Ukraine says it has suspended its offensive against rebels so experts can reach #MH17 site http://t.co/prsfRQxOig
— Maxim Eristavi (@MaximEristavi) July 31, 2014
Brilliant noir sketch by @GuyChazan that captures the absurdity, and the darkening of the mood in Donetsk of late. http://t.co/izIFQSwIAY
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) July 31, 2014
Some serious hooey courtesy of ITAR-TASS World Service writer Lyudmila Alexandrova:
Russia can considerably reduce vine imports from traditional wine countries such as France, Italy and Spain in the near future. Experts predict a winemaking boom with a special contribution by Crimea and the city of Sevastopol. All the more so as foreign companies plan to participate despite the sanctions....
Winegrowing was neglected when Crimea was when part of Ukraine, with resorts built on the territories of many vineyards and recovery will take about 5-7 years, he added. Meanwhile, great opportunities for elite winemaking are offered by Sevastopol, said former city governor Alexey Chaly.
All part of Operation Depardieu, it seems. "Did not rule out" that it "could come in useful," huh?
French actor Grard Depardieu who has Russian citizenship has already been proposed as Crimea's chief winegrower to head the planned state committee on winemaking. Crimea's interim governor Sergey Aksyonov did not rule out Depardieu's professional advice could come in useful.
Here's today's map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine distributed by the National Security and Defense Council:
LATEST: Ukraine's parliament has rejected Prime Minister Arseniy Yatsenyuk's resignation. (Reuters, AFP, UNIAN)