'Kyiv Post" correspondent Ian Bateson has been writing about the daily situation maps issued daily by Ukraine's Security and Defense Council:
The maps are clean and simple, and as a result are popular on television and social media, though, in journalist circles they are not known for their accuracy.
For most of the summer the maps showed the image Ukrainian authorities wanted to present of the east: one a of a daily shrinking area controlled by separatist as Ukrainian forces moved towards encircling the cities of Donetsk and Luhansk.
In July and August Ukrainian forces did make gains against separatists, but what the maps often failed to capture was the give and take of cities and towns, and situations where “control” was anything but absolute.
What the maps did present was a soothing image of daily progress with the hope that things would soon return to normal.
On August 27 that hope came crashing down. Forces witnesses said were not Ukrainian separatists or Russian soldiers on “vacation,” but Russian regulars, pushed across the border seizing the town of Novoazovsk and surrounding villages.
Read the entire article here
Kremlin trolls hate these guys so #ff & watch the fun. @CoalsonR @edwardlucas @HarrietSalem & @EServettaz
— Vladimir Putin (@DarthPutinKGB) September 12, 2014
"We decided collectively that we cannot stand by, while Pres Putin tramples over...rights of a sovereign neighbour." https://t.co/bmCLANyBhR
— Daniel Sandford (@BBCDanielS) September 12, 2014
After months of war, the threat of unexploded shells looms large in East Ukraine http://t.co/MZhERVT6rY https://t.co/kI2zdtjdYR @vicenews
— Henry Langston (@Henry_Langston) September 12, 2014
Here's an important development concerning the EU-Ukraine free-trade agreement, as reported by RFE/RL's news desk:
The European Union says it is delaying the application of a free trade pact with Ukraine until the end of 2015.
Speaking in Brussels today, EU Trade Commissioner Karel De Gucht said Ukraine will continue to enjoy privileged access to the EU market until that date.
De Gucht said the decisions give "breathing space to discuss whatever problem may arise."
Moscow has threatened to introduce import tariffs on Ukrainian goods if Kyiv proceeds with the planned trade deal, which the Ukrainian and European parliaments are both aiming to ratify on September 16.
Earlier otoday in Kyiv, President Petro Poroshenko called the planned simultaneous ratification of the accord a "historic moment" that defines his country's future.
(Reuters, dpa, AFP)
Picking up the pieces in battle-torn Ilovaisk, trying to restore electricity & school.But there 'aren't enough hands' pic.twitter.com/zWo4Ged8FA
— Alec Luhn (@ASLuhn) September 12, 2014
Ready to continue this journey with the #Ukrainian people. My statement following meeting w/ President #Poroshenko. http://t.co/5Ut2vNF0yE
— José Manuel Barroso (@BarrosoEU) September 12, 2014
Crazy Grad fire and unceasing artillery booms in northern Donetsk right now, one assumed aimed at airport. Cease-fire is complete fiction.
— pete_leonard (@pete_leonard) September 12, 2014
By this point v clear that RUS troops/armour are in Ukraine, but if you need 75th smoking gun: http://t.co/dAoWDssJ29 pic.twitter.com/7p59v8hQcH
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) September 12, 2014
Ukrainian fighter dolphins have joined the Russian army after 23 years of defending Ukraine. Thanks for all the fish. http://t.co/sr3EHGIPre
— Leonid Ragozin (@leonidragozin) September 12, 2014