Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Петро Порошенко‏Verified account @poroshenko

Today we remember the Ukrainian patriots who since the beginning of the events in the Eastern Ukraine voluntarily vizvalisâ to protect the State from Russian aggression, not having any relation to the army. Thank to the volunteers. I believe our unity and determination to bring us victory!

[Natalka]

The heroism and courage of Ukrainian volunteer fighters allowed the state to create a powerful army and restore its defense-industrial complex.
Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) Oleksandr Turchynov stated this in his greeting on the occasion of the Day of the Ukrainian Volunteer Fighter

“Thanks to the heroism and self-sacrifice of our volunteer fighters, who went first and started to defend their country, Ukraine outstood and proved to the whole world that it is capable of protecting itself. We proved that our state was, is and will be! Thanks to your courage it became possible to win necessary time for creating a powerful army, restoring the defense-industrial complex, developing and producing new weapons,” Turchynov said.
He reminded that four years ago, when the aggressor attacked Ukraine, he called on the patriots to take arms and defend their homeland.
"Then the true Ukrainian patriots went straight to the front, and without military training, high-quality weapons, even military uniforms, they stopped the Russian invasion. Deep honor for you and eternal glory! We bow down before the heroes who were killed, defending their native land!,” the NSDC secretary said.

https://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-def...d-courage.html

[Natalka]

20-year-old Ivan Ivankiv was killed in the war zone on March 10, 2018. Location and circumstances are under investigation.
Ivan was born in the village of Rosilna, Ivano-Frankivsk Oblast on January 18, 1998. He enlisted in spring of 2017 and served in the 10th Mountain Assault Brigade. Ivan was wounded twice in combat.
Ivan leaves behind his grieving parents, brother and sister. He was the youngest in the family…
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian-backed troops launch four attacks against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors.
One Ukrainian serviceman wounded.
The UN Multi-Partner Trust Fund (UN MPTF) has allocated $2 million for restoration and peacemaking in Donbas.The funds were provided by the Governments of Canada and Sweden, and they will be administered by the World Bank in accordance with the priorities defined by the state target program called "The restoration and establishment of peace in the eastern regions of Ukraine,

[Natalka]

Oleksandr Kaurov, call sign “Sakha”, died in the war zone on March 11, 2018. Exact location and cause of death are under investigation.
Oleksandr was born in Mariupol, Donetsk Oblast on February 7, 1997. He served in the 1st Battalion of the 93rd Separate Mechanized Brigade. Oleksandr enlisted when he turned 18 and first joined the Karpatska Sich Battalion.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
How wonderful to report a peaceful 24 hours... the first since the so-called "spring truce" was declared on March 5 - no shellin, no explosions and no rifle fire from the Russian-occupation troops.

President Petro Poroshenko during a meeting with the ambassadors of G7 countries, including the USA, Japan, Germany, UK, France, Italy and Canada: "I would like to discuss Russian election of March 18. It would be critically important for us to get your firm statement of condemnation and non-recognition of Russian election in Crimea.It would be also important that you don’t allow your citizens to go to Crimea to monitor the election there." Poroshenko added that this referred to the representatives of France, Austria and Finland. "This could destroy the one-voice policy on the Crimean election."

[Natalka]

Vodiane is a village in Volnovakha district in Donetsk region of Ukraine.

Vodiane comes under militant mortar fire after daylong truce

[Natalka]

Oleksandr Shvets died of multiple wounds caused by a mine explosion on March 11, 2018 near Shyrokyne, Donetsk Oblast.
Oleksandr was born in Oleksandriya, Kirovohrad Oblast in 1971. He served as junior sergeant, gunner in the 503rd Separate Naval Infantry Battalion. He was mobilized in 2015 and enlisted in 2016.
Oleksandr leaves behind his grieving mother, wife and children.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
"Spring truce" lasted just a day..... unfortunately, as Russian proxy troops launch four attacks on Ukrainian positions in Luhansk, Donetsk and Mariupol sectors.
No casualties on the Ukrainian side.

[Natalka]

Andriy Ivanyshyn was killed in Donetsk Oblast on March 11, 2018. Exact location and circumstances are under investigation. (No photo available)
Andriy was born in Lviv on April 29, 1976. He graduated from the Railway Transport College in Lviv. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
Andriy leaves behind his grieving mother.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

20-year-old Mark Hudzovsky, call sign “Upryamy” passed away in Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro on March 14, 2018. During combat near the village of Vodyane, Donetsk Oblast on March 10, Mark was seriously wounded in the head by an enemy sniper. He was immediately transferred first to a mobile hospital in Mariupol and then to Mechnikov Hospital in Dnipro. Doctors fought day and night to save Mark, but he slipped away on March 14.
Mark was from Dnipro. He served as gunner in the 1st Special-Purpose Azov Battalion of the National Guard. He went to fight when he turned 18, and joined the Azov Regiment in August 2015.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
In Luhansk sector - Russian mercenaries fire on Ukrainian positions near Troyitske using large-caliber machine guns and BMP-1 vehicles. No attacks recorded in Donetsk sector.
No casualties on the Ukrainian side.

President Petro Poroshenko announces end of Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) in Donbas and transition to the Joint Forces Operation.
Speaking before Ukrainian troops in Luhansk region, President Petro Poroshenko says Russia has strengthened its military presence on the border with Ukraine as several mechanized divisions are fully prepared for intervention.

[Natalka]

Statement by Minister of Foreign Affairs on fourth anniversary of illegal annexation of Crimea

From Global Affairs Canada
March 16, 2018 - Ottawa, Ontario

The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today issued the following statement:
“On the fourth anniversary of Russia’s illegal invasion and annexation of Crimea, Canada joins with the international community and continues to condemn this violation of Ukraine’s sovereignty and territorial integrity.

“Since Russia’s occupation of Crimea, we have witnessed severe human rights violations—committed by state agents of Russia— including the suppression of freedom of expression and association, arbitrary arrests, torture, detentions and disappearances. Canada will not recognize the illegitimate extension of Russia's presidential elections to annexed Ukrainian territory.

“We call for the release of all political prisoners held by Russia, including Oleg Sentsov, a writer and a filmmaker, who for his outspoken criticism of Russia’s occupation is serving a politically driven sentence of 20 years in a maximum security penal colony.
“In December 2017, I attended the 24th Ministerial Council of the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe, where I met with Pavlo Klimkin, Ukraine’s Foreign Minister, and Ilmi Umerov and Akhtem Chiygoz, Deputy Chairmen of the Mejlis of Crimean Tatars, to discuss what Canada can do to support more Crimean Tatars. Their stories of violence and persecution are heartbreaking.

“Canada will continue to work closely with Crimean Tatar organisations to find concrete ways to raise awareness about the situation in Crimea and to promote and protect their human rights. Canada will continue to denounce the banning of the Mejlis, the self-governing body of an Indigenous people, and to call on Russia to reverse this illegal and immoral decision.

“Today, to help reinforce Ukraine’s resilience, I am announcing $4.65 million to support training for the Ukrainian Armed Forces (UAF). This funding will provide equipment to support first aid and military police training to the UAF.
“Canada is unreserved in its support for the people of Ukraine. We will continue to maintain pressure, including through economic sanctions, until Russia meets its obligations under international law and respects Ukraine’s sovereignty.”



https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affa...of-crimea.html

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Donetsk sector - enemy troops fire grenade launchers against Ukrainian positions near Opytne.
No attacks in Luhansk or Mariupol sector.
No casualties on the Ukrainian side.

[Natalka]

Savage animals…
Maksym Svintsitsky was laid to rest in his native village of Polonne on March 18, 2018. Maksym was killed on March 15, 2018, on route by train “Khmelnitsky-Lisichansk” to his deployment post. His mutilated body was found between the tracks in Popilnyansky Raion, Zhytomyr Oblast. Police are conducting an investigation.
Maksym was born in 1995 in Polonne, Khmelnytsky Oblast. He served as Lieutenant, Deputy Chief of the Communications in the Field Communication Unit of the 44th Separate Artillery Brigade.
Maksym was an only child. He graduated with honours from high school and went on to study at Kyiv University. He graduated in 2017 and two months later he was deployed to the war zone, serving 120 days on the front.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!