Ukraine: Russo-Ukr War (June-December 2015)

[OUTLAW 09]

Devastating Report: Russian War Crimes in Eastern #Ukraine in 2014, by Poland's Deputy Małgorzata Gosevskaya
http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/report/

U.S. Mission to OSCE ✔ @usosce
#Russia-backed seps' policy of restricting humanitarian aid will create humanitarian catastrophe in easern #Ukraine:
http://1.usa.gov/1Quvr1L

IS this any different from the Putin efforts to starve the Syrian civil population?????

[OUTLAW 09]

Orcs (RU) the third day shelling the checkpoint from Trokhizbenka. 2-3 times / day. No return fire the 3rd day." https://twitter.com/Popsikorn/status/677949786947981312 …

We have Donbass Wars escalation.
pic.twitter.com/kMngZ1Lwot

Current event: UA held Mariinka under attack by DNR, from Donetsk-Trudovskie and Alexandrivka directions
Listen it..
https://vk.com/wall-17624375_495244?z=video112454675_171651370%2Ffafae 41262c4cb4a93 …

BreakingNews
Heavy (pro-)#Russian shooting against #Marinka tonight.
Listen in!
https://twitter.com/xuilolala/status/677954228355248128 …

Yasynuvata 22:55
Outgoing again.
https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/677955407009181696 …

#Donetsk 22:51
Somewheare in the area of Oleksandrivka tank is working.
https://twitter.com/patriot_petya/status/677955247856353280 …

Maryinka minutes ago
https://twitter.com/xuilolala/status/677954228355248128 …

Maryinka 22:30
Still noisy towards the Sovkhoz, Oleksandrivka, Trudovskyi

Donetsk 22:20
"Towards Oleksandrivka zero ckeckpoint the fight goes on"
https://twitter.com/olgarjpthju/status/677947663082496000 …

Avdiivka 22:19
"Hear a helicopter and that's bad...who else hears?"[possibly UAV]
https://twitter.com/LuftGanza/status/677946398038433793 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian tanks're sent again to Ukrainian border from Rostov(100 km to Ukr-Rus border)
VIDEO
http://www.radiosvoboda.org/media/video/27436330.html …
pic.twitter.com/ilQXgcIjzF

Donetsk 22:03
"Trudovsky - shooting, small arms and mortars and more than that... sometimes tanks shelling"
https://twitter.com/patriot_petya/status/677943661385109504 …

Latest,17/12:
#OSCE SMM observed an increase in ceasefire violations in #Donetsk region compared to previous days.
http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/211451 …

Donetsk 22:15
Petrovka - tanks movement could be heard from the street.
https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/677945333297643520 …

#Maryinka 21:52
Noisy towards the Sovkhoz (state farm) and stables.

Update
From 6pm THU to 6pm FRI, (pro-)#Russian militants conducted 45 attacks on Ukrainian forces.
Ceasefire? No!

Dec18 01:09am #Horlivka @adochek Some intense shooting battle, sounds too loud

Petrovka, heavy battle still ongoing, people are hiding in basements, flashes in the sky, heavy pounding.#Donetsk
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/18-december-petrovka-heavy-battle-still-ongoing-people-are …

Yasynuvata Outgoing again.
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/18-december-yasynuvata-outgoing-again- …

Heavy fighting audible in #Mariinka tonight, heavy machine guns and strong explosions
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/18-december-heavy-fighting-audible-in-mariinka-tonight-heavy …

[OUTLAW 09]

Will be interesting to see at what point the total collapse of the Russian economy impacts both eastern Ukraine and Syria....right now the Russian mercenaries in eastern Ukraine are complaining they have not been receiving pay and or to little pay and the Shia militias in Syria are complaining about nt being paid as well......

Russian ruble, stock market crash showing no sign of abating amid declining oil prices
http://www.unian.info/economics/1216300-russian-ruble-stock-market-crash-showing-no-sign-of-abating-amid-declining-oil-prices.html …
pic.twitter.com/QOKwPwPu8r

Pensions and public salaries in the occupied territories are 18 days late this month!...

The bitter truth: Post-Soviet people will ask you "18 days only?" ;-/

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia|ns used Grad-P portable rocket launchers, fired 7 rockets towards #Ukraine positions near #Troyitske https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1111974848813320 …

Novogorodsky was shelled with GRAD rockets 8 times last night - #Donetsk oblast governor Zhebrivskiy

59 attacks on #Ukraine troops and it’s positions in the last 24 hours

Maryinka CP: border Guard detained a man heading occ territory w/bank cards, blank UA passports, ~90000UAH,headed
pic.twitter.com/1CMZzwnmJE

.@Ukr_Che 2S3 SPG image from VK of a soldier from RU brigade #200, damages allegedly sustained in action in Donbas
pic.twitter.com/4AvVhyOTuZ

07:57 #Luhansk @100007182042214 In Luhansk the number of RU 'vacationists' soared. They differ fr/locals in camo, accent & caddish behaviour
BUT remember Putin stated there were only GRU troops in eastern Ukraine....?

[OUTLAW 09]

In German---professional Russian GRU Spetsnaz member of the 346 Spetsnaz Brigade fights in eastern Ukraine....taken from his social media page....

#Donbass #Invasionstruppen Berufssoldat der 346. GRU Speznas-Brigade kmpft fr die DVR:
https://informnapalm.org/de/berufssoldat-der-346-gru-speznas-brigade-kaempft-fuer-die-dvr/ с помощью @deburkonews

Kremlin-led separatists got new Russian #artillery "Grad-P Partisan": the mobile launch pads with 2-10 km range, said #ATO press secretary

59 attacks yesterday, 40 last night. GRAD-P several times used
pic.twitter.com/NmXEEG9Ppm
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/19-december-59-attacks-yesterday-40-last-night-gradp-several …

Sharp increase in enemy UAV activity yesterday over #Horlivka, #Mariupol, #Yalta (near Mariupol), #Shyrokyno http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/19-december-sharp-increase-in-enemy-uav-activity-yesterday …

[OUTLAW 09]

All Russian PMCs (real ones, not the "pay us for training" ones) are FSB/SVR/GRU assets

@AbraxasSpa Wagner Group & other Russian PMCs don't work elusively for RuMOD?

1,000 men with howitzers and tanks. Service in Ukraine and Syria. This is Russia's Blackwater
http://www.wsj.com/articles/up-to-nine-russian-contractors-die-in-syria-experts-say-1450467757 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Industrial plants of occupied #Luhansk taken to Russia or cut into scrap metal by Russians.
https://twitter.com/p4uk_d/status/678189685101961216 …

NBS @Latvijas_armija
Air Policing jets on 19 DEC in international airspace above the Baltic Sea near LV border identified RU AF 1x Il-20.

[OUTLAW 09]

All Russian PMCs (real ones, not the "pay us for training" ones) are FSB/SVR/GRU assets

@AbraxasSpa Wagner Group & other Russian PMCs don't work elusively for RuMOD?

1,000 men with howitzers and tanks. Service in Ukraine and Syria. This is Russia's Blackwater
http://www.wsj.com/articles/up-to-nine-russian-contractors-die-in-syria-experts-say-1450467757 …

InformNapalm English @en_informnapalm
Russian Private Military Companies As Licensed Tool of Terror:
https://informnapalm.org/en/russian-private-military-companies-as-licensed-tool-of-terror/ …
pic.twitter.com/tsIhv2TDyB

[OUTLAW 09]

Not "frozen", but "conserved" @JamestownTweets Conserved Conflict: #Russia’s Pattern in #Ukraine’s East http://www.jamestown.org/programs/edm/single/?tx_ttnews%5Btt_news%5D=44912&tx_ttnews%5BbackPid%5D=27&cHash=a0053017abc589d34aa024218a104621 …

[OUTLAW 09]

More insane conspiracy theories published as news. https://twitter.com/sputnikint/status/678245955326509056 …

[OUTLAW 09]

NATO jets again intercept Russian plane over Baltic near Latvia
http://www.unian.info/world/1217250-nato-jets-again-intercept-russian-plane-over-baltic-near-latvia.html …
pic.twitter.com/mOANZccyQM

Countless shellings and ground attacks tonight in multiple locations......

СММ ОБСЄ в Україні @OSCE_SMM
Latest,18/12: ceasefire viol in #Donetsk, #Luhansk reg, incl use of multiple-launch rockets systems and mortars.
http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/211466 …

Russian info warrior trolls......
Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls

#KremlinTrolls flip-flop when activated, to prompt those who trusted them to change their opinions.
pic.twitter.com/X6iIwnE8lP

Pro-Kremlin analyst says Putin’s officials in Crimea do nothing but ‘lie and steal’
http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/12/19/russian-occupiers-in-crimea-have-done-nothing-but-lie-and-steal-moscow-analyst-says/ …

About here is Next #Russia|n #Military #Intelligence #GRU in #Ukraine about which #Putin spoke.#Ukraina ↑↓ @guardian https://twitter.com/24todayneteng/status/677145156957679617 …

Five Ukrainian soldiers wounded in Donbas conflict zone in last day
http://www.unian.info/war/1217126-five-ukrainian-soldiers-wounded-in-donbas-conflict-zone-in-last-day.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO: 63 cases of firing at UA positions in last 24 hours, mostly small arms, GLs, 11 attacks since 12pm @666_mancer https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1112508625426609 …

Donetsk 8AM
In the airport area machine guns and tank pounding.

Russian-Backed Fighters Step Up Attacks; 1 Ukrainian Soldier Wounded
http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-live-day-670-russian-backed-fighters-step-up-attacks-1-ukrainian-soldier-wounded/#11561
…
pic.twitter.com/x5nza0FeOW

RFE/RL ✔ @RFERL
Life in #Russia for refugees from #Ukraine:
http://ow.ly/W6Npq
pic.twitter.com/ssoZL24hU2

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warrior trolls..........

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#KremlinTrolls claim to witness two beatings of women in two days - one in #Kiev, one in Lviv. How likely is that?
pic.twitter.com/OPuzJhECob

We urgently need to get back to the discussion on how Russian uses in their UW strategy non linear warfare especially the one of two key cornerstones...informational warfare..in both Syria and the eastern Ukraine....

If one truly wants to understand Russian info warfare being poured out daily by the minute that conforms to the Russian 6Ds propaganda doctrine just browse this short selection from one of the worst Russian propaganda outlets "Sputnik International" totally owned by the Russian government......notice the Twitter hashtags they focus on.....

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 4m4 minutes ago
A matter of true intensions: why Washington does not want to send troops to #Syria
http://sptnkne.ws/asug #Daesh

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 15m15 minutes ago
Is #SaudiCoalition created to challenge Russia, Iran in #Syria?
http://sptnkne.ws/astV #Daesh #waronterror

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 26m26 minutes ago
#Turkey eyes building pipeline to receive #gas from Israel – reports
http://sptnkne.ws/astK

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 36m36 minutes ago
Not US job to call for #Assad's resignation – @MartinOMalley
http://sptnkne.ws/astF #DemDebate #Syria

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 46m46 minutes ago
#Crimea’s Tatars slam #Turkey over aggressive stance towards Russia
http://sptnkne.ws/ast8 #BackStabbed #Su24

BUT the Best Titled article was...
US Weakness Drove Turkey Out of Control.......

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warrior trolls..........

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#KremlinTrolls claim to witness two beatings of women in two days - one in #Kiev, one in Lviv. How likely is that?
pic.twitter.com/OPuzJhECob

We urgently need to get back to the discussion on how Russian uses in their UW strategy non linear warfare especially the one of two key cornerstones...informational warfare..in both Syria and the eastern Ukraine....

If one truly wants to understand Russian info warfare being poured out daily by the minute that conforms to the Russian 6Ds propaganda doctrine just browse this short selection from one of the worst Russian propaganda outlets "Sputnik International" totally owned by the Russian government......notice the Twitter hashtags they focus on.....

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 4m4 minutes ago
A matter of true intensions: why Washington does not want to send troops to #Syria
http://sptnkne.ws/asug #Daesh

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 15m15 minutes ago
Is #SaudiCoalition created to challenge Russia, Iran in #Syria?
http://sptnkne.ws/astV #Daesh #waronterror

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 26m26 minutes ago
#Turkey eyes building pipeline to receive #gas from Israel – reports
http://sptnkne.ws/astK

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 36m36 minutes ago
Not US job to call for #Assad's resignation – @MartinOMalley
http://sptnkne.ws/astF #DemDebate #Syria

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt · 46m46 minutes ago
#Crimea’s Tatars slam #Turkey over aggressive stance towards Russia
http://sptnkne.ws/ast8 #BackStabbed #Su24

BUT the Best Titled article was...
US Weakness Drove Turkey Out of Control.......

NOTICE the Putin info war "narrative" is changing back to this...I have the right and the power to protect Russians wherever they reside....the so called "Putin Doctrine" that he announced during his Duma Crimea speech.

Russia Cannot Leave People In Southeastern Ukraine To Nationalists - Putin
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/20-december-russia-cannot-leave-people-in-southeastern-ukraine …

BUT WAIT--did not Putin violate his own Russian signed Budapest Memorandum and all UNSC statements concerning the use of force to change territorial boundaries?????

AND we are NOW back to this standard Putin disinformation/propaganda pitch----"it ain't us---it is those others IE the US that are responsible..."

Putin's spox Peskov: same technology of destabilization used both in Ukraine and Syria
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/20-december-putins-spox-peskov-same-technology-of-destabilization …

BUT WAIT there are no Russians inside Syria outside of his own military...wonder if that counts......????

[OUTLAW 09]

BUT WAIT has Putin, his FM and his Duma not threatened the West with nuclear strikes for over 18 months now ..........

Putin: Rus. will improve nuclear arsenal as deterrent and security protection, but won't wield "nuclear big stick"
http://russia.liveuamap.com/en/2015/20-december-putin-russia-will-improve-its-nuclear-arsenal …

[OUTLAW 09]

MORE on Russian info warfare trolls......

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
How #Putin uses KGB-style “active measures”
http://www.aim.org/aim-column/how-putin-uses-kgb-style-active-measures/ …
pic.twitter.com/AfcvtBdY2b

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
The Year of the Troll
Is #Putin's Russia a "troll state"?
http://www.rferl.mobi/a/the-year-of-the-troll/27419384.html …
pic.twitter.com/MX27DBOS0h

[OUTLAW 09]

WHEN the number of attacks average 50 per day there is full scale combat ongoing in eastern Ukraine AND yet the West calls it a "ceasefire"......

63 ceasefire violations in the last 24 hours. #Ukraine troops and it’s positions were mostly attacked by small arms and grenade launchers.

Marinka @666_mancer [vk]
14:27 quite
15:05 very strong salvos northwards
16:13 quiet

16:53 #Krasnohorivka @666_mancer [vk] During 4-4:30pm there has been already 4 booms, a projectile fly-over was distinctly audible

Avdiivka now. Anti-terrorist operation ongoing, SBU searching for RU 'militants'. http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/20-december-avdiivka-now-antiterrorist-operation-ongoing …

Militants shelled Ukrainian positions at Hranitne http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/20-december-militants-shelled-ukrainian-positions-at-hranitne …

16:37 #Luhansk @100007182042214 "...a tank column went this morning out in #Donetsk direction and returned about 4pm, but not all were back"

16:43 #Krasnyi_Luch @falconua they stopped&looked around on turn, apparently strangers not familiar w/town https://twitter.com/loogunda/status/678647916467118080 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Numbers-Stations.com @Spy_Stations

8252 kHz Russians maybe military having active radio net of messages and reception tests
http://www.numbers-stations.com/database/sites/default/files/HDSDR_20151220_193706Z_8252kHz_AF.wav …

Russia just keeps on stealing Ukrainian coal........
"DPR" considers coal supplies to Europe, Middle East
http://tass.ru/en/world/845539

Maryinka 21:32
Booms towards #Krasnohorivka.

#Krasnohorivka 21:30
Volleys.

Ясиноватая прослушала исходящие" #Yasynuvata 21:35 Hearing outgoing fire.

Horlivka 21:45
Shyroka Balka - assault rifles shooting, mortars.

Donetsk Petrovka GRAD salvo from the brick works. 21:36

[OUTLAW 09]

How much longer can Putin sustain a two front war averaging 6M USD per day as the minimum.......Syria is at 240M and the Ukraine is way over 1B USD.

#Oil price hits 11 year low creating new headaches for policymakers in the #Kremlin who got used to $100 oil.
pic.twitter.com/jHW03h0emg

[OUTLAW 09]

According to #Ukraine's DefMin's intel, at #Bezimenne two active duty Russian Army officers died in an explosion http://www.mariupol.tv/news/war/mariupol/7981/pod_mariupolem_pogibli_kadrovye_rossijskie_oficery .html …

Ceasefire in easten #Ukraine breached 35 times over the past 24 hours
http://uatoday.tv/politics/ceasefire-breached-35-times-over-the-past-24-hours-558017.html …
pic.twitter.com/MsNyRLcvHZ

The latest #ATO news: 2 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded, 57 terrorists` attacks during the last day. https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/678901768160440320 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Germany’s Siemens produces turbines for annexed Crimea bypassing sanctions: media
http://www.unian.info/economics/1217868-germanys-siemens-produces-turbines-for-annexed-crimea-bypassing-sanctions-media.html
… pic.twitter.com/hOrpA4tw5q

[OUTLAW 09]

153 pages.
There is some hope that this will make it to The Hague.
http://www.donbasswarcrimes.org/report/?fb_ref=6ee0c124aafa4897bc7eacefebd8932d-Twitter …
via @Euan_MacDonald

SBU goes on a massive raid in Avdiyivka: detains 100, three saboteurs among arrested
http://www.unian.info/society/1217996-sbu-goes-on-a-massive-raid-in-avdiyivka-detains-100-three-saboteurs-among-arrested.html … pic.twitter.com/D6NXmMV146

Ukraine Reports 57 Attacks Over 24 Hours, With More Fighting Reported Today Near Gorlovka
http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-live-day-672-ukraine-reports-57-attacks-over-24-hours-with-more-fighting-reported-today-near-gorlovka/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

SBU: Ukrainian MIAs held captive in Russia
http://www.unian.info/war/1218081-sbu-ukrainian-mias-held-captive-in-russia.html …
pic.twitter.com/OTO8qVGGkp

Putin has still refused to fulfill one of the most important points inside Minsk 2...namely a full all for all POW/Civilian captives prisoner swap.

Putin has found countless reasons to not fulfill this single point thus he is not in full compliance with Minsk 2.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Really really worth the complete reading of this article........

http://mosaicmagazine.com/response/2...ly-bold-moves/

Why Obama Can't Catch Up with Putin's Increasingly Bold Moves

Blind to the motives that shape the Russian president’s strategy, the White House pursues a futile search for “common ground.”

Leon Aron

Dec. 14 2015


As conscientious chroniclers do, Michael Doran, in his painstaking examination of the Obama administration’s disastrous foreign policy toward Russia, both instructs us and provokes thoughts and questions that may exceed the intended scope of his essay. Specifically, one is drawn to ask: what caused this policy to be so dismal, so strewn with mistakes, so strikingly unable to predict Moscow’s behavior or to catch up with Vladimir Putin’s increasingly bold moves?

Between historical explanations based in theories of conspiracy and those premised on assumptions of incompetence, it’s usually prudent to plump for incompetence; or so we’re told. But a number of those advising President Obama on Russia are personally known to me to be quite competent, so that explanation won’t wash. Doran offers a different explanation, one that focuses on the beliefs of the president. Barack Obama, he writes, is ideologically wedded to a strategic understanding that is at once false, impervious to correction by reality, and unswayable by the counsel of advisers. This may well be so, but the problem may also be deeper and require elaboration.

First, a narrow amendment. Doran suggests that the 2009 “reset” with Russia was motivated by the administration’s desire to bring in Moscow as a constructive partner in confronting and containing the dangers of Sunni radicalism in the Middle East. This may be so, although it’s worth noting that by 2008 al-Qaeda had been defeated in both Iraq and Afghanistan. But there was also another and in my view more compelling reason for launching the reset: namely, President Obama’s dream of a “world without nuclear weapons,” as spelled out in his April 2009 speech in Prague two-and-a-half months after his inauguration.

Even for a president enjoying what was likely the sweetest of all political honeymoons in U.S. history, Obama couldn’t achieve his dream by means of fiat—that is, by means of a unilateral American disarmament. To advance toward his goal, he needed Russia. Hence, evidently, the intense engagement with Moscow in 2009-10 and the many “accommodations” made along the way, including cancellation of the planned deployment of missile interceptors in Poland and radars in the Czech Republic. (The former decision was conveyed to Warsaw on September 17, 2009: the 70th anniversary of the Soviet invasion of Poland at the dawn of World War II.) As soon as the new START treaty was signed in April 2010, the president, in the judgment of trustworthy sources, “lost interest in Russia.”

Even so, his neglect, if such it was, was certainly of a benign kind. Indeed, to an extent unmatched by any other American administration, including Richard Nixon’s at the height of détente, the Obama White House has continued to conduct a running experiment in realist diplomacy with Moscow. It is as if Obama were daily consulting the key precepts of realist doctrine: ignore a regime’s ideology and domestic behavior; do not meddle in its internal affairs; do not “preach” or “reprimand” or “advocate” anything, least of all “democracy”; respect the regime’s “national interests” and stick to negotiating on that basis—and lo!, from out of the test tube will emerge a “responsible” geopolitical “stakeholder.”

The real-world results, in the Middle East and elsewhere, are by now well known, and expertly catalogued by Michael Doran.

But why, to return to my first question, did it turn out this way?

For me, the reason appears to lie in the administration’s inability (or, more likely, unwillingness) to assess its adversary’s behavior by the method historically proved useful in accounting for and anticipating the behavior of states: proceeding from the leaders’ core beliefs, to goals, to strategy, to policy, and finally to tactical implementation.

Each of these, in the case of Vladimir Putin, has been hidden in plain view. To start with beliefs:

Russia is never wrong, but is perennially wronged by the West.

Following his favorite philosopher, Ivan Ilyin, the Russian president believes the West’s hostility to Russia to be eternal, prompted by its jealousy of Russia’s size, natural riches, and, most of all, its incorruptible soul and God-given mission to be a light among nations, a/k/a “the Third Rome” (after ancient Rome and the Byzantine empire). Hence, Western plots against Russia are relentless. While truces are possible and often tactically advantageous, genuine peace with the West is very unlikely. (This general narrative is of course familiar enough in modern history, with the enemy being variously identified as “plutocrats,” “Anglo-Saxons,” or, needless to add, Jews. It was the key trope of Mussolini’s Italy and Hitler’s Germany, and continues to be a favorite of autocrats to this day.)

Next to goals and strategy:

For Russia, the end of the cold war was the equivalent of the Versailles treaty for post-World War I Germany: a crushing defeat and a source of endless humiliation and misery. Indeed, the fall of the Soviet Union was “the greatest geopolitical tragedy of the 20th century.”

Thus, the overarching strategic goal of any truly patriotic Russian leader (not idiots or traitors or both, like Mikhail Gorbachev and Boris Yeltsin) is to recover and repossess the political, economic, and geostrategic assets lost by the Soviet state.

This in a nutshell is the Putin Doctrine, as I dubbed it in a 2008 essay in Foreign Affairs, and the Russian leader proceeded to implement it from Day One of his first presidency in 2000. By the time he left office in 2009 for an interim period of place-holding by Dmitri Medvedev, he had largely put in place the doctrine’s domestic agenda: once again, the state had achieved ownership of or control over national politics, the media—above all, television—the commanding heights of the economy, and the courts.

After Putin’s resumption of the presidency in 2012, he turned to the doctrine’s foreign-policy aspects. Several factors influenced this shift in focus.

Continued......a long read.......

[OUTLAW 09]

EU Delegation UA ✔ @EUDelegationUA

Memo on trilateral talks on DCFTA: Russia showed no flexibility and formulated demands in areas unconnected to EU-Ukraine free trade area

Klimkin says trade talks between Kyiv, Brussels, Moscow yield no results
http://www.unian.info/economics/1218659-klimkin-says-trade-talks-between-kyiv-brussels-moscow-yield-no-results.html
… pic.twitter.com/cTHBaFKqR2

[OUTLAW 09]

Euromaidan Press @EuromaidanPress

Video | Yuri Bezmenov: Psychological Warfare Subversion & Control of Western Society (Complete)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5gnpCqsXE8g …

EU Mythbusters @EUvsDisinfo
Here's a sneak peek at #DisinfoReview Week Eight that we are publishing tomorrow. Thanks for the reports, stay tuned
pic.twitter.com/fcaISOuDRh

[OUTLAW 09]

More casualties among Russian troops in Donbas – Ukraine intel
http://www.unian.info/war/1218240-more-casualties-among-russian-troops-in-donbas-ukraine-intel.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian info warriors......trolls......

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Russian FSB/GRU active measures almost certainly involves penetrating #Twitter european HQ in #Dublin

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#TrollTactics: Responding to questions with questions, taking offense at being questioned or resorting to whataboutisms.

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#TrollTactics: Re-Tweeting pro-Kremlin journalists, while pretending to criticize their articles.

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#TrollTactics: Provocation
Challenge intel expert
Get rebuffed
Claim expert is deceitful to try & discredit
Play victim as diversion tactic

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Internet Trolls are Narcissists, Psychopaths, & Sadists, just like
https://www.psychologytoday.com/blog...hs-and-sadists …
pic.twitter.com/iI9ydn06P4

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
VIDEO: My life as a pro-#Putin propagandist in #Russia’s secret 'troll factory'
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...l-factory.html …

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#TrollTactics:
Excessively tweet flattering 'analysis' of expert/influencer articles as double-agent, if questioned, defer to cited expert.

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#Russia using 'illegal schemes' to fund propaganda in Lithuania, MP says
http://en.delfi.lt/lithuania/defence/russia-using-illegal-schemes-to-fund-propaganda-in-lithuania-mp-says.d?id=69806794 … @lithuaniatribun
pic.twitter.com/IB5aT613lQ

[OUTLAW 09]

Shellings and attacks are back on again tonight.......

19:19 #Zaytseve #Horlivka @oksi_art 82mm mortars are working from #Zhovanka and industrial area of #Holmivskyi at Zaytseve

[OUTLAW 09]

Shellings and attacks are back on again tonight.......

19:19 #Zaytseve #Horlivka @oksi_art 82mm mortars are working from #Zhovanka and industrial area of #Holmivskyi at Zaytseve

Separatist Officials Report A Bomb Blast In Central Donetsk
http://bit.ly/1IkKkAT

LifeNews reports of explosive device detonated in #Donetsk. Possible ‘subversive group’. City on lockdown to catch intruders.

Story of the missing in the (so-called) Luhansk People's Republic volunteer, or life and customs in "Novorussia" http://www.novayagazeta.ru/inquests/71276.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Here more on latest, final and failed Russian effort to block the EU-Ukraine free trade agreement coming into force.
https://euobserver.com/foreign/131632

Ukraine intel reports about 7,700 Russian regular troops in Donbas
http://www.unian.info/war/1218748-ukraine-intel-reports-about-7700-russian-regular-troops-in-donbas.html …
pic.twitter.com/cFqaoAOEiY

Russian militant troops employed tank and 82-mm mortars against #Ukraine's troops’ positions.
http://en.censor.net.ua/n366078

[OUTLAW 09]

Im #Marinka, a 10-men reconnoissance team tried to directly attack the Ukrainian front.
Acc. to Ukr army,they were hit & suffered KIA/WIA.
Russian Spetsnaz on the move again in eastern Ukraine......

News
(Pro-)#Russian forces launched 39 attacks overnight, using all from small arms over RPGs, grenades, 82 and 120 mm mortars and a tank.
AND Putin complains that the US is not forcing Ukraine enough to fulfill Minsk 2 WHEN Russia has not fulfilled a single point in Minsk 2 and they signed it....???

UKRAINE: Reports of artillery fire in Starohnativka, near #Donetsk.
https://twitter.com/xuilolala/status/679250475104010240 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Im #Marinka, a 10-men reconnoissance team tried to directly attack the Ukrainian front.
Acc. to Ukr army,they were hit & suffered KIA/WIA.
Russian Spetsnaz on the move again in eastern Ukraine......

News
(Pro-)#Russian forces launched 39 attacks overnight, using all from small arms over RPGs, grenades, 82 and 120 mm mortars and a tank.
AND Putin complains that the US is not forcing Ukraine enough to fulfill Minsk 2 WHEN Russia has not fulfilled a single point in Minsk 2 and they signed it....???

UKRAINE: Reports of artillery fire in Starohnativka, near #Donetsk.
https://twitter.com/xuilolala/status/679250475104010240 …

12:10 #Horlivka @thunderbolt1488 2 strong salvos [heard from] the west

#Starohnativka @Staroignatievca
12:39 Strong shelling, like a tank
12:46 now like not that strongly, maybe a mortar
13:07 Again a good boom

Outgoing 82mm mortar fire from #Donetsk

Donetsk 13:45
"Northern settlements not quiet. Can be heard towards the airport. Small arms and bigger"
https://twitter.com/olgarjpthju/status/679267149651775494 …

Donetsk 13:47
Oktyabrsky - 82-mm mortars
https://twitter.com/idinmor/status/679266993070080000 …

Starohnativka #Staroignatievka 13:20
The fun continues, occasionally strong explosions, machine guns.
https://twitter.com/Staroignatievca/status/679260111806849024 …

Multiple reports of heavy artillery fire in #Starohnativka, #Ukraine:
pic.twitter.com/Q6c1qkXqIi

Starohnativka: loud booms, machineguns.
Minsk talks in subgroups are still going on.
https://twitter.com/Staroignatievca/status/679260111806849024 …

[OUTLAW 09]

EU Mythbusters @EUvsDisinfo

Who is the biggest liar of the year? Find out in the latest #DisinfoReview. More on #Syria & #Ukraine. Please share
http://eepurl.com/bKInUn

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian Air Force TU-214R aerial recon flight along #Ukraine-#Russia border, 21.12.2015
http://www.flightradar24.com/data/flights/lx9025/#853ec77 …
pic.twitter.com/uRtSXVPgxA

Russian Spetsnaz is now attacking the UAF again.......
Another new thing for yday as for recent days were 2 clashes w/RU raider groups, assault of ~30 RU near #Maryinka, ~10 near #Scastya

[OUTLAW 09]

IS Putin now backtracking on his many statements concerning elections in eastern Ukraine.....

Maxim Tucker @MaxRTucker
#Russia looks to be backtracking on Minsk pledge to support elections in the occupied regions of #Ukraine's Donbass http://www.unian.info/politics/1218708-russia-says-donbas-elections-under-ukraine-laws-unacceptable.html …

Kind of goes along the same lines of his statement the other day..."we will not leave Russians to the Nationalists......"

So it appears Putin can live with the sanctions continuing into late 2016 early 2017 if he does not fulfill Minsk 2......

[OUTLAW 09]

Critical..............

Kominternovo commands one of the two main roads leading from occupied territories in the east into Mariupol. https://twitter.com/Guderian_Xaba/status/679257229304987648 …

Ukraine's Military HQ: "DNR" militants w/5 tanks entered till-now-buffer Kominternovo (20 km east of Mariupol)
http://novosti.dn.ua/details/266268/

ATO HQ says #Ukraine troops are in position for any development, are in contact with #OSCE to solve this peacefully.

Imo the capture of #Kominternove is aimed to force #Ukraine troops to attack them. But that's just my 2 cents.

ATO HQ says this is a "major violation" of #Minsk.

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warriors...ie trolls......

Twitter acct 4 TsargradTV Kremlin "religious" channel barely mentions God but churns out support for Putin & Russian military

[OUTLAW 09]

Gazprom and Germany do not seem to understand that the EU regulations do apply to the North Stream 2 proposed pipeline.........

Dear Gazprom,
Nord Stream 2 to pass through EU Baltic Sea territorial & economic zone waters,
so EU law does apply !

pic.twitter.com/fNY1DYnNDL

[OUTLAW 09]

Critical..............

Kominternovo commands one of the two main roads leading from occupied territories in the east into Mariupol. https://twitter.com/Guderian_Xaba/status/679257229304987648 …

Ukraine's Military HQ: "DNR" militants w/5 tanks entered till-now-buffer Kominternovo (20 km east of Mariupol)
http://novosti.dn.ua/details/266268/

ATO HQ says #Ukraine troops are in position for any development, are in contact with #OSCE to solve this peacefully.

Imo the capture of #Kominternove is aimed to force #Ukraine troops to attack them. But that's just my 2 cents.

ATO HQ says this is a "major violation" of #Minsk.

Russia-Backed Fighters Reach Kominternovo, 10km from Mariupol; Bar OSCE Observers from Area
http://bit.ly/1REsAmM
pic.twitter.com/yQ7y4NcVQU

BreakingNews
#Ukraine's Sector M on full alert after "DNR" tanks, troops and #Grad systems spotted in Kominternove, Zaichenko and Sakhanka.

[OUTLAW 09]

Truce -10 minutes. Loud artillery fire in #Donetsk.

23:35 Rolling salvos are heard in many places of #Donetsk, also some reports on distant explosions..

Donetsk, now: 15 minutes till OSCE-announced truce, loud arty action heard in western districts.

23:23 #Donetsk @relictDon North-northwestern salvos are getting louder

23:27 #Donetsk @pikabet Towards Adminposelok[=http://wikimapia.org/11240897/ ] heavy weapons shots are periodically heard

Donetsk @PVB40 [fb]
23:29 north rumbles again, like smth rocket-like, fly-by is heard
23:30 SPGs joined, aftersound is heard even indoors

23:25 #Donetsk #Machinery plant @PVB40 [fb] "Smth has once 'ceasefired' northward for 5 min ago, a single shot"

[OUTLAW 09]

Looks like Putin is pushing for an actual war in eastern Ukraine in order to divert attention from his somewhat dismal failures in Syria.......

The ceasefire was always a farce but now Russian tanks/artillery are shelling Ukrainian positions nonstop & moving into demilitarized zones

[OUTLAW 09]

Looks like Putin is pushing for an actual war in eastern Ukraine in order to divert attention from his somewhat dismal failures in Syria.......

The ceasefire was always a farce but now Russian tanks/artillery are shelling Ukrainian positions nonstop & moving into demilitarized zones

3 units of BM-21 GRAD MLRS appeard near #Kominternove (in Dzerzhyns’ke). Militia strengthen troops also in Sakhanka & Zaichenko - Tymchuk

Col. Andriy Lysenko: Militants seized Kominternove village, Donetsk region, despite all achieved cease-fire regime agreements

PHOTOS: Photojournalist @Drjft spends some time on the front line of Ukraine's 'Not so frozen' war.
pic.twitter.com/9OK30UFCan

News
Russian mercenaries concentrated 4 BMP, 4 MT-LB and 2 MBT in #Kominternove, shelles #Talalovka with 82mm mortars from it.

[OUTLAW 09]

Militants fortify area and plant mines near occupied village in east #Ukraine
http://uatoday.tv/politics/militants-fortify-area-and-plant-mines-near-occupied-village-in-east-ukraine-559694.html …
pic.twitter.com/WZnZ6pohyN

BreakingNews
#Donetsk governor Zhebrivskyi endorses military actions to liberate #Kominternove as Russians advance

[OUTLAW 09]

Solid German MSM media report on the fighting in eastern Ukraine...in German

BILD ‏@BILD
View translation
Von wegen Waffenruhe: BILD an der Front in der Ostukraine.
http://www.bild.de/politik/ausland/ukraine-konflikt/ukraine-bild-an-der-front-43896394.bild.html …

@Zhebrivskyi claims that Vodyane is also captured by DNR?
http://novosti.dn.ua/details/266347/

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian invasion forces advance towards Mariupol. Komiternove captured yesterday, Vodyane today.
pic.twitter.com/xFVtveoYrM

Unconfirmed reports: RU entered Vodyane, checked something then went back.

Maybe they checked if they can seize Vodyane without resistance from UAF. :)

ATO HQ can not verify reports that #Vodyane has been captured by #DPR forces == They have no clue whats going on there.

Russian soldiers on route #Telmanove-#Svobodne, #Ukraine, 21-23 dec 2015.
https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/679713495500337152 …

Plus, artillery salvos reported audible from Donetsk more often than before the 'truce'.

'Putin orcs' in Telmanovo:
https://twitter.com/GirkinGirkin/status/679713495500337152 …

Since "truce" (12AM) militants violated ceasefire 35 times. 3 times w MLRS GRAD on Troitske
pic.twitter.com/egg6NRKgUA
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-since-truce-militants-violated-ceasefire-35-times …

Situation at 1800 local time: 35 attacks on #Ukraine troops and it's positions since the 'truce' started - ATO HQ

Militant #GRAD rockets land in #Ukraine's #Popasna hours after ceasefire pledge
http://uatoday.tv/politics/militant-grad-rockets-land-in-ukraine-s-popasna-hours-after-ceasefire-pledge-559943.html … pic.twitter.com/Q9ds1HBjBC

[OUTLAW 09]

15:42 #Horlivka @ahab7822 Several strong salvos towards #Shyroka_Balka, smole visible
18:20 #Horlivka @subwayriwer Also heard them

Donetsk 18:50
Kuibyshevskyi ds - battle somewhere, assault rifles can be heard, cannon artillery
https://twitter.com/CKOTINYAKA/status/679706161051004929 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia knows that during Christmas, many in Western media & politics take vacations. Hence, explosion of propaganda & attacks in #Ukraine.

Russia: "Extraterritorial arrest & prosecution don't comport with international law."
Really? How many Ukrainians are held in your prisons?
Source of news:
http://vz.ru/news/2015/12/23/785608.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Has Russia Deployed Iskander-M Missiles To South Ossetia?
http://bit.ly/1Oa41Mq
pic.twitter.com/JswCZxvw2z

Has Russia Deployed Iskander-M Missiles To #SOssetia?
http://www.interpretermag.com/russia-update-december-23-2015/#11614 …
pic.twitter.com/DB2nR5fWwq

#Ukraine appeals to #OSCE demanding to record cease-fire violations by Russian militants, - MP Iryna Herashchenko http://en.censor.net.ua/news/366421/ukraine_appeals_to_osce_demanding_to_record_ceasef ire_violations_by_militants_mp_iryna_herashchenko …

[OUTLAW 09]

Donetsk Governor Says Russian-Backed Forces Have Entered 2 Other Villages Along Coast
http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-live-day-674-ukraine-reports-further-grad-attacks-as-russian-backed-forces-move-forwards-on-azov-coast/#11618 …
pic.twitter.com/w2mr4XLWNx

Debaltsevo 19:48
Periodically artillery can be heard.
https://twitter.com/uzheumer/status/679720138724225024 …

Terrorists shell Popasna with Grad missiles
http://www.unian.info/war/1220436-terrorists-shell-popasna-with-grad-missiles.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Zhebrivskyi says it's unknown if there are #DPR troops in #Vodyane & #Zaichenko as they lost communication with those villages

The fighters in #Kominternove say they "have orders", are polite according to residents and are digging trenches in the fields
Source: https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10153516115849690&set=a.10150158904529690.302395.583064689&type=3 …

A resident of Kominternove: "[Russians] say that entry and exit will be blocked for two days. Then, they promise, the situation will change"

Extreme oil bears bet on $25, $20 and even $15 a Barrel in 2016
http://www.unian.info/economics/1220815-extreme-oil-bears-bet-on-25-20-and-even-15-a-barrel-in-2016.html …
pic.twitter.com/VH99EGNqGk

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warfare trolls........

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
When fired intern w/ no knowledge of region or languages is exposed, #KremlinTrolls complain of “divided community”
pic.twitter.com/0LTPKfas3R

Massive LiveJournal #KremlinTrolls Network Pushes Pro-#Kremlin Narratives.
https://globalvoices.org/2015/12/22/massive-livejournal-troll-network-pushes-pro-kremlin-narratives/ …

Kremlin Trolls ‏@KremlinTrolls
#KremlinTrolls scream "harassment" when they're outed. Real harassment is what they do to #Putin opposition.

Kremlin Trolls ‏@KremlinTrolls
#KremlinTrolls can't keep their story straight - they have families everywhere & speak/dont speak various languages

[OUTLAW 09]

Read more: http://sputniknews.com/europe/20151223/1032220363/cis-russia-eu-comment-ministry.html#ixzz3vAi7vUOm

From the 100% Russian owned info warfare media outlet Sputnik International

EU Pushes Ukraine to Violate Commitments to Russia, CIS States - Moscow

8:50 23.12.2015(updated 19:31 23.12.2015)


The European Union is pushing Kiev to violate Ukraine's obligations to Russia and as part of the framework of free trade area of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS), Russian Foreign Ministry spokeswoman Maria Zakharova said Wednesday.

MOSCOW (Sputnik) — The Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA), the economic component of Ukraine’s Association Agreement with the European Union, comes into effect on January 1. On Monday, Moscow, Kiev and Brussels failed to reach agreement during their discussions on the effects of the EU-Ukraine free trade area on the Russian economy.

"Ukraine is being pushed [by the European Union] to violate its bilateral commitments to us, as well as within the framework of the free trade area of CIS, and this situation is being presented to us as 'standard' situation and we are being asked not to react to it by any means," Zakharova said.

Zakharova said that the European Union chose to ignore the implications of Ukraine's implementing the Association Agreement, adding that both Kiev and Brussels did not want to reach an agreement during the trilateral negotiations.

Moscow has repeatedly stated that if Ukraine retained preferential trade rights within the CIS, while simultaneously opening its market to European goods, Russia’s market could be flooded by an uncontrolled flow of European goods via Ukraine.

On December 16, Russian President Vladimir Putin signed a decree on the suspension of a free trade deal with Ukraine within the CIS, effective from January 1, 2016.

[OUTLAW 09]

21:00 #Debaltseve @Debaltsevo_UA "I don't like it. Approx from the northwest intense battle is heard, heavies. Far away, but clearly heard"

Shyroka_Balka: RU trenches in the petrified forest
http://jesus-navin.livejournal.com/11654.html
#2-3 the trees
#4 view on #Stroitel
pic.twitter.com/aeFwxMdOqO

[OUTLAW 09]

21:00 #Debaltseve @Debaltsevo_UA "I don't like it. Approx from the northwest intense battle is heard, heavies. Far away, but clearly heard"

Shyroka_Balka: RU trenches in the petrified forest
http://jesus-navin.livejournal.com/11654.html
#2-3 the trees
#4 view on #Stroitel
pic.twitter.com/aeFwxMdOqO

Ukraine officer: “…in the early morning spotted 5 tanks, 4 120mm howitzers, and 100-150 “DPR” members in #Kominternove“

After Russian forces seize a village in the “demilitarized zone,” sources say that they are poised to grab more land encroaching on Mariupol

OSCE, #Kominternove: S-W and N-E entrances to the village blocked w mines, trip wires, improvised explosive devices and UXO's.

[OUTLAW 09]

Kremlin created 000s of blogs2 denigrate Ukraine & EU, while portraying Putin as defender of traditional Rus values
https://globalvoices.org/2015/12/22/massive-livejournal-troll-network-pushes-pro-kremlin-narratives/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

TOTALLY strange posting........but interesting......

Gazprom managers killed in fire exchange w reindeer herders
https://twitter.com/rentvchannel/status/679733534249058306 …
pic.twitter.com/V9QvSXjrT0

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian militants in Tel'manove
pic.twitter.com/yl0Fv8C19z http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-militants-in-telmanove …

Russian Mi-8 flight recorder over Kherson-Crimea regions border http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-mi8-flight-recorder-over-khersoncrimea …

Russian sniper wounded civilian in Mariinka
pic.twitter.com/elR7iNUCS9 http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-sniper-wounded-civilian-in-mariinka …

ATO spox: Two militants were detained yesterday by UA police in Sloviansk pic.twitter.com/CfXZTxbsfQ
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-ato-spox-two-militants-were-detained-yesterday …

ATO spox: Yesterday, a flight of enemy UAV was recorded at the administration border line with the Crimea http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-ato-spox-yesterday-a-flight-of-enemy-uav-was …

Col. Lysenko: An armed clash occurred in Talakivka, enemy was repelled http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-col-lysenko-an-armed-clash-occurred-in-talakivka …

Russian state Duma allow collectors to demand to return loans of Ukrainian banks in Crimea(to Russian banks)
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-state-duma-allow-collectors-to-demand …

Criminal boss Mihail "Mishanya Kosoy" Lyashko from "DNR" shot dead in Crimea
pic.twitter.com/uF02XnYP5a
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/22-december-criminal-boss-mihail-mishanya-kosoy-lyashko-from …

[OUTLAW 09]

Appears that even the EU Trade Group got fed up with Russian disinformation and or propaganda concerning the DCFTA that Russia openly complained about.........

http://trade.ec.europa.eu/doclib/docs/2015/december/tradoc_154127.pdf

TRILATERAL TALKS ON EU-UKRAINE DCFTA DISTINGUISHING BETWEEN MYTHS & REALITY


The EU remains committed and open to achieving practical solutions to Russia's concerns on the implementation of the EU-Ukraine Deep and Comprehensive Free Trade Area (DCFTA).

The trilateral consultation process at ministerial level was launched in July 2014. Up to end of 2015, 13 trilateral meetings, including 4 at ministerial level, have taken place to this end.

This document sheds some light on certain myths related to this process.

Myth 1: Russia can change CIS-FTA customs rules without having to hold consultations with all other CIS-FTA countries.
Reality: Russia claims it adheres to CIS-FTA rules and the resulting obligation of mutual consultations. It disregards the same CIS-FTA rules, however, when it comes to unilaterally withdrawing trade preferences towards Moldova (July 2014) and now Ukraine.
Under CIS-FTA safeguards rules (annex 6), in order to increase import tariffs against another CIS-FTA member (e.g. Ukraine), Russia must:
consult the other countries of the CIS-FTA;
demonstrate product by product that the changed circumstances (i.e. the provisional application of the EU-Ukraine DCFTA as of 1 January 2016) would lead to 'an increase in imports from the Party in such quantities as to cause damage or threaten to harm the industry of Custom Union'.
Currently, Russia neither demonstrated such an increase in imports or related negative effects stemming from the implementation of the DCFTA because the DCFTA has not yet come into force.
The Commission has offered to continue the consultations after 1 January 2016. The Commission's offer to continue is however conditional on Russia's revocation of the Presidential decree that suspends it CIS FTA obligations towards Ukraine.

Myth 2: The EU demands that all goods sold on the Ukrainian market should comply with European technical standards. This excludes Russian products from the Ukrainian market.
Reality: In fact, the DCFTA foresees that only 27 Ukrainian sectorial technical regulations for industrial products will be aligned with EU regulations, such as those applying to toys, lifts, refrigerators etc. So far, Ukraine has already brought 24 sectorial technical regulations for industrial products in line with EU regulations.
Russia's request for transition periods postponing the alignment of Ukraine’s regulations with those of the EU would effectively force Ukraine to roll back already transposed EU legislation. This would violate provisions of the DCFTA (Art. 56).
Furthermore, to our knowledge no Russian company has yet complained that it faced difficulties in exporting its products to Ukraine due to technical regulations. After looking more closely into recent trade figures, we see rather an increase in Russian exports to Ukraine in the sectors where Ukrainian regulations have been aligned with EU standards. The share of Russian exports to Ukraine of goods falling under EU-based harmonisation of technical regulations, in line with commitments under the DCFTA, out of overall Ukraine-Russia bilateral trade in goods increased from 8.8% to 12.3% between 2012 and 2014.
This is probably due to the fact that Russia generally has an interest in harmonising its technical regulations and standards with those of the EU in various sectors, as it wants to attract EU investors and to be able to export to the EU in the future. For many years the EU has conducted projects with Russia concerning harmonisation of technical regulation for industrial products.
As such, since 2013, the Commission has been financing a project on 'Approximation of EU and Russian Federation technical regulation and standardisations systems'. This project seems to be fruitful regarding work with the Russian authorities on the approximation of technical regulations, even if in practice some of the legislation is not applied on the ground. The Customs Union (the Eurasian Economic Union since 2015) has adopted 35 technical regulations, a number of which are
based on and broadly in line with EU regulations (for example toys, machinery, low voltage, electromagnetic compatibility, personal protective equipment).
In line with the flexibilities foreseen in the DCFTA, the EU is ready to consider longer transition periods for technical regulations linked to certain sectors/goods if Russia demonstrates the need for it. However, until now, Russia has not provided figures on its exports to Ukraine in specific sectors where Ukraine has already aligned or is supposed to align its legislation with that of the EU. Instead, Russia has designated seven sectors to be of particular economic importance for Russia, however, without any factual evidence or clear justification. Ukraine has already approximated its regulations with those of the EU in six out of these seven sectors concerned.

Myth 3: The EU wants to force Russia to change customs rules set in the Free Trade Agreement of the Commonwealth of Independent States (CIS-FTA).
Reality: Russia considers the current CIS-FTA rules of origin as too permissive. According to Russia, under the current rules certain goods imported by Ukraine could easily get Ukrainian origin and be exported to Russia without customs duties.
In fact, in the trilateral talks, the Commission simply said that Russia is free to initiate a procedure to change its CIS-FTA rules if it considers that the CIS-FTA rules of origin lead to problems each time a CIS-FTA member signs a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) with another country.
The EU's position is based on its belief that customs rules should be functional and respect the rule that FTAs do not lead to mutual exclusivity of involved partners.

Myth 4: The EU obliges Russia to adopt the EU phytosanitary control system.
Reality: The EU never forced Russia to adopt European SPS standards. It is clear, however, that Russian exports to the EU have to conform to EU SPS standards. In the context of the trilateral talks, the EU has responded to Russian SPS-related concerns about customs cooperation with Ukraine and proposed an updated bilateral process of acceptance of veterinary certificates, the mutual evaluation of SPS systems, a revision of rules of origin within the CIS-FTA, and deeper customs service cooperation to fight fraud.

Myth 5: Russia's proposal to introduce a 'transition period of no more than ten years for a limited number of trade sectors' is not a problem.
Reality: This proposal may appear innocuous at first sight but it would mean prohibiting large parts of the EU-Ukraine DCFTA from being applied for many years.
At the same time, it is doubtful that this would have a positive impact for Russian exports. This Russian proposal is an example of Russia's misinterpretation of the Commission's mandate 'to elaborate practical solutions to Russian concerns linked to the implementation of the DCFTA'.

Myth 6: Extensive data on prices and customs valuation for each and every single transaction on goods exported to Ukraine would be essential for Russia. The EU needs to provide it.
Reality: This would not provide Russia with verifiable information about the origin of the goods imported by Russia from Ukraine. In addition, it would be in contradiction of EU privacy legislation to protect the confidentiality of business information.

[OUTLAW 09]

Appears that there will be some hard times ahead for he Russian info warrior front line.....seems the price of oil is assisting nicely in the counter info war front.....

Parent company of ‘LifeNews’ and ‘Izvestia’ to cut costs by a third
https://meduza.io/en/news/2015

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian militants in Tel'manove
pic.twitter.com/yl0Fv8C19z http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-militants-in-telmanove …

Russian Mi-8 flight recorder over Kherson-Crimea regions border http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-mi8-flight-recorder-over-khersoncrimea …

Russian sniper wounded civilian in Mariinka
pic.twitter.com/elR7iNUCS9 http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-sniper-wounded-civilian-in-mariinka …

ATO spox: Two militants were detained yesterday by UA police in Sloviansk pic.twitter.com/CfXZTxbsfQ
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-ato-spox-two-militants-were-detained-yesterday …

ATO spox: Yesterday, a flight of enemy UAV was recorded at the administration border line with the Crimea http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-ato-spox-yesterday-a-flight-of-enemy-uav-was …

Col. Lysenko: An armed clash occurred in Talakivka, enemy was repelled http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-col-lysenko-an-armed-clash-occurred-in-talakivka …

Russian state Duma allow collectors to demand to return loans of Ukrainian banks in Crimea(to Russian banks)
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-russian-state-duma-allow-collectors-to-demand …

Criminal boss Mihail "Mishanya Kosoy" Lyashko from "DNR" shot dead in Crimea
pic.twitter.com/uF02XnYP5a
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/22-december-criminal-boss-mihail-mishanya-kosoy-lyashko-from …

Zhebrivsky: Mobile connection with villages around seized by "DPR" #Kominternove is lost.
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/23-december-zhebrivsky-mobile-connection-with-villages-around …

Ukr electronic warfare unit "Sever" claims they have jammed and downed a russian drone near #Kominternove. https://www.facebook.com/severbat/posts/1664674383791314 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warfare........

Russia's Citizen Journalists: Mercenary Mudslingers or Intrepid Investigators?
https://globalvoices.org/2015/12/23/russias-citizen-journalists-mercenary-mudslingers-or-intrepid-investigators/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

Nov2015 #Zaichenko (eastward from #Kominternove), RU positions
https://www.google.com.ua/maps/@47.1797888,37.8571542,278m/data=!3m1!1e3 …
pic.twitter.com/Fv5JFuwCUp

Militants fired 51time upon Ukr troops y/day, most attacks registered in Donetsk sector, calm at night n Luhansk, Mariupol sect - ATO Staff

Total 51 attacks yesterday, and 5 since 12am today
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1114797751864363 …
pic.twitter.com/5X4LarK7zf

ATO Staff doesn't confirm Vodyane nr Kominternove has been seized. Militants make raids in small groups towards Ukr positions - press center

[OUTLAW 09]

Сторона Песок тяжёлый бах 9-16м" #Donetsk 8:16AM - Heavy booms towards #Pisky.

Merry Christmas #Ukraine!

[OUTLAW 09]

Сторона Песок тяжёлый бах 9-16м" #Donetsk 8:16AM - Heavy booms towards #Pisky.

Merry Christmas #Ukraine!

[OUTLAW 09]

http://www.unian.info/war/1221214-russian-army-unit-invades-kominternove-inforesistance.html

Russian army unit invades Kominternove: InfoResistance

24.12.2015 | 11:20


A unit of the Russian armed forces along with the enhanced "motorized infantry company" of militants have invaded the village of Kominternove in Donetsk region, the Information Resistance Group reports.

It is noted that, despite the declared "complete ceasefire" during the holidays, the Russian-terrorist troops in Donbas continue to actively attack (including with the use of Grad multiple rocket launchers and anti-tank guided missile systems) and continue to occupy new territories in the so-called "gray zone" in the seaside direction.

In particular, in the "Kominternove zone" (Vodiane-Kominternove-Zayichenko) the militants are expanding their presence, transferring additional forces and fortifying positions in the area. They relocate forces and means to the right flank: from the town of Novoazovsk toward the village of Zayichenko, in addition to the previously deployed weapons, they relocated another six units of armored combat vehicles (mainly BMP-2 infantry fighting vehicles, two MT-LB light multi-purpose armored towing vehicles with ZU-23-2 anti-aircraft twin-barreled autocannons). Another armored group is moving from the Khomutovskiy steppe – three MBTs, two MT-LBs (with two MT-12 towed antitank guns), four BTR-80 amphibious armored personnel carriers and a BRDM-2 amphibious armored patrol car.

"Together with the enhanced "motorized infantry company" of militants, a unit of the Russian armed forces invaded Kominternove. There were attempts of the Russian servicemen to restrict multiple acts of looting by the DPR militants in this settlement," the Information Resistance Group said.

The use of anti-tank guided missile systems by the militants was recorded near the village of Hranitne. In particular, an infantry group of militants, who had previously held positions near the village of Krasniy Oktiabr, moved on vehicles with anti-tank guided missile systems to the forefront north of Hranitne, toward the village of Novohryhorivka. The militants took a position and fired anti-tank guided missile systems twice in the direction of a Ukrainian fortified position northwest of Hranitne.

In addition, near the town of Horlivka, the militants fired small arms and two AGS-17 automatic grenade launchers on the Ukrainian army positions in the area between the villages of Shumy and Mayorsk.

[OUTLAW 09]

http://www.unian.info/war/1221214-russian-army-unit-invades-kominternove-inforesistance.html

Russian army unit invades Kominternove: InfoResistance

24.12.2015 | 11:20

10:24 #Donetsk @666_mancer [fb] "Silence is over - rumbling towards #Gvardeyka" "Rumble northwards..."

ATO: 35 attacks in 24 last hours, 3 of them - Grads at #Troitske area near #Popasna
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1114492751894863 …

Hundreds of Russian trucks ferry unknown cargo to east #Ukraine
http://uatoday.tv/politics/hundreds-of-russian-trucks-ferry-unknown-cargo-to-east-ukraine-560183.html …

ATO spox: "#Vodyane is currently free from militants".
But it's not under UAF control either.
pic.twitter.com/FkAP7ufjBF

[OUTLAW 09]

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.de/2015/12/putin-again-uses-film-to-describe-world.html

Wednesday, December 23, 2015

Putin Again Uses a Film to Describe ‘World Order’ He Wants

Paul Goble


Staunton, December 23 – For the third time, Vladimir Putin has used a documentary film to outline his ideas about Russia and the world, first in “Crimea. The Road Home,” then in “The President” and now in “The World Order,” a film that lacks the revelations of the first and the dramatic threats of the latter but that nonetheless merits close attention, Kseniya Kirillova says.

The San Francisco-based Novy Region-2 commentator suggests that this time around, Putin has advanced five main ideas, which both individually and collectively show “the illusions and goals of the Kremlin dictator” (nr2.com.ua/blogs/Ksenija_Kirillova/Miroporyadok-po-putinski-113864.html).

First of all, Kirillova says, “the main idea of the film is old to the point of banality: the Americans violate international norms, organize the export of ‘color revolutions,’ and in general sow chaos and death across the earth.”

But there is one curious nuance: This theme is stressed not by Putin, who nonetheless must have approved the film and thus this message, but by the narrator. The Kremlin leader presents himself as some who is quite ready to assist the West and especially Europe in correcting what the film sees as Washington’s mistakes.

Second, the film offers the parallel message that Moscow believes in can work with ‘particular European leaders” and also with “the population of Western countries ‘over the heads’ of their governments,” exactly the same message Soviet propagandists delivered and one that also recalls the past that Moscow wants to work with Europe against America.

Third, Putin simultaneously insisted that he has no plans to restore the Soviet Union but that the Soviet Union was Russia, given that it defended “the geopolitical interests of Russia” albeit under a different name. Thus, in a clumsy way, Kirillova says, “Putin again confirmed his old thesis that Russia is the USSR.”

Fourth, the Kremlin leader used the film to issue yet another implicit nuclear threat to the West by suggesting that “Russia will perfect its nuclear weapons” and that “the nuclear triade lies at the foundation of our security policy.”

And fifth, in the film, Putin delivered “two messages” about Ukraine: On the one hand, he said, “the countries of the West certainly already regret that they supported the turnover in governments.” And on the other, he indicated by complaining that Kyiv’s policies were determined by the US that he has no intention of pulling back from his adventures in Ukraine.

Summing up the film, Kirillova says that its content show that the negotiations Putin has been conducting with Western leaders in recent weeks have in no way changed his positions but rather confirmed his earlier views. Consequently, he wants to continue to “participate in the negotiation process” not so much as an equal but as the one who proposes “a new world order.”

[OUTLAW 09]

http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/12/24/87172/#arvlbdata

Putin: The West wants to prevent reconstruction of the USSR


2015/12/24 • News, Political News, Russia


The position of our Western partners, European and American ones, is not connected with protecting Ukraine’s interests, but with an attempt to prevent the reconstruction of the Soviet Union. – Vladimir Putin

On 20 December, a documentary entitled “The World Order” was released on the Russia 1 channel. An almost two-hour long geopolitical narrative is based on Putin’s interview to Vladimir Solovyev, combined with sketches on different issues of world politics, starting from the 911 terrorist attack to Ukraine’s EuroMaidan revolution.

“Considering Ukraine and former Soviet Union area, I am sure that the position of our Western partners, European and American ones, is not connected with protecting Ukraine’s interests, but with an attempt to prevent the reconstruction of the Soviet Union. And no one wants to believe us, that we do not have a goal to reconstruct the Soviet Union,” Russia’s president said during the interview with Solovyev.

Due to him, the West can’t sleep because it fears Russian and Ukrainian economies unitiand and becoming stronger.

“But even the hypothetical possibility of joining the efforts within the framework of current economical integrational processes which would without doubt make both Russia and Ukraine a more competitive in the world economy… even the hypothetical possibility of it doesn’t let our partners sleep well.”

Putin seemed so concerned about the faith of Ukrainian citizens, he even showed regrets that the upcoming visa free regime with the EU will allow Ukrainians migrate to work as nannies, gardeners, and construction workers.

“I think the main task is to not to let this unification happen… An absolute deindustrialization of Ukraine is happening. And what are they receiving instead? Maybe, they will give the right of visa free entrance to Europe. Maybe they will, maybe not. But this isn’t even a work permit, these aren’t work visas. Even if it were work visas, as for whom? Nannies, gardeners and construction workers? Is it the destiny of such a great country and an awesome nation as Ukrainians? Of course not!”

Other thesises of Putin’s interview were:
•Terrorism can be defeated, but all countries should unite for that
•Europe has refused to have an independent external politics
•Russia is threatened by American tactical nuclear weapon in Europe
•We need to fight the spread of nuclear weapon and stereotypes of the Cold War
•Democratic values can’t be forced by “color revolutions”
•Russia conducts honest and coherent politics in solving Syrian crisis
•Coup d’etat can’t make life in the country better
•Turks are a friendly nation to Russia

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warfare trolls......

My latest for RuNet Echo, using Python scraping to uncover over 8000 pro-Kremlin LiveJournal trolls h/t @pato_reilly https://globalvoices.org/2015/12/22/massive-livejournal-troll-network-pushes-pro-kremlin-narratives/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian-Backed Fighters Fake Retreat frm Kominternovo to Confuse OSCE
http://www.interpretermag.com/ukraine-live-day-675-russian-backed-fighters-fake-retreat-from-kominternovo-to-confuse-osce-monitors/#11624 …
pic.twitter.com/O8WHTv1U6v

Difference btwn Russian war in Ukraine and Syria is: in UA RU COVERTLY bombed civilians blaming UA. In Syria RU OPENLY bombs them: #silence.

[OUTLAW 09]

Reference Russian info warfare..........

Mark Galeotti @MarkGaleotti
Depressing, interesting piece about #Russia propaganda's Western pseudo-experts from @Alexey__Kovalev https://twitter.com/ru_maximonline/status/680111993026686976 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Mariupol under threat as militants plot provocations for #osce
http://uatoday.tv/politics/mariupol-under-threat-as-militants-plot-provocations-for-osce-561065.html …
pic.twitter.com/co575gjrG2

FSB use electric shock torture against Crimean Tatar ::
http://khpg.org -
http://go.shr.lc/1Mz6Q4b

Militants fired upon Ukr troops 35 times over last day. 2 combat engagements reported: near Mayorsk and Maryinka https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1115478765129595 …

08:26 #Donetsk @PVB40 [fb]Along #Shakhtostroiteley tow/#Ilyicha abt 20 trucks, a BTR went - w/troops,covered,fuel trucks,fieldkitchen,KUNGs

06:52 #Donetsk @DoneckiiPatriot Via #Motel towards #Makiivka 1 BRDM, 1 GAZ-66 KUNG, 2 KAmaz trucks (they were far, I can be wrong) moved

06:33 #Donetsk #Kyivsky ds @AlfaNubovsky There was such a salvo/explosion? that we felt its wave indoors, sleeping vanished as if by magic

07:53 #Donetsk #Proletarsky ds @DoneckiiPatriot One salvo was heard ar 7:32 southward...

[OUTLAW 09]

News
(Pro-)#Russian forces tried to break through the front near #Marinka last night.
After they were repelled, they fired 82 mm mortars.

[OUTLAW 09]

Donetsk now
#Pisky - shooting, BMP, mortars

ATO Staff: Militants ignore agreements on complete ceasefire in the ATO
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/25-december-ato-staff-militants-ignore-agreements-on-complete …
pic.twitter.com/jTZdRXFe6t

ATO HQ evening edition also reporting on shelling of Vodyane
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1115774735099998 …

A. Lysenko: Main militants’ forces left Kominternove, withdrawing their military equipment
http://uacrisis.org/39057-andrij-lisenko-144 …
pic.twitter.com/ycPHT6F2h1

[OUTLAW 09]

Why the free world must be prepared:
"#Russian and #Ukrainians, one nation in the long run."
- V. Putin, 25.12.2015
http://interfax.com.ua/news/general/314000.html …

In Russian........

[OUTLAW 09]

No peace in Donbas at Christmas: over 35 attacks on Ukraine reported (Map)
http://www.unian.info/war/1223094-no-peace-in-donbas-at-christmas-over-35-attacks-on-ukraine-reported-map.html …
pic.twitter.com/ife3xYYfME

Donesk 20:45
Kirovskyi ds - periodically machine guns from N, #Pisky area, and heavy singles fying fr Kuibyshevsky
https://twitter.com/UrriKara4en/status/680459778792013829 …

Donetsk 20:44
Kalinovka - hearing machine guns, grenade launchers. Sounds like to north (airport-Spartak).
https://twitter.com/LifeInDonetsk/status/680459053156417537 …

Donetsk 20:35
Putilovka - hearing deaf single volleys.
https://twitter.com/olgarjpthju/status/680457468867117058 …

#Donetsk 20:38
Another truce towards the airport, shooting and explosions, salvos.
https://twitter.com/funkermanjke/status/680457578774704129 …

Donetsk 20:39
Airport area - machine guns, explosions.
https://twitter.com/LuftGanza/status/680457807095828481 …

Donestk 20:14
Oktyabrsky loud all evening, in the afternoon explosions.
Evening - airport noisy non-stop.
https://twitter.com/olgarjpthju/status/680451640487489536 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls

The Kremlin's Troll Army
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/the-kremlins-troll-army/375932/ …
pic.twitter.com/wAVC9ZpMep


Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Hello @Support, our ac is being targeted by #KremlinTrolls, including ac
https://twitter.com/_belka_strelka
Pls investigate.
pic.twitter.com/lCXIWkiDkR

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine troops and it’s positions were attacked 61 times yesterday

Horlivka Zhovanka-#Zaitsevo - the sound of battle, the night of 25-26.12.2015
https://youtu.be/ybVbYzY7OSI

Saboteurs failed to set military depo's at #Balakliya on fire. All UAF objectives on alert
pic.twitter.com/tgCie8LLd6
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/26-december-saboteurs-failed-to-set-military-warehouses-at …

ATO Staff: since 6pm till 6am RU violated truce 25 times
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1116395411704597 …

ATO Staff: UA positions near #Novhorodske, #Zaytseve, #Mayorsk, #Luhanske, #Opytne, #Pisky were attacked with SA, GLs, heavy MG

ATO Staff: Last evening UA positions in #Pisky were mortared w/120mm. Positions near #Zaytseve were mortared w/82mm, #Luhanske - ATMS

ATO Staff: peaceful settlement #Vodyane near #Mariupol was twice under fire yesterday

ATO Staff: in last day there were 61 armed provocations against ATO forces, 5 more after the midnight.

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine troops and it’s positions were attacked 61 times yesterday

Horlivka Zhovanka-#Zaitsevo - the sound of battle, the night of 25-26.12.2015
https://youtu.be/ybVbYzY7OSI

Saboteurs failed to set military depo's at #Balakliya on fire. All UAF objectives on alert
pic.twitter.com/tgCie8LLd6
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/26-december-saboteurs-failed-to-set-military-warehouses-at …

ATO Staff: since 6pm till 6am RU violated truce 25 times
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1116395411704597 …

ATO Staff: UA positions near #Novhorodske, #Zaytseve, #Mayorsk, #Luhanske, #Opytne, #Pisky were attacked with SA, GLs, heavy MG

ATO Staff: Last evening UA positions in #Pisky were mortared w/120mm. Positions near #Zaytseve were mortared w/82mm, #Luhanske - ATMS

ATO Staff: peaceful settlement #Vodyane near #Mariupol was twice under fire yesterday

ATO Staff: in last day there were 61 armed provocations against ATO forces, 5 more after the midnight.

02:05 #Kirovsk @thisnameerror A boom. More properly "hoo-hookh" [=salvo sound]. 'Withdrew' weapons, one shot. Probably 120mm mortar

#Zaytseve, #Horlivka @oksi_art
23:57 seemingly ceased, RU are out of ammo
00:02 RU started to fire again
00:03 RU've 5 WIA- radio intercept

Fresh tank tracks spotted in Kominternove near Mariupol
http://uatoday.tv http://uatoday.tv/politics/fresh-tank-tracks-spotted-in-kominternove-near-mariupol-561396.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls

The Kremlin's Troll Army
http://www.theatlantic.com/international/archive/2014/08/the-kremlins-troll-army/375932/ …
pic.twitter.com/wAVC9ZpMep

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Hello @Support, our ac is being targeted by #KremlinTrolls, including ac
https://twitter.com/_belka_strelka
Pls investigate.
pic.twitter.com/lCXIWkiDkR

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls

New spying powers will be used to bring cyberbullies & online trolls to justice
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3373981/Theresa-says-new-spying-powers-used-bring-cyberbullies-online-trolls-justice.html …
pic.twitter.com/JSQg0HKYsR

[OUTLAW 09]

If true, then UAVs possible launched from Russia
pic.twitter.com/7k3r2oszsx

Unconfirmed report: Terrorists attacked arsenal with UAVs that dropped high-flammable substance on territory
pic.twitter.com/SBUrO17XuT

In Dobropillya @ServiceSsu prevented terror attack, detained militant with 9 kgs of C4
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/26-december-in-dobropillya-sbu-pevented-terror-attack-detained …
pic.twitter.com/bUEanncCN1

[OUTLAW 09]

BREAKINGNEWS
Russian artillery going back to the front in #Donetsk oblast!!
https://youtu.be/9xJeJJfewmQ

Arrival of heavy artillery coincides with 61 (pro-)Russian attacks / provocations yesterday.

23:02 #Zaytseve, #Horlivka @oksi_art UA positions are mortared from 3 directions - hospital, quarry, small industrial area of #Holmivsky

[OUTLAW 09]

Zacharchenko: Army of "DNR" could fight with any army in Europe
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/26-december-zacharchenko-army-of-dnr-could-fight-with-any …
pic.twitter.com/wCxGGHd85j

AND naturally Russian MoD provided all the weapons..........

[OUTLAW 09]

Zacharchenko: Army of "DNR" could fight with any army in Europe
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/26-december-zacharchenko-army-of-dnr-could-fight-with-any …
pic.twitter.com/wCxGGHd85j

AND naturally Russian MoD provided all the weapons..........

Heavy outgoing fire from #Donetsk and like yesterday some intense battle in #Zaitseve, #Horlivka

Опытное шум" 19:12 #Optyne noisy.

Horlivka now
Shooting to north, flashes can be seen towards #Zaitsevo.

Expect Gryzlov's appt as RU "Contact Grp" rep means another 2 - 4 yrs of obstructionism & obfuscation in the style of his pal Surkov.

[OUTLAW 09]

Heavy outgoing fire from #Donetsk and like yesterday some intense battle in #Zaitseve, #Horlivka

Опытное шум" 19:12 #Optyne noisy.

Horlivka now
Shooting to north, flashes can be seen towards #Zaitsevo.

Expect Gryzlov's appt as RU "Contact Grp" rep means another 2 - 4 yrs of obstructionism & obfuscation in the style of his pal Surkov.


20:16
#Avdiivka hearing serious battle - apparently in #Spartak-#Optyne area.
https://twitter.com/VadyXaXa/status/680814372604784641 …

Donetsk 20:19
Towards #Maryinka-Petrovka heavy explosions.
https://twitter.com/shuttle1907/status/680815100224233472 …

20:15 #Donetsk
"Ohoho that was GRADs, full load"
https://twitter.com/Newrashkineits/status/680814096250499072 …

Donetsk 20:19
"[MRLS] BM-21 worked?"
https://twitter.com/LuftGanza/status/680815108289880064 …

Donetsk 20:15
Towards #Pisky-#Optyne just flew GRADs or very well coordinated salvos.
https://twitter.com/UkraineSuper1/status/680814676276572160 …

There is outgoing fire from #Yasynuvata in #Donetsk, not clear which caliber but that's where the 2S1 Gvozdika's headed 2 days ago

Donetsk 20:16 Towards Azotnyi district or further north, heavy booms
https://twitter.com/HeleneHelene5/status/680814459540082688 …

ATO HQ 19:30: #Ukraine positions in #Zaitsevo are under fire from BMPs, GL's, heavy machine guns, mortars and tanks

[B]19:55
Ruscists shelling Mayorsk-Zhovanka-Zaytsevo. The shelling is so tight that it is impossible to lift the head. https://twitter.com/oksi_art/status/680809259156783105 …

Donetsk 19:28
"Durbalka - volleys to north, can be heard well. Full moon..."
https://twitter.com/PVB40/status/680802518155300864 …

Zaitsevo - from school BMP firing, from hospital a NONA shooting, from the quarry a tank and Vasilek mortar.
19:08 https://twitter.com/oksi_art/status/680797340790292481 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian continues to lie...the EU basically stated Russia was just trying to delay the EU/Ukraine.....Russia threatened to release the discussions...then the EU released six myths that the Russians were pushing......EU had basically called off any future discussions.....

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
We are ready to continue taking part in Russia-Ukraine-EU trade talks and searching for compromises and solutions http://government.ru/en/news/21205/

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia is trying desperately to do anything to get their 3B USD debt repaid before they lose it for good and or take a loss of 20%.......

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
Ukraine can still pay off its Eurobond debt to Russia without a fine until Dec 31
http://government.ru/en/news/21184/
pic.twitter.com/tjqNcRN6By

Ukraine has stated they will not repay the debt.....

[OUTLAW 09]

Top 10 fakes of Russian propaganda about Ukraine in 2015
http://euromaidanpress.com/2015/12/26/87281/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
#Basurin bares the @OSCE_SMM from visiting #Kominternove, blames #Ukraine for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33vAcqFBc3w …

Ukr troops incurred no casualties over the last day, 3 servicemen were wounded in action
http://uacrisis.org/39086-andrij-lisenko-145 …
pic.twitter.com/2q3Ee7l3jO

Reports of fighting in Sectors B & C #Horlivka #Avdiivka #Mariinka #Krasnohorivka #pisky #Optyne #Petrovka

Horlivka 22:01
Stroitel - flashes, incoming and outgoing, loud.
https://twitter.com/tetznka/status/680840964534087680 …

Horlivka 22:03
Mykhailivka - Krasnyi Partizan: battle, mortars, AGL, shooting.
https://twitter.com/062_Region/status/680841446677692417 …

Krasnohorivka can hear explosions from #Mariinka

Maryinka 21:15
Periodically shooting and explosions towards the Sovkhoz.

Krasnohorivka 20:37
Hearing explosions towards #Maryinka.
https://twitter.com/hyeva_maryinka/status/680835467407966208 …

Russian MoD published video on YouTube showing Tor-M2U firing while on the move.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhtFNrkMP2M …

[OUTLAW 09]

Footage
#Basurin bares the @OSCE_SMM from visiting #Kominternove, blames #Ukraine for it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=33vAcqFBc3w …

Ukr troops incurred no casualties over the last day, 3 servicemen were wounded in action
http://uacrisis.org/39086-andrij-lisenko-145 …
pic.twitter.com/2q3Ee7l3jO

Reports of fighting in Sectors B & C #Horlivka #Avdiivka #Mariinka #Krasnohorivka #pisky #Optyne #Petrovka

Horlivka 22:01
Stroitel - flashes, incoming and outgoing, loud.
https://twitter.com/tetznka/status/680840964534087680 …

Horlivka 22:03
Mykhailivka - Krasnyi Partizan: battle, mortars, AGL, shooting.
https://twitter.com/062_Region/status/680841446677692417 …

Krasnohorivka can hear explosions from #Mariinka

Maryinka 21:15
Periodically shooting and explosions towards the Sovkhoz.

Krasnohorivka 20:37
Hearing explosions towards #Maryinka.
https://twitter.com/hyeva_maryinka/status/680835467407966208 …

Russian MoD published video on YouTube showing Tor-M2U firing while on the move.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BhtFNrkMP2M …

#OSCE confirmed that #Kominternove village located 10 km from #Mariupol was captured by #DPR
http://www.osce.org/ukraine-smm/212661 …
pic.twitter.com/6c8cTceYbL

[OUTLAW 09]

A woman was killed due to heavy shelling of #Zaitseve last night. Outgoing fire positions in pro #Russia|n controlled #Horlivka.

Pro #Russia|ns fired at #Ukraine positions near #Talakivka from #Kominternove, using mortars and AA systems - ATO HQ

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian is in the middle of their non linear war with the Baltics AND the West says not a single word........

Kremlin's millions: How Russia funds NGOs in Baltics.
http://www.delfi.lt/a/68908408
pic.twitter.com/x2cjVLOXcn

YET brands virtually all NGOs as foreign agents inside Russia.

Georgia, Moldova, Latvia and Lithuania initiate memo of condemnation of Russian Constitutional Court's actions. http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/economic/313030.html …

Liberation theology: Tool of the Kremlin
http://po.st/LoW9nT via @worldnetdaily

[OUTLAW 09]

We are now in the third Russian ground offensive that is slow stepping their ground attacks in order to not attract attention from the West and using Christmas as a screening factor.....

ATO Staff: Dec26 RU-terrorists forces brought fire to UA positions 66 times, mostly in hours of darkness https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1116844078326397 …

Update
1 civilian, 1 Ukrainian soldier killed, 3 Ukr. soldiers injured in (pro-)#Russian attacks in eastern #Ukraine on Saturday.

11:15 #Donetsk @olgarjpthju [vk] Battle sounds behind #Lidiivka, AGL, small arms. Some heavy landings are heard

11:06am #Horlivka @xy_gorlov4an In the evening and night #Kurganka has heard the battle. In the morning there were 2 strong salvos

09:32 #Luhansk @Edward_Lugansk UA radio is jammed, RU started to broadcast their radio stations on the same frequencies

Acc. to the Ukr army, Russian mercenaries moved west of #Kominternove to get #Talakivka in range of their mortars.
pic.twitter.com/iEfroHwyjD

News
Russian forces also fired 82 mm mortars from #Kominternove at Ukr-held #Talakovka.
So Ukr army statement of "full control" was wrong.

[OUTLAW 09]

We are now in the third Russian ground offensive that is slow stepping their ground attacks in order to not attract attention from the West and using Christmas as a screening factor.....

ATO Staff: Dec26 RU-terrorists forces brought fire to UA positions 66 times, mostly in hours of darkness https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1116844078326397 …

Update
1 civilian, 1 Ukrainian soldier killed, 3 Ukr. soldiers injured in (pro-)#Russian attacks in eastern #Ukraine on Saturday.

11:15 #Donetsk @olgarjpthju [vk] Battle sounds behind #Lidiivka, AGL, small arms. Some heavy landings are heard

11:06am #Horlivka @xy_gorlov4an In the evening and night #Kurganka has heard the battle. In the morning there were 2 strong salvos

09:32 #Luhansk @Edward_Lugansk UA radio is jammed, RU started to broadcast their radio stations on the same frequencies

Acc. to the Ukr army, Russian mercenaries moved west of #Kominternove to get #Talakivka in range of their mortars.
pic.twitter.com/iEfroHwyjD

News
Russian forces also fired 82 mm mortars from #Kominternove at Ukr-held #Talakovka.
So Ukr army statement of "full control" was wrong.

21:45 #Zaytseve @oksi_art Today RU bright down dense fire to #Mayorsk-#Zhovanka-Zaytseve.

Zaytseve @oksi_art Last time such intense attack was there in early September

[OUTLAW 09]

80 senior officials associated with Russia arrested throughout Serbia in simultaneous raids
http://shipilov.com/aship-news/469-po-vsej-serbii-odnomomentno-arestovali-80-vysshikh-chinovnikov-svyazannykh-s-rossiej.html#.Vn7cyiAyEic.twitter … https://twitter.com/mairbek_france/status/680818013105291264 …

Fighting in east #Ukraine was supposed to stop for the festive season but it didn't:
pic.twitter.com/OewDaocmek

[OUTLAW 09]

17:10 #Horlivka @_John__Carter_ It starts bit by bit

17:33 #Horlivka #Stroitel @ahab7822 Something boomed once

17:03 #Donetsk @Salatyk Sounds of war are reaching us from the north

16:22 #DOnetsk @666_mancer [fb] "Some series of salvos, but not Grad ones. By 4 w/interval abt 20 sec"

16:19 #Donetsk @Eastpeace1 in the northwest they shell w/artillery, it's hardly mortars

16:16 #Donetsk @relictDon "Many various booms north-westward. Louder-softer, closer-further. Salvos-explosions?"

15:59 #Donetsk @AkaDON12 RU awoke, fire fr/ the airport w/everything they have, in the morning they used only assault rifles & machine guns

15:51 #Donetsk @666_mancer [fb] "#Kirovsky exec comm: listents to the combat sounds, as if by schedule [=the same time always]"

15:51 #Donetsk @666_mancer [fb] "So it began. North-westward one can hear heavy salvos, like mortars"

15:50 pretty frequent salvos far in the west
16:00 ceased so far, heavy [MG] bursts were heard tow/#Spartak

15:45 #Donetsk @ropogckou Intermittent shooting northwestward

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO Press Center advise Ukr prevented an attempt to ambush @OSCE_SMM and blame Ukr forces
pic.twitter.com/eZsTX0E5s3

Militants shelled Zolote checkpoint – State Border Guard Service http://en.censor.net.ua/n366955

Lifenews claims that Russian "VGTRK" journalists came under shelling in Kominternove
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/27-december-lifenews-claims-that-russian-vgtrk-journalists …

1 Ukrainian soldier killed, 3 wounded yesterday
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/27-december-1-ukrainian-soldier-killed-3-wounded-yesterday …

[OUTLAW 09]

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.de/2015/12/putin-views-russia-itself-only-as-means.html

Friday, December 25, 2015

Putin Views Russia Itself Only as a Means to Create a New World Order, Illarionov Says

Paul Goble


Staunton, December 25 – Vladimir Putin views Russia not as an end in itself but rather as a means to create a new world order, a view that means he is quite prepared to sacrifice the well-being of Russians in the pursuit of his vision of a new Yalta, according to Moscow commentator Andrey Illarionov.

For the Kremlin leader, Russia itself ranks no more than second in his hierarchy of values; and thus, “it is not important [to him] what happens inside the country” but only how the country’s resources can be deployed for his geopolitical goals (echo.msk.ru/guests/2160/ and apostrophe.com.ua/news/world/2015-12-25/eks-sovetnik-putina-rasskazal-o-ego-stremlenii-ustanovit-novyiy-miroporyadok/45460).

Unfortunately for Putin and his plans, Illarionov continues, this resource is ever smaller: The Russian economy now ranks eighth or ninth in the world and is getting smaller. Its demographic resources are contracting, and its “scientific-technical resources” are declining as well.

Indeed, the only resource that is growing is Russia’s military, and consequently, that is the one Putin is relying upon, the Moscow economist says.

It is far from clear whether with such limited resources, Putin has any hope of achieving the establishment of a new world order of “the Yalta-2 type,” one in which Moscow would have equal weight with “the largest power of the world today, the United States” in making decisions about all issues.

But Putin believes it is possible, and he is ready to sacrifice “everything else – Russia, the economy, society, and people” – to that end. Indeed, for the Kremlin leader, these are all “petty questions” that he will ignore in pursuit of “a certain parity, a certain appearance of parity” on some issues with the United States.

[OUTLAW 09]

http://windowoneurasia2.blogspot.de/2015/12/top-ten-fakes-of-russian-propaganda.html

Saturday, December 26, 2015

Top Ten Fakes of Russian Propaganda about Ukraine in 2015

Paul Goble


Staunton, December 26 – With nearly a week left in 2015, it may be too soon to close the book on Moscow’s lies about Ukraine for this year; but Kyiv blogger Aleksey Minakov has provided a useful list of what he describes at the top then fakes of Russian propaganda for 2015 (nv.ua/opinion/minakov/top-10-fejkov-rossijskoj-propagandy-v-2015-godu-88173.html).

The ten in order are:

1. “Drunken Negroes dance on tanks and poke people with automatic weapons in Debaltsevo.” That is what LifeNews, Vladimir Putin’s favorite channel reported. One can only hope that those “journalists” who invented this fabrication are among those who will lose their jobs in the Kremlin’s “optimization” program.

2. “The flood of tourists to Crimea is growing at unprecedented rates.” NTV reported this, saying that visitors were up 70-80 percent over 2014, forgetting to add that few went there last year because of Russian military actions and the annexation.

3. Moscow Media Continued to Say Ukrainians Shot Down the Malaysian Airliner. Russian media outlets continue to claim Ukrainian forces shot down the plane in 2014, but they are also repeating the story that the passengers on board were already dead, an addition that only highlights the falseness of their claims.

4. “Yatsenyuk fought in Chechnya and took part in the torture and shooting of Russian soldiers.” Moscow investigators made this outrageous claim which was later “contradicted even by the head of Chechnya Ramzan Kadyrov.”

5. “Saakashvili had sex with an underage transvestite.” NTV reported this gem, something so over the top that Mikheil Saakashvili’s press secretary didn’t even both to respond to it.

6. “A drunken Poroshenko who was rushing to Putin was removed from the Kyiv-Moscow flight.” “Moskovsky komsomolets,” Ren-TV, and other Moscow outlets all reported this. Other more independent media pointed out that this was utter nonsense.

7. Moscow Social Media Offered a Photo from 1980 to Suggest Ukrainians had Beheaded a Motherland Statue Now. The use of photos from the past or even photoshopped has become a regular feature of Russian coverage of Ukrainian events.

8. Ukraine Supposedly Part of ISIS. Another totally made up video clip that made the rounds in Russian media this year.

9. “Thousands of Ukrainians Celebrated Downing of Plane Filled with Russians in Egypt.” Kremlin trolls left this message on various social sites and then the Russian media picked them up as if they were genuine. In fact, Ukrainians brought flowers to the Russian embassy in Kyiv to show their sympathies with the victims.

10. Ukrainian Men Under 45 “Will Be Banned from Leaving Ukraine.” Unfortunately, this Russian invention was picked up by Ukrainian outlets, forcing the Ukrainian general staff to post on Facebook the following warning: “Father Frost won’t visit those who spread rumors and untested information.”

[OUTLAW 09]

You have to love Russian propaganda.........

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt ·
Ukrainian snipers reportedly fire on @OSCE team, thwarting inspection
http://sptnkne.ws/au9S

[OUTLAW 09]

You have to love Russian propaganda.........

Sputnik ‏@SputnikInt ·
Ukrainian snipers reportedly fire on @OSCE team, thwarting inspection
http://sptnkne.ws/au9S

Provocation in #Kominternove: #OSCE patrol confirmed they came under fire from Russian militants. http://en.censor.net.ua/news/366968/osce_patrol_confirmed_they_came_under_fire_at_komi nternove …

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO Press Center reports: 22 ceasefire violations as of 1800/hrs /w grenade launcher, small arms & heavy machine gun https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/?fref=nf …

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukrainian military prevents attack on country's largest ammunitions depot
http://uatoday.tv/politics/ukrainian-military-prevents-attack-on-country-s-largest-ammunitions-depot-562247.html …
pic.twitter.com/10OZMfTXFJ

[OUTLAW 09]

Russians think mocking Ukrainian hum.aid, actually blow cover of RuMOD true actions - Humanitarian-Logistical Center
pic.twitter.com/5Cq9qfgI7o

[OUTLAW 09]

http://gulfnews.com/opinion/thinkers...yria-1.1643239

US-Russia cooperation crucial in Syria

While Putin must engage more seriously in global efforts to launch a political transition, America should have no illusions about probability of success

By Michael McFaul, Special to Gulf News

Published: 16:49 December 24, 2015
Gulf News


Russian President Vladimir Putin’s decision to intervene in Syria marked a major turning point in Russian foreign policy in 2015. Over the last 15 years, Putin has increasingly relied on the use of military power to achieve his domestic and foreign-policy objectives, starting with the invasion of Chechnya in 1999, then of Georgia in 2008 and then of Ukraine in 2014. Putin’s Syria gambit was the logical, if dramatic, next step in Russia’s increasingly aggressive foreign policy.

Syria, however, is supposed to be different from these previous interventions. While Putin correctly calculated that most of the world would condemn his military actions in Chechnya, Georgia and Ukraine, he hopes for solidarity and support from the international community for his actions in Syria.

Pro-Kremlin commentators point to United States Secretary of State John Kerry’s recent trip to Moscow as proof that military intervention to fight terrorism in Syria has ended Russia’s international isolation and generated new respect for its standing as a responsible global power. Russia is back, so the argument goes, because the world needs Russia.

Such conclusions are premature, though. In the long run, Russia could become a partner in the global fight against terrorism. And, in principle, the US, the European Union and countries around the world should welcome Russian cooperation in this mission. In practice, however, several key short-term issues must be resolved before the long-term goal of cooperation with Russia can be achieved.

First, Russia, which has intervened to defend its long-time client, Syrian President Bashar Al Assad, must stop bombing Syrian opposition forces supported by the US and its coalition, and start fighting Daesh (the self-proclaimed Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant) instead. In the first weeks of the Russian bombing campaign, the strategy was obvious: Eliminate all third parties in the civil war and thereby force the world to choose between the lesser of two evils — Al Assad or Daesh. More recently, Russian bombers have begun to attack a few Daesh targets, but the Kremlin’s air campaign remains focused on other opposition forces. To be a partner with the West, Russia must change its bombing targets dramatically and permanently.

Second, Putin must engage more seriously in the international efforts to launch a political transition process in Syria. Al Assad cannot stay. He could serve in an interim, transitional role, as some dictators have done in other transitions from authoritarian rule. But he cannot remain in power for the simple reason that his presence only drives more volunteers to the Daesh cause. Al Assad’s regime has killed more people in Syria than all other groups combined. He rarely attacks Daesh terrorists, focusing his military efforts instead on other insurgents. He is not, therefore, a useful ally in the fight against terrorism.

Moreover, the vast majority of victims of Syrian government military operations are civilians, not terrorists. According to the Syrian Network for Human Rights, Al Assad killed 181,557 civilians between March 2011 and November 2015, while Daesh murdered 1,777 civilians during the same period. If the objective in Syria is to stop the civil war, Al Assad should be no one’s idea of a peacemaker. As a demonstration of Russia’s influence over the regime, Putin should first pressure Al Assad to stop killing civilians. If Putin cannot achieve this objective, there is no reason to believe that he can deliver Al Assad or his generals to the negotiating table.

Third, Russia must change its bombing methods. Too many civilians are dying. These types of attacks by Russia generate more inspiring footage for terrorist channels on YouTube — exactly what Daesh wants.

Fourth, Russian media must stop accusing the US of supporting Daesh. How can the US join forces with a country that makes such false claims and portrays America as the enemy?

Fifth, Putin needs to stop the flow of fighters from Russia into Syria. Even Russian estimates suggest that by September 2015, some 2,400 Russian citizens had joined Daesh.

Finally, to be a useful partner in Syria, Russia must stop expecting concessions from the US on Ukraine. Such linkage will never work.

To enable cooperation with Russia, the US and its allies also must make some adjustments — as well as some commitments. First, moderate opposition groups receiving money and weapons from the US should not be compelled to fight only Daesh. Rather, they should be able to define their own military strategies, including a focus on fighting Al Assad’s forces as a means of pressuring the regime to negotiate. They cannot be expected to fight Daesh when Al Assad is attacking them.

Second, US officials must press the Kremlin to get serious about pushing for a political transition, ultimately including free and fair elections. The US and the rest of the world cannot be tempted into believing in the false promise of autocratic stability. Al Assad’s dictatorship has produced only death, displacement and instability over the last four years. There is no reason to expect that his regime could produce stability in the future.

Third, American leaders must be crystal clear about segregating US support for Ukraine and cooperation with Russia in Syria. Sending ambiguous signals serves no purpose.

Finally, US leaders must remain realistic about the weak prospects for successful cooperation. Russia’s bombing campaign has changed little on the ground, and its pledges to support a political transition are not new. Two previous international peacemaking efforts in which Russia participated (Geneva I and Geneva II) ended in failure.

In the year ahead, the US should seek an alliance with Russia to defeat Daesh; but it should do so with no illusions about the probability of success — and real concerns about the cost of failure.

— Project Syndicate, 2015

Michael McFaul, US ambassador to the Russian Federation from 2012 to 2014, is professor of Political Science, Hoover Institution fellow and director of the Freeman Spogli Institute at Stanford University.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian FALSE FLAG provocation........

News
#Basurin led @OSCE_SMM observers into a trap near #Kominternove.
"DPR" opened fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-18urp0G0 …
pic.twitter.com/itajGwQtSu

[OUTLAW 09]

Col. Lysenko: As reported by UA intelligence, 7 militants were killed & 12 wounded during the clashes near Mayorsk & Marinka on Dec. 25

ATO spox: Yesterday, a flight of enemy UAV was recorded near Mariupol

Col. Andriy Lysenko: Mariupol sector: Militants fired at UA positions near Shyrokyne for about 20 minutes

ATO spokesperson: Military situation near Donetsk airport remained strained; still, no single case of application of heavy weapons

Col. Lysenko: Militants for 30 minutes were attacking UA positions near Novoselivka-II, but were repelled back

ATO spox: Militants violated seize-fire regime by firing with small arms at UA positions near Mayorsk & Novhorodske

Col. Andriy Lysenko: Donetsk sector: militants applied machine guns & rocket launchers at UA positions near Troitske & Luhanske

ATO spokesperson: The enemy was inactive in the Luhansk sector

Col. Lysenko: Militants did not fire with any of heavy weapons

ATO spox: Ukrainian Armed Forces did not incur any casualties; no single UA serviceman was wounded yesterday

Col. Andriy Lysenko: Yesterday, military situation in ATO somehow calmed down

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia economy will collapse if the oil price hit the 20-25USD ranges....2016 budget was designed on 60USD.

Oil at $15 a barrel next year? Some speculators think so
http://bloom.bg/1QVRehp
pic.twitter.com/NU34Z9PmeP

Bad news for Russians going away for the long New Year holiday period; the ailing rouble hits a low for the year: 72/$ 108/£

2016:Russian economy won't collapse,but will be a battlefield btw pro-autarky & pro-global trends,says A.Movchan(R)
http://ceip.org/1V0IuXB

Iskander-M's in Leningrad Oblast training destruction of radars & control centers under strict EMCON rules.
http://tass.ru/armiya-i-opk/2560606 …

[OUTLAW 09]

SBU detains one of terrorist leaders in Sloviansk.
http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-ukrnews/1937726-sbu-detains-one-of-terrorist-leaders.html …

Militants Opened Aimed Fire against ATO Positions in Shyrokyne, - Staff
http://ukraineunderattack.org/en/50170-militants-opened-aimed-fire-against-ato-positions-in-shyrokyne-staff.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia continues hybrid war: "LNR" head Plotnitsky appeals to residents of Kherson Obl to create "ppl's republic"
https://dninews.com/article/head-lpr-igor-plotnitsky%E2%80%99s-appeal-residents-kherson-region …

[OUTLAW 09]

Russia continues hybrid war: "LNR" head Plotnitsky appeals to residents of Kherson Obl to create "ppl's republic"
https://dninews.com/article/head-lpr-igor-plotnitsky%E2%80%99s-appeal-residents-kherson-region …

Intelligence Presented New Evidences of Presence of Russian Military in Donbas
http://ukraineunderattack.org/en/50209-intelligence-presented-new-evidences-of-presence-of-russian-military-in-donbas.html …

Russian militants launched DIY armored train
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/28-december-russian-militants-launched-diy-armored-train …
pic.twitter.com/E9EbL4CEX0 via @zvezdanews

[OUTLAW 09]

FINALLY German MSM pushes back on Russian propaganda.....
Can't believe my eyes: @ZDF strikes back at russian agitprop for accusation of fraud in docu on putin's cronyism https://twitter.com/ZDF/status/681448881918504961 …

CSIS ✔ @CSIS
NATO’s eastern flank is unprepared to counter a conventional Russian attack:
http://bit.ly/1Ix1HJq
pic.twitter.com/KrlicpsNlt

[OUTLAW 09]

'Teleportation' of Т-64 Tank from Russia to Donbas:
https://informnapalm.org/en/dec21-donbas-teleportation/ …
pic.twitter.com/ueUuMtkSk4

Motorized Rifle Regiments of Russian Armed Forces stationed in #Kominternove
http://uatoday.tv/politics/motorized-rifle-regiments-of-russian-armed-forces-stationed-in-kominternove-562860.html …

SBU prevented attempt of Russian special services to bring down the energy facilities of #Ukraine
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/28-december-the-security-service-of-ukraine-prevented-attempt …

December salary for #Russian terrorists arrived.
https://twitter.com/thunderbolt1488/status/681472430607593473 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Numerous Russian shellings are starting to be reported this afternoon --might be a long night.

News
Another Ukrainian woman was killed in #Russian shelling of #Dzerzhynsk recently.
pic.twitter.com/IDQosM5U8K

[OUTLAW 09]

Belarus refuses to follow Russia in canceling FTA with Ukraine
http://www.unian.info/economics/1224885-belarus-refuses-to-follow-russia-in-canceling-fta-with-ukraine.html …
pic.twitter.com/LORbAKvwxi

14 violations of ceasefire today. Attacks at Opytne, Pisky, Avdiivka, near Horlivka, Novhorods'ke
pic.twitter.com/830cCkqUO9

Reference Russian info warfare........

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Russian Special Services, ever more active in Latvia, threaten the Country's Nat'l Security
http://upnorth.eu/russian-special-services-ever-more-active-in-latvia-threaten-that-baltic-countrys-national-security-riga-says/ …
pic.twitter.com/CczDVJ43Wv

ATO Press Center: series of drone photos w/ evidence of heavy weapons in #Kominternove
https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/photos/pcb.1117597371584401/1117594628251342/?type=3&theater …
pic.twitter.com/oT23k5Ogf6
pic.twitter.com/zy46h64zvY

[OUTLAW 09]

MORE pure Russian lies and or disinformation........


MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia

Zakharova: @NATO equipment deployment near Russian borders contradicts
Russia - NATO Founding Act
http://bit.ly/1mee0G2 @natomission_ru

BUT WAIT Russia has been in direct violation of the Founding Act since their invasion of Crimea......

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian shellings are back again......

17:27 @Helgi__UA Since noon [eastward] tow/ #Popasna one can hear intermittent explosions, sometimes heavy ones like 152mm

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO Press : Militants in uniform similar to Ukrainian shoot at civil objects near Zaitseve
pic.twitter.com/IyWhVXQYmy
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/28-december-ato-press-center-militants-in-uniform-similar …

MORE Russian lies.......
Russian minister: Kyiv has no alternatives to Russian gas pic.twitter.com/GmPdmVYuS2
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/28-december-russian-minister-kyiv-has-no-alternatives-to …

MORE Russian lies...
Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Ask @noclador and @arianagicperry - why did they delete all of their Tweets about fake rape at @hromadske?
https://archive.is/7e6GT

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
#KremlinTrolls say that #Ukraine is a failed state and will soon cease to exist. Pro-UA? Not hardly!
pic.twitter.com/rqJgsqJMsO

[OUTLAW 09]

http://observer.com/2015/12/the-highs-and-lows-of-u-s-national-security-in-2015-a-year-end-review/

The Highs and Lows of U.S. National Security in 2015: A Year-End Review

How “we suck at everything” became the mantra of D.C.

By John R. Schindler • 12/28/15 2:36pm


Continued..........

This was the year Mr. Obama semi-resolved our differences with Vladimir Putin by giving Russia’s president whatever he wants. While sanctions on Russia remain in place, thanks to its 2014 aggression in Ukraine, Mr. Obama has done nothing substantive to help Kyiv, while deterring Russian moves in Eastern Europe remains more a Pentagon PowerPoint aspiration than detectable American policy. That Mr. Obama views Mr Putin as a partner, not a rival, much less an enemy, despite barrages of increasingly vulgar indications from the Kremlin that Enemy Number One is exactly how Moscow views us, was evidenced by his letting Mr. Putin have a free hand in Syria this year. In truth, Mr. Obama outsourced our Syria policy to the Kremlin way back in the summer of 2013, when he disregarded his own “redline” there, so permitting Mr. Putin to do whatever he likes in Syria—for instance deploying an expeditionary force that claims to be fighting ISIS but whose obvious intent is propping up the Assad regime, which Mr. Obama claims to want to be rid of—at least is consistent. Of course, if Mr. Obama planned to just let Mr. Putin do whatever he wants in Syria, the civil war could have ended over two years ago, saving tens if not hundreds of thousands of innocent lives. But the White House doesn’t seem too concerned about any of that, and it’s so ardent to play nice with Mr. Putin that it quashed a tiny State Department effort to counter noxious Russian propaganda aimed at the West. Say what you want about sucking up to Mr. Putin, at least it’s an Ethos.

[OUTLAW 09]

Russian shellings are back again......

17:27 @Helgi__UA Since noon [eastward] tow/ #Popasna one can hear intermittent explosions, sometimes heavy ones like 152mm

Donetsk
21:42 Durbalka - hears salvos & incoming
21:55 University+Gurova - hears battle in N-W, AA-guns + heavier
https://twitter.com/666_mancer/status/681566021371719680 …

Donetsk now
The usual evening party in #Pisky area, shooting, explosions.

Avdiivka 21:55
Booms, far away.
https://twitter.com/LuftGanza/status/681564231687385088 …

[OUTLAW 09]

MFA Russia ✔ @mfa_russia
Sergey Lavrov told @JohnKerry by phone that shooting #OSCE team & VGTRK crew in Donbas jeopardise Minsk agreements
http://bit.ly/1MDDMsa

BUT WAIT OSCE has already confirmed and entered into their reports THAT the firing came from the Russian troops and orher mercenaries......

Another Russian MfA lie........

News
#Basurin led @OSCE_SMM observers into a trap near #Kominternove.
"DPR" opened fire.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PQ-18urp0G0 …
pic.twitter.com/itajGwQtSu

[OUTLAW 09]

http://observer.com/2015/12/the-highs-and-lows-of-u-s-national-security-in-2015-a-year-end-review/

The Highs and Lows of U.S. National Security in 2015: A Year-End Review

How “we suck at everything” became the mantra of D.C.

By John R. Schindler • 12/28/15 2:36pm

Must Read: US National Security Year-End Review by @20committee http://observer.com/2015/12/the-highs-and-lows-of-u-s-national-security-in-2015-a-year-end-review/ … great piece on @Snowden
pic.twitter.com/sN2AgTHpUm

[OUTLAW 09]

ATO press center reported 33 #ceasefire violations for yesterday. There was a clash with enemy DRG at #Zaitsevo, repelled.
Spetsnaz attack defeated.....

It's official: Turkey, ISIS replace Ukraine USA as main enemies in Russian media, data shows
http://www.rbc.ru/politics/29/12/2015/567c271c9a7947e7e0574370 …
pic.twitter.com/feAlkLuzbZ

News
The Ukrainian MoD says, regular #RussianArmy troops massed in #Kominternove and #Zaichenko.
http://gur.mil.gov.ua/content/obstanovka-v-rayoni-provedennia-ato.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine's frontline: #Donetsk and #Mariupol directions were ’hot’ yesterday, - ATO speaker. MAP
http://en.censor.net.ua/n367071

Crimean #Tatar homes in occupied #Crimea raided by #Russian militants, - Mejlis
http://en.censor.net.ua/n367148

Putin on Ukraine: A constant evolution of spin?
https://share.america.gov/putin-on-ukraine-constant-evolution-of-spin/?utm_source=sa&utm_medium=ptw&utm_campaign=2015-12-29 … pic.twitter.com/fQvJEY0gSq

Struggle in the Grey Zone and World Order....WELL worth the read.....
Supports the concept of non linear warfare......
http://linkis.com/www.rand.org/blog/20/niB9i

[OUTLAW 09]

"A User’s Guide to #Russia-n #Propaganda" - #IW
http://toinformistoinfluence.com/2015/12/29/a-

[OUTLAW 09]

IS Russia planning a major false flag attack........???????????

Russian militants disguised as #Ukraine troops spotted near occupied #Horlovka
http://www.unian.info/war/1224928-militants-guised-as-ukraine-troops-spotted-in-zaiteseve.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

2012 paper by @StefanForss46 estimates Iskander-M range potential to be ~700km.
http://www.doria.fi/bitstream/handle/10024/84362/StratL4_42w.pdf … pic.twitter.com/zWnatUdh8V

Ukraine's developing new missile system exceeding the characteristics of "Sapsan"-Turchynov
http://newsdaily.com.ua/post/1160808 pic.twitter.com/vLSTvSBCSX

TOTAL of now 18 KIA Russian regular troops....in the last few days of increased renewed fighting by Russian troops and her mercenaries.....
Ukraine intel: Another six Russian regular troops killed in Donbas
http://www.unian.info/war/1225559-ukraine-intel-another-six-russian-regular-troops-killed-in-donbas.html …
pic.twitter.com/EW1lFvvFMJ

We all knew the Russian leadership cannot shot straight....now this proves it
Dmitry Rogozin shot himself in the leg while at range, says Lenta.ru.
http://lenta.ru/news/2015/12/29/noga/ …
pic.twitter.com/aYTuYKz12t
So much for his macho self image......

[OUTLAW 09]

Report
"Residents complain about (pro-)Russian militants looting their homes in #Kominternove."
http://www.unian.net/society/1225181-jiteli-okkupirovannogo-kominternovo-jaluyutsya-na-maroderstva-boevikov-shtab.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

What the heck is this........?
Mao´s "Little Red Book", Gaddafi´s "The Green Book", Hitler´s "Mein Kampf", #Putin´s "Words That Change The World"

FSB & Cossacks carry out raid on Crimean Tatar village over Ukrainian symbols...
http://fb.me/3LfEfvJnK

[OUTLAW 09]

Bershidsky on Putin's year abroad--a boost to Russian pride delivered by TV propaganda, but no tangible benefit.
http://bv.ms/1QFP0UR .

Maidan all over again...Putin's biggest nightmare.......
What happens when Russians start not believing state television? Kremlin makes some preparations for civic unrest.
http://bit.ly/1Ox6v9z .

War Crimes of Russian 291st Brigade in War Against Ukraine. Part 1: https://informnapalm.org/en/dec18-291-crimes-part1/ … pic.twitter.com/GxRRQZW5wS

Russian 9th separate motorized rifle regiment troops violate truce, dig in near #Mariupol #Ukraine.
http://uatoday.tv/news/9th-separate-motorized-rifle-regiment-troops-violate-truce-dig-in-near-mariupol-563572.html …

New Ukrainian military air defense equipment showcased
http://www.unian.info/society/1226008-new-ukrainian-military-air-defence-equipment-showcased.html …

"We cannot finish ships without engines"
Ukrainian sanctions works too, less Russian warships - more people alive

Rogozin: RF has lost more than $100 million because of non-delivery of engines for ships by Kyiv
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/30-december-rogozin-the-russian-federation-has-lost-more … via @rianru

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine the #drones war @NATO is not interested in and doesn't learn how it works in a real hybrid war theatre https://twitter.com/EuromaidanPR/status/681938863019941889 …

Russia-backed militants fired upon Ukrainian troops 22 times over the last day. Most attacks used non-precision fire https://www.facebook.com/ato.news/posts/1118434024834069 …

[OUTLAW 09]

Is #Putin's #Russia a totalitarian nightmare - or is it just pretending? Interesting perspective from @MarkGaleotti
http://readrussia.com/2015/12/26/the-kremlins-theatre-of-tyranny/ …

While GER business bypasses sanctions to do businesss w Russia, Steinmeier schools Ua on adhering to agreements. https://twitter.com/GermanyDiplo/status/681859140520701952 …

Ukraine's army reports to #OSCE SMM Russian militants' tanks in populated areas in buffer zone.
http://en.interfax.com.ua/news/general/314850.html …

Militant troops in #Ukraine receive orders from Russia to conduct provocations. http://ukraineunderattack.org/en/50645-orders-to-conduct-provocations-come-from-russia.html …

[OUTLAW 09]

In Dnipropetrovsk region SBU blocked deliveries of vodka to the area of #ATO
pic.twitter.com/0NcSzMbtZi
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/30-december-in-dnipropetrovsk-region--sbu-blocked-deliveries …

Russian soldiers at front-line at Donbas
pic.twitter.com/4YPDjpikqS
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/30-december-russian-soldiers-at-frontline-at-donbas

Russian militants winter camouflage
pic.twitter.com/nXoMy9NE5M
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/30-december-russian-militants-winter-camouflage- …

[OUTLAW 09]

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls

Gic Perry even used her actual sock ac @galneon, to pr the disinfo initially spread by sock @ystriya��
Staged convo:
https://archive.is/G6XfT

Kremlin Trolls @KremlinTrolls
Fired intern/security risk @Europarl_EN Gic Perry (&sock @ystriya) are spreading disinfo to stop us telling u truth
pic.twitter.com/AImKBSHPFV

[OUTLAW 09]

War crimes in occupied Donbas; prisoners tortured, witnessed executions... http://fb.me/4C3UmDjwK

[OUTLAW 09]

From 1 January #Ukraine raises #gas transit tariffs for #Russia's #Gazprom:
http://www.ukrinform.net/rubric-economics/1939338-ukraine-raises-transit-fees-for-gazprom.html …
pic.twitter.com/QJK8X9DrB0

The bridge in #Stanitsa_Luhanska
Border between free #Ukraine and
... de facto #Russia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_EkgiHtUixA …
pic.twitter.com/VlvCor2zZ2

Russia does not cease violating ceasefire.
Ukrainian troops in Donbas face 31 attacks on Wednesday
http://www.unian.info/war/1227042-ukrainian-troops-in-donbas-face-31-attacks-on-wednesday.html …

Col. Lysenko: SBU uncovered arms cache, confiscating 2 RPG-22, grenades, mines in Krasnohorivka
pic.twitter.com/5VOn6tM2cJ

ATO spox: Biggest hotspot yesterday: Novhorodske area to the west of Horlivka. 12 ceasefire violations

ATO spox: Ukrainian border guards spotted 2 Russian Mi-8 helicopters at administrative line with Crimea

ATO spox: According to Ukraine’s military intelligence, militants marauded Panteleymonivka-Horlivka railway line and stole cables

[OUTLAW 09]

Putin never seems to stop violating and or not implementing Minsk 2 Agreement....

Situation in Kominternove is a clear violation of the Minsk agreement – OSCE SMM
http://uacrisis.org/39189-osce-18
pic.twitter.com/TS2pmxwOpg

[OUTLAW 09]

Ukraine launches counterattack in #trade war with #Russia
http://bit.ly/1IFRLmr
pic.twitter.com/FeLOfu88ue

Ukraine free-trade pact with #EU set to enter into filo recast #NewYear . Bilateral trade w/ #Russia has plunged due to conflict in East.

[OUTLAW 09]

Another Russian violation of Minsk 2 -----never seems to stop...

Ukrainian intelligence reporting on MLRS Uragan near frontline
http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/31-december-ukrainian-intelligence-reporting-on-mlrs-uragan …

[OUTLAW 09]

A corporation of [former KGB officers] and representatives of the criminal underworld has taken control of Russia." http://www.rferl.mobi/a/27458242.html

Moscow Red Cross Official Says Russia Used ‘Humanitarian’ Convoys to Ship Arms to Militants in Ukraine
http://www.interpretermag.com/red-cross-official-says-moscow-used-humanitarian-convoys-to-ship-arms-to-militants-in-ukraine/ …

[OUTLAW 09]

From the fireworks war torn streets and sky over Berlin tonight which started when it got dark....a safe slide into 2016 and a Happy New Year........

It has been a long thread in 2015 and will be probably even longer in 2016 but a big thanks to those that take the time to read the comments.

There is an old saying ----knowledge is power---

Super thanks to the 120K who viewed the thread in 2015 and 227K in 2014/2015.

This is the last comment for 2015......

[davidbfpo]

Thankyou Outlaw 09, as it is unlikely another will post this thread I shall close now before I go out to party. Minus fireworks!:)

To the others who post here thank you, anyone who follows this thread will have learnt a lot - even if there is rarely disagreement.