The Ukraine crisis is also having cultural ramifications it seems (from "The Moscow Times"):
The Ukrainian Culture Ministry has banned the distribution of two Russian films, accusing the movies of displaying "contempt" toward Ukraine and distorting historical facts in favor of Russia.
One of the movies in question, "The White Guard," is set against the backdrop of Russian Civil War clashes in Ukraine's Kiev and is based on the eponymous novel by celebrated Russian writer Mikhail Bulgakov. The second film, "Poddubny," is a biographical movie about famed Russian and Soviet wrestler Ivan Poddubny, who was born into a Ukrainian Cossack family in what now constitutes central Ukraine.
The ban falls under the bracket of "cultural sanctions," enacted against Russia in line with a government order to target individuals who "support and finance terrorism in Ukraine," the ministry said Monday in an online statement.
"According to the experts who have reviewed these movies, they 'show contempt for the Ukrainian language, people and the state,' and 'some facts are distorted to benefit Russia,'" the Culture Ministry said in the statement.
Read the entire article here.
Putin is 'thuggish, dishonest and reckless', says British ambassador to US http://t.co/gQAwrn28LT pic.twitter.com/fDRNGx2X6r
— The Independent (@Independent) July 29, 2014
Here's the latest situation map for east Ukraine from Kyiv's National Security and Defense Council:
Russia cancels second ruble bond auction in a row amid threats of more sanctions.
— Paul Waldie (@pwaldieGLOBE) July 29, 2014
From @CharlesCrawford - thoughts on his former colleague calling Vladimir Putin 'thuggish, dishonest and reckless' http://t.co/AzyzvI2YL5
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) July 29, 2014
Wow! #Kremlin insider Kolesnikov: #Putin looking for other sources of information as doesn't trust own http://t.co/j7mdaLLpXF h/t @b_judah
— Fabian Burkhardt (@sanwaldinjo) July 29, 2014
It seems that news of more impending sanctions against Russia is causing waves on financial markets:
Russian bank and company bonds denominated in dollars and euros have slumped in value in the past few days in anticipation of tough European Union sanctions.
The EU has already slapped sanctions such as asset freezes and travel bans on some Russian officials after Russia annexed Ukraine's Crimea region earlier this year and began supporting separatists fighting Kiev's forces in eastern Ukraine.
The United States has also issued six rounds of sanctions, with its toughest imposed on July 16.
But the downing on July 17 of a Malaysian airliner over Ukraine, killing all 298 people on board, has led European leaders to beef up their own measures.
Read the entire article here
Since Girkin/Strelkov took over as 'Commander in Chief', separatists have lost three quarters of their territory and shot down an airliner.
— Alexander Clarkson (@APHClarkson) July 29, 2014
Disgusting disrespect for @TanyaLokshina - a meticulous professional - by obnoxious anchor on Ukraine's @HromadskeTV http://t.co/CcVs6GLgQ8
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) July 29, 2014
Apartment block Donetsk takes direct hit ..I'm told one boy injured still to confirm @9NewsAUS #MH17 pic.twitter.com/EGa9YPHfyJ
— Damian Ryan (@DamoNews) July 29, 2014