Final, interrupted air-traffic-control conversation with Flight MH17's cockpit:
h/t: Guardian
Separatists in Donetsk, eastern Ukraine, yesterday celebrated the 71st anniversary of the city's liberation from German forces in 1943. Speakers told a crowd of several hundred the battle against ''fascism'' was continuing, referring to the current conflict against Ukrainian government forces. The cease-fire is part of a 12-point plan that calls on Kyiv to grant special status to Donetsk and Luhansk, but separatist leaders insisted at the rally they would achieve full independence. (RFE/RL's Moldova Service)
Our newsroom update on the MH17 report:
Dutch Probe Says Malaysian Jet That Crashed In Ukraine Was Penetrated, Torn Apart
Today's situation map from the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council:
Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov speaking at a news conference in Moscow today, via Reuters:
"The cease-fire is largely holding up, although you are absolutely right, there are some incidences and both sides blame each other."
"We know, for example, that rebels and we, as a country that attested the agreement reached in Minsk on September 5, are both seriously concerned about yesterday's [September 8] messages about the concentration of heavy artillery in Debaltseve region. The artillery is on the side [controlled] by the Ukrainian forces and according to all indications assault troops are being prepared."
"As for the talks on the status of the southeast of the country, the protocol that was signed in Minsk makes provisions for such steps. We hope that these talks will start soon."
OSCE Representative on Freedom Dunja Mijatović today again expressed her concern about the intimidation of free voices in Crimea following the detention and interrogation of Yelizaveta Bohutskaya, a blogger and contributor to various media outlets, including Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty's (RFE/RL) Crimean desk, in Simferopol.
“This detention is yet another example of the ongoing practice and attempts by the de-facto authorities in Crimea to silence critical voices. It is unacceptable and it poses a clear threat to free media in Crimea,” Mijatović said.