Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
4 August 2015, 7 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported at 12:30 PMKyiv time that towards Luhansk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions near Stanytsia Luhanska with mortars and grenade launchers. Clashes with Russian-terrorist forces took place at Shchastya and Zolote. Towards Donetsk, Russian-terrorist forces continued shelling Ukrainian positions near Horlivka and Svitlodarsk with several types of heavy weapons. At Troitske, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions with artillery. On the western outskirts of Donetsk city, Russian-terrorist forces shelled several Ukrainian positions. Towards Mariupol, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions with mortars and artillery at Starohnativka. The RNBO reported that on 2 August, Russian-terrorist forces shelled residential areas of cities and towns near Donetsk and Mariupol seven times with artillery and mortars. The Ministry of Defense of Ukraine reported at 9 AM Kyiv time that on 3 August, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions 109 times. The RNBO reported that on 2-3 August, seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and 22 were wounded.
2. Ukraine’s President holds meeting of Military Cabinet
Ukraine’s President P. Poroshenko chaired a meeting of the National Security and Defense Council’s (RNBO) Military Cabinet today. Given the increased intensity of shelling of Ukrainian positions by Russia-terrorist forces, Poroshenko stated that “We must clearly define the plan on strengthening our defense in case of escalation.” RNBO Secretary O. Turchynov stated today that Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions 109 times in the last day, that the shelling comes from “high-caliber artillery systems and mortars, mostly located in residential areas of occupied cities,” adding that Russia is again using “tactics of using civilians as human shields.” Turchynov stated that “The command of the Ukrainian Armed Forces is analyzing possible directions of the enemy offensive and working out appropriate countermeasures.”
3. World Congress of Crimean Tatars appeals to international community for support
Representatives of 184 Crimean Tatar organizations took part in the World Congress of Crimean Tatars in Ankara on 1-2 August. The Congress issued an appeal to the international community, the UN, and all states in the world who respect human rights, the rule of law and democracy. The appeal states that the Russian Federation, on 28 February 2014, “ignoring all norms of international law and human rights, annexed Crimea.[…]Russia is implementing systematic policies of ignoring the fundamental freedoms of Crimean Tatars, their forced migration from Crimea, rapid assimilation, the application of pressure, murder, imprisonment, deportation against those, who attempt to resist and oppose its actions.” The World Congress of Crimean Tatars called on the world to “1. Recognize the Crimean Tatar People as an indigenous, historical and founding people of Crimea; their right to determine the fate of Crimean peninsula as their sole homeland […] and refuse to recognize any decision or actions that are counter to the will of the Crimean Tatar People; 2. Take all necessary measures for the immediate end of the illegal annexation of Crimea by the Russian Federation and the renewal of Ukraine’s territorial integrity; 3. Not to remove from the agenda the liberation of Crimea from today’s occupation during any further international negotiations with the Russian Federation until the end of the de-facto occupation of the Crimean peninsula; 4. Provide necessary support with the goal of revival of the Crimean Tatar language, culture and national identity, which is currently on the verge of disappearing as a result of crimes against humanity committed against Crimean Tatars over two centuries.” A report on the Congress by the Kharkiv Human Rights Protection Group (KHPG) is available at http://khpg.org/en/index.
4. IMF Board approves disbursement of $1.7 billion to Ukraine
On 31 July, the IMF Executive Board completed the first review of Ukraine’s Extended Arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF). The Board approved the disbursal of $1.7 billion to Ukraine, bringing total disbursements to $6.68 billion under the four-year, $17.5 billion EFF. D. Lipton, First Deputy Manager of the IMF, stated, “The Ukrainian economy remains fragile, but encouraging signs are emerging. In recent months, the exchange rate has stabilized, domestic-currency retail deposits have been increasing, and the pace of economic decline is moderating. Continued prudent policies and further reforms should allow the economy to turn the corner and growth to resume in the period ahead.”
5. Ukraine’s Finance Ministry sends new proposal to creditors
Ukraine’s Finance Ministry sent a new debt restructuring proposal to international creditors today. The Ministry stated that “Taking into account the time required for legal considerations on proposals for restructuring, coming week will be decisive for negotiations. Accordingly, the Ministry calls on the creditors to take part in a meeting at the highest levels on Thursday.”
