Crisis in Ukraine: Daily Briefing – 27 July 2016, 7 PM Kyiv time

The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (RNBO) reported that yester27day towards Donetsk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions near Avdivyivka with artillery and mortars. At Nevelsk, Russian-terrorist forces shelled Ukrainian positions with mortars. Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions near Luhanske village and Zaytseve. Towards Mariupol, Russian-terrorist forces carried out heavy mortars shelling of Ukrainian positions along the Krasnohorivka-Maryinka line. Russian-terrorist forces fired on Ukrainian positions at Shyrokyne. There was no combat on the Luhansk sector of the front. The RNBO reported that in the last 24 hours, no Ukrainian soldiers were killed and three Ukrainian soldiers were wounded in action.

Dr. Ulana Suprun was appointed acting Minister of Health of Ukraine at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers today. Dr. Suprun was the Ukrainian World Congress Director of Humanitarian Initiatives and together with her husband Marko Suprun founded Patriot Defense, which has provided Combat Lifesaver medical training to over 26,000 Ukrainian soldiers and over 4,000 cadets and has distributed over 21,000 NATO Standard Improved First Aid Kits (IFAKs) to Ukraine’s military and security personnel. Dr. Ulana Suprun and Marko Suprun were granted Ukrainian citizenship by President Poroshenko in July, 2015.

Ukraine’s President P. Poroshenko spoke with German Chancellor A. Merkel on 26 July. Poroshenko’s press service reported, “The Head of State expressed deep concern over the drastic escalation of the situation in Donbas and the increased number of casualties caused by the intensification of artillery shelling by Russian militants and continuation of armament supply from Russia. Petro Poroshenko also drew attention to the intensification of Russian sabotage and reconnaissance groups that are efficiently rebuffed by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. President Poroshenko highlighted constant violation of the Minsk agreements by Russia. He noted the importance of consolidation of the entire Europe in the issue of not only preservation of sanctions against Russia, but also their strengthening in case of further deterioration of the situation in Donbas. The parties agreed to intensify work in the Normandy format and other formats. In particular, they discussed the elaboration of the clear roadmap of the Minsk agreements implementation, which should include the fulfillment of the security component by Russia.”

The US Embassy in Ukraine reported, “24 RQ-11B Raven Unmanned Aircraft Systems (comprised of 72 aircraft and associated equipment) arrived at Boryspil International Airport July 27.  The Raven Unmanned Aircraft System is a hand-launched reconnaissance and surveillance tool.  The system transmits live airborne video images and location information to a ground control stations.  This capability can provide day or night aerial intelligence and enables operators to navigate, recognize terrain, and record information for analysis.Raven system is part of the European Reassurance Initiative package and on-going security assistance efforts in Ukraine. Several dozen Ukrainian soldiers already have completed training on Raven Unmanned Aircraft System in Huntsville, Alabama.”