Ukraine Day 985: LIVE UPDATES BELOW.
Yesterday’s live coverage of the Ukraine conflict can be found here.
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An Invasion By Any Other Name: The Kremlin’s Dirty War in Ukraine
DAN, the news service of the self-proclaimed “Donetsk People’s Republic” said that one civilian was injured yesterday on October 28 by shell fire on the Petrovsky District in the western part of Donetsk today, and blamed Ukrainian forces.
Also in the News:
Denis Pushilin, spokesman for the self-declared “Donetsk People’s Republic” (DNR) said a working group would be formed under the aegis of the Trilateral Contact Group to investigate the shelling of Makeyevka on October 27, DAN News reported.
o Journalist Exposes Poor R&R Conditions for Ukrainian Army
A soldier, Daniel Zubko wrote on his Facebook that the troops were taken to a dilapidated, abandoned factory and forced to camp in the open without facilities. He also uploaded some pictures.
Censor.net said the Defense Ministry would make an investigation of the conditions for the 58th.
o Melnichuk Declares ‘1 Trillion Hryvnia ($39.5 Billion)’
Former Aidar battalion commander Sergiy Melnichuk, now an MP has declared 1 trillion hryvnia ($39.5 billion) in assets.
That would make him wealthier than George Soros or Sergey Brin — and has prompted some media to wonder if he made a mistake — or he’s making a comment on the system itself.
He also owns a 1994 Grand Gerokee Jeep, 1988 GAZ 2411, and an apartment and land parcel in Vinnitsa.
Melnichuk’s revelations came via the electronic declaration of assets that all MPS are now filling out, to much attention and comment from the press and public.
o Russia Trains for Possible Offensive
Ukrainian Intelligence spokesman Vadym Skibytskiy said Russia was continuing to prepare for a possible large-scale offensive against Ukraine including massive airstrikes against strategic facilities by having bombers train along the Ukrainian border, UA Today TV reported:
By his data, along the state border of Ukraine in the airspace of Belarus Ukrainian Intel noted plane of distant radar detection and guidance A-50U, which was monitoring airspace in the north-western part of Ukraine and guided strike aircrafts. Those were strategic bomber Tu-160, two log range jet bombers Tu-22M3, and two close range bombers Su-34, completing training missions along the state border of Ukraine with training missile and bomb strikes.
o US Ambassador to OSCE Says Russia Still Sending in Troops and Armor to Ukraine
Russia is still sending troops and armor into Ukraine, Amb. Daniel Baer, US envoy to OSCE said at a recent meeting of OSCE’s Permanent Council, Interfax.ua reported:
“Despite combined-separatist forces’ restrictions, the SMM continues to document evidence that Russia is sending troops and equipment into Ukraine.”
In his words, taking advantage that the Ukraine-Russia state border is not controlled at night, Russia moves weapons and ammunition to militant-controlled areas in Donbas.
“Russia can and does easily move weapons, fuel, and ammunition across the border, under the cover of darkness, and in the absence of OSCE observers,” he said.
o OSCE Quietly Halts Drone Surveillance Program
The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission has quietly halted its drone surveillance program as too many of the drones have been shot down, John Hudson in Foreign Policy reports. OSCE won’t say who is responsible for the downing because they can’t gain access to the crash sites, but it is likely the Russia-backed separatists.