As #Ukraine Says Its Lost 500 Square Kilometers of Territory, AP Reporters See Russian Armor Moving To Attack Ukrainian Foreign Ministry spokesman Yevhen Perebyinis has told Ukraines Channel 5 that the Russian-backed fighters have gained over 500 square kilometers of territory from Ukraine since the ceasefire was agreed upon in September. UNIAN reports: Russia is destabilizing the situation in Ukraine to shift as much as possible the line of demarcation in its own interests, and then to fix these positions at the talks in Berlin, he said. Today that number could expand significantly. AP reporters have spotted a large military convoy, controlled by the Russian-backed separatists, headed toward Perevalsk, a key area between Lugansk and Debaltsevo (map) on the Bakhmutka Highway west of Lugansk, an area weve reported on already today. Around midday, an AP reporter saw nine Gvozdika self-propelled howitzers and six anti-tank cannons moving near the eastern Ukrainian town of Perevalsk. A militiaman with the convoy, who declined to provide his name, said the armament heading in the direction of checkpoint 31. In another place along the same road, the AP saw four Grad multiple rockets launchers accompanied by four trucks carrying ammunition and 15 pristine-looking tanks, also heading toward the area of the checkpoint Ukraines government is already trying to explain today the tight spot they are in. Business Insider reports: In a closed session at the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, a high-ranking Ukrainian official just shared the Ukrainian governments current view of the conflict with Russia... Russia now has 9,500 troops in Ukraine and occupies 7% of Ukraine terrain. This 7% encompasses 20% of Ukraines population. This control of a fifth of the population is putting further pressure on Ukraines economy and finances. The most pressing problem is the need to refinance debt to cover the budget deficit. BI also posted this map, created by Reuters from information given to them by the Ukrainian National Security and Defense Council. But fighting, ongoing since the ceasefire, suggests that the white area, east of Volnovakha, is less than securely in Ukrainian hands. The bottom line -- the Ukrainian government is trying to get the worlds attention today to let them know that they are engaged in a serious fight with Russia and Russian-backed militants. Evidence suggests that not only is Ukraine not exaggerating, they may be putting a positive spin on the true extent of the crisis.
Posted on: Wed, 21 Jan 2015 23:27:43 +0000
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