18:19
12.4.2014
On the Odesa steps.
Yes, those steps.
Yes, those steps.
18:08
12.4.2014
17:48
12.4.2014
Via Reuters:
Ukraine considered attacks by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine on Saturday as an "act of aggression by Russia", Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said.
"Units of the interior and defence ministries are implementing an operational response plan," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
Ukraine considered attacks by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine on Saturday as an "act of aggression by Russia", Interior Minister Arsen Avakov said.
"Units of the interior and defence ministries are implementing an operational response plan," he said in a statement on his Facebook page.
17:46
12.4.2014
From RFE/RL's News Desk:
Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine.
The meeting will reportedly held in Kyiv at 2100 (local time).
The call by Turchynov comes after Unrest by pro-Russia separatists spread to several parts of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk on April 12.
It began early when gunmen seized a police station in the city of Slovyansk.
Pro-Russia protesters later took control of other government buildings in the city, which is about 100 kilometers north of Donetsk, the regional capital.
Gunmen have reportedly set up checkpoints on roads entering the city.
Separatists then stormed or took control of several other government buildings in Donetsk city and Krasny Liman.
Acting Ukrainian President Oleksandr Turchynov has called an emergency meeting of the National Security Council to discuss the situation in eastern Ukraine.
The meeting will reportedly held in Kyiv at 2100 (local time).
The call by Turchynov comes after Unrest by pro-Russia separatists spread to several parts of the eastern Ukrainian region of Donetsk on April 12.
It began early when gunmen seized a police station in the city of Slovyansk.
Pro-Russia protesters later took control of other government buildings in the city, which is about 100 kilometers north of Donetsk, the regional capital.
Gunmen have reportedly set up checkpoints on roads entering the city.
Separatists then stormed or took control of several other government buildings in Donetsk city and Krasny Liman.
17:39
12.4.2014
VIa Reuters: UKRAINE DEFENCE AND INTERIOR MINISTRY UNITS ARE RESPONDING TO ATTACKS - INTERIOR MINISTER
17:38
12.4.2014
Via Reuters: UKRAINE SEES SATURDAY'S EVENTS IN EAST UKRAINE AS 'ACT OF AGRESSION FROM RUSSIA' - INTERIOR MINISTER
16:57
12.4.2014
Via Interfax, Ukraine's Interior Ministry denies reports that pro-Russia protestors seized police stations in Krasny Liman, Chervonoarmiysk and Kramatorsk.
KYIV. April 12 (Interfax) - Ukraine's Interior Ministry denied allegations that anti-Maidan protesters seized control of police stations in three cities in Donetsk region - Krasny Liman, Chervonoarmiysk and Kramatorsk - on Saturday.
"In Kramatorsk and Chervonoarmiysk, Operation Fortress, which was launched in the morning made it possible to thwart attempted seizures of buildings. In the city of Krasny Liman, law enforcers and local residents took the police building under joint protection at 8 a.m. As a result, armed men who had arrived there were unable to storm the building. The building remains under joint protection," the ministry said in a statement.
"In Kramatorsk and Chervonoarmiysk, Operation Fortress, which was launched in the morning made it possible to thwart attempted seizures of buildings. In the city of Krasny Liman, law enforcers and local residents took the police building under joint protection at 8 a.m. As a result, armed men who had arrived there were unable to storm the building. The building remains under joint protection," the ministry said in a statement.
16:12
12.4.2014
Meanwhile in Kazakhstan, the opposition fears contagion from Ukraine. From Ryskeldi Satke in The Diplomat:
Read the whole piece here.
Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and annexation of Crimea have alarmed the ranks of the marginalized opposition of Kazakhstan, along with local experts who see Moscow’s integration projects as a threat to Kazakhstan’s independence.
Read the whole piece here.
16:07
12.4.2014
Roland Oliphant of The Telegraph tweets his trip to Slavyansk today. Some highlights:
En route to sloviansk. Just passed that roadblock again - lots of guys, still not stopping us.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
The road block is just south of Konstantinovka, for future reference.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Waved through another check point on slovyansk outskirts. Guys with double barrelled shotguns, pic'n'mix camo, cartridge bandoliers.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Civilians including women filling sandbags for chicanes across road.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Chatting with blokes with AKs and masks again. Oh so familiar.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Where'd you get the guns? The state. Eh? (Nods at Russian flag) you know, that state.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Real mix of guys. Old fat blokes who say they're afghan vets. Leaner young lads who carry their AKs like pros.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
"I got these in Kandahar." pic.twitter.com/goUQhyu8YB
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
Also plenty who hold their AKs like twits, to give you the full picture of gun cradling.
— Roland Oliphant (@RolandOliphant) April 12, 2014
15:26
12.4.2014
Report from NPR: "Between Friends, Family, And Country, Ukrainian Police Lie Low"
Read, or listen to, the whole report here.
At occupied government buildings in eastern Ukraine, there is plenty of razor wire, sandbags and Molotov cocktails.
One thing is conspicuously absent, though — law enforcement.
One thing is conspicuously absent, though — law enforcement.
Read, or listen to, the whole report here.