09:59
17.6.2014
Here's an update from our news desk regarding casualties on the pro-Kyiv side in eastern Ukraine:
Ukraine's First Deputy Prime Minister Vitaliy Yarema has said 125 security personnel have been killed since the government launched its "antiterrorist operation" against pro-Russian separatists in the east of the country two months ago.
Yarema said late yesterday that those killed included soldiers, police officers, border guards, and Ukraine Security Service (SBU) personnel.
Ukrainian government forces suffered their biggest single loss of life when pro-Russian separatists shot down a military transport plane on June 14, killing all 49 troops and crew on board.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's border guard service said 31 border guards and soldiers were injured when separatists attacked a checkpoint on June 17 in the eastern Donetsk region.
Andriy Parubiy, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, estimated that there are 15,000 to 20,000 "armed terrorists" in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and "more than half of them come from Russia."
Yarema said late yesterday that those killed included soldiers, police officers, border guards, and Ukraine Security Service (SBU) personnel.
Ukrainian government forces suffered their biggest single loss of life when pro-Russian separatists shot down a military transport plane on June 14, killing all 49 troops and crew on board.
Meanwhile, Ukraine's border guard service said 31 border guards and soldiers were injured when separatists attacked a checkpoint on June 17 in the eastern Donetsk region.
Andriy Parubiy, the head of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council, estimated that there are 15,000 to 20,000 "armed terrorists" in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions and "more than half of them come from Russia."
09:51
17.6.2014
Euronews: #Poroshenko announces plan for temporary ceasefire in crisis-ridden east (VIDEO) http://t.co/4n4ciwUTKS
— Kyiv Post (@KyivPost) June 17, 2014
09:36
17.6.2014
Russia play S Korea tonight. If Russia win group & US sneak through behind Germany after their Ghana win, will be Russia v USA in 2nd round.
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) June 17, 2014
09:24
17.6.2014
"The Moscow Times" reports on a somewhat bizarre protest against Ukraine organized by a St. Petersburg lawmaker:
Lashing back against an anti-Russia protest staged in Kiev over the weekend, conservative St. Petersburg lawmaker Vitaly Milonov offered employees of the city's Ukrainian Consulate a sex toy and some cured pork fat.
About 30 people turned out to support Milonov's consulate protest on Sunday, Fontanka.ru reported. Many of those in attendance at the event were affiliates of Molodaya Gvardiya ,or Young Guard — the ruling United Russia party's youth branch.
Milonov had hoped to present a series of so-called “gifts” to consulate employees, including a sex toy — in apparent reference to accusations that Kiev has sold out to U.S. interests — and slices of salo, or cured pork fat, a traditional Ukrainian food.
Unfortunately for Milonov, no employees were at work during the event to accept the gifts, the report said.
The protest was organized in answer to a protest held outside of the Russian Embassy in Kiev on Saturday by Ukrainian activists, who smashed windows, tore down the Russian flag and damaged cars.
Milonov told those in attendance that the protest was also a message to the Ukrainian government that the Russian people were ready to stand up and defend their fellow citizens if necessary.
About 30 people turned out to support Milonov's consulate protest on Sunday, Fontanka.ru reported. Many of those in attendance at the event were affiliates of Molodaya Gvardiya ,or Young Guard — the ruling United Russia party's youth branch.
Milonov had hoped to present a series of so-called “gifts” to consulate employees, including a sex toy — in apparent reference to accusations that Kiev has sold out to U.S. interests — and slices of salo, or cured pork fat, a traditional Ukrainian food.
Unfortunately for Milonov, no employees were at work during the event to accept the gifts, the report said.
The protest was organized in answer to a protest held outside of the Russian Embassy in Kiev on Saturday by Ukrainian activists, who smashed windows, tore down the Russian flag and damaged cars.
Milonov told those in attendance that the protest was also a message to the Ukrainian government that the Russian people were ready to stand up and defend their fellow citizens if necessary.
09:12
17.6.2014
...seen in pubs in #Kiev. #Ukraine #putinhuylo pic.twitter.com/oz3MtPYU6g
— Dmitriy (@DimaMiryan) June 16, 2014
09:07
17.6.2014
This tweet purportedly shows fighting in Slovyansk overnight:
#Славянск во время ночных обстрелов. 17.06.2014 pic.twitter.com/dHNoiBiF54
— СЛАВЯНСК (@Sloviansk) June 16, 2014
08:42
17.6.2014
A couple of people have been tweeting about how today is the 125th anniversary of the death of John Hughes -- the Welshman who founded Donetsk, which was originally called "Yuzvoka" after the British entrepreneur.
08:27
17.6.2014
Pay attention:Russia's FSB financed anti-UKR NGOs in Crimea; in context with Kyrgyzstan similar schemes https://t.co/goWGALVZFe #CentralAsia
— Ryskeldi Satke (@RyskeldiSatke) June 17, 2014
08:24
17.6.2014
Russia cuts itself off http://t.co/Co38M7YXXH
— Anne Applebaum (@anneapplebaum) June 17, 2014
07:48
17.6.2014
Good morning. We'll start the live blog today with an update from RFE/RL's news desk:
Russia has circulated a new draft UN resolution in an effort to get the divided UN Security Council to address eastern Ukraine's worsening humanitarian situation and escalating conflict between government troops and separatists.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said yesterday that the draft resolution includes parts of two earlier resolutions calling for humanitarian aid, a cease-fire, and a national dialogue in Ukraine.
It also includes several issues raised by council members -- including a reference to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Russia, which currently holds the council presidency, is likely to face an uphill struggle getting the resolution approved because of widespread opposition to its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March.
The United States and NATO have accused Russia of providing heavy weapons -- including tanks and rocket launchers -- to Ukraine’s pro-Russian separatists.
Russia's UN Ambassador Vitaly Churkin said yesterday that the draft resolution includes parts of two earlier resolutions calling for humanitarian aid, a cease-fire, and a national dialogue in Ukraine.
It also includes several issues raised by council members -- including a reference to Ukraine's sovereignty, independence, and territorial integrity.
Russia, which currently holds the council presidency, is likely to face an uphill struggle getting the resolution approved because of widespread opposition to its annexation of Ukraine's Crimean Peninsula in March.
The United States and NATO have accused Russia of providing heavy weapons -- including tanks and rocket launchers -- to Ukraine’s pro-Russian separatists.