Contents tagged with Donbas

  • Kyiv: Russia deployed heavy weapons to the demarcation line in Donbas

    The Command of the Russian Armed Forces, as part of the training of the units of  the First Army Corps (Donetsk) and the Second Army Corps (Luhansk), is taking steps to increase the combat their readiness, reports the press service of the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense with reference to the information provided by the Main Directorate of Intelligence of Ukraine.

    According to the report, the Russian commanders continue to prepare the military units for the deployment to the front-line positions …

  • President Zelensky’s team explains Kuchma’s statement on response fire and lifting of Donbas blockade

    Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky’s press secretary has commented on the outcome of the recent peace talks in Minsk.

    “The lives of Ukrainian soldiers are absolutely and unconditionally valuable. The President wants peace. A stable and long-lasting ceasefire in the Donbas is a key issue for returning to peace. Yesterday’s meeting in Minsk gave us a restrained optimism concerning the further resolution of the military conflict. However, many interpretations of the talks appeared in the news. …

  • Ukrainian parliament simplifies citizenship application process for foreign military volunteers in Donbas

    The Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine has simplified the process to apply for a Ukrainian citizenship for foreigners and stateless persons who defended Ukraine’s territorial integrity and inviolability.

    Two hundred thirty deputies voted to adopt draft law No. 3433. The minimum required to pass is 226.

    The law allows foreign volunteers to bypass the requirement that one must have legally resided in Ukraine for 5 years and know the Ukrainian language.

    A foreigner can attain proof of serving to protect …

  • At the next meeting in Minsk Ukraine to discuss lifting of economic blockade on LPR and DPR

    At its next meeting, the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ukrainian representatives will discuss lifting the economic blockade on territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, as  stated by the OSCE Special Representative in the TCG Martin Sajdik in Minsk, as reported by  .

    “Kuchma proposed (lifting the economic blockade) and LNR and DNR representatives voiced their support as well. This proposal will be considered during the next economic session,” Interfax-Ukraine quotes Sajdik as saying. …

  • Latvia sends more than 20 tons of humanitarian aid to Donbas

    A Latvian delegation, together with Latvian Ambassador to Ukraine Juris Poikans, has provided more than 20 tons of humanitarian cargo for citizens residing near the demarcation line in the Donetsk region, the local Donetsk administration reported.

    The Latvian ambassador noted that this is the twelfth batch of humanitarian cargo that has been sent directly to the Donetsk region.

    “This time we brought clothes, shoes and toys, which will be taken by the National Guard of Ukraine to Avdiivka and …

  • Switzerland sends 400 tons of humanitarian aid to Donbas

    The Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine sent 22 vehicles with humanitarian cargo with a total weight of more than 400 tons to the territories of the Donbas which are not under Ukraine’s control, states the message of the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.

    "Vehicles transported chemical reagents for water purification, salt, medical equipment, bleach and activated carbon with a total weight of almost 400 tons for residents of the Donetsk region," the report said.

    The trucks entered the …

  • Ukrainian President Zelensky speaks with Merkel about the situation in Donbas

    The Press-service of the Ukrainian President reported that President Volodymyr Zelensky and German Chancellor Angela Merkel had a telephone conversation on May 24. They spoke about the first steps in support of an active political dialogue between countries at a high level. Another subject of their call was the situation in the territories of the Donbas which are not under Ukraine’s control.

    Zelensky and Merkel confirmed their interest in intensifying efforts to return peace to the Donbas, …

  • Zelensky wants to survey Ukrainians about negotiations with Russia

    At a meeting with public activists in the president’s administration, President Vladimir Zelensky said that putting the question of concluding peace agreements with Russia to a referendum has no legislative initiative, but this is a way to assess popular opinion, according to the President’s website.

     “We must listen to every person. This is not a legislative referendum, but an informational one. Citizens, what do you think? We are having a regular conversation with the people,” said Zelensky. …

  • Kyiv reports that eight Ukrainian soldiers were detained in DPR

    The Joint Forces Operation of the Armed Forces of Ukraine reported that eight Ukrainian servicemen were detained near Donetsk, according a message posted to the Facebook page of the operation’s command.

    This happened near the settlement of Novotroitsk in the early morning of May 22. The detainees were driving a truck near Novotroitsk, but, “deviated from the set route and entered the temporarily occupied territory.”

    At the same time, People's Militia authorities in the self-proclaimed Donetsk …

  • Similar to Donbas Kremlin could start issuing Russian passports in Transnistria

    The State Duma deputy, Alexander Yaroshuk, told the TSV television channel that a simplified procedure for obtaining Russian citizenship might be organized for Transnistria in the near future.

    The parliamentarian stressed that in the lower house of parliament "they clearly understand the problems of the unrecognized republics." At the same time, amendments were made to all laws for the successful implementation of the initiative, “which had to be amended.”

    “Now there is the political will …