Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian occupation forces launch 39 attacks against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors, 19 using Minsk-banned heavy artillery and mortars.
Escalation reported in Luhansk, Zaitseve, Novolugansk, Novoselivka, Novotoretsk, Bohdanivka, Hranitne, Chermalyk, Toretsk , Stala Mykolayivka and Horlivka.
No Casualties on the Ukrainian side.
5 enemy terrorists killed, 4 wounded (according to Ukrainian intelligence services)

[Natalka]

Ukrainian Defense Minister Stepan Poltorak reports that more than 55,500 women serve in the Armed Forces today, with more than 6,000 deployed in Eastern Ukraine (as of November, 2017).
Women have been allowed to serve in combat units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine since June 3, 2016.

[Natalka]

22-year-old Maryan Korchak, call sign “Khytry”, was killed near Zaitseve, Donetsk Oblast on May 25, 2018.
Maryan was born in the village of Shklo, Lviv Oblast on September 6, 1995. He studied at Vocational College No.29 in Lviv from 2010-2015 and graduated with a degree in mechanics. In 2016, he enlisted as a volunteer with the 1st Assault Unit of Pravy Sektor Volunteer Corps.
Maryan leaves behind his grieving parents, brother and sister.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian occupation troops launch 33 attacks against Ukrainian positions in Luhansk, Donetsk and Mariupol sectors, 19 using heavy artillery and mortars.
Heavy fighting in Krymske, Troyitske, Luhansk, Maryinka, Vodyane and Shyrokine.
2 Ukrainian soldiers wounded.
2 enemy insurgents killed, 4 wounded.
Ukrainian intelligence observes active concentration of Russian troops near Ukrainian-Russian border, which testifies to preparation of Russian military and political leadership for large-scale provocations and offensive actions.

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian hybrid troops launch 28 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors, 3 using Minsk-banned artillery and mortars.
1 Ukrainian serviceman killed, 4 wounded.
4 enemy insurgents killed, 5 wounded.
Ukrainian army downs unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) of Russian-led militants in Donbas that was making reconnaissance of the Ukrainian army positions.
EU Spokesperson for Foreign Affairs Maja Kocijancic:"The EU expects international human rights standards in Crimea to be upheld & all illegally detained Ukrainian citizens in Russia and on the Crimean peninsula to be released without delay."

[Natalka]

Today, Ukrainians celebrate Zeleni Svyata (Green Holidays), an ancient pre-Christian fertility festival closely linked to the spring-to-summer transition, the cult of the dead and agricultural rites. In modern day Ukraine it is closely tied to and celebrated along with Pentecostal Sunday and Monday.
The insides and outsides of homes are decorated with grasses and greenery, fragrant plants and wildflowers, birch, linden and oak branches – symbols of vegetative power. First, the greenery must be taken to church and blessed by the priest. Grasses and greenery are believed to possess special powers that protect dwellings from evil and magic. Young girls and boys get together, weave wreaths, sing, dance and welcome the summer period.

[Natalka]

23-year-old Viktor Ferliyevych was killed by a landmine near Horlivka, Donetsk Oblast May 26, 2018.
Viktor was born in Konyatyn, Chernivtsi Oblast on August 26, 1994. He served as senior soldier and driver in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
He got married at the beginning of 2018; his wife also serves in the same brigade.
Viktor leaves behind his brother.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

8 hrs · Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian proxies launch 22 attacks against Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors, 4 using banned-by-Minsk artillery and mortars.
2 Ukrainian soldiers wounded, 1 missing in action
3 enemy insurgents killed, 3 wounded

[Natalka]

22-year-old Yaroslav Dashkevych, call sign “Ryzhy” (Red), died from his wounds in hospital on May 27, 2018.
Yaroslav was born in the village of Synarna, Vinnytsia Oblast on October 5, 1994. He served in the 24th Separate Mechanized Brigade.
On May 26, during a routine patrol between checkpoints, his IFV was ambushed by the enemy. After a short skirmish, the enemy reconnaissance group was destroyed, but Yaroslav was seriously wounded by a landmine explosion.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian occupation troops launch 37 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Mariupol, Donetsk and Luhansk sectors.
6 Ukrainian soldiers wounded
15-year-old girl killed in enemy shelling of village of Zalizne
3 enemy insurgents killed, 5 wounded
19-year-ole Ukrainian MIA near Mariupol was captured by enemy "DNR" forces.

[Natalka]

15-year-old schoolgirl Darya Kazemyrova, killed by enemy shell fragment near village of Zalizne May 28.

[Natalka]

Ruslan Mulyar was killed during heavy shelling in Luhansk Oblast on May 26, 2018.
Ruslan was born in Ternopil on January 24, 1975. For more than 17 years, he served as Lieutenant Colonel in the Alpha Unit of the Secret Service of Ukraine (SBU). He was deployed to the war zone in 2014.
Ruslan leaves behind his grieving wife, 2 sons, a daughter and a grand-child.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian-backed troops launch 37 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Luhansk, Donetsk and Mariupol sectors, 9 using banned artillery and mortars.
4 Ukrainian soldiers wounded.
3 enemy militants killed, 3 wounded (Ukrainian intelligence)
Russian occupation forces shell village of Nelipivka near Toretsk, where OSCE representatives launched an unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) to monitor the area.

[Natalka]

Yuriy Zhuravliov was killed during heavy shelling in Luhansk Oblast on May 26, 2018.
Yuriy was born in Myrnohrad, Donetsk Oblast on May 12, 1973. He resided in Berdyansk, Zaporizhzhya Oblast. He served as warrant officer of the Secret Service of Ukraine (SBU) and member of the Alpha Unit. He was deployed to the war zone in 2014.
Yuriy leaves behind his grieving wife and two children.
Вічна Пам’ять! Eternal Memory!
Герої не вмирають! Heroes Never Die!

[Natalka]

Past 24 hours in the war zone
Russian-backed militants launch 28 attacks on Ukrainian positions in Donetsk, Luhansk and Mariupol sectors, 9 using 22-mm artillery, 120 and 82-mm mortar systems.
2 Ukrainian servicemen wounded.
2 enemy insurgents killed, 4 wounded (Ukrainian intelligence)

Russia's representatives at the Trilateral Contact Group's Minsk talks on Donbas reject Ukraine's proposal to swap 23 Russian citizens convicted in Ukraine for Ukrainian political prisoners held in Russia.