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Pro-Russian separatists assemble on July 16 on the field where MH17 crashed almost one year ago, killing all 298 on board.
Pro-Russian separatists assemble on July 16 on the field where MH17 crashed almost one year ago, killing all 298 on board.
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Live Blog: Ukraine In Crisis (ARCHIVE)

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Follow all of the developments as they happen

07:24 30.1.2015
Aleksandr Zakharchenko (center), head of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic"
Aleksandr Zakharchenko (center), head of the self-declared "Donetsk People's Republic"

​From our newsroom, based on reports by Russian news agencies:

A pro-Russian separatist leader says Ukrainian troops near a Donetsk region town are surrounded and should surrender their weapons or face death.

Russian state news agency RIA Novosti cites Aleksandr Zakharchenko as saying rebel forces have surrounded Ukrainian units near Debaltseve, a flashpoint in the recent escalation of a conflict that has killed more than 5,100 people in eastern Ukraine since April.

Zakharchenko reportedly said on January 30 that the Ukrainian troops' lives would be spared if they hand over their weapons.

The demand comes amid expectations of a new round of talks between representatives of the rebels, Ukraine, Russia, and the OSCE on January 30 in the Belarusian capital, Minsk.

The rebels have made gains recenetly in what the Uited States has called a "Russian-backed offensive" that violates the terms of an agreement on a cease-fire and steps toward peace signed in Minsk in September.

Zakharchenko said on January 23 that the rebels would push to the borders of the Donetsk province and cast deep doubt on their commitment to any cease-fire.

Based on reporting by RIA Novosti and Ekho Moskvy

07:19 30.1.2015

A protester climbed onto the stage of the Metropolitan Opera in New York City after a performance by Russian classical music titans Anna Netrebko and Valery Gergiev and held up a sign criticizing Russian President Vladimir Putin and the Kremlin’s actions in Ukraine.

Pro-Ukrainian activist Roman Torgovitsky walked onto the stage as Netrebko and the cast received an ovation following their January 29 performance of the Gergiev-conducted Tchaikovsky opera Iolanta.

Netrebko came under fire from critics last year after appearing in public together with Oleg Tsaryov, a leader of pro-Russian separatists fighting in Ukraine.

Gergiev last year signed an open letter published by Russia's culture ministry expressing "firm" support for the Kremlin's Ukraine policy.

Torgovitsky, who showed the audience a sign likening Putin to Adolf Hitler, was arrested after the protest, a friend of his told RFE/RL. He could not be immediately reached for comment.

Here's YouTube video of the incident:

21:10 29.1.2015

That concludes our live blogging for Thursday, January 29. Follow our continuing coverage of Ukraine, Russia, and the entire RFE/RL region HERE.

Here's our wrap-up of today's EU foreign-ministers meeting:

EU Agrees To Extend Russian Sanctions Over Ukraine

21:02 29.1.2015

20:45 29.1.2015

Ukraine Separatists Plan 'Summit Of Unrecognized States'

20:39 29.1.2015

PHOTO GALLERY: Could Have Fooled Me! Russia's 'Fake' Foods

Could Have Fooled Me! Russia's 'Fake' Foods

The label for Forsa butter bears the colors of the Swedish flag, Swedish words, and a Swedish-sounding company name. It is, however, made in Volot in Novogorod Oblast.
1/12 The label for Forsa butter bears the colors of the Swedish flag, Swedish words, and a Swedish-sounding company name. It is, however, made in Volot in Novogorod Oblast.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
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Omichka, a "paste-like processed dessert with cheese," may tempt nostalgists with fond memories of a popular processed cheese made during the Soviet era under the same name. Made in Omsk, hence the name.
2/12 Omichka, a "paste-like processed dessert with cheese," may tempt nostalgists with fond memories of a popular processed cheese made during the Soviet era under the same name. Made in Omsk, hence the name.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Many Soviet-style processed cheeses live on, albeit with new names -- Russian, Friendship of Continents, and Dutch -- and a slightly edited description: "processed food with cheese."
3/12 Many Soviet-style processed cheeses live on, albeit with new names -- Russian, Friendship of Continents, and Dutch -- and a slightly edited description: "processed food with cheese."
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Some products make a diligent effort to look like imports. This fior di latte mozzarella is actually made in the town of Malaya Vishera, in Novgorod Oblast. Some Russians who have sampled it say the taste is closer to tvorog (farmer's cheese) than real Italian mozzarella.
4/12 Some products make a diligent effort to look like imports. This fior di latte mozzarella is actually made in the town of Malaya Vishera, in Novgorod Oblast. Some Russians who have sampled it say the taste is closer to tvorog (farmer's cheese) than real Italian mozzarella.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
"Spanish" sausages. Made in Rostov-on-Don.
5/12 "Spanish" sausages. Made in Rostov-on-Don.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Valde, a processed cheese whose name and label bear more than a passing resemblance to popular Finnish dairy brand Valio. Valio continues to operate production facilities in St. Petersburg and outside Moscow, but with many of its raw ingredients now banned, its products are in short supply. In the meantime, there's Valde.
6/12 Valde, a processed cheese whose name and label bear more than a passing resemblance to popular Finnish dairy brand Valio. Valio continues to operate production facilities in St. Petersburg and outside Moscow, but with many of its raw ingredients now banned, its products are in short supply. In the meantime, there's Valde.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Rokler, yet another processed cheese -- only this time with ham! -- attempts Scandinavian appeal with the addition of a small crown. Made in Omsk.
7/12 Rokler, yet another processed cheese -- only this time with ham! -- attempts Scandinavian appeal with the addition of a small crown. Made in Omsk.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
A Russian term that alternately means wet nurse and breadwinner, Kormilitsa canned peas bear a decidedly Soviet style, despite the new name. Made in Krasnodar.
8/12 A Russian term that alternately means wet nurse and breadwinner, Kormilitsa canned peas bear a decidedly Soviet style, despite the new name. Made in Krasnodar.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Hansdorf butter, made in St. Petersburg, adopts a German-style appearance, its label showing a bluebird, a smiling milkmaid, and a grass-fed cow.
9/12 Hansdorf butter, made in St. Petersburg, adopts a German-style appearance, its label showing a bluebird, a smiling milkmaid, and a grass-fed cow.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
The Petersburg-based manufacturer Gold of Europe has produced its own variety of Maasdam, a Swiss-style Dutch cheese. A medallion on the packaging advertises it as a member of the "collection of famous European cheeses." One taster pronounced the Russian brand "not first-rate, but edible."
10/12 The Petersburg-based manufacturer Gold of Europe has produced its own variety of Maasdam, a Swiss-style Dutch cheese. A medallion on the packaging advertises it as a member of the "collection of famous European cheeses." One taster pronounced the Russian brand "not first-rate, but edible."
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Some of the new products appear to be packaged with the patriotic shopper in mind. One example: Krymskoye Maslo (Crimean Butter), whose label comes adorned with the black-and-orange St. George's ribbon worn by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. A similarly beribboned Crimean Vodka is also newly available. Both are produced in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
11/12 Some of the new products appear to be packaged with the patriotic shopper in mind. One example: Krymskoye Maslo (Crimean Butter), whose label comes adorned with the black-and-orange St. George's ribbon worn by pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine. A similarly beribboned Crimean Vodka is also newly available. Both are produced in the Crimean city of Sevastopol.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
Another patriotically named product, Kremlyovskoye, despite promising the "tender taste of cream," is not butter but a member of the "spread category." The label features the image of the kremlin not in Moscow but in Nizhy Novgorod, where Kremlyovskoye is made.
12/12 Another patriotically named product, Kremlyovskoye, despite promising the "tender taste of cream," is not butter but a member of the "spread category." The label features the image of the kremlin not in Moscow but in Nizhy Novgorod, where Kremlyovskoye is made.
In August 2014, Russia announced it was banning foreign food imports to punish the West for imposing economic sanctions over Ukraine. Since then, the country has scrambled to fill emptying market shelves with locally made alternatives to Finnish yogurt, Dutch cheese, and Italian mozzarella, whose packaging appears intended to fool Russian shoppers. Sergei Chernov, a journalist and photographer based in St. Petersburg, takes a look at some recent mealtime options, many of which appear to involve processed cheese.
Show more Show less
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20:28 29.1.2015

20:27 29.1.2015

BBC: Russian military jets 'disrupted UK aviation'

Russian military planes flying near UK airspace caused "disruption to civil aviation" on Wednesday, the Foreign Office has said.

It said the two Russian planes did not enter UK airspace, but the manoeuvres were "part of increasing pattern of out-of-area operations" by Russia.

The planes were "escorted" by RAF jets "throughout the time they were in the UK area of interest", officials added.

Russia's ambassador has been summoned to "account for the incident".

20:21 29.1.2015

Re-upping this multimedia effort in light of news of Savchenko's worsening condition.

Nadia Savchenko: Anatomy Of A Hunger Strike

20:01 29.1.2015

Our Russian Service story (in Russian; you can Google-translate!) on the mother of seven who has been arrested in Russia on suspicion of treason, reportedly because she contacted the Ukrainian Embassy suggesting that Russian troops were soon bound for eastern Ukraine.

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