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More bodies of Ukrainian soldiers pulled from Donetsk airport rubble – OSCE : UNIAN news
14.03.2015

The Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe's Special Monitoring Mission (OSCE SMM) to Ukraine says that it observed that bodies of Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers were being recovered at the Donetsk airport.

This was announced in a recent OSCE SMM report based on information received as of 1800 Kyiv time on March 13 and released on March 14.


"At the Donetsk airport new terminal, the SMM observed the arrival of the 'Donetsk People's Republic' ('DPR') 'emergency services,' together with 20 captives, whom the 'DPR' referred to as Ukrainian soldiers, who shortly after started searching for deceased Ukrainian Armed Forces soldiers," the report reads.

"The SMM saw two bodies being recovered from the rubble and prepared to be transported. After the preliminary identification of the bodies was made, the personal belongings were collected and handed over to representatives of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) present at the scene," the report reads.

According to the OSCE SMM, while at the airport, between 1210 and 1220 Kyiv time, the SMM heard 15 explosions in a south-westerly direction of its location. Between 1225 and 1343 Kyiv time the SMM heard 31 explosions south of its position.

In both cases SMM said they could not determine the types of weapons that were used, the distance of the origin of the sound, or if it was incoming or outgoing fire.

Between 1334 and 1349 Kyiv time the SMM heard approximately 20 single shots of small arms fire in an area approximately 500 to 700 meters south-east of its position.

The SMM also notes that the monitors are restrained in fulfilling their monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines.
 
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Sunday, March 15. DONBAS – The press center of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) reports: the terrorists continue performing provocations against Ukrainian positions and use 120 mm mortars.

Simultaneously, the number of combat actions of illegal armed formations in the region has reduced. Totally, over the night the terrorists have completed 14 attacks: Opytne, Granitne – Donetsk; Myronivske – Artemivsk; Lugansk – Triohizbenka.

There were no attacks in Mariupil direction.

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Militants in Donbas violate truce 23 times within 12 hours – ATO press center : UNIAN news
Militants in Donbas continued violating the truce on Sunday.
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REUTERS
Illegal armed groups used weapons to shell Ukrainian troops 23 times from 0700 to 1900 Kyiv time on Sunday, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine reported.

In particular, they used mortars and grenade launchers 11 times, small arms 7 times, while tanks attacked the Ukrainian positions twice.

The greatest number of such incidents was recorded in the Donetsk sector. In particular, at 0920 Kyiv time enemy's tanks were firing at the village of Pisky, at 1300 there was shelling in the direction of the town of Avdiyivka. From 1625 to 1650 Kyiv time militants were using 82mm and 120mm caliber mortars to shell Pisky, the press center said.

The Mariupol sector twice saw attacks with small arms on Ukrainian ATO forces – near the villages of Shyrokyne and Chermalyk.

At 1720 Kyiv time Shyrokyne was being shelled by militants with a 120mm caliber mortar.

One incident with the use of small arms near the village of Sokilnyky in the Luhansk sector was reported on Sunday.


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More than 100 German citizens fight alongside Russian-backed militants in east Ukraine – media - watch on - uatoday.tv

Russian nationals comprise most of the foreign insurgent force, fighting Ukrainian troops in Donbas



More than 100 Germans are fighting alongside Kremlin-backed militants in east Ukraine, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Sunday. Research by the publication found that ethnic Germans from Russia make up the majority of those fighters – some of whom had previously acquired military experience. The article adds that Germans participating in fighting in Ukraine are not subject to criminal charges back home, unlike those who travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State.

An internal affairs expert for Germany's ruling coalition was quoted as saying participants in the Russian-backed uprising should be punished for 'terrorist activities'. Germany's Ministry of internal Affairs of Germany has previously pledged not to tolerate crimes committed abroad by its citizens. According to Welt am Sonntag, at least one German citizens has died in the conflict; 33-year-old native of Kazakhstan - who was mortally wounded by a shell last month during the battle for Debaltseve. He was buried in Moscow.

The number of Germans fighting within militant ranks is far fewer than those of Russian nationality, who make up the vast majority of the fighting force in Ukraine. Serbs, French and Spanish fighters, mostly drawn from nationalist groups, are also taking part.

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Militants release almost 2,500 Ukrainian troops - SBU head

14.03.2015

Almost 2,500 people captured by militants have now been released in Donbas, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko has said.

"In the current circumstances the Ukrainian Security Service, among other things, has to handle prisoner exchange issues. You know that the center for exchange and release of people who are illegally detained by terrorists or Russian troops, and we have received 2,483 people back," he said in an interview with the online publication LB.ua.

He said that Ukraine released 1,553 persons for exchange.

Nalyvaichenko said there are no plans to exchange the 19-year-old woman sniper nickname Ecstasy for the Ukrainian military.

Interfax
15:56
PUTIN: LAST MARCH CRIMEA WAS TURNED INTO FORTRESS FROM SEA AND LAND WITH OVER 40 S-300 SYSTEMS, SOME 20 BUK SYSTEMS AND OTHER HEAVY ARMAMENTS
 
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Sunday, March 15. DONBAS – The press center of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) reports: the terrorists continue performing provocations against Ukrainian positions and use 120 mm mortars.

Simultaneously, the number of combat actions of illegal armed formations in the region has reduced. Totally, over the night the terrorists have completed 14 attacks: Opytne, Granitne – Donetsk; Myronivske – Artemivsk; Lugansk – Triohizbenka.

There were no attacks in Mariupil direction.

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Militants in Donbas violate truce 23 times within 12 hours – ATO press center : UNIAN news
Militants in Donbas continued violating the truce on Sunday.
1426451206-9426.jpg

REUTERS
Illegal armed groups used weapons to shell Ukrainian troops 23 times from 0700 to 1900 Kyiv time on Sunday, the press center of the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in eastern Ukraine reported.

In particular, they used mortars and grenade launchers 11 times, small arms 7 times, while tanks attacked the Ukrainian positions twice.

The greatest number of such incidents was recorded in the Donetsk sector. In particular, at 0920 Kyiv time enemy's tanks were firing at the village of Pisky, at 1300 there was shelling in the direction of the town of Avdiyivka. From 1625 to 1650 Kyiv time militants were using 82mm and 120mm caliber mortars to shell Pisky, the press center said.

The Mariupol sector twice saw attacks with small arms on Ukrainian ATO forces – near the villages of Shyrokyne and Chermalyk.

At 1720 Kyiv time Shyrokyne was being shelled by militants with a 120mm caliber mortar.

One incident with the use of small arms near the village of Sokilnyky in the Luhansk sector was reported on Sunday.


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More than 100 German citizens fight alongside Russian-backed militants in east Ukraine – media - watch on - uatoday.tv

Russian nationals comprise most of the foreign insurgent force, fighting Ukrainian troops in Donbas



More than 100 Germans are fighting alongside Kremlin-backed militants in east Ukraine, German newspaper Welt am Sonntag reported on Sunday. Research by the publication found that ethnic Germans from Russia make up the majority of those fighters – some of whom had previously acquired military experience. The article adds that Germans participating in fighting in Ukraine are not subject to criminal charges back home, unlike those who travel to Syria or Iraq to fight alongside Islamic State.

An internal affairs expert for Germany's ruling coalition was quoted as saying participants in the Russian-backed uprising should be punished for 'terrorist activities'. Germany's Ministry of internal Affairs of Germany has previously pledged not to tolerate crimes committed abroad by its citizens. According to Welt am Sonntag, at least one German citizens has died in the conflict; 33-year-old native of Kazakhstan - who was mortally wounded by a shell last month during the battle for Debaltseve. He was buried in Moscow.

The number of Germans fighting within militant ranks is far fewer than those of Russian nationality, who make up the vast majority of the fighting force in Ukraine. Serbs, French and Spanish fighters, mostly drawn from nationalist groups, are also taking part.

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Militants release almost 2,500 Ukrainian troops - SBU head

14.03.2015

Almost 2,500 people captured by militants have now been released in Donbas, Ukrainian Security Service (SBU) Chief Valentyn Nalyvaichenko has said.

"In the current circumstances the Ukrainian Security Service, among other things, has to handle prisoner exchange issues. You know that the center for exchange and release of people who are illegally detained by terrorists or Russian troops, and we have received 2,483 people back," he said in an interview with the online publication LB.ua.

He said that Ukraine released 1,553 persons for exchange.

Nalyvaichenko said there are no plans to exchange the 19-year-old woman sniper nickname Ecstasy for the Ukrainian military.

Interfax
15:56
PUTIN: LAST MARCH CRIMEA WAS TURNED INTO FORTRESS FROM SEA AND LAND WITH OVER 40 S-300 SYSTEMS, SOME 20 BUK SYSTEMS AND OTHER HEAVY ARMAMENTS


Interesting if true. Everyday Ukraine reports 1 Ukrainian soldier wounded over the past 24 hours. Someone has to be lying unless NAF shoots into the air and not at Ukrainian soldiers. :lol:
 
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Monday, March 16. DONBAS – The press center of the ‘anti-terror’ operation (ATO) reports: the number of terrorists’ provocations has reduced.

The terrorists have performed 12 attacks against ATO units primarily using small arms.

The majority of attacks were in Donetsk direction: Opytne, Avdiyvka.

Mariupil: terrorists used mortars, grenade launchers and small arms near Shyrokine.

Lugansk: terrorists used automatic grenade launchers and small arms near Sokilnyky.

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Monday, March 16. DONBAS – The Ukrainian EOD specialists clear territories of communities located at the demarcation line.

In Kominternove village (Mariupil), they disposed mortar mines, tank projectiles, anti-tank projectiles and missiles of ‘Uragan’ rocket launcher.

“Residential quarters of this community were permanently shelled by illegal armed formations. A lot of unexploded projectiles and UXO were found here. The group specialists have accomplished all the tasks assigned. A lot of job was done near local school and child-care center”, EOD representative commented.

Press Officer of the Sector

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Monday, March 16. ODESA — Odesa hosted 12 hour marathon dedicated to deceased musician Andriy Kuzmenko, as well as charity fair and exposition of military equipment from the frontline. The citizens collected money for two ambulances for Ukrainian soldiers.
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One Ukrainian soldier killed in Donbas in past 24 hours| Ukrinform
KYIV, March 16 /Ukrinform/. One Ukrainian soldier has been killed in the area of the anti-terrorist operation in past 24 hours.

Spokesman for the anti-terrorist operation in eastern Ukraine Andriy Lysenko said this at a briefing in Kyiv on Monday, an Ukrinform correspondent reported.

"During the last day one Ukrainian serviceman has been killed, no soldiers have been injured," Lysenko said.
 
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On March 15, about 20 activists in Kyiv set up a mock grave for Vladimir Putin at the Russian Embassy in Ukraine. The headstone had a caricature of the Russian dictator that made him look a lot like Adolf Hitler. People brought flowers, sparklers and shells from a Grad missile -- a reminder of Russia's year-long war against Ukraine -- to the grave. The Russian president was last seen in public on March 5, prompting wild speculation about his fate and whereabouts.

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Girkin: More fighting in Donbas ‘inevitable’ : UNIAN news

The fighting in the Donbas may resume within "a month or two," Igor Girkin, the Russian former “defense minister” of the Donetsk People’s Republic militant organization said at a press conference in Perm on Monday, the Echo of Moscow in Perm radio station has reported.

"Now we will have a spring-summer campaign - it is inevitable. The aggravation of the military actions will begin in a month, or half a month, or in a maximum of two [months]," Girkin said.

"According to the current situation, we understand that we will have again to clothe, shoe and equip 10,000 to 15,000 people, because their central supply is in a bad way," Girkin said.

Girkin, a Russian nationalist and Russian intelligence officer, claimed in an interview published in November in a nationalist Russian magazine that he and his team of special operations soldiers first “pulled the trigger of war” in the Donbas by occupying police and security offices in towns and cities in the region.

He said that after taking part in Russia’s invasion and annexation of Crimea, he crossed into eastern Ukraine with a team of about 50 Russian special ops soldiers.

His claims are corroborated by several videos from April last year that show teams of soldiers in unmarked uniforms taking over police and security offices in military-style operations. The offices were then occupied by “local militants.”

During his time in Ukraine, Girkin complained that too few locals were willing to fight on the side of the militants, and that not enough help was coming from Russia.

Russia initially denied claims that it had sent soldiers into Crimea to take over the peninsula, claiming the “little green men” who appeared in late February 2014 ahead of the annexation of Crimea were local “self-defense militias.”

However, Russian President Vladimir Putin has since admitted that Russian troops were behind the takeover, and has presented some with medals for taking part in the operation. The medals date the start of the operation as being on February 20, two days before former Ukrainian President Viktor Yanukovych abandoned his office and fled Ukraine amid massive public protests against his rule.

In a recent documentary on the annexation of the Ukrainian territory of Crimea by Russia that aired on Russian television, Putin also said that planning for the takeover of Crimea started before Yanukovych’s ouster. Previously he said the decision to take over Ukraine was taken only after a referendum was held in Crimea on the matter.

Russia also denies sending its troops into eastern Ukraine.



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Over 360 Ukrainian troops killed near Ilovaisk in August 2014, up to 180 missing
16.03.2015

Anatoliy Matios, the deputy prosecutor general and main military prosecutor of Ukraine, has said the investigators had determined that over 360 Ukrainian troops were killed in the fighting near Ilovaisk in August 2014.

"They [the exact figures] exceed 360 people. These are people and military men from all arms of service and units involved in the fighting near Ilovaisk. It's the total casualties," he told reporters in Kyiv on Monday.

Matios said up to 180 people are listed as missing.
 
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According to Ukraine, 1 UAF serviceman killed over the past 24 hours.
 
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Ukrainian soldiers are so coward. :rofl: They don't dare to take on Crimea.

Soldiers be of any countries are not coward.

President Putin has issued a statement yesterday that last March Crimea was turned into fortress from sea and land with over 40 S 300 system and some 20 BUK system and other heavy armament.

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Fighting rages near Donetsk airport despite Ukraine ceasefire - Yahoo News

SPARTAK, Ukraine (Reuters) - Heavy machinegun and light artillery fire pounded a district of Donetsk, the biggest city of eastern Ukraine, on Monday and pro-Russian rebels said there had been no lull in the fighting since a February ceasefire.

The Spartak district, adjacent to the city's now-flattened airport, is one of several sites in eastern Ukraine to have seen continued hostilities between the rebels and Ukrainian government forces since last month's ceasefire, brokered by France and Germany in the Belarussian capital Minsk.

The ceasefire is broadly holding in the rest of the region.

"Not a single day has been quiet here since the deal. One of our guys got killed here today and we have lost nine in total since the deal," said one rebel fighter who gave his name as Roman and bore the nickname Gruzin, or 'the Georgian'.

He commands some 120 members of the rebel Vostok (East) battalion in Spartak, an area where most houses and other infrastructure were destroyed during months of heavy fighting for control of the nearby Donetsk city airport.



View gallery

Ammunition at a field in the town of Debaltseve, north-east from Donetsk, March 13, 2015. REUTERS/Ma …
The airport is now completely destroyed but its ruins lie in an area now controlled by the rebels.

Gruzin's men had two large anti-aircraft guns mounted on a truck and an armed personnel carrier in Spartak.

While the vast majority of Spartak residents fled long ago, several dozen desperate people are holding on, saying they don't want to leave their belongings behind or have nowhere to go.

"The war has been going on for a year here. We are used to it by now, though I guess we should not get used to it. We have a basement and we run there when the fighting gets intense," said 61-year-old resident Yelena.

She lives in a badly damaged house with her 14-year-old daughter Marina who has not been to school since last May.



View gallery

Women walk past destroyed Ukranian army armoured personnel carrier (APS) in the town of Debaltseve, …
Both sides in the conflict, in which more than 6,000 people have died since last April, have accused each another of violating the truce. Gunfire came from both sides of the line of contact in Spartak on Monday.

The Kiev government and its Western supporters accuse Moscow of deliberately driving the rebellion in eastern Ukraine by providing the rebels with arms and money and sending serving Russian troops across the border.

Moscow denies direct military participation in the conflict.

The rebels said on Monday they only opened fire when attacked by the Ukrainian troops, but said they did not expect the latest truce to hold for long and they threatened to capture more ground.

Ukraine's President Petro Poroshenko said during a visit to Berlin on Monday he wanted European Union leaders to make clear they would impose further economic sanctions against Russia if Moscow did not implement the Minsk ceasefire.

(Editing by Gareth Jones)
 
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