Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing

23 February 2015, 8 PM Kyiv time

1.Russian Invasion of Ukraine

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) stated at 12:30 PM Kyiv time that Kremlin-backed terrorists continue to shell Ukrainian position – Kremlin-backed terrorists shelled Ukrainian positions 27 times in the last 24 hours. The RNBO reported that 2 Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 10 wounded in the last 24 hours. The press-center of the anti-terrorism operation (ATO) reported at 8 PM Kyiv time that Kremlin-backed terrorists fired on Ukrainian positions 24 times throughout the day. On 22 February, the RNBO reported that 139 Ukrainian soldiers were freed from captivity in a prisoner exchange for 5

9 Kremlin-backed terrorists. The RNBO stated that on 21 February, a train from the Russian Federation carrying 60 military vehicles (tanks, armored personnel carriers) arrived in Amvrosiyivka, Donetsk oblast. At the border crossing at Izvaryne, two military columns (47 trucks with ammunition, etc) crossed into Ukraine.

2. Terrorist attack in Kharkiv

On 22 February, during a peaceful demonstration in Kharkiv commemorating the Heroes of the Heavenly Hundred, a bomb exploded. 2 people were killed and at least 10 wounded. The Kharkiv Oblast State Administration stated that a third victim, a 15-year old boy, died today in hospital. The State Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) stated that they have detained members of the so-called “Kharkiv partisans” who were planning several attacks in the city on 22 February. The detained were found with a Russian-made grenade launcher. The SBU reported that the detained suspects stated that “the leader of the criminal group received weapons for diversions, funds and instructions from curators in the Russian special services. He personally met with officers of the FSB [Russian Federal Security Service] in Belgorod (Russian Federation), reported on crimes already committed and returned with new assignments.” The SBU stated that they are still searching for other persons involved in the preparation and carrying out of the explosion. O. Turchynov, Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO), stated on 22 February, “This once again proves that the terrorist campaign being carried out in Ukraine has the same instigators and organizers as the aggression in Eastern Ukraine.”

3. US Secretary of State: “We’re not going to sit back and allow this kind of cynical, craven behavior to continue at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of another nation”

On 21 February, US Secretary of State J. Kerry stated, “So far, Russia and the separatists are only complying in a few areas selectively, not in Debaltseve, not outside Mariopol, and not in other key strategic areas. And that is simply unacceptable. If this failure continues, make no mistake: There will be further consequences, including consequences that would place added strains on Russia’s already troubled economy. We’re not going to sit back and allow this kind of cynical, craven behavior to continue at the expense of the sovereignty and integrity of another nation. And I am confident that the United States and the United Kingdom and others are prepared to stand up and take the measures necessary to add to the cost of these actions. […]. With respect to lethal weapons, we’ve made it very, very clear that that is a discussion that it taking place in Washington both in the Congress as well as in the Administration. No decision has been made by the President at this point in time, and I think we have to see what happens in the next few days with respect to the events that are taking place now on the ground. […] So in the next few days, I anticipate that President Obama will evaluate the choices that are in front of him and will make his decision as to what the next step will be. But there is serious discussion taking place between us and our European allies as to what those next sanction steps ought to be and when they perhaps ought to be implemented. And I am confident that some additional steps will be taken in response to the breaches of this cease-fire and to the process that had been agreed upon in Minsk.”

4. In Moscow, people trying to honor Maidan victims arrested

The Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG) reported on 21 February that 8 people were detained in Moscow by police while trying to lay flowers outside the Ukrainian embassy. KHPG reported that 2 of the detained face administrative charges (‘disobeying a police officer’s legitimate order’), with “sentences likely of 15 days imprisonment.” “‘Disobeying a police officer’ is a standard charge used against protesters. In this case it is especially inappropriate, firstly because there was no protest, only the wish to lay flowers in memory of Nebesna Sotnya or the Heavenly Hundred – those killed on Maidan.” KHPG reported.

Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing – 23 February 2015, 8 PM Kyiv time