13:18
8.6.2014
There isn't so much coming from the ground in the east today, but AFP has this anon-sourced piece about a continued rebels attack at Luhansk airport.
Pro-Russian rebels fighting Ukraine's Western-backed government have launched their most serious attacks yet on Lugansk International Airport in the east of the country, a military source said Sunday.
The assaults, which took place Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the immediate wake of the inauguration of Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko, did not result in any injuries among the defenders, he said.
"It was clear the rebels were trying to destroy the building which controls the power supply to the airport," said the source, one of the Ukrainian paratroopers guarding the airport, talking to AFP by telephone.
"It's the first time we have had an attack of this kind. Up till now, we've only had a few skirmishes," said the soldier, who identified himself only as Sergiy.
Pro-Russian separatist proclaimed the independence of the "Lugansk People's Republic" in May, at about the same time as the neighbouring "Donetsk People's Republic".
The assaults, which took place Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the immediate wake of the inauguration of Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko, did not result in any injuries among the defenders, he said.
"It was clear the rebels were trying to destroy the building which controls the power supply to the airport," said the source, one of the Ukrainian paratroopers guarding the airport, talking to AFP by telephone.
"It's the first time we have had an attack of this kind. Up till now, we've only had a few skirmishes," said the soldier, who identified himself only as Sergiy.
Pro-Russian separatist proclaimed the independence of the "Lugansk People's Republic" in May, at about the same time as the neighbouring "Donetsk People's Republic".
12:51
8.6.2014
Comments from the German foreign minister:
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said only "substantial" talks between Moscow and Kyiv would help defuse the Ukraine crisis.
Steinmeier told German newspaper "Tagesspiegel" on June 8 that several developments had given rise to hope, such as the Ukrainian presidential vote and the first meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Paris.
"But there can only then be real progress when there are direct, substantial talks between Moscow and Kyiv," Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier said he will make the same point when he meets with the Polish and Russian foreign ministers, Radoslaw Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov, in St. Petersburg on June 10.
The meeting was agreed in January on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference before the crisis erupted.
Steinmeier also urged the Ukrainian government to retain a "sense of proportion" in its military operations against insurgents.
Steinmeier told German newspaper "Tagesspiegel" on June 8 that several developments had given rise to hope, such as the Ukrainian presidential vote and the first meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Paris.
"But there can only then be real progress when there are direct, substantial talks between Moscow and Kyiv," Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier said he will make the same point when he meets with the Polish and Russian foreign ministers, Radoslaw Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov, in St. Petersburg on June 10.
The meeting was agreed in January on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference before the crisis erupted.
Steinmeier also urged the Ukrainian government to retain a "sense of proportion" in its military operations against insurgents.
10:58
8.6.2014
10:13
8.6.2014
We wrote here about the volunteer groups raising funds to buy equipment for soldiers fighting in the east of the country and, in some cases, delivering the supplies directly to the soldiers themselves. VICE News correspondent meets with Yuri Kasyanov, "a Ukrainian activist who raises money from ordinary people to buy supplies for the Ukrainian army, and every day risks his life to deliver them to the front lines."
09:14
8.6.2014
Fascinating article about the use of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) in the Ukrainian conflict. They have mostly likely been responsible for bringing down Ukrainian aircraft. Some good details about the military's capabilities:
And on the danger that an airliner might be targeted:
With the MANPADS threat blossoming in Ukraine, Ukrainian military aircraft are actively employing infrared countermeasures (see videos below) whenever they are flying in a high-threat area and within the performance envelope of most MANPADS (under about 12k feet). Still, many aircraft in Ukraine's geriatric air force do not have "expendables" (flares) capability, and none of them carry enough of flares to constantly be punching them out. Without high-tech missile launch detection systems flare release depends on visually seeing a MANPADS launch and evading it using maneuvering and countermeasures.
And on the danger that an airliner might be targeted:
The flip side to Russia fielding these weapons to pro-Russian factions, or even to its own operatives in Ukraine, is that they could easily wind up in the hands of terrorists who would love to use such weapons against western flagged Airliners.
If MANPADS were to be used against a western airliner, as was attempted in Mombasa in 2002, and multiple times in Iraq (see video below), and that missile and/or its launcher were traced back to the Ukrainian conflict, it could greatly erode the already poor relations between NATO and Russia. So as we see these high-terror potential weapons being used or being toted around in Ukraine, we must remember that each one represents a potential match that could light off a geopolitical powder keg in the region and around the world.
If MANPADS were to be used against a western airliner, as was attempted in Mombasa in 2002, and multiple times in Iraq (see video below), and that missile and/or its launcher were traced back to the Ukrainian conflict, it could greatly erode the already poor relations between NATO and Russia. So as we see these high-terror potential weapons being used or being toted around in Ukraine, we must remember that each one represents a potential match that could light off a geopolitical powder keg in the region and around the world.
09:04
8.6.2014
08:53
8.6.2014
According to the "Daily Telegraph," a British warship has been sent to the Baltic Sea for military exercises.
A Royal Navy warship has been deployed to the Baltic Sea for a military exercise amid continuing tensions with Russia over Ukraine.
British armed forces are to take part in three operations in the Baltic region to provide "reassurance" to allies in Eastern Europe, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.
HMS Montrose will take part in Baltops, the largest multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea this year, to improve maritime security in the region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
British armed forces are to take part in three operations in the Baltic region to provide "reassurance" to allies in Eastern Europe, Defence Secretary Philip Hammond said.
HMS Montrose will take part in Baltops, the largest multi-national naval exercise in the Baltic Sea this year, to improve maritime security in the region, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) said.
08:45
8.6.2014
Reuters has a round-up here of the continuing violence after Poroshenko's inauguration.
08:42
8.6.2014
Some close-up footage of the Ukrainian military here.
08:34
8.6.2014
AP has a story giving more detail about Joe Biden's son's new job at a Ukrainian energy company:
U.S. Vice President Joe Biden's visit Saturday to support Ukraine's fragile democracy came soon after his youngest son was hired by a private Ukrainian company that promotes energy independence from Moscow.
Yet that company leases natural gas fields in the breakaway Russian-backed state of Crimea and is owned by a former government minister with ties to Ukraine's ousted pro-Russian president.
The hiring of Hunter Biden, 44, by Burisma Holdings Limited in April was approved by the company's owner, a former senior minister and political ally of Viktor Yanukovych, the exiled Ukrainian president. Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after protests erupted over his efforts to establish closer economic ties with Moscow.
Hunter Biden's employment means he will be working as a director and top lawyer for a Ukrainian energy company during the period when his father and others in the Obama administration attempt to influence the policies of Ukraine's new government, especially on energy issues.
There's no indication that Hunter Biden, his father or Burisma are crossing any legal or ethical lines, although ethics experts appear divided over the implications of Hunter Biden's new job.
Yet that company leases natural gas fields in the breakaway Russian-backed state of Crimea and is owned by a former government minister with ties to Ukraine's ousted pro-Russian president.
The hiring of Hunter Biden, 44, by Burisma Holdings Limited in April was approved by the company's owner, a former senior minister and political ally of Viktor Yanukovych, the exiled Ukrainian president. Yanukovych fled to Russia in February after protests erupted over his efforts to establish closer economic ties with Moscow.
Hunter Biden's employment means he will be working as a director and top lawyer for a Ukrainian energy company during the period when his father and others in the Obama administration attempt to influence the policies of Ukraine's new government, especially on energy issues.
There's no indication that Hunter Biden, his father or Burisma are crossing any legal or ethical lines, although ethics experts appear divided over the implications of Hunter Biden's new job.