Digests & Analytics Ukraine

30/06-06/07/2014 | Weekly Highlights by “Digests & Analytics Ukraine” News Agency

War in Ukraine 

• Ceasefire terminated and anti-terrorist operation recommenced in Donbass, on 30 of June 30.06. 
• Heavy fights with terrorists, armed with artillery and heavy armored vehicles, have been ongoing during the week. Residential areas in Kramatorsk, Lugansk and Slovyansk have been shelled by terrorists with multiple rocket launchers "Grad". 
• Ukrainian army gradually took over border control between Ukraine and Russia and destroyed numerous terrorist strongholds with artillery and airstrikes.
• Terrorists abandoned northern Donbass cities, leaving numerous military equipment and weapons. Liberated territories coming back to normal life. 
• Main terrorist forces being concentrated in Donetsk, Lugansk, Gorlovka. Central parts of Donetsk and Lugansk regions are still under control of separatists.  
• Russia blocks terrorists return passage across the Ukrainian border, but continue to supplying them with military equipment, weapons as well as continuously conducts aerial reconnaissance. Significant amount of Russian armed forces, ready to intervene, remain concentrated near Ukrainian border.
• Water supply station on Siversky-Donets – Donbass channel have been once again disabled by terrorists shelling. Drinking water supply to cities around Donbass being strongly disrupted. 
• Ukrainian military casualties since the beginning of the anti-terrorist operation in the conflict zone within Donets reached 200 killed and more than 600 injured. 
• Mr. Akhmetov calls for peace talks in Donbass, without specifying, however, who should be involved in those negotiations. 

Politics and economics in Ukraine

• Archbishop of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church (under Moscow Patriarchate) Vladimir, passed away. Archbishop of Moscow, Kirill denied to attend the funeral "in order to avoid provocations."
• Verkhovna Rada (Ukrainian Parliament) failed to approve Constitution amendments, proposed by the President of Ukraine, but included the item into the agenda. 
• Defense Minister Mr. Geletey and Military Chief of Staff – Commander in Chief of Armed Forces of Ukraine – Mr. Muzhenko, started in their new roles after being appointed by the President of Ukraine.
• The official exchange rate of Ukrainian Hryvnia vs foreign currencies remained unchaged. 
• Utility prices for water, taxes on alcohol and cigarettes, increased sharply from 1 if July in Ukraine.
• Barricades being gradually dismantled on Khreschatyk square in Kyiv. 

Ukraine and the World affairs

• In Baku, Parliamentary Assembly of European Council adopted a resolution condemning Russia as aggressor and occupant in Crimea, as well as sponsoring terrorism in Donbass. 
• Ukraine officially closed Crimean ports to foreign vessels. 
• Russian authorities banned entry to Crimea for Crimean Tatar People Medjlis Leader Mr. Chubarov for 5 years.