U.S. Ambassador Says OSCE Witnessed "Russia's Train and Equip Program in Plain Sight" http://bit.ly/1Jwn0Me
Latest from OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM), based on information received as of 19:30 (Kyiv time), 7 May 2015
KYIV 8 May 2015
Where We Are: OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine What We Do: Conflict prevention and resolution
The SMM monitored the implementation of the “Package of measures for the implementation of the Minsk agreements”. The SMM, based on its monitoring – which was restricted by third parties and by security considerations* – observed ongoing fighting in and around Donetsk airport and Shyrokyne. The SMM observed the presence of heavy weapons on both sides of the contact line, noting in particular a large concentration of tanks in a “DPR”-controlled area north-east of Mariupol.
* Please see the section at the end of this report entitled “Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement” for further information.
Fighting continued to rage in and around the destroyed “Donetsk People’s Republic” (“DPR”)-controlled Donetsk airport, with the SMM during the reporting period recording hundreds of explosions. At the Joint Centre for Control and Co-ordination (JCCC) observation post at “DPR”-controlled Donetsk Railway Station (8km north-west of Donetsk), the SMM, between 13:25 and 18:00hrs, observed a total of 573 explosions. Members of the JCCC at the observation post told the SMM that there had been two unsuccessful attempts to introduce local ceasefires at 9:00 and 9:30hrs. The SMM observed that the second attempt had lasted over an hour. The SMM also accessed “DPR”-controlled Spartak (8km north of Donetsk) and the airport, noting sporadic low-level incoming mortar rounds.
From an observation point on the eastern outskirts of government-controlled Berdianske (1.5km west of Shyrokyne; 18.5km east of Mariupol), the SMM, from 17:24 to 17:34hrs, heard more than a hundred detonations, assessed to have been incoming fire from Grad multiple launch rocket systems (MLRS) located approximately 6km north-north-east of its position[1].
An SMM Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) spotted three tanks in government-controlled territory and 30 tanks in “DPR”-controlled territory, all in or around villages close to the line of contact. Thirteen of these tanks were seen in or around “DPR”-controlled Sontseve (57km south of Donetsk). In addition, two mobile 122mm Grad 9P132 rocket launchers were observed 5km west of “DPR”-controlled Novoazovsk (43km east of Mariupol).
On the western outskirts of “DPR”-controlled Bezimenne (30km east of Mariupol), the SMM observed eight fresh artillery craters. Continuing east – on its way to the “DPR”-controlled international border crossing point on the Russian Federation-Ukraine border (52km east of Mariupol) – the SMM entered “DPR”-controlled Novoazovsk, where it visited the local market, noting that prices were generally double those in Mariupol.
The SMM observed defensive fortifications being constructed on both sides of the contact line in areas around “DPR”-controlled Debaltseve (55km north-west of Donetsk) and government-controlled Luhanske, 16km north-west of Debaltseve.
In government-controlled Artemivsk (66km north of Donetsk), the director of the local Unemployment Office told the SMM that 50 mid-sized companies had left the town since the start of the conflict. Although larger industrial companies have remained, they have had to cut back on production and working hours. Many companies, he said, have had trouble with distribution and acquisition of raw materials, particularly since the fall of Debaltseve, a major transport hub.
In “DPR”-controlled Hrozne (49km north-east of Donetsk), the SMM on 6 May met the family of a 15-year-old boy who had died in hospital a few days previously, according to local residents the SMM had spoken to before. The family told the SMM that the boy, while tending livestock, had stepped on a landmine. They added that others had previously been injured from landmines around the village.
On 6 May, while in an area south of Debaltseve, the SMM observed for the first time a shooting range which covers approximately 16 sq. km and is being used, according to the “DPR” “commander” there, to test anti-tank weapons, mortars, and small fire arms. The SMM observed an ongoing exercise with “DPR” armoured personnel vehicles and armed persons. There was also a 100mm anti-tank weapon at the location as well as three support trucks.
In government-controlled Starobilsk (84km north-west of Luhansk), a Security Services of Ukraine (SBU) commander told the SMM that there had been a marked increase in the number of people seeking passes to cross the contact line. He said currently there were 1,000 applications a day – up from 600 – and that, as of 7 May, 28,000 passes had been issued.
The SMM re-visited one “DPR” and three Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas, observing that the weapons previously recorded were in situ, and that their locations comply with the respective withdrawal lines. In addition, the SMM visited for the first time another Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding area, noting the presence of four 122mm self-propelled artillery pieces. At another two Ukrainian Armed Forces heavy weapons holding areas, personnel there refused to allow the SMM to inspect the facilities, at one site, saying no orders had been given to allow such an inspection, and at the other, saying the commander was unavailable to authorize SMM entry.
Despite claims that the withdrawal of heavy weapons was complete, the SMM observed the following weapons’ movements/presence in areas that were non-compliant with the withdrawal lines: (i) in “DPR”-controlled areas, 31 tanks, one 100mm anti-tank cannon, and two Grad MLRS; and, (ii) in government-controlled territory, nine tanks.
The SMM continued to monitor the situation in Kharkiv, Dnepropetrovsk, Odessa, Kherson, Chernivtsi, Ivano-Frankivsk, Lviv and Kyiv.
* Restrictions on SMM access and freedom of movement:
The SMM is restrained in fulfilling its monitoring functions by restrictions imposed by third parties and security considerations including the lack of information on whereabouts of landmines.
The security situation in Donbas is fluid and unpredictable and the cease-fire does not hold everywhere.
◾The “DPR” deputy “commandant” in Debaltseve told the SMM that it was not permitted to travel to “DPR”-controlled Lohvynove (8.5km north-west of Debaltseve), saying live-fire exercises were ongoing there
◾At a checkpoint close to government-controlled Lebedynske (16km east-north-east of Mariupol), members of the Dnepro-1 volunteer battalion incorporated into the Ukrainian National Guard kept the SMM waiting for an hour.
U.S. Ambassador Says OSCE Witnessed "Russia's Train and Equip Program in Plain Sight" http://bit.ly/1Jwn0Me
Russia pulls together an army to the border of Ukraine: new photo evidence
→https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=N-Qmd_iCN0U … pic.twitter.com/9PX1e7hnwl
An interesting interview from 1954 that applies strangely to 2015.
Want to know why Russia hates #Bandera and #Ukraine? What is Ukraine Nationalism?
Read CIA declassified.
http://www.foia.cia.gov/sites/defaul...TEFAN_0027.pdf …
Russian subversives scattered leaflets in #Lisychansk calling for riots on 9 May. https://twitter.com/lovefiolent/stat...08169578373121 …
Sudden shelling silence on the entire contact line front--this is what a real "ceasefire" should sound like but has not since Minsk 2 was signed.
And why is it the current US administration plus Germany and France truly believe they can honesty “trust” Russia in anything??? Their combined actions is in fact simply explained--- all western leaders are “blind” as they just want the problem to go away??? BUT is it not their elected job even if difficult decisions must be made??
Russian complains that the Ukraine is not fulfilling Minsk 2 BUT is Russia? At least the Ukrainians are trying—Russia does nothing but sending in more troops and heavy weapons and lies they are not there.
Is Russia fulfilling its stated goals in assisting in getting chemical weapons out of Syria to avoid air strikes—THAT is the biggest single lie on the part of Russia—was confirmed they were and still are in fact hidden and Russia knew of it.
Russian claims it wants a solution to Syria BUT then blocks everything in the UNSC thus actually supporting the continued mass killing of Syrians. It wants the right to send “humanitarian aid” to the Ukraine BUT blocks such aid to the Syrians.
Russia threatens the use of nuclear especially tactical nukes which basically cancels out MAD.
The list goes on and on and on and on………AND western leaders still think they can deal with Putin??
Shocker. Russia might not have been an honest broker when it agreed with US to destroy Syria's chemical weapons. https://twitter.com/Interpreter_Mag/...71211570499584 …
Why #Russia's neighbours all distrust/hate it:
Number of nations oppressed/annexed/attacked by Russia: 23 and growing pic.twitter.com/6GfvTuSWzw
Another Russian soldier got lost in #Ukraine https://archive.is/zTnXP pic.twitter.com/lMLI15XE14
Seems that Russia complains when proRussian Ukrainians are gunned down in the street BUT cannot it seems find the murders of Russians—double standards???
Second major critic of Putin—is killed.
#Russia|n actor & #Putin critic found dead in Moscow; Devotchenko found "in pool of blood"
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/worl...in-Moscow.html … pic.twitter.com/qyGZPQhPf6
Russian military vehicle maintenance has always been a problem for them ---
On parade in Chita SAM Buk caught on fire http://russia.liveuamap.com/en/2015/...-fire-sam-buk- … #Russia pic.twitter.com/Di2AspyKVF via @border555
RFE/RL ✔ @RFERL
$7,770,000 are being spent by Russia to prevent rain from spoiling holidays like Victory Day pic.twitter.com/D5z2IM1jZB
Kremlin activists say Obama's the reason world shuns Russia Victory70 parade, so they beamed tanks on White House??https://twitter.com/rferl/status/596843289749237760 …
RFE/RL ✔ @RFERL
'Russian Tanks In Washington' Video Triggers U.S. Secret Service Probehttp://bit.ly/1zKy20i pic.twitter.com/1SR06ZiuBO
Russia complains to WTO over EU anti-dumping policies, WTO sayshttp://www.snsanalytics.com/fGkuy1
Everything Russia does without tanks and missiles in foreign policy realm is misleadingly called #softpower - reread @Joe_Nye
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 09:18 AM.
To quick with this comment--shelling has started again although light to moderate whatever that means if you are on the receiving end of the shellings.
#Russian proxies shelled at #Avdyivka,#Pisky & #Opytne.No #VDay in #Ukraine @novostidnua http://novosti.dn.ua/details/250580/ pic.twitter.com/UoivroYV8I
VIDEO BUK on fire at May 09 parade in #Chita, #Russia
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6r-fD9yvQQI …
@loogunda pic.twitter.com/P3mpYxU1nP
tvrain.ru/teleshow/here_and_now/na_parade_pobedy_v_chite_zagorelsja_buk_video-387067/ … pic.twitter.com/0YcWZ6sjIM
#Russia-backed militants freed 2 American aid workers of @theIRC seized 10 days ago in #Donetsk http://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-32671002 …
Gun fire, explosions 40km from #Macedonia capital.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VKSJlS--Scc …
Police fights w/ unknown armed group
@MaximEristavi
Today the world faces a deeply corrupt #Russian state.Why? Past¤t International Mistakes http://empr.media/opinion/analytics/...ional-mistakes … pic.twitter.com/CRxEPV6cGS
Soviet craze in Moscow vs somber procession in Kyiv.
Have never seen Ukraine & Russia differ so much.
Tectonic shift pic.twitter.com/ClHMyfWMgY
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 11:02 AM. Reason: Copied to new Balkans thread and edited out Macedonia item
#Zakharchenko proudly watching his Victory parade in #Donetsk: pic.twitter.com/FVoNbZt4Pv
Cossacks march in #Victory70 parade - WATCH LIVE HERE: http://youtu.be/pPCXiyo-3L8
See the connection between official Cossacks in Russian and Cossack mercenaries in the Ukraine—there is supposedly no connection as they are “helping defend ethnic Russians and thus are “
vacationing”.
Also first year I've seen the Cossacks, who have been prominent in Donetsk and Luhansk, in the WW2 parade w/soldiers in traditional uniform.
Putin: last 10 years has seen move away from post WWII unipolar order. Aha Russia's aiming for bipolar—in both senses pic.twitter.com/pMLhoyWMEt
Russian recon team was eliminated:
#Almazna, #Stakhanov @100007182042214 '5 corpses were found at metallurgic works & 3 more in a woodline'
A rumored Ukrainian C-UW guerrilla op.
Appears that even the Russian mercenaries want their own “fiefdoms” and not a unified New Russia??[unconfirmed] #Alchevsk to separate on #LNR. No proof -'city council' site's down, cache's old http://webcache.googleusercontent.co...&ct=clnk&gl=ua … pic.twitter.com/Uz3VuPW0fl
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 09:19 AM.
3 policemen killed, 12 wounded in #Kumanovo, #Macedonia during battle with armed men:
http://portalb.mk/170442-koha-tre-po...r-ne-kumanove/ …
Another video of heavy fighting in #Kumanovo in #Macedonia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7gIIHjsshHw …
@MarQs__ Video of troops coming in there: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hpM5l6uCGbc …
Article says that police and army is fighting about 70 armed men in #Kumanovo.
http://novatv.mk/index.php?navig=8&cat=2&vest=22207 …
Highway Belgrade-Skopje is closed due the fighting in #Kumanovo. Things are getting serious https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eOtZEcl8Xlo …
via @VincentTriest
Last reports--15 police wounded 3 seriously--they were taking down an armed gang.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 05-09-2015 at 09:41 AM.
NSDC of Ukraine ✔ @NSDC_ua
Map. Situation in eastern #Ukraine, May 9, 12:00 EET pic.twitter.com/GBDdkld5PW
#Russia’s new armor: First analysis at @defenseupdate – Part I http://wp.me/p3cRXG-emZ http://fb.me/7tsoWUNLD #armata pic.twitter.com/OuWIlDd3uj
Underappreciated part of history: Did Russia Really Do It Alone? How Lend-Lease Helped the Soviets Defeat the Germans http://www.historynet.com/did-russia...he-germans.htm …
Lend-Lease to Russia: The Persian Corridor delivered more than 5 million tons of weapons & supplies to Soviet Russia http://www.defensemedianetwork.com/stories/lend-l
NOTICE: Russia never says a word about US supplies to it during WW2--
BTW--their first BMP-1 used a copy of a 1945 Ford engine.
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 10:36 AM.
Video of the full 70th Anniversary Victory Day Parade in Moscow https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TYRuFAJMGZo …
#Footage
The Russian invasion army's #May9 parade in #Yanekijeve.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rmjwl8VtMhQ …
pic.twitter.com/geMxhuRZEu
While everyone watches fascist parades, Dep Cmdr Russian Ground Forces Col-Gen Lentsov invisible: too busy preparing. pic.twitter.com/nsxBHOuqgN
Was there a parade hiccup? Half a dozen tanks and vehicles never made it to Red Square, stayed on Pushkin Sq: pic.twitter.com/x2JoijWndE
Not so subtle threat against the Ukraine by Putin:
#Putin hinted at Rsa's claim of new threat of fascism (in Ukraine). Says 30s Europe missed deadly danger of Nazism at first. Shld be alert
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 10:36 AM.
Seems that the Russian military does not want the Russian population to know what a BUK looks like --wonder why??---- MH17 shot down????
A Buk missile system was the only type of military kit displayed at the Red Square parade but not named by the announcer
This is where Russian hybrid army is playing hide&seek with @OSCE - Telmanove, near #Mariupol https://archive.is/TCqa9 pic.twitter.com/PjQAZVaoQA
SBU prevents terrorist attack in Kharkiv, detains former Interior Ministry employee http://24today.net/open/403998 pic.twitter.com/L2dF9wEqkF
Russian Military Systems We Should See In Coming Years http://www.rferl.org/content/russian.../27006106.html … via @RFERL
2 of Russia’s new vehicles based on Armata platform (Kurganets & T-15) didn’t make it to Red Square. pic.twitter.com/4YKJQF1hxb
Putin doesn't tell Russians story of how his NKVD dad was dropped behind enemy lines in Estonia
http://www.interpretermag.com/russia...y-9-2015/#8265 …
Timothy Snyder @TimothyDSnyder
Video of my talk at the European Parliament: "The Second World War in Europe: Beginnings and Endings" https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dkYZ...ailpage#t=1422 …
"When #Stalin was #Hitler's ally" by Timothy Snyder http://www.eurozine.com/articles/201...EA15iE.twitter … via @eurozine
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 04:14 PM.
Loaded w/ fake medals and alcohol, DNR terro & RU mil stage "Victory Parade" occupied #Donetsk http://zn.ua/UKRAINE/v-donecke-glava...i-175511_.html … pic.twitter.com/2KZNCbs3MY
Video of the day: Drunk #DPR leader #Zakharchenko at #VictoryDay parade in #Donetsk,E #Ukraine http://empr.media/video/conflict-zon...ade-in-donetsk … pic.twitter.com/7gZgJELN6w
Rising Russian Influence Over Central Europe Is ‘Troubling’ - @Jan_Svejnar of @ColumbiaSIPA
http://buff.ly/1EG0VJT pic.twitter.com/Ij5em5JzF9
Putin's Russia is celebrating the 70th anniversary of the victory over fascism with ... fascism http://www.forbes.com/sites/realspin...ism-in-russia/ …
Hedging Over #Stalin’s Legacy. Open debate on Stalin period could help #Russians come to terms w/ that terrible time. http://www.wsj.com/articles/russia-h...acy-1431077407 …
Russia's EU Ambassador Chizhov defended Russia's invasion of Poland in 1939, as an act of 'necessity' " https://euobserver.com/foreign/128645
Army Recognition @ArmyRecognition
#Russia #T14 #Armata main battle #tank #technical #data sheet pictures updated Read http://bit.ly/1K2Cp7w pic.twitter.com/B3qlqXPywL
Russian militants in Amvrosiivka http://liveuamap.com/en/2015/9-may-r...in-amvrosiivka … #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/4OwkRsqaPF via @BuTaJIu4eK
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 04:15 PM.
9 May Parades are over and the fighting/shelling begins again-----and all those T72sand MRLSs that were in the parades and in direct violation of Minsk 2 are back in their storage areas and monitored by OSCE ---sure………….
17:22 #Donetsk @AlfaNubovsky Yet another battle in the airport direction can be heard
18:15 #Donetsk Kirovsky ds @UrriKara4en Active skirmish fr/the north in #Pisky area, small arms & heavy
Last edited by davidbfpo; 05-09-2015 at 04:15 PM.
#BREAKING
#Ukraine accepts loss of air space over occupied #Donbas.
Rus jumps @ #Saur_Mohyla.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JKkYSWSNKSI … pic.twitter.com/oaE9NzGGcT
#Ukrainian checkpoint in #Lugansk Region attacked last night. One soldier seriously wounded. http://lugansk-news.com/ukrainian-ch...ously-wounded/ … pic.twitter.com/qTy4Jbo9mG
#Alchevsk fuhrer #Mozgovoy today, the same Russian army uniform and self awarded medals@LUGANSK_TODAY pic.twitter.com/v31GZLa60z
#Khartsyzk @natroso 22buses w/abt 1000 [Donetsk parade viewers ordered] by allocation plan, the same fr/other towns
СММ ОБСЄ в Україні @OSCE_SMM
Latest from SMM: heavy weapons along contact line; large concentration tanks in “DPR”-controlled area near Mariupolhttp://bit.ly/1zSXtgi
Occupied #Alchevsk today: parade of left #extemists from #Europe. @LUGANSK_TODAY pic.twitter.com/Oc0At6QZvj
Reference Chechnya:
kadyrov_95's video https://instagram.com/p/2b4o09iRlo/ This new Kadyrov video is totally mesmerizing.
Last edited by OUTLAW 09; 05-09-2015 at 04:21 PM.
Ukrainian army statement and numerous eye witness accounts confirm each other.
Shelling started around an hour ago.
Russian forces/militia have already started attacking Ukrainian positions near Donetsk. #FF @loogunda https://twitter.com/loogunda/status/597065969752797184 …
.@UaForces "UKR forces in #Horlivka area were shelled 5 times today w/122mm artillery, mortars and tanks"
Horlivka residents take photos with their ocupiers pic.twitter.com/20U5Z7GU84
Fr/13:40 to 14:30 @UaForces "Support point of ATO forces was shelled/fired w/120mm mortars, GL and small arms"
From 6am to 7am @UaForces 'Occupants shelled/fired #Pisky w/82mm mortars, GLs & small arms'
[about 19:20] #Horlivka @from_diana1 'greetings part started - volleys from #Rtutny-#Michurino area tow/#Mayorsk-#Shumy direction'
19:08 #Maryinka @faina_ukr "Battle in progress. Rumble from all sides"
#Donetsk @DonetskUA555 Battle in #Trudovski-#Maryinka [area]
20:03 #Maryinka @faina_ukr "Real heavy here"
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