Armed militants attack Akhmetov’s mine

Saturday morning, June 21, unidentified armed men in armored personnel carriers and trucks with “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DPR) symbols broke into the territory of the DTEK Mine Komsomolets Donbasa (belonging to oligarch Rinat Akhmetov -Ed.), reports Ukrainska Pravda, citing the DTEK press service.

Under threat of arms, the intruders forced the employees in the administrative building to lie face down and turn off all mobile phones. At the time, there were some 700 people in the mine, the press service reports.

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Akhmetov issues urges his workers to go on warning strike against separatism

Monday, May 19, 2014

The owner of  System Capital Management (SCM) Rinat Akhmetov urged workers of his enterprises to go on a warning strike against separatism, emphasizing that he is categorically against the so-called ‘People’s Republic of Donetsk.’

This was stated in his emergency declaration, which was broadcast on the channel Ukraine, interrupting a film screening.

The oligarch is outraged that people with machine guns and grenade launchers are openly walking the streets of Donbas, there is bloodshed and that people with the slogan ‘Kyiv should hear us’ are engaged in looting and robberies.

The games of Putin and Akhmetov

Putin does not need the Donbas in Russia. Putin does not need the Donetsk and Luhansk “republics” either. In both cases, Putin would be forced to support the Donbas financially from the Russian budget. And Donbas, with its current outdated, unreformed economy, especially if subjected to possible sanctions, would become a much greater burden for Russia than Crimea, Abkhazia  and Transnistria put together.

Putin, unlike many residents of the Donbas, understands perfectly well that the fiery speeches by representatives of the Party of Regions that “Donbas supports Ukraine” are a bluff. The Russian economy, which already is on the verge of stagnation, simply cannot survive such a burden. Furthermore, these options may bring about the third level of sanctions.

Akhmetov Denies Giving Money to Separatists

Tuesday, May 13, 2014, 19:20

Renat Akhmetov

Businessman Renat Akhmetov said he did not finance the protest movement in Donetsk Oblast, though Hubarev claimed that he has.

Akhmetov made the statement while answering a question from Interfax-Ukraina on Monday.

“Pavlo Hubarev said I paid two-thirds of the activists. I can confidently say that I have not and will not give a single penny to anyone. And the key point is, I did not pay them, I persuaded them. And if I have already persuaded two-thirds, I will proceed with that. People came to me with one kind of arguments, and left with another”, Akhmetov said.

Administration to Akhmetov: Remember the Unity of Ukraine

Monday, May 12, 2014, 17:27

Serhiy Pashynskiy

The Presidential Administration promises to make personnel changes in personnel upon Rynat Akhmetov’s calls to stop ATO in the Donbas, said acting PA head Serhiy Pashinsky.

“We are surprised by the statement from Metinvest; as we understand – it’s a statement by Akhmetov (Metinvest’s company owner) who advocated a unified Ukraine and recommended the Donetsk Governor (Serhiy Taruta ). … “We will make the corresponding conclusions including personnel according to these statements,” added Pashynskiy.

Russia seizes oligarch assets in Crimea

On April 11, the so-called parliament of the Crimean Republic created the state enterprise “Krymenergo,” which will manage the energy assets of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea, reports Espreso.TV. Since the pseudo government of Crimea has been adopting decisions recently that are not based on any legal framework but are more in line with “hostile takeovers,” this development can hardly be considered sensational.

In this case, however, there is one detail that points to a move to the next stage of the Ukrainian-Crimean “relationship.” Now Crimean officials are switching from raiding government property to raiding private property.

Sergij Leschtschenko: Der Schlüssel zum Verständnis, was in Donezk passiert

Sergij Leschtschenko: Der Schlüssel zum Verständnis, was in Donezk passiert.

viaSergij Leschtschenko: Der Schlüssel zum Verständnis, was in Donezk passiert.

The Battle for Donetsk is on March 16. Why is Akhmetov Doing THIS?

The eyes of the whole world are on Crimea, where on March 16th the Russians are conducting a referendum. But it would be better if those eyes would turn to another corner of Ukraine – to Donetsk. Let’s review briefly what’s going on in the eastern capital, according to what local residents are saying. Throughout Saturday March 15th it was virtually impossible to reach mobile phone subscribers. Mobile signals are being blocked. A full-scale radio war is happening. Crowds of people streamed into the city center, asking passersby the same question: “Where is Lenin Square?” This means that they were out-of-towners, but with a clear instruction, to go to the center. Many of these people looked peculiar, scaring Donetsk residents who fearfully pressed their backs into walls. The city is full of people who look like criminals and thugs. They say in Donetsk that on Sunday, March 16th, around 50 thousand provocateurs will stage mass unrests with certainty of casualties.

‘Rise, Donbas! We will tear to pieces the bandera scum!’

Ukrainian oligarchs and businessmen speak in support of Ukrainian unity as Russia commences invasion of Crimea

As Euromaidan sent Yanukovych fleeing into Russia, and Russian troops de-facto began a military intervention in Crimea, Ukrainian oligarchs have begun speaking out in support of a united Ukraine and its territorial integrity, and against military conflict.

Henadiy Korban, a partner of Ihor Kolomoisky, believes that the oligarchs are ready to wage a war with Russia and only a united Ukraine can secure their prosperity.

That was Korban’s statement to Espreso.TV. “That’s true, policies established by the new government will shatter the economic positions of the oligarchs in Russia, and they will lose some benefits, but all this is only in a short-term perspective. I will tell you more – I have talked to Akhmetov, Kolomoisky, Novinsky – these people are no longer interested to multiply their money. They want to have a place in history. In the long run, only a united Ukraine will ensure them prosperity in a long run”, Korban says.

Akhmetov supports a strong, unitary, and undivided Ukraine

Statement by Rinat Akhmetov, President of SCM

My fellow Ukrainians!

Our country’s future is at risk. Internal political tension could develop into a continuous conflict and destroy the integrity of Ukraine. The use of force and illegal actions from outside are unacceptable. I believe that peace is the only solution to the crisis.

I urge all Ukrainian citizens to unite for the sake of a unitary, undivided Ukraine. Today, this is by far the most important thing. It is essential to keep a cool head, to not react to provocations and make reasonable, justified decisions.