08/02/2015 Ukraine: Daily Highlights - A powerful explosion has shaken Donetsk

02/08/2015 Daily Highlights by "Digests & Analytics - Ukraine" News Agency

Topics of the day

Four-side “Normandy format” negotiations to settle the Donbass crisis may be held in Minsk on February 11. A powerful explosion has shaken Donetsk. Yet another convoy from Russia crossed into Ukraine.

Ukraine at War

• There is no easing in the  intensity of fighting at the Debaltseve foothold. There are dozens of attacks and shellings on Ukrainian positions and residential areas along the front line in Donbass reported today that led to dozens of victims among the Ukrainian military personnel and civilians. The evacuation of civilians from Avdeevka and Debaltseve was terminated because of the resumption of the hostilities.
• The Ministry of Defence has published documents of Russian citizens killed in fighting in Donbass.
• Donetsk has been shelled from mortars, artillery and MLRS today. The intensity of shelling is increasing with every new arrival of a “humanitarian convoy" from Russia. There are numerous victims and damage to the infrastructure of the city. Monday night, a massive explosion shook Donetsk with shock wave passing  through entire city. According to the leader of the "Right sector" Yarosh, the explosion was a result of detonation of ammunition at the terrorist base after direct hit by the Ukrainian artillery.
• Another Russian truck convoy consisting of more than 170 cars crossed over into Ukrainian territory through unprotected state border. Russia does not follow any customs clearance procedures or mediation from international humanitarian organizations. The OSCE mission overseeing two of the checkpoints reported the passage of 70 trucks.

Ukraine and the World

• After telephone conversations with the leaders of Ukraine, France and Germany the Russian President Putin said that the meeting between "Normandy Four" would be held in Minsk on February 11 if by that time a number of provisions would be agreed upon. According to the statements made by Russian Foreign Minister Lavrov Russia expects to reach important decisions at this meeting.
• The German Foreign Minister Steinmeier called on Russia and Ukraine to reach a compromise. He believes that the fate of peace talks on Donbas will be decided in the coming days.

Trends

• The arrest of journalist Kotsaba, who called to reject military mobilization, on treason charges in the absence of any prosecution against those who sponsored terrorism - the former members of the Party of Regions, is indicative of very selective application of the law by the existing courts and the prosecutor's office and of the urgent need to fundamentally reform the law enforcement system.