Donbas

OSCE SMM reports of fewer cease-fire violations in Donbas on March 17 The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) recorded fewer cease-fire violations in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions compared with the previous period. 19.03.17 10:14 2 777 11

Russian tanks and hardware recorded in occupied Luhansk areas, - Bellingcat. PHOTOS Dozens of units of Russian military hardware have been found in Russia-occupied Buhaivka village of the Luhansk region. 20.03.17 17:40 33 743 55 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Lviv region bids last farewell to 18-year-old soldier Volodymyr Kniaziev. VIDEO Last tribute to the serviceman of the 24th separate mechanized brigade Volodymyr Kniaziev was paid in his home village. 18.03.17 10:07 31 534 51

Russian proxies employed heavy mortars, artillery against Ukrainian troops in Donetsk, Mariupol directions, - Staff The Russian terrorist forces attacked positions of the Ukrainian soldiers 60 times since the beginning of the day. One soldier was killed and one was wounded as they triggered improvised explosive device in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone. 17.03.17 21:15 5 654 28 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Russian-produced rocket launcher, ammunition found in ATO zone. PHOTOS Officers of the Security Service of Ukraine obtained another evidence of Russian involvement in the armed conflict in Ukraine’s east. A Shmel rocket launcher was found on the scene of a clash between the Ukrainian troops and terrorists at the Svitlodarsk salient. 18.03.17 00:07 13 245 10 Previously in trend: Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Russia-based Raiffeisen Bank outlets to serve breakaway "DPR"/"LPR" passport holders, - Reuters The move followed consultations with Russia's central bank but might require the consent of the parent bank. 17.03.17 17:51 44 373 139

Donbas resembles powder keg, no time for assumptions left, - OSCE's Hug Principal Deputy Chief Monitor of the OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine Alexander Hug has compared the occupied Donbas to a powder keg. 17.03.17 15:38 18 965 57 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

"I was lucky to jump in seconds before shell arrived," - Ukrainian positions around Troitske hit by 152 mm guns. VIDEO Russian militants shelled positions of Ukrainian fighters in the vicinity of Troitske village with Msta-B heavy caliber guns. 17.03.17 10:58 37 936 41 Previously in trend: War

Luxembourg FM Asselborn on his Donbas visit: I saw war. It's not frozen conflict. Everyone should see it before speaking of Donbas A solution to stop the Donbas war should be elaborated. 17.03.17 12:34 29 765 66 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

"We want to see it resolved peacefully," - Department of State on Donbas trade blockade The U.S. Department of State has emphasized the importance of a peaceful settlement of the situation around the introduction of a temporary ban on the movement of goods across the demarcation line between government and terrorist-controlled territories in Ukraine's east. 17.03.17 11:58 20 671 122 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian troops attacked Ukraine positions in Donbas 77 times yesterday, used 122 mm artillery, mortars, tanks, - Staff The situation in the anti-terrorist operation area remains unquiet but controlled by Ukraine's Armed Forces. 17.03.17 09:52 6 042 23 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Two Ukrainian fighters killed, eight wounded in action yesterday, - ATO Staff Two Ukrainian soldiers were killed and eight wounded or maimed in combat in eastern Ukraine on March 16. 17.03.17 09:34 19 641 4 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian proxies employed large-caliber mortars against Ukrainian troops’ positions in all directions, - Staff The Russian occupation troops fired upon the Ukrainian Army positions 35 times today. 16.03.17 20:22 3 363 15

Paris concerned about NSDC decision to suspend trade with Donbas, - French Foreign Ministry France is concerned about the decision of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) to suspend transportation of goods from uncontrolled territories across the demarcation line, and calls on the Ukrainian authorities to resume efforts to lift railroads blockade in the Donbas. 16.03.17 17:38 27 137 138 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Four Ukrainian military wounded in Donbas yesterday, no one killed, - ATO spokesperson Over the past 24-hour period, four Ukrainian fighters were wounded and traumatized in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine. 16.03.17 13:25 3 523 14

Hundreds of Donbas residents locked in "no man’s land," deprived of basic necessities, - UN report The escalation of hostilities in eastern Ukraine has led to the death of civilians and destruction of vital infrastructure. Tens of thousands of Donbas residents have lost access to water and electricity in biting winter frosts while the humanitarian situation remains extremely difficult. 16.03.17 13:12 7 646 61 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

Donbas trade blockade hinders Ukraine's economic growth, - Premier Hroisman The Donbas trade blockade restrains the economic growth of Ukraine. 16.03.17 15:45 28 238 205 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

91 attacks recorded yesterday, four Ukrainian soldiers wounded, - ATO Staff The situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area remains tense but controlled by the Ukrainian military. 16.03.17 10:20 4 279 16 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Security forces bar all roads and railways at front line in Donbas. PHOTOS Following the decision of Ukraine's National Security and Defense Council (NSDC), the National Guard, the National Police and the State Border Guard Service have blocked all roads and railways running across the demarcation line in the Donbas to prevent the illegal movement of goods. 16.03.17 10:50 118 866 342 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Polish FM believes US participation in talks on Donbas can bring hope to conflict resolution Negotiations on the Donbas in Normandy format stopped active phase of hostilities but not the Russian aggression against Ukraine. It is vital to involve the United States in talks to solve the crisis in Ukraine’s east. 16.03.17 00:02 11 513 22 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Poroshenko on Donbas blockade: "This scenario wasn’t written in Ukraine" President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko believes that the Donbas blockade was masterminded by the Kremlin. 15.03.17 22:06 75 607 467 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

OSCE Envoy Sajdik disappointed by ‘dangerous developments’ in Donbas The latest developments in the Donbas exacerbate tensions between the parties to the armed conflict in Ukraine’s east. 15.03.17 21:06 17 562 80 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian terrorists mortar-shelled Ukrainian troops near Avdiivka, Troitske, Luhanske, - Staff The Russian terrorist attacked positions of the Armed Forces of Ukraine 46 times from the beginning of the day. 15.03.17 18:57 3 361 20

9,940 people killed, 23,455 wounded in Donbas conflict, - UN The United Nations Human Rights Monitoring Mission reports that 9,940 people have been killed and 23,455 wounded in the conflict in eastern Ukraine since 2014. 15.03.17 15:02 2 585 5

Poroshenko on incident with Parasiuk: "I watched this shameful video" According to President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko, the police demonstrated extreme tolerance in the incident at a Sloviansk checkpoint, involving MP Parasiuk and Donbas blockaders. 15.03.17 12:26 135 671 644 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian militants attacked Ukraine positions 106 times yesterday, wounded seven Ukrainian military, - Staff The situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in the east of Ukraine is aggravating, with the number of attacks upon the Ukrainian Armed Forces increasing. 15.03.17 09:23 5 518 23 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Donbas blockade participants provoked law enforcers near Kharkiv and Sloviansk, - police deputy chief. VIDEO Activists blocking trade with the occupied Donbas have triggered conflicts with the police near Kharkiv and at a checkpoint near Sloviansk (the Donetsk region). 15.03.17 00:04 46 684 195 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Yarosh on Donbas blockade: "We lend moral support to blockade participants although their methods seem to be wrong" Ukrainian authorities must provide the society with clear strategy regarding trade with the occupied Donbas. 14.03.17 21:50 72 387 361 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian militants attacked Ukrainian troops’ positions 54 times, used tanks, mortars, IFVs, - Staff The Russian militants fired upon the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ positions in the Donbas 54 times today, March 14. 14.03.17 19:00 3 199 7

Poltava to bid last farewell to deceased warrior Anton Dzerin, - volunteer. PHOTOS Anton Dzerin served as an IFV gunner of the 1st Assault Company, the 24th Separate Assault Battalion "Aidar" of the 53rd Separate Mobile Brigade. He died on March 11, 2017 in a clash with an enemy subversive group around Berezove village in the vicinity of Marinka. 14.03.17 10:50 21 785 1

Detained activists of Donbas trade blockade released, - Rada Vice Speaker Syroid The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) says police have released all participants of the Donbas trade blockade who were detained at the Kryvyi Torets railway crossing in the Donetsk region. 14.03.17 09:58 63 363 366 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian militants in Donbas attacked Ukraine's positions 97 times yesterday, used 152 mm artillery, mortars, tanks, SPGs, - Staff Over the past 24-hour period the situation in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in the east of Ukraine deteriorated. In the afternoon, Russian terrorist troops increased the number of attacks upon positions of the Ukraine's Armed Forces, including with heavy weapons. A total of 97 cases of fire were recorded. 14.03.17 10:15 4 706 17 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

One Ukrainian soldier killed, eight wounded yesterday, - ATO Staff One Ukrainian military was killed in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area, eight received wounds and traumas in combat yesterday. 14.03.17 11:10 10 190 2 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Donbas blockade participants show attack on their checkpoint. VIDEO The activists involved in trade blockade of the occupied Donbas posted the footage of crackdown on the checkpoint of the 16th Volunteer Battalion at Kryvyi Torets railroad crossing. 14.03.17 00:05 154 114 402 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Ukraine marks Volunteer Fighter Day for first time. VIDEO On March 14, Ukraine celebrates the Day of Ukrainian Volunteer Fighter for the first time. 14.03.17 16:55 13 530 73 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian-backed militants attacked Ukrainian troops 42 times today, used 122 mm guns, mortars, tanks, - Staff One Ukrainian soldier has been wounded, 42 attacks committed against the Ukrainian Armed Forces in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area since the beginning of the day. 13.03.17 21:04 4 709 33

Law enforcers storm checkpoint blocking trade with occupied Donbas, detain activists One of the blockade checkpoints to prevent trade with the so-called “DPR”/“LPR” established by the activists at Kryvyi Torets railroad station was bashed by the law enforcers. The activists are preparing to fight off new attacks. 13.03.17 19:33 181 238 956 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Luxembourg FM Asselborn visits Donbas. PHOTOS Minister of Foreign Affairs of Luxembourg Jean Asselborn has arrived in Ukraine to assess the situation in the Donbas. 13.03.17 11:22 10 302 25 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Situation in Avdiivka relatively calm today, - Zhebrivskyi The town authorities are waiting for special equipment to start the repair work. 12.03.17 15:31 2 439 13

12-year-old schoolboy died of grenade explosion in Vuhledar. VIDEO The boy found a grenade in a yard. The munition detonated in his hands. 12.03.17 14:27 23 319 30

Scout of the 46th 'Donbas Ukraine' Battalion Mykhailo Myronov killed in Novoluhanske On March 10, Mykhailo Myronov, soldier of the 46th 'Donbas Ukraine' Detached Special Purpose Battalion (DSPB), was killed in the militants’ attack of the Army’s positions. 12.03.17 10:13 39 464 38

OSCE records militant's tanks and artillery in violation of withdrawal lines in Donbas The SMM continued to monitor the withdrawal of weapons in implementation of the Package of Measures, its Addendum, and the Memorandum. 12.03.17 09:41 4 232 40

OSCE observers came under mortar fire in Donetsk region The OSCE Special Monitoring Mission to Ukraine (SMM) claims that the incoming mortar rounds exploded near monitors' patrol in Pikuzy on March 10. 11.03.17 17:31 6 190 37

Hostilities can lead to environmental disaster in Donbas, - UN There is a high risk of chemical disaster in eastern Ukraine, fraught with catastrophic consequences for the health of the local population and the environment. 10.03.17 22:33 11 126 37 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Militants use Grad systems, heavy artillery, anti-tank missiles, tanks and IFVs, - ATO Staff 49 attacks on Ukrainian positions had been registered as of 6 p.m., March 10. 10.03.17 19:34 7 450 26

Four WIA today, five soldiers sustained injuries, - ATO Staff On March 10, as a result of hostilities in the Donbas, nine Ukrainian servicemen have been wounded or traumatized. 10.03.17 18:24 4 205 10

"He approached position and tried to kill Zvir, but our soldier was quicker," - 72nd Brigade servicemen eliminated Russian sniper. VIDEO Ukrainian military caught a sniper who was hunting for them on the outskirts of Avdiivka. 10.03.17 17:19 149 374 118 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Local elections in Donbas no longer on Minsk agenda, - Ukraine representative Aivazovska Thanks to the position of the Ukrainian side, the issue of elections in certain areas of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions has been removed from the agenda of the Minsk talks. 10.03.17 00:10 15 385 55 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine