Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
14 January 2015, 9 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PM Kyiv that Kremlin-backed terrorists continued to shell Ukrainian positions. The RNBO stated that for the first time, Kremlin-backed terrorists used a TOS-1 multiple rocket launcher, “which is produced only by enterprises of the Russian military industry.” Kremlin-backed terrorists also fired on Ukrainian positions with Grads (truck-mounted multiple rocket launchers), artillery and mortars. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, 1 Ukrainian soldier was killed and 17 Ukrainian soldiers were wounded. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported at 11:15 AM Kyiv time that in the last 24 hours, Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 75 times.
2. Ukrainian President declares 15 January a Day of Mourning for victims of Volnovakha Bus Attack
In an address to the nation yesterday, Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko stated, “Terrorists of the so-called DPR have carried out a rocket attack on the bus with civilians. Savages who have nothing sacred except devalued rubles killed ten civilians on purpose, 14-year-old girl among them. 16 men and women are wounded, all of them civilians.” Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko declared 15 January a Day of Mourning “for the people murdered by terrorists. First of all, for the civilians killed at the checkpoint near Volnovakha.” The President’s press service stated, “The Head of State has stressed that Ukrainians shared the pain of the families of the deceased and wounded. ‘Just as the world demonstrated in Paris, we demonstrate in Ukraine that we are not afraid of terrorists. We are united. One cannot intimidate Ukrainians!’ the President noted.”
3. Ukrainian PM: So-called Donetsk and Luhansk “Peoples’ Republics” must be designated as terrorist organizations
Ukrainian Prime Minister A. Yastenyuk appealed to the Ministry of Justice, General Prosecutor and State Security Service of Ukraine to take measures to legally designate the so-called Donetsk and Luhansk “Peoples’ Republics” as terrorist organizations. Yatsenyuk stated that the “the Russian terrorists continue to kill Ukrainian civilians, continue to shell Ukrainian military. Terrorist attacks, which in Ukraine are committed under the authority of the Russian leaders, endanger our statehood and the lives of Ukrainians. […] The Government of Ukraine appeals to all international organizations, to our Western partners in order, at the appropriate political level, to recognize the organizations DPR and LPR as terrorist ones and to take appropriate measures of international legal response towards these terrorist gangs operating under the guise of the Russian Federation.”
4. Ukrainian President signs decree authorizing new mobilization
Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko signed a decree authorizing three waves of partial mobilization in 2015. The President asked Parliamentary speaker V. Groysman to include a vote on the mobilization on the parliamentary agenda for tomorrow.
5. Canada’s Foreign Minister on attack on civilians near Volnovakha
On 13 January, Canadian Minister of Foreign Affairs J. Baird stated after the attack on civilians near Volnovakha, “The deadly attack against passengers on a bus in eastern Ukraine is a reprehensible and unjustifiable act. The ongoing aggression by Russian-sponsored militants is in violation of the Minsk ceasefire agreements and must end immediately. This is one of the deadliest attacks against civilians since the signing of the ceasefire agreements and comes after an increased level of violence over recent days. On behalf of all Canadians, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims of this attack. Together with our allies and partners, Canada will continue to stand by Ukraine in resisting Russian aggression.”
6. US State Dept condemns attack on civilians
On 13 January, US State Department spokesperson M. Harf stated, “[W]e condemn continued attacks by separatists as they attempt to control additional territory in violation of the Minsk agreements. Today’s vicious and repeated attacks on the Donetsk Airport and the shelling of a bus that killed 10 people and wounded 13 are just the latest egregious violations of the commitments made by the Russia-backed separatists. We again call on Russia to fulfill its commitments under the Minsk agreements […] [N]othing’s changed. These are separatists that are clearly backed by Russia. We’ve talked about arms going to them, actually Russian soldiers fighting with them. So clearly, there are commitments that Russia made under the Minsk agreements that it’s not living up to.”
