#AceWorldNews – UKRAINE – July 23 – Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko has called a ceasefire within a 40km radius of where Malaysian Airlines flight MH17 crashed. Russia has urged all parties in eastern Ukraine to lay down their arms while inspectors investigate what caused the tragedy.
Wednesday, July 23
Self-defense forces of the People’s Republic of Donetsk (DPR) have said they have taken control of two villages on the Ukrainian border with Russia, Novorossia news agency reports. Igor Strelkov, defense minister for the self-proclaimed republic, said that fighting between Kiev troops and the militia is continuing near Dubrovka, Donetsk region.
Here’s the recap of President Obama’s call with Prime Minister Rutte of the Netherlands on the situation in Ukraine.pic.twitter.com/3zvKjvUFIm
— The White House (@WhiteHouse) July 22, 2014
Tuesday, July 22
21:36 GMT:
German Foreign Minister Frank-Walter Steinmeier believes that Russia has not done enough to defuse the conflict in eastern Ukraine. He told reporters in Brussels that Europe is ready to put more pressure on those who are unwilling to cooperate in settling the crisis.
20:54 GMT:
Ukrainian President Petro Poroshenko spoke against the introduction of martial law on Tuesday night, according to the government’s press service, stressing serious implications for the whole country.
Poroshenko added that support from international financial institutions would no longer be possible if martial law was introduced.
“Martial law – it is a situation in which there is the other side. And the party we are fighting has the appropriate rights. It can be supported, including by other states, it is under the protection of international law,” he said.
13:11 GMT:
The Ukrainian army has reportedly entered the cities of Severodonetsk and Lisichansk in the Lugansk region and taken control of main administrative buildings in both cities. Three columns of armored vehicles entered the towns from opposite directions, after heavy shelling of the area last night. Self-defense forces have reportedly withdrawn from the area, leaving behind several covering teams. Ukrainian army and national guards units are conducting a flushing-out operation to establish full control of the area.
10:52 GMT:
The Ukrainian parliament has signed into law a bill on a partial military draft. It was proposed by President Poroshenko, Itar-Tass reports. The law will allow 15 new military units to join the Ukrainian troops.
It’s the third partial military draft Ukraine has seen in a few months.
The bill was criticized by a member of Party of the Regions, Nikolay Levchenko.
“It looks like Poroshenko’s peace plan comes down to continuing war. Is this what the 15 clauses of the plan are all about?” he said.
Levchenko’s words provoked a scuffle between opposing groups in the Ukrainian parliament. The MP was eventually expelled from the session.
08:13 GMT:
Five civilians have died and 16 have been injured over the last 24 hours following attacks on Lugansk, according to the city council website.
There were 137 ambulance alerts, 16 of them concerned gunshot wounds and traumas among the civilian population, the statement also read.
05:51 GMT:
Collapsed railway bridge near Donetsk.
03:05 GMT:
The Ukrainian government failed to provide the needed protection and assistance to tens of thousands of Ukrainian citizens fleeing their homes due to the ongoing fighting between Kiev and the self-defense forces, Human Rights Watch said in a letter addressed to President Petro Poroshenko.
“All displaced people said they received little to no help from the government when they were fleeing from armed conflict areas or when they have sought to secure housing, food, clothing, and other essential items, as well as access to social services,” the letter said. “Most also said that they did not receive any information about agencies or governmental bodies they could turn to for help.”
Courtesy of RT – RIA Novosti – Tass – AP – AFP – Moscow Times
