Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
10 February, 8 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported that Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled Ukrainian positions 18 times in the area of Debaltsevo, Donetsk oblast, and attacked Ukrainian positions near the city several times. The attacks were repelled; as of 12:30 PM Kyiv time, battles near the city continue. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, 7 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 24 were wounded. The RNBO reported that Ukrainian forces liberated several towns around Mariupol from Kremlin-backed terrorist control. Secretary of the RNBO O. Turchynov stated, “The enemy suffered very serious combat losses. In defeating the Russian-terrorist groups around Mariupol, our forces secured the defense of the city and the protection of the civilian population from artillery shelling.”
2. Kremlin-backed terrorists shell Kramatorsk, murdering civilians
At 12:32 PM Kyiv time, Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled Kramatorsk, Donetsk oblast. The Donetsk Oblast State Administration reported at 4PM Kyiv time that 7 civilians were killed and 26 civilians were wounded, including five children. 32 Ukrainian soldiers at the airport in Kramatorsk were wounded. The press-center of the anti-terrorism operation (ATO) reported that Kremlin-backed terrorists used 300-mm “Smerch” rockets to shell Kramatorsk.
3. Russia extends illegal detention of Nadiya Savchenko
A Moscow court has extended the illegal detention of Ukrainian pilot, Member of Parliament and Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe delegate Nadiya Savchenko until 13 May. Motions by Savchenko’s lawyers to replace the judge and to have their client released on bail until the trial were rejected by the court, Radio Free Europe/Radio Liberty reported. Savchenko, in the 60th day of a hunger strike in protest of her illegal detention, stated in court, “I will continue the hunger strike, which has lasted for more than 60 days and will continue it until I’m taken back in Ukraine or until I die,” RFE/RL reported. Savchenko who was serving in eastern Ukraine, was abducted by Kremlin-backed terrorists in mid-June and taken to Russia, where she has been illegally detained and imprisoned since that time. She was elected to Ukraine’s parliament in October and confirmed as a PACE delegate in January.
4. New General Prosecutor appointed
Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko accepted the resignation of Vitaliy Yarema from the post of General Prosecutor of Ukraine. Parliament confirmed the resignation (291 votes for). Ukraine’s Parliament confirmed Poroshenko’s nomination of Victor Shokin as General Prosecutor of Ukraine, with 318 votes for. Shokin (b. 1952, Kyiv) has worked in the General Prosecutors’ office for almost 30 years, and was previously Deputy General Prosecutor.
5. Ukrainian President “hopeful” ahead of Minsk talks
In a phone conversation with President of European Council D. Tusk, Ukrainian President P. Poroshenko “emphasized that the escalation of the conflict required more decisive actions in support of Ukraine from the world community, including consolidated position of the EU. At the same time, the President is hopeful that the situation would be resolved via diplomatic negotiations and political support at the meeting in the Normandy format [leaders of Ukraine, Germany, France, Russia] in Minsk on February 11.”
6. Ukrainian President speaks with US President
Poroshenko spoke with US President B. Obama, “regarding the situation in eastern Ukraine and the current talks on a cease-fire and peace deal. The President expressed his condolences for the continuing loss of life of Ukrainian citizens and his strong support for the current peace negotiations. Both the President and President Poroshenko praised the contributions of Germany and France in this effort to achieve a sustainable, peaceful resolution to the conflict. They also agreed on the need for Russia to abide by the commitments it made in Minsk in September, which should remain the basis for a negotiated settlement. The President underlined the commitment of the United States to work with our international partners to provide the financial support Ukraine needs as it continues to undertake essential reforms,” the Office of the White House Press Secretary stated.
7. EU Foreign Affairs Council adopts additional listings; delays entry into force until 16 February
On 9 February, the EU Foreign Affairs Council adopted additional listings “concerning separatists in Eastern Ukraine and their supporters in Russia. These consist of an asset freeze and a travel ban on 19 persons and 9 entities involved in action against Ukraine’s territorial integrity.” The Council put the entry into force of the new measures on hold until 16 February, “to give space for current diplomatic efforts.”
8. UK Foreign Secretary: UK not planning to supply lethal aid to Ukraine, but reserves right to keep this position “under review”
UK Foreign Secretary P. Hammond stated, “It is a national decision for each country in the NATO alliance to decide whether to supply lethal aid to Ukraine. The UK is not planning to do so, but we reserve the right to keep this position under review. Different members of the alliance take nuanced positions on this question and are entitled to do so. However, we share a clear understanding that while there is no military solution to this conflict, we could not allow the Ukrainian armed forces to collapse. […] Until we see Russia complying with the terms of the Minsk agreement on the ground – withdrawing troops, stopping the flow of weapons and closing the border – there must be no let up on the pressure. Fine words in a declaration tomorrow will, of course, be welcome – but we have seen them before. The proof of the pudding will be in actions on the ground. […] Meanwhile there will be no let up in our efforts, with the US, in the EU, and through NATO, to ensure that Mr Putin hears a clear and consistent message: civilised nations do not behave in the way Russia under Putin has behaved towards Ukraine, and those of us who live by the rules-based international system will be steadfast in defending it against such aggression.”
