Russia declares war on Ukraine. Live updates from inside Ukraine

a reply to: zilebeliveunknown

Bottom line is that Nato is known for killing civilians. Period.

...the fact that a military organization kills civilians with it's actions is a shock to you? Give me an example of a military force the size of NATO with less civilian kills. Go ahead, I'll wait...

let me ask you what are we going to do with these regions in Europe who want independance: Catalonia, Basque country, Veneto region, Northern Epirus, South Tyrol, Corsica, Sardinia etc etc???

The same you do with all the nations that were born recently around the World. If they manifest their will accordingly and things are handled well, they will provably be granted status of independent state.

Whole Europe is a frecking time bomb waiting to explode.

...more than Africa with all it's divisions and ethnic problems, with countries born by outsiders influence?

...more than Asia afflicted with several tribal-like disputes, with current territorial disputes and unstable states (N.Korea, just as an example...)?

...more than the Middle East?

...South America?

I think Europe is just fine. Except that northern part that starts with an U...

I don't remember seeing the info here, but it seems a journalist was kidnapped Thursday in Slavyansk by separatists:

The media and the public demand from international organizations to immediately respond to the kidnapping of a journalist in Ukraine Sergey Lefter . This is stated in the open letter , published on the website " Telekritika ." "We - the Ukrainian and Polish journalists, members of the public - appeal to world and European community , including the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE ) and other international organizations are requested to respond to the kidnapping of journalist Sergei Lefter ," - said in a statement . " We declare that the accusations against Sergei Lefter of espionage and links with " the right sector " unsubstantiated , are provocative and there is direct evidence of pressure on independent journalists in the eastern regions of Ukraine ," - said in a statement . The signatories call on international organizations condemnation action pro " protesters " in relation to the media in eastern Ukraine , as well as calling for "use all available diplomatic tools to find and release from captivity journalist Sergei Lefter ." Currently a petition of more than 100 signatures , the letter opened for signature, On Thursday, the Ukrainian journalist Sergei Lefter was captured by militants in Slavic . According to media reports , he kept in the basement of the building gorupravleniya SBU.

www.ukrinform.ua...

#Russia calls to the Right Sector to lay down their weapons. No any word about separatists at E.#Ukraine expres.ua/news/2014/04/1… @ExpresLviv

It seems there is a shoot-out in progress at the Slavyansk, according to some twitter posts. Nothing on the media yet, so it is still unconfirmed.

RT! URGENT! # SLAVYANSK! On teletower Sloviansk shootout occurs .. vk.cc/2vtkL5 # # Ukraine Kiev Ukraine # # Ukraine # Kiev

a reply to: asen_y2k

Right Sector will not lay down weapons

Any fighting with the separatists, Russia will point finger at Right Sector and Svoboda

That makes Russian invasion more justified and legal

Rest will be West Ukraine and East Ukraine as new nations

End of the story

Journalists in Slavyansk forced to stop transmitting info:

As you know , 12 April Slavic Slavic sylovykyZhurnalisty in Donetsk region to suspend operations.

This is the chief editor of " Slavic Information" head CYM Oleg Zontov , write news Donbass.

According to him, the streets hazardous to appear on camera or video camera , and on newsstands hanging ad " No local press ."

As the Zontov in the city police department recently raided by armed men . At that time there were journalists.

"Someone obviously gave the command to arrest me because I jumped in and began to wring his hands. I managed to escape, but I heard the warning does not appear on the eyes - said the journalist. - There then arrested the student and journalist Roman lip. Later released Roma but followed him . Slavic since journalists working in war conditions - they have taken the technique , forcing flash to give the materials . lot of editors have decided not to go this week . "

According Zontova , after the capture of the tower does not work in digital television and the Internet.

"The city was in the information blockade . Separatists aggressive attitude to foreign journalists. Operators on the BBC was forced to give the memory card from the footage . Unknown , where the journalist Sergei Lvov Lefter , who was kidnapped by activists of " self-defense "- said Zontov .

He also said that Roman lip had to leave the Slavic after the night of April 17, a group of armed men burst into the dormitory where he lived.

Sam journalist managed to leave the hostel , but all things - equipment, documents and money were " written " and removed. Roman left a message that he can pick up things in the SBU , which is controlled by armed separatists in military bearing .

" The novel has become a target for separatists. During the last two months, he has received numerous threats over his material ," - said Zontov .

However, the chief editor of "Islands" Sergei Garmash reported that the words " yang continues broadcasting of Russian channels instead of Ukrainian .

On April 16, unidentified Slavic captured journalist Fund "Open Dialogue", which implements the mission monitor the situation in the East of Ukraine Sergey Lefterov. His whereabouts are still unknown.

On the night of April 17 Slavic armed men took all the documents and office equipment in Roman Lips journalist during a night search of his apartment.

Ukrainian Pravda

originally posted by: asen_y2k

#Russia calls to the Right Sector to lay down their weapons. No any word about separatists at E.#Ukraine expres.ua/news/2014/04/1… @ExpresLviv

Uhm it might be my viewpoint, but when you want a ceasefire, shouldn't you adress both sides "to lay down weapons"?
Russia acts a little bit strange here, except this is another little propagnda tidbit

originally posted by: WCmutant

originally posted by: asen_y2k
Preparations for seperatist rallies in Odessa

While #Tymoshenko smarm Akhmetov&PartyOfRegion, Kyvalov prepare separatist's rally in #Odessa facebook.com/BoycotteInUkra… pic.twitter.com/DwHZbwP9f1

Asen, you previously said that a year ago Ukraine was a peaceful country. Is there not a mindset among some Ukrainians (ethnic or otherwise) that a lot of this provocation leading to the Svoboda Party taking power has a lot to do with US/western intervention/instigation?

Or at this point does it not matter to them?

Many quietly acknowledge that there was a western hand in removal of Yanukovich, but the western part benefitted thus they dont mind, infact they are somewhat thankful for their help.

originally posted by: Talliostro

originally posted by: asen_y2k

#Russia calls to the Right Sector to lay down their weapons. No any word about separatists at E.#Ukraine expres.ua/news/2014/04/1… @ExpresLviv

Uhm it might be my viewpoint, but when you want a ceasefire, shouldn't you adress both sides "to lay down weapons"?
Russia acts a little bit strange here, except this is another little propagnda tidbit

Yes but Russia holds the view that the 'illigitamit government in Kiev is occupying the buildings and maidan in Kiev' they signed the deal eith the understanding that they must step down. Big play on words here.

Unconfirmed info popping up about events in Eastern Ukraine:

Kramatorsk: "Central Office of PrivatBank attacked. Information is unofficial and has not confirmed" via @novostidnua #Ukraine

Interesting analysis on the similarities between the 'ink blot' counterinsugency technique used by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan and events unfolding today in Eastern Ukraine:

carnegie.ru...

Also,from my point of view, to better understand the reasons behind capturing those town in E Ukraine take a look at the map on the link below, showing the Ukrainian railroad system:

www.bueker.net...

LE: Also, a map showing Ukraine's major Defense Industry facilities:

www.globalsecurity.org...

OSCE rep. for freedom of press noted significant danger towards journalists in Eastern Ukraine(via Google Translate):

Representative of OSCE media freedom Dunja Mijatovic noted a significant danger for journalists in eastern Ukraine and Crimea .

This is the conclusion she reached after a three-day visit to the south- eastern regions of Ukraine , reports Deutsche Welle .

Mijatovic called examples of violations of journalists kidnapping site editor Gorlovka.ua Alexander Bilinsky and journalists projects Hromadske TV and Lenta.ru, marauding riots in offices and newspapers Gorlovka.ua "Criminal express " the burning car in Odessa , which belonged to the first urban channel , burning car in Donetsk, editor of the website " News of Donbass " Alexis Matsuki more.

"These attacks reach the scale of aggressive attacks and insults to physical violence. They committed it to journalists , that people who identify themselves with the press ," - said the representative of the OSCE.

" Freedom of speech, freedom of the press is a reflection of the overall level of safety. From my point of view , the situation in eastern Ukraine and Crimea are blatant and gives reason to expect a deterioration in the case unless there is some positive changes right now," - said Mijatovic .

She also stressed that the widely publicized absolutely need all instances of attacks or obstruction of journalists , as attacks on journalists - "is , in fact, attacks on democracy and infringement of the principles on which democratic society is built ."

www.theinsider.ua...

Euromaidan PR @EuromaidanPR 117checkpoints across #Ukraine bolstered w/ Maidan self-defense activists, #Parubiy. censor.net.ua |EMPR pic.twitter.com/HLYBJIc0H0 32 mins ago 12 retweets | 3 replies

A report which alleges to be confirmed says armed ppl stormed a Roma home in Slavyansk. Yesterday fliers intimidating Jews & today Romas

Uncofirmed info on possible return of Yanukovich to Ukraine, possibly to Donetsk, to take place through Berdiansk, according to SBU:

Immediately after the announcement of the possible appearance of Yanukovych was blocked by concrete structures only strip airport. Planes sit here now can not , except that the helicopters ", - noticed the source.

According to the publication , now in security measures , there is a group working SBU and military intelligence , all entrances and approaches to the city are blocked checkpoints .

" All machines undergo a thorough inspection. In downtown duty activists Maidan. Are under the protection of the city hall , police and military office . Evening air defense brigade supposedly gave the command to remove surveillance airspace , border guards knew nothing about it , "- said in a statement .

According to unconfirmed information , at night in Berdyansk profit SBU managers to detain one of the commanders of the defense .

Earlier on April 16 Regnum citing sources reported that Yanukovych will return to Ukraine on April 20, Easter. According to the source , Yanukovich will arrive in Donetsk.

tvrain.ru...

"Right Sector" refuses to comply with Geneva agreement and will not pull back it's fighters form S-E #Ukraine rushor.com/news/17404

Ukrainian conducted poll

E.#Ukraine poll:51%#Turchynov is illegitimate;70%no danger for #Russian lng/;45%want to stay wUkraine zn.ua/UKRAINE/mneniy… @MaximEristavi

originally posted by: Dutzy
Interesting analysis on the similarities between the 'ink blot' counterinsugency technique used by the US in Iraq and Afghanistan and events unfolding today in Eastern Ukraine:

carnegie.ru...

Also,from my point of view, to better understand the reasons behind capturing those town in E Ukraine take a look at the map on the link below, showing the Ukrainian railroad system:

www.bueker.net...

LE: Also, a map showing Ukraine's major Defense Industry facilities:

www.globalsecurity.org...

Yrs i noticed that as well also if you look there creating a wall trying to split Ukraine in two. They would need a way to get to Crimea i think thats the long game. Bottom line its to ship or fly in supplies much cheaper for railway. See i saw the long term estimates for costs and Russia wont be able to afford it. Crimea is expected to cost up to 200 billion dollars over the next couple of years. To be honest im not sure Russia planned for the drain on there economy. Even Ukraine spent more money in Crimea than they received. Even with Russia paying for the base rental i was reading it was a very poor area said over half the population was on pensions. Heck Russia might have done Ukraine a favor maybe you can get them to take Chernobyl as well after all its their mess.

a reply to: GarrusVasNormandy

...the fact that a military organization kills civilians with it's actions is a shock to you?

So it's not of a shock to you? You're condonig actions against civilians? Are you insane?
Sooner or later whoever ordered bombs to be dropped on civilians will be tried, they will face justice and no mercy will be showed to them. And spare me of idiotic terms such as 'collateral damage', innocent lives has been lost and that is sufficient to me.

Give me an example of a military force the size of NATO with less civilian kills. Go ahead, I'll wait...

But there isn't one. Nato is only one with rivers of blood flowing from their hands.

The same you do with all the nations that were born recently around the World.

There is no such thing as nations being born recently. They were in one point in history on their own before their liberties has been usurped by others. And we're talking hundereds of regions in Europe only.

If they manifest their will accordingly and things are handled well, they will provably be granted status of independent state.

Do you realise that there is no legal possibilities for any of them to manifest their will? That is why # like in Ukraine happens.

...more than Africa with all it's divisions and ethnic problems, with countries born by outsiders influence?

...more than Asia afflicted with several tribal-like disputes, with current territorial disputes and unstable states (N.Korea, just as an example...)?

...more than the Middle East?

...South America?

And I agree with this, so to expand my point the whole world is in a mess.
In every point of time there is war somewhere on this planet, and that is the sad state of things.

#Slavyansk (occupied by pro-#Russians): Civil white helicopter scattering leaflets with Geneva agrt text was shot from automatic arms 7.62mm

TV station in #Donetsk region near #Sloviansk taken over again by #separatists |EMPR #Ukraine #RussianInvasion pic.twitter.com/KrJ8jWkyGW