Aleksandr Zakharchenko, the so-called leader of the self-proclaimed "Donetsk People’s Republic" admitted to burning down Kozhevnya village during active fighting between Ukrainian forces and pro-Russian separatists.
He made the statement at the so-called First Youth Socio-Political Forum of "DPR," where local university students presented a project for restoration of the village.
"This village was a milestone for me. … It was our first offensive. Unfortunately, in the course of fighting we practically destroyed this village," he said. "Having burnt [residential] houses we saved our lives and the lives of our people."
Ukraine to get up to $10 billion in foreign aid in 2016:
Ukraine's finance minister says the cash-strapped country expects to receive up to $10 billion from foreign sources this year, including the International Monetary Fund (IMF).
Natalie Jaresko was quoted by Ukrainian media as making the statement during a cabinet meeting on January 26.
"If we are focused on our program of reforms, then including the IMF and other bilateral and multilateral sources, it will be up to $10 billion," Ukrainian state news agency Ukrinform quoted Jaresko as saying.
The IMF plans to extend at least $1.7 billion in credit to Ukraine next month for the country to replenish its gold reserves, Ukrinform reported.
Ukraine is using international loans and financial aid to stave off bankruptcy as the country struggles to bring its economy out of Russia's direct influence and quell a pro-Russia separatist rebellion in the east of the country. (dpa)
Russia won’t negotiate the return of annexed Crimea to Ukraine, Russian Foreign Minister Sergei Lavrov said at his annual press-conference in Moscow.
"We have nothing to return, we aren’t discussing Crimea’s return with anybody. Crimea is Russia’s territory in full accordance with the will of the peoples of Crimea," he said.
Last week Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko announced the launch of Geneva Plus, an international format that envisages a number of steps aimed at Crimea’s return to Ukraine. Sanctions, international pressure, release of illegally detained Ukrainians and judicial protection of Ukraine’s interests in international courts are among the proposed measures.
Poroshenko said that Ukraine’s position is that "the peninsula is and will be Ukrainian" and the country "takes steps to deoccupy it."
Here is today's map of the security situation in eastern Ukraine, according to the National Security and Defense Council (click to enlarge):
