A grim report from #Luhansk, city that suffered the most during #Ukraine military conflict http://t.co/gl8MTOhK3a
— Olga Tokariuk (@olgatokariuk) October 8, 2014
Meanwhile, in Russia:
Police in Moscow have detained Pavel Shekhtman, a Russian civil rights activist and Kremlin critic.
Shekhtman's lawyer told the online news site kasparov.ru that his client was detained on October 8 over recent publications in the Internet, but did not give details.
He said Shekhtman was being held in a Moscow pretrial detention center.
Shekhttan is known for his criticism of the Kremlin over rights abuses in Russia.
In March, Shekhtman was attacked by members of a group led by nationalist opposition politician Eduard Limonov over his criticism of Russia's actions in Ukraine.
Russia annexed the Crimea region form Ukraine in March, and Kyiv and the West say Moscow has sent troops and weapons to help pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine.
(kasparov.ru, grani.ru)
Great account of terror that ensued in Crimea. Russian journalist goes through known cases of persecution (RUS). http://t.co/Wbs5pwGAWY
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) October 8, 2014
Here is a map of the military situation in eastern Ukraine today, issued by Kyiv's National Security and Defense Council (click map to enlarge):
http://t.co/qKFi5AsQPC Only 5% of Russians blame the separatists or the Kremlin for downing #FlightMH17. 44% blame Kyiv. 23% blame the USA.
— Kevin Rothrock (@KevinRothrock) October 8, 2014
DNR press ppl will apparently confirm situation re Zakharchenko's resignation shortly http://t.co/0l61sypls1
— Oliver Carroll (@olliecarroll) October 8, 2014
Zakharchenko quoted as saying he's fed up with Minsk ceasefire accords, force him to be traitor. So far nobody in Donetsk has confirmation
— Nikolaus von Twickel (@niktwick) October 8, 2014
Two men have caused a kerfuffle at a Czech government press conference today -- interrupting proceedings by stripping to the waist to reveal bodies painted with the colors of the Ukrainian flag and anti-Putin slogans. They also raised a flag with the EU and NATO symbols while calling on Prime Minister Bohuslav Sobotka not to be a "crony" for engineering companies doing business with Russia.
The pair were eventually led away peacefully by security staff. You can watch a video of the incident here.
Here's an item from our news desk on the latest UN casualty figures for eastern Ukraine:
The United Nations says at least 331 deaths have been reported in eastern Ukraine since a cease-fire between government forces and pro-Russian separatists was agreed on September 5.
The UN High Commissioner for Human Rights said on October 8 that hostilities continue in Donetsk, one of two major cities held by the separatists, and around the towns of Debaltseve and Schastye.
It said at least 3,660 people have been killed and 8,756 wounded in eastern Ukraine since fighting began in mid-April.
Some of the 331 deaths reported since the September 5 cease-fire may have occurred before that date.
Fighting in Donetsk has focused mainly around the government-controlled airport, but nearby residential areas have been hit repeatedly by shells.
Rebel-controlled Donetsk city hall said on October 8 that three civilians were killed by shelling overnight.
(AP, Reuters, TASS)
DNR leader Zakharchenko apparently resigns http://t.co/vU2QHSPC4p
— tom balmforth (@BalmforthTom) October 8, 2014