As pre-announced by Russian President Vladimir Putin Saturday, Russian troops have begun relocating to designated areas, according to the Russian Ministry of Defense Sunday. The statements of the Russian Ministry of Defense on the massive redeployment were reported by RIA Novosti. “In the process of checking the combat readiness of troops… the military units have started large-scale relocation to designated areas,” said the Russian Ministry of Defense. In particular, tank and anti-aircraft missiles were loaded onto railway platforms, airborne units were moved to airfields, and some military units were moved. Putin had announced his intentions to redeploy the units Saturday
Ukraine
Massive Russian Forces Redeployment Started
Russia Moves Tanks Across Border, Pro-Russian Forces Shoot Down Second Ukrainian Carrier, EU Invites Russia to EU-Ukraine Trade Agreement Talks
One day after Russian tanks crossed the Russia-Ukraine border, the EU invited Russia to participate in EU-Ukraine trade agreement talks. The EU continues to include Russia in efforts toward peace in Ukraine, despite the continued violence of pro-Russian fighters in Ukraine, who, according to the Ukrainian government, the US government, NATO, the EU and others, are aided by Russia–allegations which, although supported by proof, Russia continues to deny. EU president Herman Van Rompuy made strong statements Saturday on Russia’s involvement in Ukraine. On Saturday, Van Rompuy said, “There is … no doubt that the armed fighters that are terrorizing and
Approximately 200 Russian Army Vehicles Reported Moving Toward Ukraine Border
[Updated, but still ongoing. More details will be added.] A column of Russian military equipment, composed of perhaps 200 peices, has been videoed moving toward the Ukrainian border. The video shows 16 loader trucks carrying tanks. The column is reportedly moving toward the Dolzhansky crossing. These reports have not been officially verified. Information is being written as it is becomes available. [Update: the reports have now published in Podrobnosti, and is being reported on by several Western outlets.] Reports are also coming in from djp3tros and other sources on Twitter. Russia Has Sent Tanks Into Ukraine, Says US State Department Earlier Sunday, NATO released images it said showed Russian tanks
Russia Has Sent Tanks Into Ukraine, Says US State Department
According to the US State Department, Russia has sent tanks, heavy weapons and rocket launchers into Ukraine over the past days, in order to support pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine, confirming statements recently provided by Ukrainian media sources. The State Department said there was video proof. “We assess that separatists in eastern Ukraine have acquired heavy weapons and military equipment from Russia, including Russian tanks and multiple rocket launchers,” said US State Department spokeswoman Marie Harf in a statement Friday. Three T-64 tanks, several MB-21 “or Grad” multiple rocket launchers, as well as military vehicles crossed into Ukraine from Russia in recent days, Harf said.
Ukraine Annexed Crimea, Not Russia, States Russian Parliament Speaker
Russian parliamentary speaker and former Historical Truth Commission Chairman Sergei Naryshkin has made statements asserting that it was Ukraine–not Russia–that actually annexed Crimea, citing a 1991 Crimean referendum as evidence. Naryshkin made his statements to the Russian parliament Wednesday. RIA Novosti quotes Duma Speaker Sergei Naryshkin, “Back in January 1991, the Crimean region held a referendum, which disputed the transfer of Crimea to Ukraine. The vote for this was 93 percent with a turnout of 81 percent. Essentially, then, it was 23 years ago that the annexation of Crimea was made–though peaceful–but it was really annexation.” Naryshkin said that the Ukrainian annexation
Russian Foreign Minister Admits Russian Is Supporting Separatists in Ukraine
At a meeting Wednesday between Russia’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Sergei Lavrov and the Organization for Security and Co-operation in Europe (OSCE) Secretary General Lamberto Zannier, Lavrov, in addition to commending the “usefulness” of Zannier’s upcoming trip to the Rostrov region–where Zannier would meet some of the 12,000 refugees reported to have fled from the turbulent Donetsk region–also admitted that Russia was providing “humanitarian aid” to residents of Southeastern Ukraine “through militia members” since Kiev refused to do so. “We’re providing aid by all means available through militiamen, who voice concern over suffering endured by their children, mothers and
Ukraine Suing Russia for 1 Trillion for Crimea
Russia is being sued by Ukraine for 1 trillion Ukrainian Hryvnias (UAH) for the illegal annexation of Crimea. The announcement was made by Ukrainian Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk Tuesday in the Verkhovna Rada. The PM told the Parliament, “Ukraine has begun the process. The General Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation. And in a criminal case, the Ukrainian government filed suit in the amount of more than UAH 1 trillion.” “The problems lie in the international legal plane,” said Yatsenyuk. “There are not many options for suing. But, without revealing all the legal details, we will use all possible legal means to bring
4,500 Russian Fighters Have Crossed the Ukraine Border
4,500 Russian fighters have illegally crossed the Ukraine border from Russia into Donetsk and Lugansk, said Yaroslav Gonchar, deputy commander of the Azov battalion to the Ukraine Independent Information Agency (UNIAN) Thursday. “According to the information that I have, approximately four and a half thousand fighters from Russia have entered into Donetsk and Lugansk regions illegally,” said Gonchar. “These fighters are rabble of the former Soviet Union.” “The situation has developed in such a way that we have an unprotected border, and the rabble is able to cross the border of our country,” said the volunteer commander. Azov battalion
