Copyright © 2021 Euromaidanpress.com

The work of Euromaidan Press is supported by the International Renaissance Foundation

When referencing our materials, please include an active hyperlink to the Euromaidan Press material and a maximum 500-character extract of the story. To reprint anything longer, written permission must be acquired from [email protected].

Privacy and Cookie Policies.

RNBO: News & Analysis Center July 7 Update

ATO map as of July 7

CONSOLIDATED NEWS FROM THE NSC NEWS & ANALYSIS CENTER at 12:00 JULY 7, 2014

The active phase of the Anti-Terrorist Operation (ATO) continues in Donetsk and Luhansk Oblasts.

The National Security Council’s News & Analysis Center Spokesman Andriy Lysenko reported at the Center’s daily briefing in Kyiv on July 7, 2014, that a series of population centers were taken back from the terrorists last week in cooperative action among units from the Ukrainian Armed Forces, the SBU, the Interior Ministry, the National Guard, and the State Border Service. This included Sloviansk, Kramatorsk, Kostiantynivka, Artemivsk, Druzhkivka, the border town of Mykolayivka, and the Dolzhanskiy border crossing. On July 6, the national flag was raised over Artemivsk and Druzhkivka. 

At the moment, the priority objective, in line with the instructions of the President of Ukraine, is to restore peaceful civilian life on those territories liberated from terrorists.

Ukrainian soldiers are actively destroying mines in administrative and social infrastructure, vital objects, bridges and roadways. ATO forces have been neutralizing terrorists who masquerade as peaceful residents. Special technical services are doing everything they can to restore residential water and electrical services.

Aid is also being provided to the local population, including medications, potable water and food. On July 6, residents of the towns of Sloviansk, Sviatohirsk and Druzhkivka were give more than 25 tonnes of humanitarian aid.

The first series of pension payments for July has also been transferred to residents of Sloviansk and Kramatorsk Counties. Repair crews are doing everything possible to restore rail service as well.

The Anti-Terrorist Operation continues to be carried out according to the President’s strategic plan to liberate Donbas. The President has made it a priority to do everything to minimize threats to and avoid casualties among the local population. Air attacks and the use of heavy artillery in population centers are therefore precluded.

At the same time, the Head of State stressed that no ceasefire can be one-sided. The option of ceasing the active phase of the ATO will be considered only after the peace plan has been complied with in full, which includes, on the part of the militants, releasing all hostages and prisoners, leaving all Ukrainian towns and cities, turning over all weapons, and handing complete control over the state border with the engagement of OSCE monitors to track the situation.

Military action in the conflict zone

On July 7, ATO forces are concentrating on destroying all militant training bases, camps and checkpoints, restoring control over the international border, and reliably isolating the conflict zone. A mood of panic has been observed among the mercenaries as a result of the actions being carried out against their ranks. More and more militants are giving themselves up to be captured. The number of prisoners and the quantity of weaponry that has been given up are now being counted.

During the last 24 hours, terrorists opened fire 10 times against checkpoints and positions held by UAF units in the neighborhood of Luhansk, Kerminna, Amvrosiyivka and Dovzhanskiy. All attacks were repelled. There were no military casualties and only one man was injured.

The border area

Units of the State Border Service (SBS) continue to carry out their tasks to protect and defend the state border on the Ukrainian-Russian portion in extremely difficult conditions. On July 7, at around 02:00, terrorists opened fire against the Dovzhanskiy border crossing from the area around the village of Biryukovo. There were no losses among Ukraine’s border patrols or military personnel. More detailed information about the situation on the border will be provided by the First Deputy Director of the SBS, Col.-Gen. Pavlo Shysholin, after this briefing. 

In the process of leaving Ukrainian towns and villages under pressure from the advance of ATO forces, saboteurs are mining key social and administrative buildings. Recognizing that this could lead to numberless losses among the general population, the President of Ukraine ordered the command of the various forces to pay particular attention to sweeping for mines and removing them in urban infrastructure in those towns liberated from the militants. In the last 24 hours alone, military sappers have disarmed 700 mines in the city of Sloviansk alone, and removed a few dozen detonators.

During monitoring of the area near the technical observation post in the village of Obryv, Donetsk Oblast, it was discovered that the militants had mined the approaches to this post in order to damage the telecommunications towers belonging to Ukrtelecom, the national telephone operator, and Kyivstar, the biggest mobile operator.

Population centers in the conflict zone

The socio-political situation in the towns liberated in Sloviansk, Artemivsk and Mariysk Counties and the town of Shchastia has become more positive, as has the mood among the local population in Donetsk Oblast in general. Radio and television broadcasting has been restored on these territories. In the last 48 hours, Ukraine’s Armed Forces have taken control over two television towers in Kostiantynivka and Artemivsk, making it possible to resume broadcasting Ukrainian television channels. The third TV tower, on Mount Karachun, is being repaired.

In those areas where terrorists are temporarily in control, people continue to be kidnapped. On July 6, among others, bandits grabbed the head of the rapid-response service of the Sievierodonetsk Interior Ministry offices in Luhansk Oblast, his deputy and 3 other staff.

Recognizing that their inevitable defeat is looming, the saboteurs continue to destroy infrastructure. On July 6, terrorists blew up a rail bridge between the Horodnia and Kondrashivska stations, which provides access to the spur going to the Shchastynsk Combined Heating and Power Plant. In Donetsk Oblast, militants mined a dam in Zuhres and bridges on the approach to the town. In this manner, the mercenaries are doing everything they can to complicate the situation in the Donbas and to increase social tension among locals.

Translated by Lidia Wolanskyj, source: mediarnbo.org

You could close this page. Or you could join our community and help us produce more materials like this.  We keep our reporting open and accessible to everyone because we believe in the power of free information. This is why our small, cost-effective team depends on the support of readers like you to bring deliver timely news, quality analysis, and on-the-ground reports about Russia's war against Ukraine and Ukraine's struggle to build a democratic society. A little bit goes a long way: for as little as the cost of one cup of coffee a month, you can help build bridges between Ukraine and the rest of the world, plus become a co-creator and vote for topics we should cover next. Become a patron or see other ways to support. Become a Patron!
Total
0
Shares
Related Posts

February 14: Russia’s aggression in Ukraine is part of a broader, and more dangerous, confrontation with the West

February 14 – Prosecutor General of Ukraine in cooperation with Security Service of Ukraine has detained a former Chief of the Party of Regions Oleksandr Yefremov, – said Prosecutor General of Ukraine Viktor Shokin in his comment to Internet media "Ukrainska Pravda".

February 14 – At 0:00 the Armed Forces of Ukraine will cease fire along the contact line, – stated the President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko during his address from the General Staff on February 14th.

February 14 – President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko has said that peace agreements are in jeopardy as a result of the situation at Debaltseve lodgement. "The whole world is waiting tensely for tomorrow's morning with bated breath. Those who would like to derail the peace process at its outset, have been warned about the consequences. I am not going to say what Ukraine will do if the peace process is disrupted. I will say one thing – we will not turn another cheek if we are provoked and may the Lord forgive me for that", – said Poroshenko.

February 14 – Battalion Donbas soldiers captured 17 fighters in the area of the village Lohvyn in Donetsk region.

February 14 On February 14, terrorists are preparing a massive provocation, which may result in the entry of armed forces from RF. This was aired on Channel 5 by the spokesman of Sector M, Dmytro Chalyj. And they did accomplish this – they shelled with Hrads the Russian territory. Now Russia will blame the Ukrainian side for this.

February 14 In the internet there appeared a video which testifies to the gathering of armored artillery by the Russian side from Crimea to the administrative border with Ukraine.

February 14 – As a result of constant artillery shelling of Debaltsev by the fighters, "the city is burning", the building of the city police was hit directly by Hrad units. This was stated by the Head of the Regional Headquarters of MVS in Donetsk region, Viacheslav Abroskin.

February 13 – 11 Ukrainian military were killed and 40 injured in the ATO area in the last 24 hours, – NSDC spokesman Andriy Lysenko.

February 13 – According to new Minsk agreements, the city of Debaltseve should remain under Ukraine's control. However, Russian terrorists were given an order to gain control over the cities of Debaltseve and Mariupol by February 15th, – informed Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Petro Mekhed: "According to information available and taking into account the fact that there has been an agreement to cease fire on February 15th (0:00), Russian troops and pro-Russian militants were ordered to occupy Debaltseve and Mariupol".

February 13 – Soldiers of 79th brigade of Ukrainian army have detained a terrorist "Gnom" ("Dwarf") who is allegedly second in command at the detachment of Russian terrorists named "Somali". He personally participated in torturing Ukrainian military prisoners.

February 13 – A tank battle for the village of Shyrokine and an artillery battle for the village of Stakhanka have taken place – both are located close to Mariupol, – reports Ukrainian regiment "Azov".

February 13 – When the terrorists were shelling the town of Shchastya (Luhansk region), they killed and injured civilians at a local café.

February 13 – Right wing party "Pravyi Sektor" believes that that any agreements with separatists are unconstitutional and thus the party reserves its right to active military operations, – stated party leader Dmytro Yarosh.

February 13 – Russian terrorists have shelled the city of Artemivsk, which is located behind the combat line protected by Ukrainian forces.

February 13 – 4 people were killed and 16 injured as a result of shelling by Russian terrorists at the city of Hirnyk (Donetsk oblast).

February 13 – US Senate has passed a resolution on the release of Ukrainian pilot and member of Ukrainian Parliament Nadiya Savchenko.

February 13 – In the last hours before the beginning of the ceasefire, foreseen by the mutual agreements in Minsk, the danger of bloodshed only increases. This was stated by the German official Gernot Erler, an advisor to Merkel on Russia, reported the Bayerischer Rundfunk: "The risk is truly very high. In the last hours before the ceasefire, there exists the danger that the sides will attempt to increase losses among each other," he said. According to him, the heightening may lead to the reality that the readiness for a ceasefire will dwindle to nothing. "There is a diffference between Minsk-1 and Minsk-2. I see more concrete definitions in the new agreement. Also, backing up the new document are three preidents and a chancellor," noted the politician.

What Russia wants:From cold war to hot war

Russia's aggression in Ukraine is part of a broader, and more dangerous, confrontation with the West

Marco Bojcun: MINSK II: Land for a ceasefare, but not for pease

Lithuania's view on Minsk2

Putin's war on the West

Flawed deal in Minsk

Polish view on Minsk2

Ukraine's other war – on corruption (NATO Review)

Lilia Shevcova: The Kremlin Is Winning

By Taras Kuzio

What will the west do when Minsk-2 unravels?


European leaders desperate to avoid going down an Iranian-style route of economic and financial sanctions and to dissuade the US from sending weapons signed a second agreement to end the fighting in Ukraine on Thursday in the Belarus capital, Minsk. But it will be as unworkable as the first Minsk agreement signed in September 2014. The new agreement has weaknesses similar to those of its predecessor and will unravel in the next few months.

How will the weak Organisation for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE) go about removing foreign troops and mercenaries? Will Russia really permit Ukraine to take control of its border next year, after local elections in March and the adoption of a new Ukrainian constitution that outlines some form regional devolution to the Donbas?

Indeed, could elections ever be considered free and far if they are held under the barrel of a gun? With crime rampant in the separatist-controlled Donbas, will it be safe to transfer funds for social payments and pensions from Kiev to the region and for taxes to be transferred back to the central government?

The reaction from leaders in the region was sceptical or cautious at best. Dalia Grybauskaitė, Lithuania's president, said Minsk-2 was a "weak" document; Bronisław Komorowski, Poland's president, said peace was still a faraway goal.

The main reason Minsk-2 will not hold is that the person who began the conflict – Russian President Vladimir Putin – has not achieved his strategic goal of destroying Ukraine as an independent state. Western sanctions have not served as a deterrent.

As Andrey Illarionov, a former economic adviser to Putin, reminded us this week:

the goal of Putin's war against Ukraine is an attempt at the inclusion of it, Belarus, and also Russian-speaking enclaves in other countries in some kind of geopolitical union called 'the Russian world,' with the liquidation or at least the limitation of their sovereignty.

The Donbas conflict will only end, he argues, if Putin gives up "the policy of denying the statehood, sovereignty and independence of Ukraine and other states with Russian or Russian speaking population".

Putin has always confused Russian speakers in Ukraine with Russians, and has talked of "17m Russians" living in Ukraine. That this is a misnomer can be seen from the weak support for separatism in the six Russian-speaking regions of eastern and southern Ukraine outside the Donbas.

US and EU leaders are unwilling to face the implications of a return to the Europe of the 1930s, with one country seeking to destroy another. They are desperate to put off the inevitable confrontation with Russia through negotiation. A year ago, when former US Secretary of State Hilary Clinton made an analogy between Nazi Germany and Putin's Russia defending their co-ethnics in other countries, she was ridiculed. But today, her critics agree with her.

Putin's demand for Ukraine to become a federal state is a non-starter. It has no support among the Ukrainian public or its elites and is an attempt at 'Bosnianising' the country. No federal country in the world gives its provinces a veto over foreign and defence policy, as Putin is insisting the Donbas must be given in Ukraine.

Putin's objective to install a pro-Russian leader, parliament and government presupposes the annulling of presidential and parliamentary elections held in May and October of last year that were recognised as free and fair by the OSCE, the Council of Europe and the EU. No sovereign country in the world would accept such a demand from its neighbour.

Putin's paranoia about Nato and EU enlargement into what he views as Russia's 'zone of privileged interests' is a misnomer. Although an April 2008 Nato summit in Bucharest named Ukraine and Georgia as future members, France and Germany have said they would veto this. The EU has never offered membership to Ukraine.

And who will persuade the Ukrainian parliament to overturn a December vote by a constitutional majority of 302 to move away from the non-bloc status that Putin wants Ukraine to return to?

When Minsk-2 unravels, what will US and EU leaders do next?

Ukraine will not agree to a Minsk-3. If Russia and the separatists again fail to implement the agreement, the only options open will be to remove Russia from the Swift international payments system, blacklist its president, prime minister and its foreign and defence ministers, and supply Ukraine with defensive military equipment, training and satellite intelligence.

You can't make the same mistake twice. The second time you make it, it's no longer a mistake. It's a choice.

Taras Kuzio is a research associate at the Centre for Political and Regional Studies, Canadian Institute for Ukrainian Studies, University of Alberta and non-resident fellow at the Center for Transatlantic Relations, School of Advanced International Relations, Johns Hopkins University.

P.S.: Please spread this appeal as much as possible.