11:14
8.6.2014
Fascinating article about the use of Man Portable Air Defense Systems (MANPADS) in the Ukrainian conflict. They have mostly likely been responsible for bringing down Ukrainian aircraft. Some good details about the military's capabilities:
And on the danger that an airliner might be targeted:
With the MANPADS threat blossoming in Ukraine, Ukrainian military aircraft are actively employing infrared countermeasures (see videos below) whenever they are flying in a high-threat area and within the performance envelope of most MANPADS (under about 12k feet). Still, many aircraft in Ukraine's geriatric air force do not have "expendables" (flares) capability, and none of them carry enough of flares to constantly be punching them out. Without high-tech missile launch detection systems flare release depends on visually seeing a MANPADS launch and evading it using maneuvering and countermeasures.
And on the danger that an airliner might be targeted:
The flip side to Russia fielding these weapons to pro-Russian factions, or even to its own operatives in Ukraine, is that they could easily wind up in the hands of terrorists who would love to use such weapons against western flagged Airliners.
If MANPADS were to be used against a western airliner, as was attempted in Mombasa in 2002, and multiple times in Iraq (see video below), and that missile and/or its launcher were traced back to the Ukrainian conflict, it could greatly erode the already poor relations between NATO and Russia. So as we see these high-terror potential weapons being used or being toted around in Ukraine, we must remember that each one represents a potential match that could light off a geopolitical powder keg in the region and around the world.
If MANPADS were to be used against a western airliner, as was attempted in Mombasa in 2002, and multiple times in Iraq (see video below), and that missile and/or its launcher were traced back to the Ukrainian conflict, it could greatly erode the already poor relations between NATO and Russia. So as we see these high-terror potential weapons being used or being toted around in Ukraine, we must remember that each one represents a potential match that could light off a geopolitical powder keg in the region and around the world.
12:13
8.6.2014
We wrote here about the volunteer groups raising funds to buy equipment for soldiers fighting in the east of the country and, in some cases, delivering the supplies directly to the soldiers themselves. VICE News correspondent meets with Yuri Kasyanov, "a Ukrainian activist who raises money from ordinary people to buy supplies for the Ukrainian army, and every day risks his life to deliver them to the front lines."
12:58
8.6.2014
14:51
8.6.2014
Comments from the German foreign minister:
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier has said only "substantial" talks between Moscow and Kyiv would help defuse the Ukraine crisis.
Steinmeier told German newspaper "Tagesspiegel" on June 8 that several developments had given rise to hope, such as the Ukrainian presidential vote and the first meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Paris.
"But there can only then be real progress when there are direct, substantial talks between Moscow and Kyiv," Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier said he will make the same point when he meets with the Polish and Russian foreign ministers, Radoslaw Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov, in St. Petersburg on June 10.
The meeting was agreed in January on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference before the crisis erupted.
Steinmeier also urged the Ukrainian government to retain a "sense of proportion" in its military operations against insurgents.
Steinmeier told German newspaper "Tagesspiegel" on June 8 that several developments had given rise to hope, such as the Ukrainian presidential vote and the first meeting between the Russian and Ukrainian presidents in Paris.
"But there can only then be real progress when there are direct, substantial talks between Moscow and Kyiv," Steinmeier said.
Steinmeier said he will make the same point when he meets with the Polish and Russian foreign ministers, Radoslaw Sikorski and Sergei Lavrov, in St. Petersburg on June 10.
The meeting was agreed in January on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference before the crisis erupted.
Steinmeier also urged the Ukrainian government to retain a "sense of proportion" in its military operations against insurgents.
15:18
8.6.2014
There isn't so much coming from the ground in the east today, but AFP has this anon-sourced piece about a continued rebels attack at Luhansk airport.
Pro-Russian rebels fighting Ukraine's Western-backed government have launched their most serious attacks yet on Lugansk International Airport in the east of the country, a military source said Sunday.
The assaults, which took place Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the immediate wake of the inauguration of Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko, did not result in any injuries among the defenders, he said.
"It was clear the rebels were trying to destroy the building which controls the power supply to the airport," said the source, one of the Ukrainian paratroopers guarding the airport, talking to AFP by telephone.
"It's the first time we have had an attack of this kind. Up till now, we've only had a few skirmishes," said the soldier, who identified himself only as Sergiy.
Pro-Russian separatist proclaimed the independence of the "Lugansk People's Republic" in May, at about the same time as the neighbouring "Donetsk People's Republic".
The assaults, which took place Saturday evening and Sunday morning in the immediate wake of the inauguration of Ukraine's new President Petro Poroshenko, did not result in any injuries among the defenders, he said.
"It was clear the rebels were trying to destroy the building which controls the power supply to the airport," said the source, one of the Ukrainian paratroopers guarding the airport, talking to AFP by telephone.
"It's the first time we have had an attack of this kind. Up till now, we've only had a few skirmishes," said the soldier, who identified himself only as Sergiy.
Pro-Russian separatist proclaimed the independence of the "Lugansk People's Republic" in May, at about the same time as the neighbouring "Donetsk People's Republic".
17:38
8.6.2014
BREAKING: Prime Minister Plamen Oresharski has announced that Bulgaria is suspending work on the disputed Russian-backed South Stream gas pipeline following criticism from the European Union and United States
Oresharski, speaking after a meeting with U.S. senators, said, "I have ordered all work to be stopped. We will decide on further developments following consultations with Brussels."
Russia's energy ministry said that Moscow has not yet received any official notifications from Bulgaria about the suspension.
The South Stream pipeline was designed to carry Russian gas to the EU bypassing Ukraine.
Gas was to be pumped to the Bulgaria’s Black Sea port of Varna before extending overland through Serbia, Hungary, and Slovenia to supply gas to the Western Europe via Italy and Austria.
Oresharski, speaking after a meeting with U.S. senators, said, "I have ordered all work to be stopped. We will decide on further developments following consultations with Brussels."
Russia's energy ministry said that Moscow has not yet received any official notifications from Bulgaria about the suspension.
The South Stream pipeline was designed to carry Russian gas to the EU bypassing Ukraine.
Gas was to be pumped to the Bulgaria’s Black Sea port of Varna before extending overland through Serbia, Hungary, and Slovenia to supply gas to the Western Europe via Italy and Austria.
18:10
8.6.2014
A lot of similar videos have been doing the rounds today, showing burning buildings, destruction in Slovyansk.
18:54
8.6.2014
20:05
8.6.2014
Barring any major development we're wrapping up the live blog for the day.
07:23
9.6.2014
One of the images circulating of the destruction in Slovyansk, where -- along with Donetsk -- Ukrainian forces were in intense fighting against pro-Russian separatists.