunday.html

[Natalka]

Euromaidan PR @Euro maidanPR · 4h 4 hours ago

16 more Ukr servicemen were liberated from captivity, are heading to Ukr-controlled territory from #Donetsk




Markiyan Lubkivsky, an advisor to the head of the Security Service of Ukraine (SBU), said about 400 more Ukrainians prisoners of war are held by militants in the Russia-occupied territory of Ukraine.

[Natalka]

(Ukr. Orthodox) Patriarch Filaret blessed Easter cakes for UA servicemen, volunteers will take them to frontlines.





note - I saw a video with them, they are beautiful - are decorated really nicely and on top is written Христос Воскрес! (Christ is Risen!)

[Natalka]

Volunteers took to the front Easter food that people of Tyachiv area, Zakarpatska region collected

(so special that some are full Easter baskets)

[Natalka]

Monday, April 6. CHERNIHIV OBLAST — At the 169th training center of the Land Forces of Ukraine over 500 mobilized servicemen took the oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people.

The leaders of the training center thanked the soldiers for courage, patriotism and readiness to defend Ukraine.


The servicemen will stay at the center for military drills and then they will be sent to military units for accomplishment of tasks assigned.

[Natalka]

Amnesty International:
New evidence of summary killings of Ukrainian soldiers must spark urgent investigations


Shocking new evidence of “execution-style killings” by pro-Russian armed groups in Donbass, eastern Ukraine, illustrates the urgent need for action to tackle the escalating human rights and humanitarian crisis in the area, said Amnesty International.

“The new evidence of these summary killings confirms what we have suspected for a long time. The question now is: what are the separatist leaders going to do about it?” said Denis Krivosheev, Europe and Central Asia Deputy Director at Amnesty International.

“The torture, ill-treatment and killing of captured, surrendered or wounded soldiers are war crimes. These claims must be promptly, thoroughly and impartially investigated, and the perpetrators prosecuted in fair trials by recognized authorities.”

“Summary killings are a war crime, plain and simple. The leaders of the self-styled ‘Donetsk People's Republic’ in eastern Ukraine must send their members a clear message: those who fight with them or on their behalf must respect the laws of war. They must urgently remove from their ranks anyone suspected of responsibility for ordering or committing serious violations of international humanitarian law and human rights abuses, and fully cooperate with any independent investigation.”

https://www.amnesty.org/en/articles/...nvestigations/

[gryphon]

Their Easter is this week right? Prayers for them over the holidays

[Natalka]

#Kharkiv met its heroes from the front yesterday

[Natalka]

yes, gryphon, it's Easter this weekend

#Lviv volunteers repaired 3 armoured vehicles & baked 500 #Easter cakes for #Ukraine's soldiers

[Natalka]

Toronto performance cancelled over political views

The Toronto Symphony Orchestra has cancelled performances by Ukrainian-born pianist Valentina Lisitsa.
Lisitsa, who was born in Kiev, Ukraine and now lives in the U.S., was scheduled to play at Roy Thomson Hall on April 8 and 9. She is of Russian/Polish background.
A statement from TSO president and CEO Jeff Melanson seemed to confirm Lisitsa’s account, saying the pianist was replaced “due to ongoing accusations of deeply offensive language by Ukrainian media outlets.”
“Valentina Lisitsa’s provocative comments have overshadowed past performances,” the statement read, possibly referring to a small protest that formed outside of a Pittsburgh performance last year.
“As one of Canada’s most important cultural institutions, our priority must remain on being a stage for the world’s great works of music, and not for opinions that some believe to be deeply offensive.”

Some of those tweets were about Ukraine regressing as a nation and the western part of the country dreaming of “a hut with an orchard” as opposed to “industrial manufacturing might.” Others depicted Ukrainian politicians as pigs, with one picture showing the rear ends of the animal as the “leaders” of the country.


Melanson said Lisitsa used her fame to spread her message, and accused her of making comments that were "very damaging and denigrating to other human beings."
Though he said it was unlikely, Melanson said there was concern Lisitsa would use the stage to voice those views.
“We weren’t sure how she was going to use that platform, to be honest.”

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TORONTO -- A Ukrainian-born pianist barred from performing with the Toronto Symphony Orchestra who planned to perform at a north Toronto church tonight (Apr. 9) won't be permitted to play there.
Valentina Lisitsa posted on Twitter Thursday that she would give a free concert at Lawrence Park Community Church and that "everyone is welcome."
However, it was cancelled.

---------------
Some examples of her tweets

http://www.examiner.com/list/valenti...c-to-your-ears

[Natalka]

Commemorating victims of Nazi concentration camps: survivors, children lay flowers in Babi Yar

(mass murders in Kyiv, 1941)
http://www.holocaustresearchproject....z/babiyar.html

[Natalka]

President Poroshenko arrives to Odesa,
marking liberation from German-Nazi occupants

The first item of President’s agenda was to lay flowers to the Monument of Unknown Soldier. Due to frequent explosions in the city, strengthened security measures were taken. Only veterans, orchestra, city officials and several accredited mass-media were allowed to join the President in laying the flowers near the eternal flame. They had to pass special security gates, their bags were examined





The Odesa Self-Defence also came to greet President and to ensure security together with the police and regional guard. There were many national flags, people sang Ukrainian anthem and shouted traditional “Glory to Ukraine, to Heroes Glory!” Petro Poroshenko expressed gratitude for such warm meeting.

[Natalka]

You must appreciate how cool it is that the President posts pics of his wife baking Easter bread, and includes her recipe on his FB page!