Donbas

G7 calls to stop Donbas blockade over threat to Ukraine’s energy sector Transport blockade of Donbas held at the demarcation line, which cut coal supplies to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine, jeopardizes Ukraine’s financial security and undermines country’s economic growth. 17.02.17 21:45 56 910 503 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Russian militants committed 32 attacks on Ukrainian troops’ positions today, used tanks, 120 mm mortars, anti-tank missiles, - Staff The Russian occupation forces fired upon the Ukrainian Armed Forces’ positions 32 times as at 6 p.m. Jan. 17. 17.02.17 21:02 2 909 8

One Ukrainian military killed, three wounded in Donbas as at 6 p.m. today, - Staff Ukrainian Armed Forces incurred losses as a result of the attacks committed by the Russian militants in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone today. 17.02.17 20:02 10 972 31

UNICEF: 1 million children in Donbas in urgent need of humanitarian aid This is nearly double the number this time last year. 17.02.17 14:56 3 091 23

Donbas blockade hardliners set to shut down Bakhmutska highway The participants of the trade blockade are putting up a new observation post. 17.02.17 16:15 71 965 298 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

US Mission to OSCE: Fighting in one area can quickly ignite clashes elsewhere along line of contact The risk of another escalation of hostilities in the Donbas remains high due to constant provocations on the part of Russia's hybrid troops and the presence of scores of proscribed hardware at the demarcation line. 17.02.17 10:00 27 733 26 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Militants hit Ukrainian lines with tanks, IFVs, anti-tank systems, 120 mm and 82 mm mortars. 66 attacks registered over past day, - ATO Staff Militants committed 66 attacks on Ukrainian positions over the past day. 17.02.17 10:45 13 114 88 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

US Embassy to Ukraine expresses concern about occupied Donbas blockade, advises establishing transparent movement of legitimate goods U.S. Embassy to Ukraine is concerned by the current disruption to the coal supply from the occupied Donbas and encourage the Government of Ukraine to accelerate much-needed reforms in the energy sector. 16.02.17 20:04 42 024 231 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

NSDC needs plan B in case Russia bans coal supplies from occupied Donbas, - MP Anton Herashchenko The National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine (NSDC) should develop an action plan in case Russia bans coal supplies from the occupied part of the Donbas. 16.02.17 16:49 12 857 76

"Ukraine's metal industry can lose 300 thousand jobs. 300 thousand people will become unemployed," - Poroshenko voices threats posed by full-scale Donbas blockade President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko says Ukraine's enemy is trying to destabilize the situation in the country from inside after the failure in the open confrontation with the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 16.02.17 20:36 51 203 392

Ukrainian authorities seek military solution to Donbas conflict, claim subversive activities in Russia, - Putin The Ukrainian authorities are intent on disrupting the Minsk agreements by escalating the situation in the country's southeast. 16.02.17 15:48 140 369 309 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

Bellingcat identifies Russian GRU officer linked to MH17 downing. PHOTOS Bellingcat revealed new details regarding the Russian war criminal known as Khmuryi involved in downing of the Malaysian Boeing in the Donbas. 16.02.17 18:03 90 588 60 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17 Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

Trains go to "DPR/LPR" through Russia, bypass blockade, - Vinohrodskyi Participants of the blockade are ready to block all railroad lines to stop the trade with occupants. 16.02.17 13:55 117 798 124

Donbas blockade destabilizes situation in Ukraine, - Poroshenko President Petro Poroshenko says the politicians who publicly support the railway blockade near the demarcation line in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions are irresponsible. 16.02.17 12:58 87 549 729 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

One Ukrainian soldier killed, four wounded and traumatized, - ATO Staff On Feb. 15, enemy attacks killed one Ukrainian soldier, wounded and traumatized four. 16.02.17 09:35 11 339 3 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Retired Russian General Dubinsky involved in transportation of Buk missile launcher that downed MH17 flight, - Bellingcat The transportation of Buk surface-to-air missile launcher, used to take down Malaysia Airlines flight MH17, was carried out by retired Russian Major General Sergey Dubinsky, also known as "DPR" militant nicknamed Khmuryi. 16.02.17 11:56 100 447 151 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17

One Ukrainian soldier got traumatized in 24 attacks committed by Russian militants today, - Staff The Russian occupying troops carried out 24 assaults on the Ukrainian Army positions in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone as at 6 p.m. on Feb 15. One Ukrainian soldier was traumatized in action. 15.02.17 19:18 2 596 8

Ukraine’s MP Semenchenko says Poroshenko Bloc faction members understate coal reserves at TPPs to lift Donbas blockade Member of Ukrainian parliament Semen Semenchenko involved in trade blockade of the temporarily occupied territory in eastern Ukraine disclosed actual coal reserves at the Sloviansk and Kramatorsk thermal power plants (TPPs). 15.02.17 17:24 129 549 258

UN fears escalation of hostilities in Donbas Such apprehensions are caused by the shrinking distance between Ukrainian positions and those of separatists. 15.02.17 13:28 4 393 14

"DPR" militants confirmed 41 mercenaries dead since Feb. 3, - journalist Several sources say up to 70 "DPR" militants were killed in fighting in 2017, most of them in Avdiivka area. 15.02.17 13:09 78 012 65 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

52 attacks registered over past day. No losses reported among Ukrainian troops, - ATO Staff Russian occupation forces continue attacks on Ukrainian positions in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area. 15.02.17 11:10 3 349 10 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

EU Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid Stylianides to visit Donbas next week European Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides intends to visit the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone in Ukraine’s east next week (February 20-26). 14.02.17 19:36 1 423 2

No casualties among Ukrainian soldiers as Russian militants mortared their positions in Donetsk and Mariupol directions, - Staff 26 attacks on the positions of the Ukrainian Army were recorded as at 6 p.m. Feb. 14. No Ukrainian soldier was killed or wounded today. 14.02.17 19:02 2 971 20

Russian terrorists employed heavy weapons against Ukrainian troops’ positions, - Staff The Russian occupation forces once again cynically breached truce by shelling the Ukrainian soldiers’ positions with heavy weapons. No Ukrainian military was killed or wounded in 39 attacks recorded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area as of 6 p.m. on Feb. 13. 13.02.17 20:16 8 525 57

Expert says Ukraine failed to become independent of coal supplies from Donbas over three years, proposes alternative Former member of the National energy and utilities regulatory commission of Ukraine (NEURCU) Andrii Herus says the president, NEURCU Chairman Vovk, and Energy Minister Nasalyk have voiced many different (and often controversial) views regarding the power station coal supplies over the past year. 13.02.17 22:52 80 302 330 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

No one killed, one Ukrainian military wounded yesterday, - ATO spokesperson Over the past 24-hour period no one of Ukrainian military was killed, one received injuries. 13.02.17 14:37 5 519 15 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Russian militant, call sign 'Yakut,' sentenced to eight years in prison Kostiantynivka city district court (the Donetsk region) has sentenced a 50-year-old citizen of the Russian Federation (Yakutiya area) to eight years in prison for participation in a "DPR" terrorist organization. 13.02.17 13:52 32 481 71 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine

No contact with missing Ukrainian scouts, search underway, - Matiukhin A group of Ukrainian scouts has been out of contact for two days now as searching continues. 13.02.17 11:02 137 184 127

Militants shelled Ukrainian positions nine times today, – Matiukhin Last night, the Russian hybrid forces fired at the Ukrainian positions in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone nine times. 12.02.17 14:35 4 884 18 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

59 militants’ attacks reported yesterday, two Ukrainian soldiers wounded, - ATO press service Situation remains tense in the Donbas. Two Ukrainian servicemen were wounded yesterday. 12.02.17 11:19 12 848 49

Reichel's statement on Donbas at odds with official German position, - Bundestag member Wellmann The possibility of local elections in the occupied Donbas in the presence of Russian troops, as stated by Ambassador of Germany in Ukraine Ernst Reichel, is not in line with the official position of Germany. 13.02.17 10:32 26 754 118 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas

"Kremlin is eliminating everyone. You will celebrate my death soon," - terrorist Girkin The Russians military killed or excluded all independent players from the city of Donetsk. That’s why Girkin isn't rule out the possibility of his assassination. 12.02.17 10:04 259 876 470 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Group of Ukrainian military gets out of contact while on combat mission, - press officer Zavtonov A group of Ukrainian scouts failed to return from a mission in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) area in the Luhansk region on Feb. 11. 12.02.17 19:02 258 761 241

Militants shelled Ukrainian positions 63 times, no losses reported yesterday, - ATO Staff The situation remains tense in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) zone. No losses among Ukrainian military reported yesterday. 11.02.17 09:32 6 549 19

Krasnohorivka pounded twice over day, militants fired 28 Grad missiles, used mortars and SPGs, - ATO Staff Krasnohorivka village (the Donetsk sector) has been attacked twice over the day. Terrorists used Minsk-proscribed weapons, including Grad rocket systems, tanks and heavy artillery. 10.02.17 23:08 4 731 9

"Kyiv to talk about impossibility of local elections in Donbas," - Poroshenko on coming Normandy Four ministerial meeting The Ukrainian president has stressed the elections in the Donbas will not be possible until Russia withdraws its troops. 10.02.17 19:26 8 850 60

President Poroshenko: Ukraine capable of defending itself from any aggressor, even Russian Federation President of Ukraine Petro Poroshenko paid a working visit to the Ivano-Frankivsk region and took part in the opening of a newly built outpatient clinic of the central district hospital of Kolomyia. 10.02.17 15:32 40 252 195

Trump to Grybauskaite: "Your support for Ukraine advances our shared goal of enhancing European and regional security" U.S. President Donald Trump has congratulated Lithuania on the upcoming independence anniversary, expressed gratitude for its assistance to Ukraine and commended the country for increased defense funding. 10.02.17 17:58 26 519 102 Previously in trend: President Trump

Russian mercenary Dmitry Stankevich eliminated in battle near Avdiivka. PHOTO Dmitry Stankevich, 24, a drug addict Russian mercenary eliminated in the Donbas, was buried in the town of Verkhnyaya Pyshma (Sverdlovsk Oblast of the Russian Federation). He was survived by his three-year-old daughter. 10.02.17 12:51 199 076 148 Previously in trend: Avdiivka fighting

Pro-Russian militants opened fire 61 times yesterday; no losses among Ukrainian military recorded, - Staff Over the past 24-hour period, pro-Russian troops opened fire upon Ukrainian Army positions 61 times. 10.02.17 09:42 4 396 7 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Authorities respond to Ukrainian soldiers’ address on Donbas blockade: servicemen sent to forefront, internal investigation underway, - journalist The members of the 16th Mechanized Infantry Battalion of the 58th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine, who requested President of Ukraine, Supreme Commander Petro Poroshenko to stop trade with the occupied territories faced consequences. 10.02.17 10:18 171 306 463 Previously in trend: Blockade of "DPR/LPR"

Republican senators urge Trump to stiffen stance on Russia A group of Republican senators released a stern letter to President Donald Trump on Thursday calling for a "tough-minded and principled policy" toward Russia. 09.02.17 23:10 7 599 23 Previously in trend: Sanctions against Russia President Trump

Russian command urges Ukrainian military to halt offensive in Donbas and call truce "DPR" militants offered the Ukrainian military to cease fire at midnight, Feb 9. According to "DPR's operations command" representative Eduard Basurin, not a single shot has been fired since 3 a.m. 09.02.17 23:58 361 528 558 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Terrorists use mortars in all sectors. No losses reported, - ATO Staff Russian terrorist forces continue to shell Ukrainian positions. Overall, 39 attacks have been recorded over the day. No casualties have been incurred. 09.02.17 19:32 3 241 4

Elections in Donbas possible only after Russian troops withdraw, - Foreign Ministry of Ukraine Ukraine's clear and consistent position suggests that local elections in the Donbas may take place only after Russia's military withdraw from its territory and security measures are taken for them to comply with OSCE standards and Ukrainian legislation. 09.02.17 16:45 5 655 28

NATO pledges to strengthen political pressure on Russia over escalation in Donbas The NATO-Ukraine Commission held extraordinary meeting in connection with the new spike of Russia's aggression against Ukraine. 09.02.17 15:27 3 808 8 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

No battle casualties within Ukrainian Army yesterday, - ATO spokesperson Over the past 24-hour period no one was killed or wounded in the anti-terrorist operation (ATO) in the east of Ukraine. 09.02.17 13:53 2 898 10

Members of Ukrainian Armed Forces’ 58th Brigade support “DPR”/“LPR” blockade: "Each hryvnia transferred there is spent on terrorism" The servicemen of the 16th Battalion of the 58th Brigade of the Armed Forces of Ukraine requested the country’s top leadership and, first of all, President Petro Poroshenko to cease all trade and financial transactions with the separatists in the temporarily occupied territory of the Donbas. 09.02.17 10:51 158 226 559 Previously in trend: Occupied territories - Crimea and Donbas Blockade of "DPR/LPR"