14:45
24.2.2014
Remember Tetyana Chornovol? She's the investigative Ukrainian journalist, known for reporting on corruption among the Yanukovych-era elite, whose savage beating on Christmas Day provoked an international outcry.
Chornovol has reported on her blog that the ousted president might be preparing to flee Ukraine aboard a yacht called the "Bandido."
The report remains in the realm of rumor ("The Guardian" says today that in Balaclava there was no sign of either Yanukovych or the yacht, reputed to be owned by his son.) But it's prompted a few waggish responses on Twitter.
Here's a picture:
"The yacht citizen Yanukovych is using to try and slip out of Crimea proudly bears the touching name of BANDIDO."
Chornovol has reported on her blog that the ousted president might be preparing to flee Ukraine aboard a yacht called the "Bandido."
The report remains in the realm of rumor ("The Guardian" says today that in Balaclava there was no sign of either Yanukovych or the yacht, reputed to be owned by his son.) But it's prompted a few waggish responses on Twitter.
Here's a picture:
А с этим теперь - что ? С Bandido ? Собак в Межигорье кормить нечем и некому.. А тут - цельная яхта ! pic.twitter.com/4BKBlUOpcq
— Andrei Cherny (@Andrei_Cherny) February 23, 2014
Tweets with translations:"The yacht citizen Yanukovych is using to try and slip out of Crimea proudly bears the touching name of BANDIDO."
"Yanukovych's son has a yacht called Bandido. All street thugs are the same."яхта на которой гражданин януковский пытается или пытался слинять из крыма гордо носит трогательное название "BANDIDO"
— Артем Зелений (@ELWindsor) February 24, 2014
"If Yanukovych's son's yacht is called Bandido, then Putin's daughter likely has one called kickback."у сына Януковича яхта называется Bandido. Все гопники одинаковы
— Pavel Pryanikov (@netovetz) February 24, 2014
Если у сына януковича яхта называется Bandido то у дочери путина вероятней всего зовётся otkato.
— семён шиляев (@saimon190281) February 24, 2014
14:11
24.2.2014
More from the wires:
The European Commission has recognized Oleksandr Turchynov as Ukraine's legitimate acting president, while Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said Moscow has "serious doubts" about the legitimacy of many of Ukraine's governing bodies.
Medvedev said there was no one to deal with in Ukraine, as masked and armed men could not be partners for dialogue.
He called the recognition of Kyiv authorities by some states an "aberration." Medvedev said all of Russia's legally binding agreements with Ukraine will be fulfilled, but he also said that agreements on lower prices for Russian gas supplies reached with ousted President Viktor Yanukovych were not open-ended and would have to be renegotiated.
European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly said Monday in Brussels that the Ukrainian parliament, which on Saturday appointed Turchynov to succeed Yanukovych, took "a legitimate and democratic decision."
Medvedev said there was no one to deal with in Ukraine, as masked and armed men could not be partners for dialogue.
He called the recognition of Kyiv authorities by some states an "aberration." Medvedev said all of Russia's legally binding agreements with Ukraine will be fulfilled, but he also said that agreements on lower prices for Russian gas supplies reached with ousted President Viktor Yanukovych were not open-ended and would have to be renegotiated.
European Commission spokesman Olivier Bailly said Monday in Brussels that the Ukrainian parliament, which on Saturday appointed Turchynov to succeed Yanukovych, took "a legitimate and democratic decision."
13:46
24.2.2014
Via Reuters, Interfax:
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says the legitimacy of the current authorities in Ukraine is in doubt, saying the recognition of them by some states is an "aberration."
Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev says the legitimacy of the current authorities in Ukraine is in doubt, saying the recognition of them by some states is an "aberration."
13:32
24.2.2014
An illuminating piece by Alessandra Prentice at Reuters looking at Ukraine's "sotnyi," the hard-core opposition defense force:
The groups operate with the blessing of a parliament now controlled by Yanukovich's foes and a police force that melted away on Saturday when he was toppled.
[…]
The sotnyi say they are needed to protect Ukraine's people and institutions of power during a time of political flux, at least until a new president is elected on May 25.
But it now appears their ambitions extend far beyond Kiev, into Yanukovich's eastern heartland, a collection of mainly Russian-speaking regions that are uneasy with events in the capital.
[…]
With this in mind, Ruslan said sotnyi members were heading east.
"They're going to Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lugansk - regions where there's lots still to be done," he said.
[…]
"We're seeing hundreds of volunteers every day. We're now sending some out east, to Kharkiv and elsewhere," said Lyubomir, a 58-year-old veteran of the Soviet army who said he served in the Caucasus.
Young recruits in assorted military garb traipsed past him, flashing their improvised security passes.
Some on the Maidan, however, fear the expansion east may be seen as an act of aggression, resented by easterners who look to old connections with Russia rather than Europe as a guarantee of stability.
[…]
The sotnyi say they are needed to protect Ukraine's people and institutions of power during a time of political flux, at least until a new president is elected on May 25.
But it now appears their ambitions extend far beyond Kiev, into Yanukovich's eastern heartland, a collection of mainly Russian-speaking regions that are uneasy with events in the capital.
[…]
With this in mind, Ruslan said sotnyi members were heading east.
"They're going to Donetsk, Kharkiv, Lugansk - regions where there's lots still to be done," he said.
[…]
"We're seeing hundreds of volunteers every day. We're now sending some out east, to Kharkiv and elsewhere," said Lyubomir, a 58-year-old veteran of the Soviet army who said he served in the Caucasus.
Young recruits in assorted military garb traipsed past him, flashing their improvised security passes.
Some on the Maidan, however, fear the expansion east may be seen as an act of aggression, resented by easterners who look to old connections with Russia rather than Europe as a guarantee of stability.
13:06
24.2.2014
Another one posted by EuroMaidan PR: intercepted conversations from snipers on the roofs. It's hard to verify, other than saying that the English subtitles match up with the conversation and the exchange sounds incredibly real.
12:56
24.2.2014
In Sevastopol, Berkut are greeted with flowers. Video posted by the opposition EuroMaidan organization.
12:23
24.2.2014
Starting up again for the day. Check out the summary above for all the main developments. In the meantime, a great cover from the Polish "Newsweek":
"Поляки молодцы!" pic.twitter.com/WtaWUcvl8u
— УКРАЇНА БЕЗ ЧИВОКУНЯ (@Maidenua) February 23, 2014
21:33
23.2.2014
A sad and poignant tweet. And with that we'll wrap up for the day. Please do keep following us at rferl.org.
Who killed her? Where is he? Not a single officer/official arrested, so far #Ukraine #Euromaidan #Ukraineprotests pic.twitter.com/Tzc1SZcKxr
— Ukrainian Updates (@Ukroblogger) February 23, 2014
20:23
23.2.2014
They do like their lions.
If you thought Yanukovych's residence was tasteless, check out the house of Prosecutor General Pshonka: http://t.co/gJi3xALCs0
— Shaun Walker (@shaunwalker7) February 23, 2014
