Our Moscow correspondent has pointed out that a certain Vladislav Dovgopol, head of a Russian Parachuting Society, has posted an "open letter to the president" on vKontakte in which he vouches for the "four athlete parachutists" reportedly taken into custody after the "seven sisters" flag stunt. He says those in custody aren't responsible for the vandalism of painting the star and raising the Ukrainian flag and urges those who painted the star to come forward and end their "disgusting and cowardly hiding."
Interfax (screaming all-cap's are theirs): RUSSIAN CUSTOM OFFICERS START CLEARANCE OF HUMANITARIAN GOODS FOR EASTERN UKRAINE - FEDERAL CUSTOMS SERVICE
Today's map from the National Security and Defense Council:
Ukrainian authorities, in a video posted today, claim to debunk a Russian state television report showing a purported rocket strike on a residential area in Donetsk, saying the "rocket" is actually spliced footage of an abortive rocket launch from Baikonur, in Kazakhstan, in 2013.
Russia's Defense Ministry has already dismissed the claim as false.
The vandals who painted the Moscow high-rise star Ukrainian blue and raised the Ukrainian flag "could face seven years in jail," Ukrinform reports, quoting ITAR-TASS, not just the three originally reported.
This slon.ru article (in Russian) is the most comprehensive and detailed account of where the Russian humanitarian convoy stalled at the Ukrainian border stands -- including warnings from the International Committee of the Red Cross about how the drivers must conduct themselves. There has been speculation that the trucks might try to position themselves strategically to hinder Ukrainian forces or otherwise intervene.
There is talk that the first 16 trucks in the convoy of around 270 trucks, might be allowed into Ukrainian territory within hours.
A vox pop from our correspondent in the Russian capital, Tom Balmforth:
Moscow's McDonald's Fans Not Lovin' Closure
