Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
13 January 2015, 6 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that the situation in the anti-terrorism operation (ATO) zone continued to deteriorate. In the last 24 hours Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 84 times, with artillery, tanks and Grads (truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers). The RNBO reported that one Ukrainian soldier was killed and 10 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. The press center of the ATO reported at 2:30 PM Kyiv time that Ukrainian positions at the Donetsk airport were shelled with Grads throughout the night, and the control tower was destroyed. Ukrainian units returned fire; the Kremlin-backed terrorists’ firing positions were destroyed and the situation has been stabilized. The RNBO stated that “increased aggressive actions by the terrorists in the last days and attempts to change the demarcation line testify to the fact that Russian troops and terrorists have purposely chosen the tactic to escalate tensions in the Donbas.”
2. Kremlin-backed terrorists shell checkpoint, murdering 10 civilians
The press-center of the anti-terrorism operation (ATO) reported that at about 2:30 PM Kyiv time, Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled a Ukrainian checkpoint at Buhas ( Donetsk oblast) with Grads (truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers). One of the shells struck a public transit bus. 10 civilians were killed and 13 injured.
3. Berlin talks: Ministers fail to agree on summit
Talks between the Ukrainian, German, French and Russian foreign ministers on a possible summit meeting in Astana, Kazakhstan failed to reach agreement on terms for the meeting, Radio Free Europe reported. In a joint statement after the meeting, the Ministers “call on the Contact group to meet in the coming days to make progress on the full implementation of the Minsk agreements […] This would contribute to pave the way to the preparation of a successful summit meeting in Astana. They agreed that further work needs to be done to this end.”
4. US commits up to $2 billion in loans for Ukraine in 2015
The US Treasury Department stated that the US intends to provide a $1 billion loan guarantee to the Government of Ukraine in the first half of 2015, “provided Ukraine remains on track with the reform program it has agreed with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). If Ukraine continues making progress on its reform agenda and if conditions warrant,” the US Administration would be willing to provide an additional $1 billion loan guarantee in late 2015. Treasury Secretary J. Lew stated, “We are encouraged by the strong reform progress made by the Ukrainian authorities to date […] The U.S. support that I am announcing today will be part of a broader international package of support to help ensure the success of Ukraine’s reform program and ultimately restore financial stability, unleash economic potential, and allow Ukraine’s people to better achieve their economic aspirations.”
5. American Destroyer takes part in exercise with Ukrainian Navy flagship
The US destroyer USS Donald Cook and the Ukrainian navy flagship Hetman Sahaidachny took part in an at-sea naval exercise in the Black Sea on 11 January, the US Embassy in Ukraine reported. The exercise “consisted of a series of at-sea scenarios designed to enhance maritime capabilities […]Donald Cook’s participation in this exercise highlights the strong relationship between the U.S. and Ukrainian navies, while its presence in the Black Sea demonstrates the United States’ commitment to working closely with its partners to enhance maritime security and stability in the region.”
