Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing
19 July 2016, 6 PM Kyiv time
1. Russian Invasion of Ukraine
The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported that yesterday seven Ukrainian soldiers were killed and fourteen Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action. Towards Luhansk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions at Popasne, Krymske, and Stanytsia Luhanska with mortars, grenade launchers and high-caliber machine guns. Towards Donetsk, Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions north of occupied Horlivka and near Avdiyivka. Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions near Myronivksa with artillery. Near the Donetsk airport, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions with mortars and artillery. Towards Mariupol, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions at Maryinka and Krasnohorivka with mortars. Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions at Novotroitske, Starohnativka and several other locations along the Mariupol sector of the front. Ukraine’s Ministry of Defense reported that in the last 24 hours Russian-terrorist forces opened fire on Ukrainian positions at total of 78 times,
2. Canada’s House of Commons Committee on Citizenship and Immigration to hear testimony on Ukraine today
Today at 1:00pm-2:30 PM EDT, Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) will hear testimony on Ukraine in its hearings on Immigration Measures for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups. The hearings are televised and broadcast live online. More information on how to watch the hearings online is available at http://parlvu.parl.gc.caor http://www.cpac.ca. Appearing as witnesses will be Iryna Dovhan (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Oleksander Gryschenko (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Gennadii Afanasiev (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Michael Bociurkiw, Former Spokesperson, Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Aleksandr Galkin, Director (by videoconference: Mariupol, Ukraine)
Today at 1:00pm-2:30 PM EDT, Canada’s House of Commons Standing Committee on Citizenship and Immigration (CIMM) will hear testimony on Ukraine in its hearings on Immigration Measures for the Protection of Vulnerable Groups. The hearings are televised and broadcast live online. More information on how to watch the hearings online is available at http://parlvu.parl.gc.caor http://www.cpac.ca. Appearing as witnesses will be Iryna Dovhan (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Oleksander Gryschenko (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Gennadii Afanasiev (by videoconference: Kyiv, Ukraine); Michael Bociurkiw, Former Spokesperson, Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine, Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe; Aleksandr Galkin, Director (by videoconference: Mariupol, Ukraine)
3. Exercise Sea Breeze 2016 commences in Ukraine
On 18 July, Exercise Sea Breeze commenced in the Black Sea. Cohosted by Ukraine and the US, “the exercise seeks to create realistic training that will allow forces to execute air defense, anti-submarine warfare, damage control, search and rescue, and other missions in support of maritime security and regional stability. Sea Breeze is a multinational exercise co-hosted by the U.S. and Ukraine Navies. In addition to the United States and Ukraine, many NATO allies and partners participate, and all share the common value that we must stand together to maintain security in the Black Sea. Approximately 2,300 personnel from 13 nations scheduled to participate in this year’s exercise. The 13 nations scheduled to participate are: Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” the US 6th Fleet stated. At the opening ceremony in Odesa yesterday, US Exercise Chief of Staff Commander K. Engle stated, “Our job here goes beyond security, stability and safety. We are here to build partnerships and to forge lasting friendships.”
On 18 July, Exercise Sea Breeze commenced in the Black Sea. Cohosted by Ukraine and the US, “the exercise seeks to create realistic training that will allow forces to execute air defense, anti-submarine warfare, damage control, search and rescue, and other missions in support of maritime security and regional stability. Sea Breeze is a multinational exercise co-hosted by the U.S. and Ukraine Navies. In addition to the United States and Ukraine, many NATO allies and partners participate, and all share the common value that we must stand together to maintain security in the Black Sea. Approximately 2,300 personnel from 13 nations scheduled to participate in this year’s exercise. The 13 nations scheduled to participate are: Bulgaria, Georgia, Greece, Lithuania, Italy, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Sweden, Ukraine, Turkey, the United Kingdom, and the United States,” the US 6th Fleet stated. At the opening ceremony in Odesa yesterday, US Exercise Chief of Staff Commander K. Engle stated, “Our job here goes beyond security, stability and safety. We are here to build partnerships and to forge lasting friendships.”
