Protests in Ukraine escalate

[Natalka]

- I had wondered why there were so many homecomings!

(dated Mar. 18)

Today in Ukraine begins demobilising soldiers, who served a year
According to the Presidential Decree of 14 January of the current year on partial mobilization "during the demobilization period from 18 March to 1 may 2015 retrained 35 thousand 300 soldiers. It's defenders, who were called upon for military service during the mobilization of the special period, according to the Decree of President of Ukraine dated 17 March 2014 No. 303 "on partial mobilization."

As per the Presidential Decree of January 14th, 2015, “On partial mobilization”, during the demobilization which will take place in the period between March 18, 2015, and May 1, 2015, 35,300 servicemen will be demobilized.

[Natalka]

Kirovohrad, central Ukraine

Defenders return home - you don't need to understand to see how happy everyone is!

[Natalka]

Medical assistance from Germany
March 17

President Petro Poroshenko, visited a military hospital of the Bundeswehr, where it met with the Federal Minister of defence of Germany, Ursuloû von der Lâên. President examined emergency department emergency medical aid and familiarized himself with the history of the treatment of Ukrainian military — participants of the ATO.

The head of State thanked the leadership of Germany and its Ministry of defence for helping the wounded Ukrainian military and activists Maidan.

"We agreed with Mrs. Minister about regular trips of the German doctors who will determine those wounded Ukrainian warriors who need quality medical care abroad. Our cooperation in the transfer of medical equipment for Ukrainian hospitals also will effectively continue, said the President.

The first hospital, which will help Germany, becomes the hospital for servicemen in Zaporozhye. "We have agreed that the process of transferring the equipment will be distributed to other clinics where professional Ukrainian doctors will be able to more efficiently and effectively to help Ukrainian soldiers», — reported the head of State.

In turn, the Defense Minister said: "we will intensify this collaboration will deliver equipment and sanitary materials to hospitals in Ukraine.

According to her, on March 15, German doctors arrived to Ukraine to take on the treatment of the wounded Ukrainian military. The Minister of Defense said that the plan to send the equipment for the Hospital of the city of Zaporozhye. "We all make in deference to Ukraine for its independence and freedom", — stressed he.

Ministry of defence of Germany will forward to a military hospital in the city of Zaporozhye as humanitarian aid medical equipment: one cardiopulmonary respiration, two medical monitors tracking the status of the wounded, one elektrohìrurgìčnij pribor (sic - sorry, don't know what that is), three medical transport vehicles, one medical, pharmaceutical refrigerator, three ultrasonic measurement and automatic nebulajzeri pressure pribor (sic).

In general the treatment in Germany were 44 of the citizen of Ukraine who suffered severe injuries in the square and in the zone of ATO. Financing costs associated with transport in both directions, treatment and rehabilitation, was carried out by the German side.

(amazing generosity!)

[Natalka]

Having completed the tasks within complex tactical training and reconnaissance of navigation regions on the Danube River, Ukrainian ship Kirovohrad (U-401) arrived to Izmail port.

A lot of local citizens, including young people visited the ship. Servicemen provided tours around the ship and told about service in the Ukrainian Navy. The Ukrainian Navy orchestra made a performance for them, too.

[Natalka]

Funeral for soldier who died after defending Debaltsave

At the army Academy said goodbye to graduate senior Lt. Denis Čabančukom. A young officer, which he served in 128 separate mountain-pìhotnìj team, put their lives selflessly (for) Ukraine from unprincipled pro-Russian terrorists in the zone of the ATO.

The tragedy occurred on 18 February this year, when Ukrainian defenders bravely defended city Debaltseve. In the battle Denis was injured. It tried to evacuate, along with other fighters, but the car that transport(ed) wounded, fell into an ambush the terrorists who do not posoromilis′ falsely use all available firing means for the reprisal wounded Ukrainian defenders.

Zaupokìjna liturgy for the eternal rest of Denis Čabančuka held academic Church of St. Archangel Michael at the army Academy named Hetman Petro Sagaydachny. When the body of Denis was carried through the institution, (soldiers) and officers created a vibrant corridor, giving thus the last honors of the Warrior.

[Natalka]

In Saratov (Russia), Russian youth came to the celebration of the occupation of Crimea with ribbons in the color of the Ukrainian flag, showing that they oppose the Russian annexation of the Ukrainian peninsula.

After the meeting, the police forcefully took them to the police station, but set them free after checking documents, giving no explanations.

[Natalka]

Russia celebrates anniversary of Crimea takeover – and eyes second annexation

Russia celebrated the one-year anniversary of its annexation of the Crimea peninsula from Ukraine on Wednesday with an open-air concert in the centre of Moscow, where crowds were addressed by Vladimir Putin.

The country’s president said the Russian people had shown “amazing patriotism” by supporting the annexation of Crimea, which Moscow regards as a “historical return”. Putin’s personal approval rating has reached record levels in the past year, despite the Crimea move leading to a worsening of relations with the west and the implementation of sanctions.
“We understood that in terms of Crimea it was not a matter of just some territory, however strategically important it is,” Putin told the crowd on Wednesday. “It was a matter of millions of Russian people, our compatriots, who needed our help and support.”

A year after the annexation, Putin admitted in a documentary aired on Sunday that Russian soldiers were involved in a well-planned operation to take Crimea. At the time, the Kremlin said it merely responded to a local grassroots movement.

ANOTHER ANNEXATION


Meanwhile, as Russia celebrated one annexation, it appeared to pave the way for another. South Ossetian leader Leonid Tibilov signed an “alliance and integration” treaty with Russian in the Kremlin on Wednesday. The treaty integrates the security services, the military, the economy and border guards of South Ossetia with those of Russia.
Western leaders condemned the agreement, saying it violated Georgia’s sovereignty and international law. Russia has run both South Ossetia and Abkhazia as protectorates after it recognised them as independent states following the brief war with Georgia in 2008.
“This so-called treaty is yet another move by the Russian Federation that hampers ongoing efforts by the international community to strengthen security and stability in the region,” said Nato secretary general Jens Stoltenberg in a statement.



(I can't translate Russian, not even make decent guesses.) Well, Crimea is ours - is one of the signs.

[Natalka]

He calls it reunification, the rest of the world call it annexation

According to the presidential website, Putin attended the "We're Together!" concert and meeting "celebrating the first anniversary of Crimea and Sevastopol's reunification with Russia."

The peninsula became part of the Soviet Union in 1917, following the Russian Revolution. But in 1991, following the breakup of the Soviet Union, it became part of a newly independent Ukraine.

On March 16, 2014, Crimea held a referendum on whether to continue as part of Ukraine or to cast its lot with the Russian Federation. The result was overwhelming, at least among those voting: 95% said they wanted to become part of Russia.

A mere two days later, Russia annexed the territory. Putin said later that he had been planning the move even before the referendum was held.

"Friends!" the President said in Red Square on Wednesday, according to his website, "Exactly one year ago, Russia, which we are speaking of so much right now, and the Russian people showed amazing togetherness and patriotism in supporting the aspirations of the people of Crimea and Sevastopol to return to their native shores."

The issue, he said, was "our history, our spirituality and our statehood, the things that make us a single people and single united nation."

http://www.cnn.com/2015/03/18/world/...n-anniversary/

[Natalka]

Time for fun, too - President Poroshenko goes with 20 soldiers to a soccer game, Europa league in Kyiv




Denys Horodnyuk of 95th brigade has b-day


Football Club Dynamo Kyiv wins!

[Natalka]

Another Lenin hits the dust in Orihiv, East Ukraine!

[Natalka]

#Moscow now [Novokuznetskaya metro]
.@solidarnost_rus party protest against #Russia's war in #Ukraine

[Natalka]

Lithuanian President to be given top Ukrainian honour




Lithuanian President Dalia Grybauskaite is in the Ukrainian capital today to receive a prestigeous award.


The Lithuanian leader is being honoured with Ukraine's Person of the Year Award, given by the Ukrainian Higher Academic Council. Grybauskaite is also scheduled to meet Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk.

The Baltic country leader has been a strong supporter of Ukraine and its territorial integrity in the face of Russian aggression, calling for arming Ukraine, providing medical assitance to wounded Ukrainian soldiers pushing for Ukraine's full integration into the European Union.

[Natalka]

Two Ukrainian soldiers killed in militant attacks in past 24 hours


Russian-backed militants continue to violate a ceasefire in eastern Ukraine

Two Ukrainian servicemen were killed in attacks by Russian-backed separatist insurgents in the east of Ukraine in the 24 hours up to Saturday morning despite an agreed ceasefire, the Kiev military said.

Clashes between government forces and separatists have fallen significantly in the past three weeks, raising tentative hopes of success for a peace plan to end a conflict that has killed more than 6,000 people.

But the Kiev military said rebel attacks were continuing to test the ceasefire across a wide area of the east including near Mariupol, on the Sea of Azov, one of the last big towns still held by the government.

"As a result of armed clashes we lost two Ukrainian service personnel and another seven received wounds," Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko told a briefing.

"In the past 24 hours there were 44 (rebel) attacks including attacks on populated areas," Lysenko added.

[Natalka]

[Natalka]

Children danced for #Ukraine unity at a patriotic flash-mob in #Mariupol