Butusov Yurii

Advanced point. Last battle of 73rd Center soldiers Yurii Horaiskyi and Oleksandr Khmeliarov on March 4, 2016. Two Ukrainian Spetznaz [special forces – ed.] soldiers died like heroes on March 4, 2016 near Dokuchaievsk, the Donetsk region. 08.03.16 12:50 121 206 116 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Faithful to Fatherland, betrayed by General Staff: How the 40th battalion was surrendered into captivity We need help with restoring the honest names of Ukrainian soldiers who were killed in battles for Debaltseve. They can only count on our memory and our fight for their honest name. They are not traitors, they are heroes. This remembrance and respect are needed by their relatives and their children. While traitors from the General Staff, who had devoted the heroes to destruction and are now killing the honest name of the soldiers from the 40th battalion, should be subjected to lasting shame. 18.02.16 18:02 86 586 113 Previously in trend: Debaltseve salient

Capitulation of Lohvynove on Feb. 9, 2015. Pivotal moment of Debaltseve operation Censor.NET received important data through an investigation: S sector headquarters ordered to withdraw defense from the key village along the Debaltseve road – Lohvynove! As a result, Russian mercenaries entered the village and shot dead 24 Ukrainian military. A year ago troops at Debaltseve were tactically encircled. 10.02.16 18:02 77 276 105 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Anniversary of tank attack defeat at platoon strong points ‘Zenit’ and ‘Zozo’ by 40th ‘Kryvbas’ mechanized battalion Feb. 8, 2015. You will see how this date is included in all textbooks on war history and tactics book of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Brilliant and the most successful defeat of a tank attack against ‘Zenit’ and ‘Zozo’ platoon strong points by the 40th ‘Kryvbas’ battalion near Novohryhorivka village at Debaltseve area. 08.02.16 16:38 68 116 96 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Feb. 1, 2015 – engagement at ‘Sasha’ strong point through eyes of participants: 36 militants destroyed by 17th tank brigade The well-known unknown battle. This engagement could have turned a huge tragedy, and everyone would have learnt about it. At the heat of the Debaltseve battle, on Feb. 1, 2015 near Troitske of the Luhansk region the enemy invaded one of the key defense strong points – ‘Sasha’ platoon strong point. Our military managed to reverse the tide of unsuccessful battle only due to their professional acting and bravery of some soldiers and officers. 36 mercenaries from the Russian Federation, Ukraine, and Belarus were killed. 05.02.16 17:45 137 973 108 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Vuhlehirsk battle anniversary Jan. 29 is the anniversary of Vuhlehirsk battles. Vuhlehirsk is a key town, control of which enabled holding the western face of the Debaltseve bridgehead from Horlivka. In the morning of Jan. 29, 2015 after preparation fire, an armored unit of Russian mercenaries from the 3rd motorized rifle brigade and ‘Oplot’ brigade attacked the positions of the 13th armored infantry battalion, former area defense battalion of the Chernihiv region. The key town was covered by one company, reinforced with an anti-tank battery of the 26th artillery brigade. “Svitiaz” Police Company was holding the number of facilities in the city’s downtown. 01.02.16 16:42 51 281 55 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Battle at ‘Valera’ strong point. Jan. 25, 2015. One of the most famous battles of the Russian-Ukrainian war took place a year ago, on Jan. 25, 2015. “Valera” was one of the key defense strong points of the Debaltseve bridgehead at the height of 307.5 near Sanzharivka village, covering axis of supply from Artemivsk to Debaltseve. 26.01.16 16:24 55 054 64 Previously in trend: Debaltseve salient Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Jan. 18, 2015. Lieutenant Ivan Zhdan and Sergeant-Major Anatolii Skrytskyi destroyed four tanks and Putylivskyi bridge in Donetsk On Jan. 18 one of the most vivid events in the battles for the Donetsk airport took place: Ukrainian tankmen assaulted the enemy in Spartak village and conducted one of the most audacious and effective tank battles in the Russian-Ukrainian war. 20.01.16 18:35 117 175 89 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Truth and lies about Donetsk airport battles: analysis of interview by Chief of Staff Viktor Muzhenko On the eve of the anniversary of the battle at the Donetsk airport in January 2015, the heroic defense of the new terminal, the death of many of its defenders, Chief of Staff Viktor Muzhenko gave an interview about these events to Ukrainska Pravda. Muzhenko is one of the main defendants in the Main Military Prosecutor's Office’s investigation into the death of Ukrainian soldiers and the loss of military equipment during the winter battle in 2015 near Donetsk and Debaltseve. The General Staff is trying to build a line of public protection. And pass his incompetence and large meaningless losses for a normal state of affairs. 20.01.16 11:02 77 906 179 Ukrainian Politics

Military strategy of Ukraine The Ministry of Defense and the Armed Forces have grown and changed significantly in 2015, so in order to evaluate the vectors of their development we should look at priorities and major achievements year-end. So, what has changed to better and to worse, where does it stagnate; where do words and actions differ? This is especially important after the state budget for 2016 was approved, with its record 5 percent of the GDP allocated for the defense sector. The society needs to see and understand how the budget funds are spent. We will try to analyze what has been done at the major directions of the Defense Ministry’s development. 31.12.15 16:51 59 497 77 Ukrainian Politics

Captain who changed course of war This officer, I am certain, has changed the course of the Russian-Ukrainian war. He was simply conducting combat tasks; he just did not panic; his soldiers just did their combat job. The results of their expert activities are known to the world. Ukraine as well should be aware of its courageous soldiers and their commander. 09.12.15 21:11 361 695 130 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war War

What should Ukraine do while Putin is stuck in Syria? Ukrainian Foreign Ministry shall immediately convene a conference in Kyiv with the participation of Romania and Moldova, and a specially invited Russian Federation delegation on the fate of unrecognized territory of Transnistria. 25.11.15 14:07 60 583 67 World

Hunters turned hunted Scandal around the creation of the Special Operation Forces (SOF) in Ukraine shocked our partners in NATO and the U.S. and seriously discredited the military command of Ukraine in the eyes of the Western allies. 23.11.15 18:07 64 669 84 Ukrainian Politics

Attempt on Oleksandr Ruvin – high-profile cases expert badly wounded Three bullets for Oleksandr Ruvin, chief forensic expert of Ukraine in the MH17 downing process, organizer of key legal expertise in criminal proceedings, head of expert groups on deaths of Ukrainian soldiers in Ilovaisk and in IL-76. 20.11.15 13:50 54 827 105 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17

Elections outcomes: tectonic robble of democracy in Ukraine Cities in the southwest of Ukraine where a strong charismatic pro-Ukrainian candidate had been nominated and local patriotic elites had united, the people has provided for great results and in some cases – victory. These are the same people who had conducted a revolution without politicians, who are waging the war without generals, and who are surviving amidst the state and economy break-down. 16.11.15 17:05 32 232 72 Previously in trend: Local elections 2015

“‘Sever’ dragged Poroshenko off the scraping machine on Dec. 1, shot at militia from revolver at Instytutska St., burned down armored vehicles at Khreshchatyk, and was killed in tank battle at Donetsk airport tower” A year ago, on Nov. 6, 2014, the youngest defender of the Donetsk airport, the 18-year-old Right Sector volunteer Serhii Tabala, call sign Sever, was killed at the airport’s most dangerous area – in its new terminal tower. It was a tank battle taking place during the ‘truce’… Over his short life, Serhii managed to do many things, and his life is worth to be remembered, as well as worth being put into books and movies. Tabala was remembered on his death anniversary in his hometown of Sumy. 10.11.15 16:43 266 0 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Sergeant Volodymyr Kozak: How and when 10 Russian paratroopers were captured on Aug. 24, 2014 Capture of a whole unit of the Russian Federation Armed Forces allowed radically changing foreign policy situation. The world received the most speaking evidence of Russian invasion in Ukraine. It was one of the most important moments in the war. But who and how did it? 07.10.15 15:22 84 171 123 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine War

A year ago – Donbas airport defenders repulsed Russian mercenaries’ attack on Sept. 28, 2014. 11 Ukrainian heroes were killed in battle While repulsing an attack by Russian mercenaries against the Donetsk airport, the following Ukrainian soldiers died heroes’ death: company commander of the 93rd brigade Serhii Kolodii, platoon commander of the 79th brigade, Lieutenant Oleksii Tyshchyk, eight of his paratroopers, and a tankman from the 17th tank brigade. Four paratroopers, who were inside an IFV that had caught fire, are considered MIA… We will write about those heroes whose battle death on Sept. 28 has been confirmed officially. 01.10.15 15:44 88 757 82 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Konstantynov: “My crew destroyed two Russian T-64 tanks in Ridkodub on Feb. 1” Senior Lieutenant Oleksandr Konstantynov is the commander of a tank company within the 17th tank brigade. On Feb. 1 in Ridkodub village during the Debaltseve battle, his tank together with soldiers of the 25th ‘Kyivska Rus’ mechanized battalion destroyed two tanks of Russian mercenaries from the 7th motorized rifle brigade. Gratuity for the battle has not yet been paid, soldiers not yet honored, although images of the destroyed tanks are on the Internet, and the enemy did confirm the losses. 29.09.15 16:39 58 916 61 Previously in trend: Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Photos from the last mission of Captain Yerofeyev and the 3rd Brigade group of Russia’s Special Forces near Shchastia on May 16, 2015 Images and video from the phone of the Russian Special Forces sergeant Alexander Aleksandrov, who had been taken captive in the engagement near Shchastia by soldiers of the 92nd mechanized brigade, were provided to Censor.NET by volunteer Vsevolod Kozhemiako, who had received them from soldiers who had captured the saboteurs. This is another evidence of killing of Ukrainian soldier Vadym Puhachov by the Russian Special Forces Captain Yevgeniy Yerofeyev. Photos and video are valid proof for trial against the captured terrorists. As of now, the terrorists are in a remand prison, and no talks of their exchange should be conducted before the trial. 24.09.15 17:10 92 791 77 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives

When will the war end? Combat activities have lost their stress. Neither Ukrainian army nor the enemy is conducting military operations. Massive artillery strikes have halted. Everyone, military uppermost, are asking – what’s next? For how long will the deceptive quiet last, in which only stray bullets whistle? Will the large-scale war return? Will there be a political solution, peace, and for how long will the anti-terrorist operation last? 22.09.15 17:37 79 210 123 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine War

How Russian officers are being recruited for war in Ukraine. Story of captive terrorist, Major of Russian Federation Armed Forced Vladimir Starkov This man should become one of defendants in a trial, during which Ukrainian court shall give legal evaluation of the Russian authorities’ activities. Russian leaders – President Putin, Chief of General Staff Gerasimov, and Defense Minister Shoigu shall be named terrorists and put on Interpol’s wanted list. Russian leaders, guilty of unleashing of the war in the Donbas and of Crimea annexation, shall receive international legal evaluation. Our task is to make them travel-banned. 12.09.15 16:52 101 666 177 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war

Sept. 5, 2014 – Heroic self-sacrifice by Aidar battalion and 80th brigade After Ukrainian troops encircled Luhansk on Aug. 13, 2014 and created prerequisites for the city’s liberation, Russian command deployed regular troops of the Russian Federation along with mercenaries to fight in this direction. 07.09.15 16:58 109 941 49

Colonel Kovalskyi: “We captured Russian Т-72B3 to our own surprise – it was the first engagement for most of us” Aug. 26 a year ago, Ukrainian encircled troops near Ilovaisk captured the most modern Russian tank T-72B3 produced in 2013, equipped with radio electronic devices made in France and Belorussia. Censor.NET was told the story by Colonel Mykhailo Kovalsky, who was engineer commander of the Pivden operational command. 28.08.15 15:27 111 416 64 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war War

Aug. 22, 2014. One year ago. Ilovaisk. Battle HQ 39-06 A year ago I was at our positions near Ilovaisk. Then, I couldn’t describe in writing what I had seen. Today it is worth writing a real report. 26.08.15 13:43 96 221 127 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war War

This is not Victory day yet. But these are Victory soldiers Independence Square and Khreshchatyk are seeing new Ukrainian army. At the corner of Prorizna Street a hundred-throat yell shockwaved the area: "Glory to Ukraine! Glory to the heroes!", "Glory to the nation! Death to enemies!", "Ukraine above everything!" These are not football fans, it is an infantry rank, wearing new combat gear with their guns at the trail. The volunteers are rehearsing the Independence Day march to honor Ukrainian armed forces. 21.08.15 14:50 67 325 254

Bloody and heroic August 2014... A year ago The hardest month of the war. According to unofficial estimates, 650 Ukrainian soldiers died then a heroic death in battles for Ukraine, and more than 200 were missing... Many hundreds were captured, some stay in captivity till present... 20.08.15 11:15 52 470 136 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war War

Aug. 16-17, 2014. 80th Airmobile Brigade engages in battle with Russian troops near Luhansk. 10 Ukrainian soldiers killed. Captain Sukharevskyi wounded in close combat with Russian patrol A year ago, Aug. 13, 2014, Ukrainian soldiers closed the encirclement around Luhansk, cutting the enemy’s last supply line, the Krasnodon road. Aidar battalion’s assault companies together with tankmen of the 1st tank brigade took Khriashchuvate and Novosvitlivka by assault. Paratroopers of the 80th airmobile brigade, reinforced with mortarmen of the 128th Brigade and tank crews of the 24th mechanized brigade, cover the flanks of the operation. 19.08.15 14:43 110 181 103 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Episodes of the Russian-Ukrainian war War

Events of Aug. 6-7, 2014. 72nd mechanized brigade commander Mykhailo Drapatyi headed breakthrough of Ukrainian troops from encirclement near Chervonopartyzansk A year ago, the Ukrainian army stationed at the far border with Russia, near Chervonopartyzansk, Dovzhanske, and Diakove conducted one of the first most desperate moves which proved that the Ukrainian army would fight and not give up. 11.08.15 10:59 80 454 155 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

How Russian Special Forces soldiers were taken captive on May 16 near Shchastia So, that is what is known at the moment: recon element of the 3rd brigade of Russian Military Forces has come for another round of war to Ukraine. Brigade divisions leave for the war regularly – this is a part of military training. The group was staff-based, there were no “mercenaries,” all commanded by Captain Yevgeniy Yerofeyev. The unit’s headquarters is located in Bryanka. Shchastia was in the zone of responsibility of the 3rd Special Forces brigade of Russian Federation. 20.05.15 13:45 142 721 156 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine Evidence of Russian aggression in Ukraine Captured Russian special forces operatives War

Fight and fault In order to understand how to fight Russian aggression, a concept is needed – what are major threats by the Russian army to Ukraine, and what will the nature of fighting be. 19.03.15 14:27 41 467 55 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Submunitions of Russian missile Buk-M1-2 (aka SA-17) which downed the Malaysian Boeing MH-17. Exclusive photo report The investigation of downing of the passenger Boeing MH-17 flight of Malaysian airlines in the sky near Torez, which killed 298 people, is coming to an end. The Prosecutor's Office of the Netherlands took journalists on a tour at the military base where the study of the evacuated wreckage is carried out in the hangar. 18.03.15 11:02 497 297 492 Previously in trend: Russian terrorists downed MH17

Debaltseve Salient. Situation report as of Feb. 5. Russian command changes the tactics. What shall be done? After our troops’ victory in a defensive battle at the Debaltseve salient within fighting on Jan. 23 – Feb. 1, the fighting continues and the Russian command is changing tactics. Russia is throwing new tank and artillery units of "leave personnel" to make up losses of large teams of mercenaries and regular troops. The situation in the area of Debaltseve remains tense and requires an immediate solution. Immediate. 05.02.15 17:50 344 047 527 Previously in trend: Debaltseve salient

PUTIN’S STRATEGY AND RUSSIA’S JANUARY OFFENSIVE IN DONBAS. ANALYSIS OF THE OPERATIONAL SITUATION AT THE FRONT LINE Direct intervention will most definitely lead to Russia’s complete cutoff from the world financial markets and to the catastrophe for Russia’s economy, which depends heavily on loans and import. Putin is not ready to stake on this. He is afraid to completely break off relationship with the West. He is afraid to become an outcast; he would like to keep the Russia’s elite to the Western material world. 28.01.15 09:31 260 771 322 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

$1.4 billion from Yanukovych’s accounts could be used in Ukraine’s budget. The Rada should get involved. Task #1 for the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine and Anti-corruption Bureau at the moment is to confiscate the money and property of Yanukovych’s family and close people, as well as those of the terrorists’ allies. 23.12.14 15:27 118 528 71 Previously in trend: Yanukovych Family

Shooting of the 'Nebesna Sotnia' at Maidan – Censor.NET’s version In the period from January to February of 2014, over 100 people were shot dead at the peaceful protests on Kyiv’s Euromaidan (altogether referred to as Nebesna Sotnia, the Heavenly Hundred – ed.). The investigation is far from making any conclusions, so Censor.NET’s chief editor Yurii Butusov made his own based on the website’s sources: most of the killings on Feb. 20 were committed by a group of special forces soldiers under captain Dmytro Sadovnyk. 16.12.14 18:28 139 372 287

IHOR “SUMRAK” HORDIICHUK WAS ORDERED TO HOLD SAVUR-MOHYLA AT ALL COSTS. STORY OF A UKRAINIAN SPECIAL FORCE HEROIC ACT LEFT UNPRAISED Defense of Savur-Mohyla holds a special place among examples of outstanding valor and courage performed by the Ukrainians in the war with Russia, reported about by Censor.NET. This was one of the most desperate operations ever conducted by the Armed Forces of Ukraine. 15.10.14 14:16 803 0

No Hasavyurt, No Brest Peace Will be Enough for Putin Today, Commander-in-Chief Petro Poroshenko will hold a meeting with the leadership of the Ministry of Defense. Important words will be voiced. But these words will not change anything, unless they will be backed up by an action plan. Unless, through the decisions and plans you can see specific soldiers and specific officers who go into battle, who are helped by the Ministry to defeat the enemy in the best possible way. 10.09.14 10:53 70 290 65

After Ilovaisk Heletei and Muzhenko Must Be Kicked Out of the Army! How insanely hard it is... To see, to ask, to write and not be able to change anything ... But now we must change everything. For a long time not only me but other people - including officers and soldiers tried to convey simple, logical demands regarding the response to the Russian advance to the ATO command and the Ministry of Defense. 31.08.14 15:37 258 662 877

Operational Situation Analysis. August 28, 13:00 I will now state my personal and very subjective opinion. And you need to take it considering that the author is a journalist and does not pretend to be the ultimate truth. I'm just very concerned that too many of my predictions for the development of the military operation, alas, came true. Yesterday, at a meeting with Commander-in-Chief Petro Poroshenko, he said that he reads my articles on military topics and is ready to get acquainted with new proposals, if I write an up-to-date and relevant materiall. Ok. I will write very unpleasant things. But it has become customary. 28.08.14 16:43 192 647 247

Southern Front. Situation is Tough Military invasion of the Russian Federation is becoming more widespread. In an offensive on the southern front of the enemy used the units of 76th Air Assault and 98th Airborne Divisions, the 18th Motorized Rifle Brigade, one infantry brigade, one special forces brigade, three artillery regiments, which have not been identified yet. There are no more “militants” left at the front - except for some small gangs. Our troops are fighting with the regular forces of the Russian Federation. 27.08.14 15:05 384 195 326 Previously in trend: Russian aggression against Ukraine

Operational Situation as of 12:00, August 25 Russia has conducted an intrusion by the forces of at least four battalion tactical groups. The objective is to cut the Ukrainian Front in the area Amvrosiivka, operational encirclement of our troops near Ilovaisk, Torez, Shakhtarsk. One of the Russian columns is moving towards Mariupol. 25.08.14 13:22 157 494 203

Battle For Ilovaisk The Battle for Ilovaisk was the first battle of Ukrainian volunteer battalions. The battle is of strategic importance. Ilovaisk is the key to intercept communications of the Donetsk group of Russian mercenaries. Taking Ilovaisk endangers the Donetsk enemy forces and creates the conditions to close the encirclement of Donetsk. 20.08.14 15:21 160 975 161 Previously in trend: Battle for Donetsk

War And Counterattack Of Russian Troops In The Donbas What happened? Russian troops launched a massive counter-attack in the Donbas. It is a military invasion of Russia. Yes, it's a fact. This is something that has already happened. The military situation in the Donbas has seriously changed. 18.08.14 11:49 361 107 1 057

Mistakes of Anti-Terrorist Operation Strategic Command The main problem of the Ukrainian anti-terrorist operations command is very slow threat analysis and assessment. It is very sad that even after the tragic lessons of fighting in the Sector D, the command did not make proper conclusions from it. We must think fast, we have to work with data sets. If you assess the situation in terms of operational art, the following errors are obvious. 12.08.14 14:04 184 920 147

Vladimir Vladimirovich Cain Why did Putin take away the Russians’ brothers, honor, soul and is now taking away their underwear? 09.08.14 14:47 169 905 314

They Broke Through. Heroes of Sector D Are Out of the Encirclement As a result of three days of fierce fighting in the area of Chervonopartyzansk, Dovzhanske, Diakove the surrounded group of Ukrainian troops of the individual units of the 24th, 51st and 72nd mechanized, 79th Airmobile brigades, 3rd Regiment of Special Forces and the State Border Service made a successful breakthrough from the entrapment and moved to join up with the main forces of the Ukrainian troops. 08.08.14 13:48 95 891 237

WE WILL WIN THIS WAR. IF EVERYONE BELIEVES AND CONTRIBUTES In three months we went from being a helpless territory conditionally controlled by the central government to becoming an actual state with its strength growing every day. 16.07.14 15:56 57 315 233