News digest March 8-9

Russia will bring more militaries from Chechnya

18^th Russian  military unit which regularly based in Chechnya is now ready for departure to Ukraine from Novorosiysk, Russian port in Black Sea together with 120 units of military machines, like missiles systems ‘Grad’ (volley). Russians are disappointed with Russian militaries who assimilated in Crimea and whose behavior their bosses consider to be too soft towards Ukrainians. First 400 Russian militaries who blocked Ukrainian units in Crimea for 2 weeks have left Crimea for rotation, may of them under threat of being fired. Newcomers are more reluctant to contacts with locals in Crimea and more reserved.

More militaries to come in Transnistria, 700 extra trained militaries have been sent there already in last 24 hours.http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/9/7018208/

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News digest, March 8

10:50  OSCE High Commissioner on National Minorities Astrid Thors claims that there is a great danger to the Ukrainians as well as the Tatars in the Crimea. She also added that according to her observations, there is no violation or danger to the Russian speaking citizens.  http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/7/7017987/

12:04  The leader of “Praviy Sector” movement Dmytro Yarosh intends to run for President of Ukraine. This was stated by the head of the Kyiv organisation “Praviy Sector” Andriy Tarasenko, reports Interfax-Ukrayina.  http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/7/7018003/

News Digest: March 05, 2014

Wednesday, March 5, 2:46

The Headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces: Crimea: Currently in Crimea there are Russian soldiers who are not part of Russia Black Sea Fleet

“Today in Crimea there are Russian soldiers that do not belong to the Russian Black Sea Fleet” – assert the headquarters of the Ukrainian Armed Forces. “These actions are in direct violation of international and bilateral agreements between Ukraine and Russia,” – was emphasized in the statement. Notably, the Russian President Vladimir Putin at a press conference on Tuesday said that so far, he does not see the need to send Russian troops to Ukraine. Source: http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/03/5/7017615/

News digest: February 20

Interior Minister: Police Will Use Their Weapons

After announcement of new “anti-terrorist” laws by the government that accuses “radicals” of being behind the high number of deaths the Interior Minister of Ukraine, Zachartchenko, declared that the police officers are provided with the weapons, which they will use against the anti-government protestants.

Source: http://www.pravda.com.ua/news/2014/02/20/7015209/

Daily digest of main Ukrainian news (Euromaidan focus) February 14

Kyiv, 13 – 14 February 2014

All detained activists were “released”; their criminal cases remain open. Today the last of 234 detained EuroMaidan activists were released, media reported with reference to the Headquarter of National Resistance. Respective criminal cases, however, remained open. The courts soften pre-trial restrictions downgrading them to full or partial house arrest while charged the activists with more serious crimes (organization and participation in mass disorder) which foresee up to 15 years in prison.

Ukraine: media freedom digest 28 January-11 February, 2014

Overview of key developments affecting Ukraine’s media freedom

28 January-11 February, 2014

By Eastern Partnership Media Freedom Watch 

Internews Ukraine. The project is funded by the EU

 This regular digest provides the analysis of key developments affecting media freedom in Ukraine, amid current political situation and Euromaidan protests.

Key trends:

1. Journalists continue to be attacked by the police or unknowns

Journalists covering mass protests in Ukraine, continue to suffer from the tyranny of the police and gangsters loyal to authorities. Attacks on journalists are reported in Kyiv and in the regions.

Unknown persons attacked Oleksandr Yasenchuk, editor of a Chernihiv online media outlet, on the evening of February 9th. The attackers smashed his head with metal bars and broke his arm. His colleague said the attack was a consequence of Yasenchuk’s journalistic activities and his support to the cause of Euromaidan (Ukrainian mass anti-government protests).

Daily digest of main Ukrainian news (Euromaidan focus) February 13

Kyiv, 12 – 13 February 2014

Yatseniuk warned by crisis escalation if a peaceful solution is not found in Parliament. Arseniy Yatseniuk, head of Batkivshchyna faction, warned on possible crisis escalation if a peaceful solution is not found in the Parliament. Speaking on his yesterday’s meeting with Yulia Tymoshenko, Yatseniuk noted that opposition would demand Parliament to restore 2004 Constitution. The opposition leader, moreover, emphasized that immediate constitutional reform together with forming of a new transitional government would pay the way to peaceful settlement of the crisis. The parliament’s failure to act would lead to the crisis escalation, Yatseniuk added.

Daily digest of main Ukrainian news (Euromaidan focus) February 12

Kyiv, 11 – 12 February 2014

Criminal cases against officials charged with Maidan crackdown on 30 November are closed. General Prosecutor’s Office confirmed that Kyiv’s district courts closed criminal cases against Oleksandr Popov, former head of Kyiv city administration, and Volodymyr Sivkovych, deputy chairman of Ukraine’s National Security and Defense Council, who were previously charged with ordering Maidan crackdown on 30 November. These decisions were taken in line with the amnesty law passed by the Parliament, the General Prosecutor’s Office added.

Daily digest of main Ukrainian news (Euromaidan focus) February 11

Kyiv, 10 – 11 February 2014

 Council of “Maidan” unanimously supported restoration of 2004 Constitution.  The Council of “Maidan”, a body including political and civil society leaders of the protest, unanimously supported the restoration of 2004 Constitution as an urgent step aims at renewing the balance of power. Arseniy Yatseniuk, head of Batkivshyna faction, also stated that renewal of 2004 Constitution is supported by all opposition factions.

Daily digest of main Ukrainian news (Euromaidan focus) February 10

Kyiv, 8 – 10 February 2014

Interior ministry opens criminal proceedings against influential NGO.Ukraine’s interior ministry has opened criminal proceedings against Centre UA, Ukrainian NGO involved into investigations of corrupt offences of current authorities, accusing it of money laundering. However, NGO’s chief Oleh Rybachuk links interior ministry-initiated case to Centre UA professional activities, saying that authorities “continue their systematic repressions against civil society.”