08:42
30.4.2014
Despite reports, Ukrainian forces still control #Luhansk airport pic.twitter.com/ZjfB5nEiAn
— Paul Gypteau (@paulgypteau) April 30, 2014
08:49
30.4.2014
Check point stop. "We've checking faces because there are journalists who tell the truth and those who don't. We know their faces."
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 30, 2014
08:52
30.4.2014
.@KyivPost's @kgorchinskaya visits north border. In #Chernihiv, border guard prepares for war http://t.co/ikDKUWYoq1 pic.twitter.com/tX34RMLh91
— Christopher Miller (@ChristopherJM) April 30, 2014
09:02
30.4.2014
Kyiv govt has lost control over Eastern Ukraine, President @Turchynov publicly admits today http://t.co/hB3jDG30Qb pic.twitter.com/A8hIbVOpyU
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) April 30, 2014
10:08
30.4.2014
Here's more on this Levada poll:
10:10
30.4.2014
Meanwhile, our news desk has done some more reporting on the financial ramifications of the turmoil in Ukraine:
The International Monetary Fund (IMF) says Russia is in recession as its economy is suffering from massive capital outflows over the Ukraine crisis.
IMF economist Antonio Spilimbergo -- the head of the organization's mission to Russia -- made the remarks to reporters in Moscow today.
He said the IMF has cut its 2014 growth forecast for Russia from 1.3 percent to 0.2 percent and expects about $100 billion of funds to be sent out of the country during the year.
Silimbergo said international sanctions imposed against Russia due to the Ukraine crisis and Russia's annexation of Crimea are already hurting the Russian economy and threatening investment there.
"If we define recession as negative growth in two quarters in a row, then Russia from that point of view is experiencing recession,” he said.
In related news, the IMF's executive board is tentatively scheduled to consider a $17 billion bailout for Ukraine.
The meeting today was previously announced by a spokesperson for the IMF, Gerry Rice, last week.
The global crisis lender provisionally agreed last month to lend Kyiv $14-$18 billion over two years to lead a broader support package for the economy.
The amount is part of a larger $27 billion plan announced on March 28 to help the new Ukrainian government salvage the country's finances while pressing for reforms.
The broader plan involves contributions from the United States, Western Europe, and other donors.
IMF economist Antonio Spilimbergo -- the head of the organization's mission to Russia -- made the remarks to reporters in Moscow today.
He said the IMF has cut its 2014 growth forecast for Russia from 1.3 percent to 0.2 percent and expects about $100 billion of funds to be sent out of the country during the year.
Silimbergo said international sanctions imposed against Russia due to the Ukraine crisis and Russia's annexation of Crimea are already hurting the Russian economy and threatening investment there.
"If we define recession as negative growth in two quarters in a row, then Russia from that point of view is experiencing recession,” he said.
In related news, the IMF's executive board is tentatively scheduled to consider a $17 billion bailout for Ukraine.
The meeting today was previously announced by a spokesperson for the IMF, Gerry Rice, last week.
The global crisis lender provisionally agreed last month to lend Kyiv $14-$18 billion over two years to lead a broader support package for the economy.
The amount is part of a larger $27 billion plan announced on March 28 to help the new Ukrainian government salvage the country's finances while pressing for reforms.
The broader plan involves contributions from the United States, Western Europe, and other donors.
10:16
30.4.2014
Ukraine army on full combat alert.
Ukraine's acting president said on April 30 that Ukraine's army is on "full combat alert" as pro-Russian separatists seized the administrative headquarters in another eastern town.
Oleksandr Turchynov told a ministerial meeting in Kyiv that "the threat of Russia starting a war against mainland Ukraine is real," adding, "Our armed forces are on full combat alert."
Oleksandr Turchynov told a ministerial meeting in Kyiv that "the threat of Russia starting a war against mainland Ukraine is real," adding, "Our armed forces are on full combat alert."
11:21
30.4.2014
Putin firms up rumored plans.
Russian media reports said on April 30 that President Vladimir Putin is planning to make his first visit to Crimea since Moscow annexed it last month.
The Russian newspaper Kommersant and news website Gazeta.ru quoted unnamed sources in the Russian government saying Putin plans to attend a May 9 military parade at the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base in Sevastopol.
The reports said that Putin is expected to fly to Crimea after overseeing the Russia's main military parade on Moscow's Red Square, marking 69 years since Nazi Germany surrendered to allied forces in Europe to end World War II.
The reports said Putin could be accompanied by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
The Russian newspaper Kommersant and news website Gazeta.ru quoted unnamed sources in the Russian government saying Putin plans to attend a May 9 military parade at the Russian Black Sea Fleet's base in Sevastopol.
The reports said that Putin is expected to fly to Crimea after overseeing the Russia's main military parade on Moscow's Red Square, marking 69 years since Nazi Germany surrendered to allied forces in Europe to end World War II.
The reports said Putin could be accompanied by Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev.
11:27
30.4.2014
Wondering why Ukrainian police appear to be giving up so easily in the east?
Fantastic piece in "Time" explaining the bind the police are in.
Defections, informants and fear of arrest have eroded the ranks of Ukraine's police and security services as pro-Russian separatists advance in the country's east
Fantastic piece in "Time" explaining the bind the police are in.
13:31
30.4.2014