Some of the protesting that went on outside the Ukrainian parliament as deputies granted some eastern swaths "special status" and passed an amnesty for less serious crimes, in addition to backing the Association Agreement with the EU.
The Ukrainian Foreign Ministry has issued a statement reacting to Russian Defense Minister Shoigu's assertion today on the deployment of a "complete and self-sufficient military grouping in the direction of Crimea." (Translation by RFE/RL Central Newsroom)
Since it created a "gray zone" on the sovereign territory of Ukraine that is de facto not covered by current multilateral agreements in the area of arms control, the Russian Federation has continued to increase its military presence in Crimea and create military strike groups there with unclear objectives. The minister cited the reasons for such military preparations -- an increase in foreign military presence near the Russian borders and a worsening of the situation in Ukraine -- that don't withstand scrutiny, especially in contravention of an agreement to end the use of weapons in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Ukraine regards S. Shoigu's statement as destabilizing the situation in the whole Black Sea region.
We urge the Russian Federation to stop provocative actions that threaten the sovereignty and territorial integrity of Ukraine and peace in the region.
Our wrap-up of the days events via the newsroom. This will also conclude our live blogging for Tuesday, September 16.
Ukraine Seals EU Pact, Offers Rebel East 'Special Status'
Ukraine Today video shows Serbs fighting for pro-Russian forces in eastern Ukraine. One of them insists "I think Russia will win" and acknowledges fighting alongside Russian troops, although recall that Moscow insists it has no troops there and it's "not a party" to the conflict.
h/t: @timjudah1
A Russian lawmaker is pressing for information about soldiers he suspects were killed in the conflict in eastern UKraine.
Lev Shlosberg, a newspaper publisher and deputy in the Pskov city assembly, sent an official petition to the chief military prosecutor yesterday listing 12 servicemen who died away from their posts between July and September.
He asked prosecutors to investigate where they died, under what circumstances, and whether their deployment violated the constitution.
He said the list of 12 names "is evidently incomplete, unfortunately."
Shlosberg has been instrumental in building evidence suggesting Russian soldiers have died in eastern Ukraine, despite Moscow's denials that it has sent troops to support pro-Russian separatists in a conflict that has killed more than 3,000 people since April.
Shlosberg was badly beaten by unidentified assailants after his newspaper published an investigation into the funerals of two paratroopers in late August.