Showing posts with label UKRAINE CRISIS. Show all posts
Showing posts with label UKRAINE CRISIS. Show all posts

Sunday, February 15, 2015

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture

DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture
Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - February 14, 2015: Fears for Ukraine’s ceasefire as clashes with Russia-backed rebels intensify. Neither side seems to expect an end to the conflict, and both were trying to shore up their positions before the deadline.

Fighting between government and rebel forces in eastern Ukraine trailed off in the first hours after a midnight ceasefire began – but steady shelling resumed later in the morning near the besieged city of Debaltseve.

Kiev and the breakaway republics in the east said fighting had quietened and the ceasefire was mostly being observed.

But the Guardian heard mortar fire to the east of Luhanske on the highway to Debaltseve, where up to 8,000 Ukrainian troops have been under rebel attack for weeks.

The UN security council was convening an emergency session on Sunday to hear a Russian resolution on the conflict in eastern Ukraine.

South of Luhanske is a 10-mile stretch of road that is often shelled by rebels and is reportedly mined, largely cutting off Debaltseve from the rest of the Ukrainian forces. Further north on the highway a destroyed troop transport truck was still smoking on Sunday morning.

Soldiers at the last checkpoint in Luhanske said the guns had gone quiet after the midnight ceasefire, but shelling of Ukrainian positions in the area had resumed around 6am – a report confirmed by the press service of Kiev’s “anti-terrorist operation”.

“There’s no ceasefire here,” said a Ukrainian soldier who would give only his first name, Andrei.

“It’s a present from Putin,” joked another soldier, gesturing in the direction of the shelling.

The soldiers said Ukrainian forces were not shooting back, but some of the shelling to the east of Luhanske sounded like outgoing fire. Ukrainian army command said its forces were observing the ceasefire but would return fire if attacked or if the rebels shelled residential areas.

Related - DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: The Hours Before The Ceasefire Between Ukraine And Pro-Russian Rebels – In Picture







*Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Defense News
*Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
*Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
*This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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Wednesday, June 25, 2014

DTN News: Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News Dated June 25, 2014

Defense News: DTN News: Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News Dated June 25, 2014
(NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - June 25, 2014: Comprehensive daily news related to Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of TODAY.
*Comprehensive daily news related to Ukraine Crisis Top Stories / Headlines News for the world of TODAY
  • CTV News

    Ukraine crisis: Fighting continues despite ceasefire

    CBC.ca-Jun 22, 2014
    Fighting flared between Ukrainian and pro-Moscow separatist forces, both sides reported on Sunday, further straining a unilateral ceasefire ...
  • Forbes: Russian ruble returns to pre-Ukraine crisis levels

    Kyiv Post-1 hour ago
    The Russian ruble is back to where it was before all hell broke loose inUkraine on Feb. 22 with the ousting of pro-Russia president Viktor ...
  • William Hague warns Russia of fresh EU sanctions over Ukraine crisis

    Telegraph.co.uk-Jun 23, 2014
    William Hague, the British foreign secretary, warned on Monday that the European Union may impose tougher sanctions against Russia if the ...
  • Ukraine crisis: Country welcomes Vladimir Putin's decision to step ...

    The Independent-4 hours ago
    The Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko called it a “first practical step”, ... Ukraine crisis aftermath: Slavyansk residents show the scale of ...
  • Reuters India

    Ukraine crisis: NATO accuses Russia of not 'respecting commitments'

    Firstpost-2 hours ago
    Brussels: NATO's secretary general said Wednesday there are "no signs" Russia is respecting its commitments over Ukraine, and that the ...
  • Ukraine crisis unsettles Shell and Chevron

    FT.com (registration) (blog)-16 hours ago
    This has happened to Royal Dutch Shell in eastern Ukraine, where heavy fighting between pro-Russian separatists and Ukrainian military ...
  • BBC News

    Ukraine crisis: ceasefire proposed by Petro Poroshenko

    CBC.ca-Jun 18, 2014
    Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko on Wednesday proposed a unilateral ceasefire by his troops to allow pro-Russian separatists in the east ...
    Ukraine crisis: Deadly attack on Russian TV crew
    BBC News-Jun 17, 2014
    Explore in depth (6,954 more articles)
  • RadioFreeEurope/RadioLiberty

    Putin discusses Ukraine crisis, gas pipeline during Austrian visit

    CCTV-7 hours ago
    VIENNA, June 24 (Xinhua) -- Russian President Vladimir Putin on Tuesday evening wrapped up an official visit to Austria, as his talks with ...
    Putin defends South Stream decision
    The Local Austria-11 hours ago
    Explore in depth (108 more articles)
  • Ukraine crisis reaches watershed

    Asia Times Online-5 hours ago
    When I heard that Russian President Vladimir Putin had asked the Federation Council to repeal the resolution on the use of Russian armed ...
  • *Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth 
    *Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
    *Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
    *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
    ©COPYRIGHT (C) DTN NEWS DEFENSE-TECHNOLOGY NEWS

    Tuesday, March 11, 2014

    DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: US Deploys Fighter Jets In Poland And Lithuania Amid Ukrainian Turmoil

    Defense News: DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: US Deploys Fighter Jets In Poland And Lithuania Amid Ukrainian Turmoil
    Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources RT
    (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 11, 2014: The US is sending a dozen F-16 fighter jets and nearly 300 service personnel to Poland by Thursday as part of a training exercise in response to the crisis in neighboring Ukraine, the Polish defense ministry confirmed.

    The agreement to deploy US military forces in Poland was made between US Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel, and Poland’s Minister of National Defense Tomasz Siemoniak during a telephone conversation on Sunday, March 9, 2014, according to a statement on the official website of the Polish Ministry of National Defense.

    "The squadron will number twelve F-16 planes and will transport 300 soldiers," Polish Defense Ministry spokesman, Jacek Sonta, confirmed to AFP.

    Initially, the training exercise was planned to be smaller but was increased and pushed forward because of the “tense political situation” in neighboring Ukraine, added Sonta.

    The ministry also said that the aim of sending the units is to “strengthen Polish - American cooperation.” Part of the preparation team of US Air Force has already arrived on Polish territory.

    The fighters were sent on the initiative of the Polish government, an initiative immediately accepted by Washington.

    On Monday, NATO also gave the go-ahead to Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) for reconnaissance flights over Poland and Romania in order help monitor the crisis in Ukraine.

    Poland is a western neighbor of crisis-torn Ukraine - between the countries’ capitals, Warsaw and Kiev, there is less than 700 km.

    Earlier, the Polish media reported that US fighter jets would be stationed at the Lask air force base in central Poland.

    Washington is also sending four F-15 planes to Lithuania in response to “Russian aggression in Ukraine and increased military activity in Kaliningrad,” according to the Lithuanian Defense Ministry.

    On Saturday, US Navy destroyer, the USS Truxtun, crossed Turkey's Bosphorus and entered the Black Sea. The ship, with around 300 crew, was heading to “previously planned” training exercises with the Bulgarian and Romanian navies. When the vessel appeared in the Black Sea, Fox News declared that NATO’s bolstering presence in the Black Sea is a “defensive” measure to counter “Russian military aggression” in Ukraine.

    USS Truxton, one of the largest destroyers ever built for the US navy, will reportedly stay in the Black Sea till mid-March as the Montreux Convention allows a warship of any non-Black Sea country to stay in the region for 21 day only.

    The situation in Ukraine is close to financial and humanitarian catastrophe after the armed coup which took place in February. There are mass protests in eastern and southern parts of the country against the self-proclaimed authorities in Kiev.

    The Autonomous Republic of Crimea has scheduled a referendum for March 16 on whether it wants to remain part of Ukraine, or join Russia.

    *Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources RT
    *Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
    *Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
    *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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    DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: NATO To Fly AWACS Planes Over Poland, Romania To Monitor Ukraine Crisis

    Defense News: DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: NATO To Fly AWACS Planes Over Poland, Romania To Monitor Ukraine Crisis
    Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
    (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 11, 2014: NATO will start reconnaissance flights over Poland and Romania to monitor the situation in neighboring Ukraine where Russian forces have taken control of Crimea, the alliance said on Monday.

    Ukraine is not a NATO member but Russia's intervention in Crimea has alarmed neighboring countries, including alliance members that used to be dominated by the Soviet Union.

    Acting on a recommendation from the alliance's top military commander, U.S. Air Force General Philip Breedlove, NATO ambassadors gave the go-ahead to the AWACS flights, a NATO spokesman said.

    AWACS (airborne early warning and control) planes will fly from their home airbases in Geilenkirchen, Germany, and Waddington in Britain, the spokesman said.

    "These flights will enhance the alliance's situational awareness and all will take place solely over alliance territory," he said.

    The flights will start soon and go on for as long as required, he added.

    The Western military alliance announced a review of its cooperation with Moscow last week after Russian forces tightened their grip on Crimea, home to the Russian Black Sea Fleet, following weeks of upheaval in Ukraine which culminated in the ousting of President Viktor Yanukovich.

    NATO allies met last Tuesday after Poland invoked a rule allowing any ally to consult with the others if it feels its security is under threat.

    Soon after that meeting, U.S. officials said the Pentagon would more than double the number of U.S. fighter jets on a NATO air patrol mission in the Baltics and do more training with Poland's air force in an attempt to reassure allies.

    The E-3 Sentry is an airborne warning and control system (AWACS) aircraft that provides all-weather surveillance, command, control and communications needed by commanders of U.S. and NATO air defense forces. As proven in Desert Storm, it is the premier air battle command and control aircraft in the world today.

    (Reporting by Adrian Croft; Editing by Robin Pomeroy)

    *Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources Reuters
    *Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
    *Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
    *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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    Saturday, March 8, 2014

    DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: Europe Has Little Reason To Fear Russian Gas Cut-Off

    Defense News: DTN News - UKRAINE CRISIS: Europe Has Little Reason To Fear Russian Gas Cut-Off
    Source: DTN News - - This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DW
    (NSI News Source Info) TORONTO, Canada - March 8, 2014: More than one third of Europe's gas needs are covered by Russian gas. The crisis in Ukraine has kindled fears that Russia could stop the flow.

    The crisis in Ukraine is not only about politics, it's also about natural gas. Russia, a key gas producer, supplies Europe with about a third of the gas it needs - and Ukraine is an important transit state.

    Almost 40 percent of the gas used in Germany comes from Russia. The Baltic States' dependency is even greater: Russia supplies them with almost 100 percent of the gas they need. Ukraine, too. The crisis in Ukraine, which also depends on Russian gas, has unleashed increasing concern about Europe's energy supplies. Moscow has been known to employ energy giant Gazprom to serve political ends.

    Twice since 2006, Russia cut gas flows to Ukraine because of disagreements over transit conditions and prices. Russia also suspected Ukraine of siphoning gas from Russian pipelines passing through the country. Gazprom announced this week it would cancel a 30 percent discount on natural gas for Ukraine, and demanded the country settle its debts - a harsh blow for a country teetering on the brink of bankruptcy.

    What if the dispute escalates and Moscow stops the flow of gas? Experts have said Western Europe would probably not be that badly affected.

    "That wouldn't affect the EU very much," said Jonas Grätz of the Center for Security Studies (CSS) in Zurich, adding a cut would hit eastern nations like Hungary and Bulgaria more than states in Western Europe, where the gas reservoirs are still filled to about 60 percent - enough for up to four months.

    "There's a glut on the international gas markets," said Claudia Kemfert, an energy expert with the Berlin-based German Institute for Economic Research (DIW). But Kemfert said in the long run, Europe is insufficiently prepared to purchase a third of the gas it needs elsewhere. "That is true in particular for countries in Southeast Europe that buy large amounts of gas in Russia."

    Russia has many ways to transport natural gas -it could easily cut off Ukraine
    If transit via Ukraine were blocked, Russian gas could instead flow through the Nord Stream Pipeline that takes natural gas from Russia to Germany under the Baltic Sea. Then, there's the Yamal-Europe natural gas pipeline which runs across Belarus and Poland to Germany. 

    Should Russia halt all shipments, tankers could bring liquid natural gas to Europe from the Middle East. But Germany, for one, doesn't have a terminal to unload such tankers. In case of a longer disruption, gas buyers could also turn to Algeria and Norway.

    Russia's biggest customer

    Both the EU Commission and the German government maintain that the Crimea crisis does not endanger gas supplies to the European Union. Germany Economy Minister Sigmar Gabriel pointed out that Russia has always honored its contracts with Western Europe.

    "There's no reason to be concerned at the moment," EU Energy Commissioner Günther Oettinger said, adding that the gas reserves are actually higher than they were last year due to Europe's mild winter temperatures.

    Russia is not likely to cut gas supplies to Europe. "Russia heavily depends on energy deliveries to Europe," Kemfert said. "Some 60 percent of Russia's state income is due to oil, gas and coal sales - and a large part of that goes to Europe."

    Halting all gas exports to Europe would hurt Russia's economy

    Grätz added that "a different approach was needed to be taken to Russia's dependence on the European market." One possibility, he said, would be the strict implementation of European market rules on all dealings with Gazprom. Russian President Vladimir Putin has often used the energy giant to serve his own geopolitical goals. If European countries cut imports of Russian energy, it would negatively impact Gazprom as 60 percent of its revenue comes from the European market.

    "When Gazprom has problems then Putin will also have problems because he needs the company in order to achieve projects in Russia, such as Sochi, and the supply of gas to rural regions as well as using the company as a means to conduct foreign policy," Grätz said.

    Pressure on Ukraine

    Russia is currently the European Union's third largest trading partner. In 2012, Russia exported 215 billion euros ($300 billion) worth of goods to the EU and imported 123.4 billion euros from the 28-member bloc. Germany currently represents Russia's third largest trading partner, exporting mainly cars, machines and chemical products. Russia, however, is Germany's 11th most important trade partner, just behind Poland.

    The situation in Ukraine, however, is very different, and the EU is concerned about the country's energy supply. After meeting this week with EU energy ministers, Oettinger said the bloc was considering helping Kyiv pay its energy bill. It is also considering sending gas to Ukraine in pipelines that run through Slovakia.

    Related Images on Ukraine Crisis;



    *Link for This article compiled by K. V. Seth from reliable sources DW
    *Speaking Image - Creation of DTN News ~ Defense Technology News 
    *Photograph: IPF (International Pool of Friends) + DTN News / otherwise source stated
    *This article is being posted from Toronto, Canada By DTN News ~ Defense-Technology News Contact:dtnnews@ymail.com 
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