News from Ukraine - 12/08/2015

HEAVY FIGHTING: SITUATION IN EASTERN UKRAINE GETTING OUT OF CONTROL

In eastern Ukraine, the situation threatens to get out of control again: Both Russian and Ukrainian media are reporting on new heavy fighting in the region. The OSCE confirmed this.

Donetsk, 2015

South Front,

8 December, 2015

Originally appeared at DWN, translated by Karin exclusively for SouthFront

The Russian news agency Tass reported Monday that Ukrainian troops have fired about 90 mines and grenades at night on the northern outskirts of Donetsk. Tass relies on information from representatives of the rebels of the self proclaimed Donetsk People’s Republic. According to the source, settlements in Sparak and Zhabichevo were mostly effected by the bombardment.

The Ukrainian agency Ukrinform reported about military actions as well on Monday. Within the last 24 hours one Ukrainian soldier was killed and three were wounded.. According to the press center of the staff of the antiterrorist operation (ATO) there were 51 additional shootings in the city of Donetsk.

The OSCE also confirms a resurgence of hostilities: On Saturday, four OSCE observers went in two armored vehicles to the city Yurivka, which is controlled by the rebels of the People’s Republic of Lugansk (LPR). There were said to be twelve 122-mm D-30 howitzers stationed. When the observers went towards the howitzers, the rebels gave warning shots into the air. The observers decided to leave the place immediately. There was, according to the OSCE no fatalities or injuries. The observer informed leading LPR members who confirmed the incident. They will investigate the given incident and inform the OSCE about the results.

The Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk asked the EU on Monday to maintain its economic sanctions against Russia because of the conflict in eastern Ukraine. Europe could not lift the sanctions as long as the Minsk peace agreement was not implemented, Yatsenyuk said after a meeting of the Association Council with the EU in Brussels. He said he was “convinced that the EU would show unity” and “the sanctions to be continued”. Yatsenyuk noted that a number of claims from the Minsk agreement were not fulfilled. This included permanent compliance with a cease-fire by pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country.

US Vice President Joe Biden traveled on Monday for talks to Kiev. He wants to talk with President Petro Poroshenko and Prime Minister Arseni Yatsenyuk, inter alia, about the implementation of the peace agreement adopted in Minsk in February. For Tuesday a speech in front of Parliament and a meeting with the mayor of Kiev Vitali Klitschko are planned.

"Donbass with Russell Bentley ('Texas')". Episode 1: "Blesna"

The first episode of our new series "Donbass with Russell Bentley" deals with the life of Donetsk People's Republic army soldiers on the front line. Texas has purposefully arrived to "Blesna" position where he fought this spring - which is what he will talk about.

You will see what dangers soldiers face on the front line and what their everyday life is like. You will see what they fight for and what they believe in.