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Russian Soldiers Families to Russian Government: “Give Us Back Our Children” Killed in Undeclared War [with video]

The Speaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 02:22:50 +0000

The families of the Russian soldiers recently captured in Ukraine are pleading with the Russian government to return their children from what Russians are increasingly referring to as an “undeclared war” in Eastern Ukraine. The families appealed directly to the Russian president and military leaders to return the soldiers alive and well, and asked for those in power to “help them.” “Dear President, Minister of Defense, military commanders, my child, Yegor Potchoyev, is now a captive of the territory of Ukraine,” said the mother of the soldier in a plea to the Russian government. “In the name of Christ, I beg you: give me back my child, return him alive, and all the other boys who are with him in captivity. “Son, boys, we are with you. Whatever happens, we’ll get you out of this fix. If the military leaders won’t do it, then we will, your mothers.” Read more: Head of Russian Soldiers’ Mothers Group Denounces Putin for Sending Soldiers to “the Bloody Battlefields” in Undeclared War Although Russian President Vladimir Putin has denied Russia’s involvement in Ukraine since its military mission in Crimea in late February and March, the first news of the deaths of Russian soldiers’ has reached the Russian public. The news reached Russians through Russian independent media and Ukrainian channels. The Ukrainian government televised the capture of 10 regular Russian soldiers, paratroopers apprehended in Eastern Ukraine. Other Russian soldiers were missing and some killed, reportedly. The prominent Russian group Soldiers’ Mothers has been loudly declaiming Putin and the government for its actions in Ukraine–which the group has called an “undeclared war.” “Two days ago everything was different,” said another captured soldier’s family member. “I’m a patriot of my country and if the president and the minister of foreign affairs say none of our troops are in Ukraine, they’re only at the border, how can we not believe him? I love our president, honestly. “But now we’ve all changed our opinion, because of this case. Now, of course, I believe our troops are taking part in a war.” The families of the captured soldiers asked for the safe return of their children, and pled, “Save them. Help us. Return them home alive and well.” By Day Blakely Donaldson Russian soldiers families in video published by Telegraph.uk

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Russians Are Protesting the War in Ukraine, and Are Being Arrested by Russian Police [with video]

The Speaker — Tue, 02 Sep 2014 00:18:29 +0000

In recent weeks, Russians have been attempting to demonstrate against the Russian war in Ukraine–an action that has been difficult because the Russian government has recently passed laws limiting free assembly in Russia. In Moscow Sunday night, Russian protesters attempted to demonstrate against Russia’s undeclared war and were arrested by Russian police. The protesters attempted to hold a candlelight vigil composed of 2,249 candles–equivalent to the number of civilians already reported killed in Eastern Ukraine, but were prevented from doing so by Russian police. “Respected citizens! Extinguish the candles. This is forbidden in a public place!” police announced before extinguishing the candles. Protesters questioned the law prohibiting candles in a public place, and were arrested by police. Dmitry Kartsev, an employee of Gazeta.ru and a participant in the aborted vigil, was arrested after saying, “I have come to remember those who have died on both sides of the conflict taking place in Ukraine.” “I’m not an activist at all. I’m a person who is bitter, that people died–died due to stupidity,” said another participant. “People died who don’t even know the truth about what is happening. I have a friend who went to Donbass as a volunteer. And died. That’s it, the man is gone.” The number of 2,249 was reported by the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights last week. A later number, tallied by UNOHCHR and reported by Reuters, was 2,593, excluding Malaysia Airlines MH17 victims. Another participant, who also took part in an extension of the demonstration in another, less public locale, said of the further action, which was seen by very few, “That was useless, even laughable. “But something had to be done. You don’t want to lose the remnants of your human face.” Also over the weekend, in several Russian cities Russians protested against Putin and the denial of their constitutional rights to assembly, and were arrested. A new phenomenon also occurred with regards to the protests. Lone protesters have begun protesting in the streets. The protesters are proceeding on the presumption that, unlike group protests, single protesters do not require permts for demonstration. However, five people were arrested by Russian police for solitary protests, including composer Aleksandr Manotskov. By Day Blakely Donaldson Manezhku for and against the war with Ukraine

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Russia Offers USA “Guarantee” for Russia’s Humanitarian Convoy

The Speaker — Sat, 16 Aug 2014 06:22:22 +0000

Russia’s Defense Minister, Sergey Shoygo, offered the US a “guarantee” that Russia’s humanitarian convoy–feared by Ukraine to be a “Trojan horse” and currently being held at the Ukrainian border–is carrying no military personnel. Shoygo made the guarantee to US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel in a phone call Friday night, and the information was released in a Pentagon statement. Hagel also said that Shoygo guaranteed that the convoy would not be used as a pretext for further intervention in Ukraine. “Minister Shoygu assured Secretary Hagel that Russia was meeting Ukraine’s conditions,” the Pentagon statement said. “He acknowledged that the goods would be delivered and distributed under the International Committee of the Red Cross. The Russian Defense Ministry also recently dismissed Ukrainian claims that Russia had sent a convoy of military vehicles into Ukraine already, which, Kiev had announced, Ukrainian forces had attacked and partially destroyed. “There was no Russian military column, which allegedly crossed Russian-Ukrainian border, not in the night, not during the day, it just doesn’t exist,” said Russian Defense Ministry Spokesman Igor Konashenkov. By Day Blakely Donaldson

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Russia’s Humanitarian Force Changes Direction, Russia Refuses Inspection, Red Cross States “We’re Not in Charge of This Convoy at the Moment”

The Speaker — Wed, 13 Aug 2014 20:14:24 +0000

Russia has sent a humanitarian convoy toward Ukraine. The convoy was to cross the border Wednesday, but has unexpectedly changed course. Currently, no Russian convoy is at the planned border crossing. The current course of the convoy is unknown. The Red Cross, reported to be acting with Russia on the humanitarian mission, has stated that they are “not in charge of this convoy at the moment,” and Ukrainian forces have been dispatched toward another border crossing near Krasnodon, where, Ukrainian officials have stated, the Russian convoy attempted to cross during the night. Russia’s convoy was announced to be in participation with the Red Cross, but the Red Cross said that only that they “could be on board” but “needed to have some clarification first regarding modalities, practical steps that have to be implemented prior to a launch of such an operation. The Red Cross also stated that it would participate only “according to our own principles, according to our own modalities.” Russia has refused, however, to allow inspection of their large column of almost three hundred freight trucks. The Red Cross later announced that they no were not in control of Russia’s convoy. “We’ve been told by Russian authorities that an aid convoy is heading to #Ukraine border. We’re not in charge of this convoy at the moment,” tweeted the ICRC. Nothing has approached the planned border crossing. The convoy has switched direction toward the border near Krasnodon, Luhansk, Ukraine, according to Ukrainian sources. Ukrinform published a report that the convoy was expected to arrive at a checkpoint in Kharkiv Wednesday but had bypassed the planned route, and that it was not clear what route the convoy would take. Instead, the Russian convoy attempted to enter Ukraine over night by a different crossing, according to Ukrainian Presidential Administration Deputy Head Valery Chaly. “Wednesday night… [there] was in fact an attempt to break through the Kharkiv region… It did not involve the Red Cross,” said Chaly. Several units of the Ukrainian forces have been dispatched from Luhansk Airport to the road leading to Krasnodon, where a fierce battle is currently raging between Ukrainian forces and separatists, reportedly. The fighting involved shelling over Peremozhne village fired by separatists in Krasnodon. Numerous civilians have been reported killed. Krasnodon and Sukhodilsk have also been used over the past months to transfer armored vehicles, including tanks, to Luhansk and Sverdlovsk. These tanks were not used, but kept hidden in abandoned factories, restorations and forested areas. If Russia enters Ukraine by a different route, and continues to refuse inspection of its convoys, Russia may be considered to have invaded Ukraine. Read more: Ukraine Agrees to Let Russians, Americans, Europeans Enter Ukraine for Humanitarian Mission Led by Red Cross Monday, US President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation with Ukrainian President Poroshenko, in which the leaders agreed that “any Russian intervention in Ukraine without the formal, express consent and authorization of the Ukraine government would be unacceptable and a violation of international law.” European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso also warned Moscow against any unilateral military action in Ukraine, even if it took place in the context of humanitarian circumstances. By Day Blakely Donaldson

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Ukraine Agrees to Let Russians, Americans, Europeans Enter Ukraine for Humanitarian Mission Led by Red Cross

The Speaker — Mon, 11 Aug 2014 20:45:52 +0000

Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has agreed to an international humanitarian mission to be participated in by Russia, the US and the EU. The mission is to be led by the Red Cross, which stated that the ICRC would be involved in the operation so long as it was “according to our own principles, according to our own modalities.” US President Barack Obama held a telephone conversation with Poroshenko Monday, in which the leaders agreed that “any Russian intervention in Ukraine without the formal, express consent and authorization of the Ukraine government would be unacceptable and a violation of international law.” The Russian government also announced its intention to send a humanitarian convoy into Ukraine with Red Cross support. Moscow said that there would not be a Russian military escort for the convoy. European Commission President Jose Manuel Barroso warned Putin against any unilateral military action in Ukraine, even if it took place in the context of humanitarian circumstances. NATO Secretary-General Anders Fogh Rasmussen said Monday that he thought there was a “high probability” of Russian military intervention in Ukraine, however. Rasmussen said that Moscow was “developing the narrative and the pretext” for military action in Ukraine, noting that Russia had re-amassed 20,000 troops and other military equipment along the Ukraine border. Ukrainian military spokesman Andriy Lysenko said Monday, however, that Russia has currently amassed 45,000 troops at the border, along with thousands of pieces of military equipment, including tanks, missile systems, warplanes and attack helicopters. By Sid Douglas

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Ukraine Separatist Leader: “We Are Ready for a Ceasefire”

The Speaker — Sat, 09 Aug 2014 23:11:21 +0000

[This report will be updated within the next hour] Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the so-called prime minister of the pro-Russian separatists active in Donetsk, Eastern Ukraine, has stated that the separatists are ready for a cease-fire. Zakharchenko issued a statement Saturday, in which the leader said, “We are ready for a ceasefire in order to prevent the expansion of a humanitarian disaster in Donbass.” Zakharchenko made the statement as the region was surrounded by Ukrainian forces. “In the event of a storm on the city the number of victims will increase greatly. We have no humanitarian corridors. There are no medical supplies… food supplies are nearing their end,” Zakharchenko said of the city of around 1 million population. Ukrainian forces have stated that they are willing to accept a ceasefire if pro-Russian separatists surrender their arms. This news comes amid other news that large Russian force had been approaching the Ukraine border, reportedly in association with the Red Cross and with the purpose of entering Ukraine on a peace-keeping mission. The force did not enter Ukraine after Kiev appealed to Moscow, reportedly. NATO warned Moscow to pull back its forces, and the US made statements warning that if Russia moved into Ukraine, the US would consider it an invasion. Zakharchenko became prime minister of the separatist forces in Donetsk August 7, when former separatist leader Alexander Borodai announced he was resigning and would henceforward act as an adviser to Zakharchenko. By Day Blakely Donaldson

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Russian News Channel Airs Conflicting Before and After Reports of Suspected Downing of Malaysian Air MH17 [video]

The Speaker — Sun, 20 Jul 2014 21:01:05 +0000

Two reports of the downing of a plane suspected to be Malaysian Air MH17 have been published by Russian news network LifeNews. The two television reports were aired before and after the identity of the Malaysian passenger plane was known, and reported conflicting testimonies by pro-Russian separatists active in Donetsk about responsibility for a plane crash near Torez, Donetsk that took place July 17. “Insurgents have reported a downed another Ukrainian military cargo aircraft,” the newscaster reported in the earlier broadcast. “The plane was flying over the city of Torez in the self-proclaimed Donetsk Republic at approximately 5 pm Moscow time . The AN-26 was flying over the city and was hit by a missile, there was an explosion, and the plane fell, with black smoke visible.” The reporter added that the location of Torez was near Snezhnoe and Saur-Mogila Hill–territories controlled by the rebels. This report accompanied social media posts by pro-Russian separatists, such as a post purportedly by militant leader Strelkov stated, “Near Torez we just downed an AN-26 plane. It’s lying near Progress Mine. We warned them–don’t fly in our sky.” The post accompanied the same picture presented in the LifeNews broadcast. After the identity of the Malaysian passenger plane was reported, the post was removed and claimed to have been a fake. The rebels later published statements that they did not have the equipment to down the plane, although the rebels have already downed several Ukrainian military planes with surface-to-air missiles, and had made statements that they would protect the sky over Donetsk with highly sophisticated surface-to-air Buk missile systems. The rebels asserted that the Malaysian jet was downed by the Ukrainian air force. The LifeNews reporter also noted that “according to some data, the plane was followed by a UA air force plane,” and that, according to Russian intelligence, the Ukrainian military had transported Buk systems to the area. Russian News Channel Airs Conflicting Before and After Reports of Suspected Downing of Malaysian Air MH17

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Russian Foreign Minister Admits Russian Is Supporting Separatists in Ukraine

The Speaker — Wed, 11 Jun 2014 15:04:29 +0000

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 wives,” Lavrov said. Lavrov did not detail the type of humanitarian aid Russia was providing. In April, Lavrov was also the one who admitted that Russians took part in Ukraine’s separatis rallies–something that had previously been denied by the Russian government. On April 12, Lavrov told TV station Russia 1 during an interview, “These are not our military, our agents. There are Russian citizens, some of them were shown in a number of TV shows, one guy came from Volgograd. This is not surprising. On the Maidan there were different people, including Swedish extremists, etcetera. Nothing like this is happening there. We are accused that there are Russian intelligence agents–but they are not there. There are no our troops as well.” In the April interview, Lavrov blamed the Ukrainian govenrment and authorities for the goings on. “The fact that people were driven to despair when they hung Russian flags,” said Lavrov, “and cried ‘Putin, help, save us from the Nazis,’ is primarily the fault of those who declared themselves the power in Kyiv. It is impossible not to talk to people.” In the meeting Wednesday Lavrov voiced his support for non-Ukrainian efforts to control the situation in Ukraine. “We believe that the OSCE Mission should continue its work. We discussed this issue on February 25. Many events have occurred since then,” Lavrov said in the meeting. “It is necessary to make the work of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission more concrete and substantial,” Lavrov added, stating that attempts to replace the OSCE plan with other plans would be counterproductive. ITAR-TASS Ukrinform

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